Isabella couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw fragments of memory. A grand ballroom, laughter.
A boy with Matteo's eyes spinning her around while adults watched and smiled.She rolled over in bed. The silk sheets felt cold against her skin. The clock on her nightstand glowed red in the darkness. Three-fifteen in the morning.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
Rafa entered, carrying a cup of tea. Steam rose from the porcelain cup like smoke. "Thought you might need this."
"Thank you." Isabella sat up and accepted the cup gratefully. The warmth spread through her fingers. "Can't sleep either?"
"Sleep's overrated." Rafa said as he sat in the chair by her window. The leather creaked under his weight. "Big day tomorrow."
"Tonight, you mean." Isabella took a sip. Chamomile. Her adoptive mother used to make it for her when she had nightmares.
"Right. Tonight." His expression was unreadable in the dim light. "Are you ready for this?"
