She thought this was about him? That he was angry because… And there it was. Proof that, deep down, she didn't believe he'd changed.

No matter how much it hurt, it was good to know where he stood. He could feel his anger settling into a long absent but oh so familiar coldness, and he welcomed it.

Very slowly, he closed the distance between them and laid his hand against her cheek. "I'm sure you believe that. Isabel," he said, voice incredibly gentle. "Do you know how many people have thought they were special to me over the years?" he asked. "Who thought they were my princess? More than I can count, more than I can remember." His grin was mostly smirk, and it was cold, his eyes were cold, hiding how deep her words had cut. "What makes you think you're any different from them?"