Isabelle’s POV

The weight of the last few days lingered like a storm cloud, heavy and unrelenting. Every time I glanced at Nathan, my chest tightened with a mixture of relief and guilt. He was home, safe, but the questions surrounding his disappearance were far from resolved.

I sat at the breakfast table, watching him eat his cereal with a sleepy, half-hearted enthusiasm. His curls stuck to his forehead, and his small hands clutched the spoon like it was the most important task in the ...