She opened her mouth, closed it, then finally spoke.
“I’ve been fine,” she lied, her voice flat and emotionless. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much she had struggled, how alone she had felt.
Enrico nodded, though he could tell she wasn’t being entirely truthful. He could see the dark circles under her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped slightly as if carrying a weight too heavy for her.
He wanted to reach out, to touch her shoulder and reassure her, but he knew that wouldn’t be welcomed. Instead, he kept his distance, his hands clasped behind his back.
“I’m glad to see you’re recovering,” he said after a moment, his tone still soft.
Isabella watched Enrico closely, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as he spoke. His sudden display of concern for her we
