The evening grew quiet as servants cleared the table, and the family slowly dispersed. Lord Adrian retreated to his study, Evelyn to her private lounge, and Marcus—ever restless—announced he was going out with friends.
Only Damian lingered.
Isabella noticed the way his sharp eyes followed her, not with suspicion exactly, but with an intensity that made it impossible to pretend she was the same carefree girl as before.
When she rose to leave, Damian's voice stopped her.
"Isabella."
She turned, trying to keep her expression calm. "Yes, Brother?"
"Come with me."
He led her down the hall into the quiet of the library, where the scent of old leather books filled the air. Closing the door behind them, Damian folded his arms across his chest.
"You've been acting strange all evening." His gaze bore into her. "You barely touched your food, you avoided arguments, and you actually thanked us. That's not like you."
Isabella smiled faintly, though her heart ached. So even in this life, he sees through me…
"I've just… been thinking," she said carefully. "About how much I take for granted. About family."
Damian studied her in silence, his jaw tightening. "You're hiding something."
In her past life, she would have denied it with a laugh, dismissed his concern as overprotective nagging. But this time… she wanted him close. She needed his trust.
"I'm not hiding," she said softly. "I just realized I should value you more."
For the briefest moment, Damian's guarded expression cracked. His eyes softened, though his tone remained cool. "You've never said that before."
Isabella stepped closer, her voice trembling despite her determination. "Then let me say it now. Damian… you've always been the one I could count on, even when I didn't deserve it. I want you to know—I'll never forget that."
A heavy silence settled between them. Damian exhaled slowly, looking away, as though hiding his own emotions.
"…If you ever need me," he said at last, his voice low, "you only have to ask."
Her heart swelled. In her first life, she had ignored his quiet loyalty until it was too late. But now, she swore she would not waste this second chance.
"Thank you, Brother," she whispered. "This time, I won't let anything tear us apart."
Unbeknownst to Damian, her words carried a weight far heavier than he could imagine. For Isabella Iyke was no longer the same girl. She had been reborn with knowledge of every betrayal, every lie, every blade hidden behind false smiles.
And this time, she would wield that knowledge like a weapon—to protect her family, and to destroy her enemies.
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