Leonardo's sharp gaze was still fixed on her, expressionless but intense. His finger had just left her lips when Isabella, with a quick blink and trembling lashes, suddenly reached up and caught his hand.
"I didn't drink!" she said, holding his finger like it was something precious. Her voice cracked softly, and her deep brown eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, locked with his.
"They gave me a glass, and I thought it was water," she whispered. "I didn't know…"
Her grip on his hand tightened slightly, like she was scared he wouldn't believe her.
"Will you believe me?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper, vulnerable, hopeful… like a child begging not to be misunderstood.
Leonardo stared at her for a long moment, then slowly looked down at their hands, her small fingers wrapped gently around his. She was holding him like he was something breakable.
His chest tightened.
"Yes," he said finally, his voice low but firm.
