King of Ruin

k away from him felt like a battle, a war waged between the woman she had become and the woman she had been when she loved him. But the farther she walked,

you're looking a little pale," Mrs. Fletcher said, her voice gentle but concerned. "I brought you a cup of tea. Thought you might need it." Isla smiled faintly, grateful for the interruption. "Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher. I didn't even realize how much I needed it." The woman set the steaming cup on the table in front of Isla and took a seat across from her, her eyes scrutinizing her face with the quiet wisdom that came from years of experience. "Something on your mind, child?" Mrs. Fletcher asked, her voice warm and inviting. Isla hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of the teacup as she considered how to answer. She couldn't hide from Mrs. Fletcher, not when the older woman had always been so perceptive. But how could she explain what had happened? How could she put into words the overwhelming mix of emotions swirling inside her, a storm of resentment, love, and fear? "He came back," Isla finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. Mrs. Fletcher raised an eyebrow. "Who, dear?" "Enzo," Isla replied, the name feeling like a blade on her tongue. "Enzo Ricci." Mrs. Fletcher's expression softened with understanding, her eyes reflecting the same kind of sadness that had filled Isla's heart years ago. She didn't need to ask why Enzo's name caused such a reaction. She had seen the way Isla carried herself, the way she had tried so hard to build a new life, to outrun the memories of the man who had left her broken. "That's a name I haven't heard in a long time," Mrs. Fletcher said quietly, sipping her tea as if measuring the weight of Isla's words. "I take it you didn't part on the best of terms?" Isla shook her head, her throat tightening as the memories came flooding back, uninvited. "He betrayed me," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "He tossed me aside without a second thought. After everything we had... after everything I gave him." Mrs. Fletcher nodded, her gaze softening. "You don't have to explain, Isla. I've seen what it can do to