Chapter 17

• Isabelle walks around the kitchen, her heart set on making a delicious banana cake. As she mixes the ingredients, her mind wanders, consumed by her craving.
• She was too occupied, gathering and placing the ingredients, to hear a door open and close in the distance. Suddenly, Axel, her stepbrother, enters the kitchen, concern etched on his face.
• "Hey, Isabelle, are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine care. The way his tone softened when he asked her the question made her heart clench with guilt.