Valen frowned, skeptical, but he couldn't tell. None of them could. Her tone carried too much confidence to doubt.
"I always come back," Isabella added lightly, shifting Glimora in her arms. "This time will be no different."
The way she said it made something stir uneasily in Ophelia's chest. She didn't know why, but it felt… final.
"You've planned this for a while?" Ophelia asked softly.
Isabella nodded, eyes fixed on the horizon beyond the stone walls. "Yes. I've been meaning to go for a long time. I just didn't want you to worry like last time, that's all."
There was a small silence between them. The night air felt thicker now, heavy with unsaid things.
Ophelia's smile faltered, her brows knitting together as she took a hesitant step forward. "Isabella," she murmured, "are you sure everything is fine? Did something happen?"
