Divine Hearts Among the Sky

Chapter 56: The Mark

The tension between us hung thick in the air as we sat in the room, the silence broken only by the occasional glares Isaac shot my way. His eyes bore into mine, filled with a mixture of anger, frustration, and concern. It was as if he was trying to convey his emotions solely through his piercing gaze, sending a storm of unspoken words my way.

I matched his intense stare with a flat expression, my lips pressed into a tight line. I knew I had hurt him deeply with my reckless thoughts of going to Athena, and I couldn't blame him for being so mad. The weight of his disappointment pressed heavily upon me, a constant reminder of the gravity of my actions.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally mustered the courage to break the silence. My voice came out soft and pleading, an attempt to diffuse the anger radiating from Isaac.

"Quit being so mad at me, Isaac," I said, my words laced with a tinge of desperation. "I understand that I've made a terrible mistake by even considering going to Athena. I'm sorry for being so foolish, for not fully grasping the consequences."

Isaac's glare softened slightly, but the anger still lingered in his eyes. He wasn't ready to let go of his righteous anger just yet. He remained silent, his silence a testament to the magnitude of his disappointment.

"I know my words won't erase the fear and worry you felt," I continued, my voice tinged with regret. "But please believe me when I say that I won't go to Athena. I won't abandon our family, our fight. You mean everything to me, Isaac, and I don't want to lose what we have."

A flicker of vulnerability crossed Isaac's features, momentarily breaking through the wall of anger he had built around himself. He took a deep breath, his voice filled with a mixture of exasperation and longing.

"Sorry won't change what you were willing to do, Bella," he replied, his words heavy with the weight of his emotions. "It won't take away the fear I felt at the thought of losing you. You can't just brush it off with a simple apology."

I swallowed hard, the reality of my actions sinking in deeper with each passing second. I reached out a trembling hand, wanting to bridge the growing distance between us.

"I understand, Isaac. I truly do," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "I realize now that my actions were reckless and selfish. I won't go to Athena, I promise. I'll stay right here with you and fight alongside you. You mean everything to me, and I don't want to lose that."

Isaac's features softened further, a glimmer of understanding mingling with the remnants of his anger. He was torn between his love for me and the fear of losing me. I could see the struggle etched in every line of his face.

"Bella, I love you more than anything," he confessed, his voice laced with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "The thought of losing you terrifies me. I can't bear the idea of being without you. But I need you to understand the weight of your choices. We're in this together, and we need to trust each other."

Tears welled up in my eyes, a potent mix of guilt and love washing over me. I squeezed his hand gently, my voice barely a whisper as I spoke from the depths of my heart.

"I trust you, Isaac. I trust your judgment and your love for me," I said, my voice filled with raw emotion. "I'm sorry for making you worry, but please know that I'm committed to our cause. I won't let my desire to find a solution jeopardize what we have."

Isaac's gaze softened, a flicker of warmth returning to his eyes. He took a deep breath, his anger slowly dissipating like a storm subsiding.

"Thank you, Bella," he said softly, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I appreciate your willingness to listen and understand. We'll face whatever comes our way, side by side. Together, we can overcome anything."