ndustries gala was too lo

Marcus designed for me, a deep emera

e tonight, celebrating another

mpanion, the quiet presence bes

his affecti

he stage, not with me,

, he announced, his voice b

, returned to

urmured, th

n near the gr

and she looked at Marcus like

the steps, dir

old, "this is Isabelle. She will be the ne

led, a small

cus, darling. It' s a bit... somber for

my dress, then

ugged at the delicat

rip

felt like he had torn

belle, his eyes never leaving hers. "We

on me, leading Isab

d me felt like sto

his supposed care, was now

was swift

r cherished. I