Uncrowned Princess

28

The early morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows, casting long shadows across the worn wooden table. Isabella padded into the room, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She found Ethan already seated, a half-eaten piece of toast on his plate and a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.

"Morning," Isabella mumbled, stifling a yawn. "Why didn't you wait for me?"

She reached for a slice of bread from Ethan's plate, but he shifted slightly, just out of her reach. Isabella blinked, suddenly more awake and aware of the tension in Ethan's shoulders.

"Just hungry," Ethan replied, his tone carefully neutral. "Didn't want to wake you."

Isabella settled into the chair across from him, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. Something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what.

They ate in silence for a few moments before Ethan cleared his throat. "You should pack your things," he said, not meeting her eyes. "We're heading back to Coast Haven today."

Isabella's fork clattered against her plate. "What? Why? I thought we had more time here."

Ethan shrugged, his movements stiff. "The coffee shop owner called. He needs me back."

But couldn't he have found someone else?" Isabella protested. "We were supposed to have a little vacation."

At this, Ethan's eyes snapped up to meet hers, a hard edge in his gaze that made Isabella's breath catch. "You'll have plenty of time for vacation when you get back to LA, won't you?"

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Isabella frowned, confusion and hurt warring in her chest. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Ethan said quickly, but his tone suggested otherwise, "Look, maybe you should spend more days in Coast Haven."

Isabella brightened slightly at the suggestion, missing the sarcasm in Ethan's voice. "That's a great idea! And then maybe you could come to LA, see my world-"

"Your world?" Ethan interrupted with a harsh laugh. "It's one world, Isabella. The only difference is the class system that makes it seem like we live on different planets."

He stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "We need to leave soon if we want to make it back in time. You should hurry and pack."

Without waiting for a response, Ethan strode out of the kitchen, leaving Isabella staring after him in shocked silence. The warmth and connection they'd shared just yesterday seemed to have evaporated, replaced by a cold distance she didn't understand.

As she slowly rose to go pack her things, Isabella's mind raced. What had happened? Why was Ethan suddenly so cold, so eager to end their time at the farm? And why did she have the sinking feeling that something had irreparably changed between them?

With a heavy heart, Isabella made her way back to her room. The sun continued to rise outside, oblivious to the storm brewing between the two people who, just yesterday, had thought they were falling in love.

                 *******************

The bustling shopping district was alive with activity, storefronts glittering with enticing displays. Jenny's eyes darted from window to window, her expression a mix of excitement and frustration. Beside her, Dan trudged along, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, a look of barely concealed boredom on his face.

"Oh, what about this?" Jenny exclaimed, pointing to a delicate silver bracelet. "Isabella would love it, don't you think?"

Dan squinted at the display. "It's okay, I guess. But doesn't she already have a ton of jewelry?"