CHAPTER TEN
CONTROL IS AN ILLUSION
ISABELLA
The next morning, I decided something very important. I was going to act normal. Not pretend normal. Actually normal. No avoiding. No staring. No overthinking every word he said like it carried hidden meaning. Just… normal. It sounded reasonable. Achievable. Almost laughable.
———
I got dressed early. Simple outfit. Nothing that clung too much or revealed too much. No unnecessary effort. Because I wasn’t dressing for anyone. Especially not him. That thought alone annoyed me.
I stepped out into the hallway, forcing my shoulders to relax, my breathing to steady. You’re fine, Isabella. This is fine. You are an adult. Act like one. I chanted to myself
Camille was already in the kitchen, barefoot, leaning against the counter while scrolling thr
