Chapter 4 - Whispers in the Dark
Three days passed in a state of tense quiet. Isabelle’s body began to heal from the trauma of the fall, under the constant care of Dr. Harrison and dedicated private nurses. As her strength returned, so did her interactions with Vincent.
Every evening, Vincent spent hours in her room. He did not speak of the brutal syndicate war raging across the streets of Chicago, nor of the rival safe houses his men were raiding. Instead, he asked about her life—her childhood, her mother, her dreams before financial ruin crushed her spirit.
In turn, Isabelle learned of the man behind the terrifying reputation. She saw the heavy burden of responsibility he carried, the deep honor code he lived by, and the profound grief that had turned his heart to stone five years ago—a stone that was now slowly thawing.
"You speak of your late wife with so much love," Isabelle said softy one evening as rain tapped against the glass.
Vincent looked out at the dark treeline. "Julia was light. I was dark. When she died, the light went out." He turned back to look at Isabelle, his eyes lingering on her soft features and the glowing curvature of her stomach. "For five years, I lived in pitch blackness. But when I look at you, Isabelle... when I see how brave you are, how you protect these children despite being terrified... I feel something I thought was dead."
A tender breath caught in Isabelle's throat. She reached out and placed her hand over his. Vincent turned his hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
May you like
Their quiet moment was shattered by a sharp knock at the door. Dominic, Vincent's trusted lieutenant, entered with a grim expression.
"Boss," Dominic said in a low voice. "We have a problem. Falcone's men just intercepted a encrypted communication from inside our perimeter. Someone inside this house leaked the medical records. Falcone knows about the twins."
