The afternoon sun warmed the vineyard as Isabella wandered through the rows of vines, trying to clear her mind. After her conversation with Ethan earlier, she’d needed space to think. The weight of David’s presence in Sonoma felt heavier with each passing moment, a storm cloud she couldn’t quite escape.
Ethan had gone back to work on the irrigation system, but his parting words lingered: “Don’t let him take that from you.”
Before long, the distant crunch of tires on gravel snapped her out of her thoughts. Isabella froze, her heart sinking as she watched a sleek black sedan roll up the drive.
David stepped out of the car, his expression a mix of determination and frustration. She didn’t need to guess why he was here.
“Isabella,” he called, striding toward her.
She felt her chest tighte
