When Leonardo left the room, Isabella stayed still, listening to the sound of his footsteps fading. Only when the door shut softly did she move.
Slowly, she pulled the ring out from beneath the blanket. Her fingers were trembling, and her injured arm ached, but her eyes were fixed on the sparkling little band. Her lips curved into a soft, fragile smile.
Her ring.
The same ring her father once promised to give her when she was grown up. The one with the hidden "I" that only lit up in the dark. So many memories filled her chest that it felt warm and heavy at the same time.
But then a fear crept in.
What if Leonardo tried to take it back?
What if he used it to hurt her again, like before?
Her smile faltered.
Without wasting time, she grabbed the small ring box from the table and gently placed the ring inside. Her movements were slow and clumsy with one sore arm, but she didn't stop. She lifted her pillow and, with a soft wince, pushed the box underneath it.
