**At Isabella's**
Isabella woke up first. Ray was still sleeping soundly next to her, face relaxed, hair messy on the pillow. For a moment, she looked at him with painful tenderness, a fragile smile on her lips.
Then the memories hit her like a slap. And the cold certainty that always followed: he was going to regret. He was going to leave. As always.
She shook him gently.
"Ray. Wake up. »
He groaned, opened one eye.
"Hmm…already?" »
"You have to leave. »
He sat up suddenly, frowning.
"Wait…what?" »
Isabella sat up, pulled the sheet against her, avoiding his gaze.
"I don't want to hear that it was a mistake. I already know that. What happened last night was... incredible. But it's over. »
Ray stared at her in disbelief.
"Isabella…"
"Don't say anything. Please. »
He grabbed her wrist before she could get up.
"Stop. Don't say that. This is not true. »
She looked up, hurt.
" Oh really ? And what exactly has changed? »
Ray took a deep breath, as if gathering courage.
"I'm not going to admit it easily...but Klaus was right. It's been you all this time. There was always just you. »
Isabella blinked, panting.
"Me and Miria… it wasn't serious. None of us really put any effort into it. Especially me. Because in my head, there was only you. And every time an opening was created between us, I backed away. Because of my fucking pride. I hurt everyone. To Miria. To you. Mine. »
Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes.
"So you… you admit that…"
"Yes. I love you. »
A suspended silence.
"But… I need time to sort things out with Miria. »
Isabella turned away abruptly, her anger returning in force.
Ray caught her, gently forcing her to face him.
"It's not what you think. I just want to make sure she is separated from Asher. This vampire is destroying her. I want to protect her. After that… it will be you and me. »
She searched his eyes, looking for the lie.
"You swear to me?" »
"I swear to you. »
He pulled her against him. Isabella let herself go, burying her face in his neck. They remained entwined, motionless, their hearts beating in unison in the silence of the morning.