ISABELLA'S POV

Antonio stood before me, his chest heaving, his hands balled into fists at his sides as if holding himself back from crossing a line we both knew would change everything. His dark eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of longing and restraint that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Tell me to leave," he said, his voice rough and low. "If you don’t want this, tell me now."

I didn’t answer. My breath caught in my throat, my body betraying me as my feet remained rooted ...