Isabella couldn't sleep. Despite the exhaustion pulling at her limbs, her mind refused to rest. Luca's words echoed over and over, each revelation carving deeper into her thoughts. She shifted beneath the sheets, staring at the ceiling, then finally gave up.
Carefully, she slipped out from under the covers, wincing slightly as she stood. Her body ached in new ways, a tender reminder of the night she and Matteo had shared. Heat rushed to her cheeks at the thought, but it was quickly chased by unease.
She glanced over her shoulder.
Matteo lay still in the bed, his breathing even, chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. For the first time in days, he was sleeping without fever, color slowly returning to his face. The dark circles beneath his eyes had softened, and though bandages still wrapped his ribs, the pain in his expression was gone.
