At the restaurant,
Isabella paused at the sight of Aveline. There was no doubt, she was impressed.
Maybe it was the way Aveline looked, or how she sat calm and confident in the morning at the cafe. Maybe it was how she carried herself, or how she hadn't lost her composure even once.
Even the way Aveline made her wait, or said straight to her face that she should be speaking with Alaric instead, didn't bother her.
Because Aveline didn't owe her anything. She didn't have to flatter her. She didn't have to bow down.
And somehow, Isabella couldn't find a single thing to blame her for. Because that's how strong women are.
Everything about Aveline was… impeccable.
Even Isabella didn't know why exactly she didn't want this girl around Alaric. It wasn't because Aveline was married before. Was it?
Maybe she was just against Alaric getting involved with someone who wasn't even divorced back then. But now Aveline was free.
So what was she still holding on to?
