She hadn’t expected the question, so she blanked for a couple of seconds before realizing that her two hands were still up — and the bruise was glaringly obvious.

When she looked at it, she was even more shocked because somehow, it had worsened and looked even redder. Perhaps it was the balm Rina used that glossed over it and made it look worse.

The man’s smile was gone. He stared at the bruise intently and quietly before his gaze flicked back to her face.

Isabelle quickly put ...