Chapter 12: Chapter 12

The question hit me hard like a punch to the gut. Did i? I have been so focused on navigating the complexities of our arrangement that I didn't allow myself to examine my own feelings too closely. But now, standing here in front of him, with the weight of his question pressing down on me, i can't ignore the truth any longer.

"I don't know," i admit, my voice sounding barely above a whisper. "I don't know what this is between us, Michael. But I do know that it's not as simple as you want it to be."

Michael's eyes softens for a brief moment, but then his expression hardens again. "It can't be anything more than what it is, Isabella. We have a deal, and we need to see it through. After that... we'll go our separate ways."