Chapter 206

Jareth Carrington’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word landed with a sharp finality. His tone was calm but firm—there was no mistaking the seriousness behind it. His sudden confession hit Isabelle Ryan like a slap to the face. That awkward smile she’d been hanging onto froze on her lips, and for a second, it was like someone hit pause on her body. She stood there, unmoving, her eyes wide and drained of color, staring straight at him. The moment her gaze met his dark eyes, set beneath furrowed brows, she saw it—his determination. It hit her like a punch to the gut, all her blood rushing backwards, leaving her face stark pale. The air around her still felt warm, but her face? Like cold stone. Then she blinked, snapping out of her daze like someone just shook her awake. “Jareth,” she forced a smile, the corners of her lips barely twitching. That easy, practiced smile of hers—it just wouldn’t come. Her face felt stiff, eyes wide with disbelief as she looked into his calm, steady gaze. And j