The villa door opened without warning.
Two guards entered first, scanning the room.
Aaron followed, a bundle in his arms.
Isabella froze. The air shifted—sharp, electric—before she saw the dark hair against white swaddling.
Nick.
Aaron crossed the space and lowered the baby into her arms as if making an offering.
“He's well now," he said. “The fever broke."
Isabella inhaled deeply, letting his weight settle into her. She counted each tiny breath against her own, memorizing the rise and fall.
“What is this?" she asked, not looking at Aaron.
“An agreement," he said. “Stay here. Quietly. Don't cause trouble. And he can be here with you… sometimes."
---
She shifted the baby to one arm and turned to face him. “You're offering access to my own child as a leash."
“I'm offering protect
