It had been a week since the study incident and Isabella did not return for any more private study sessions.
She had taken Father Adrian’s words to heart. He had said they needed to stop, that it was too dangerous so she respected his decision. She attended regular Sunday service from the back pew, kept her head down, and left quickly afterward. She prayed every night, asking God to take away her sinful thoughts.
But it wasn’t working.
She still dreamed about him. Still remembered the warmth of his body, the taste of his lips, the way his hands had gripped her. Even during the day, random moments would trigger memories of that night, leaving her aching and guilty.
Father Adrian was suffering too.
Every evening he sat alone in his study, staring at the empty chair across from him. He t
