Leo drew in a deep breath, then gently guided her to sit on the edge of the bed. Bella blinked at him in confusion, her lashes fluttering, but before she could ask what he was doing, he lowered himself down onto one knee before her.
Her eyes went wide. Leonardo… kneeling?
"Isabella," he said, his voice deep but steady, his hands still holding hers. His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles, the warmth of his touch making her heart skip. "I know… we're strangers to each other, even after marriage."
She swallowed, her head dipping in a small nod. It was true.
His gaze softened, though his jaw stayed tight, as though it cost him something to admit it. "I want to change that," he continued, his voice low but earnest. "If we're living in the same room, under the same roof… then I don't want distance between us." He paused, searching her face, then said slowly, "Will you be my friend?"
