~ Isabella’s POV

The week of recovery felt like a blur, a mix of rest, quiet meals, and moments of deep reflection. Every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I was reminded of how far I’d come and how much farther I had to go. The gown Luscious had given me made me look like royalty, but beneath the fabric, I still felt the weight of my wounds—not just the physical ones but the ones Lucian had left on my heart.

When Luscious told me it was time to meet Elder Elias, my stomach ...