The room went silent.
Camilla's hand flew to her mouth.
"Isabella..." she started.
"That's why Dante," Isabella continued, unable to stop now that the truth was spilling out of her. "Because he was the only one who ever made me feel like I mattered to somebody, even if it was twisted, even if it started as something ugly. At least it was something. At least someone wanted me."
"Enough!" Camilla's voice cracked through the room like a whip. "Enough, Isabella. Go to your room. Now."
Isabella stood there for a moment, breathing hard, tears finally spilling over onto her cheeks.
Lorenzo said nothing. He just stared at her with an expression she couldn't read, disgust, maybe, or something worse. Pity.
She turned and fled the study, taking the stairs two at a time, her vision blurred with tears until she reached her old bedroom door and slammed it shut behind her.
***
