By Your Side

Cassius drew in a slow breath, steeling himself, dreading the eruption that must come. "Go on." He muttered under his breath, low enough that she might not hear. "Shout at me, curse me, do whatever you need. I deserve it."

But the outburst he feared never came.

Instead, from behind him, there was only a light sound of…relief? He thought it might have been his imagination at first, but then, clear as day, he heard her exhale—a long, audible sigh.

"Oh, thank goodness." Isabelle said out loud, her tone so unexpectedly calm that Cassius stiffened. "I was worried it was going to be something far worse. For a moment, I feared you were banishing me from your side or something like that...But it turned out to be something as insignificant as handling my punishment...What a relief."

Cassius's eyes flashed wide, and in the same instant, he spun around. His gaze fell on Isabelle—still standing there, no tears, no trembling fury.