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Isiah was walking on clouds. 

Anna wasn't aware of how he had heard her confessing her love to him though Isiah didn't mind this. He didn't need her to say it to his face. But he wanted to say it to Anna because he was quite sure he was in love with her.

Much like Anna, Isiah didn't know what love really is and how it feels like but whatever feelings he has towards Anna were great, powerful and made him feel good. What else could it be than love?

Anna, Imogen and Isiah spent a lot of time with the Brightons. The family's connections proved to be useful and they were able to get in touch with a judge who could possibly do something to help Polly. It wasn't much yet but better than nothing and Anna started to feel like herself again.

She went to her favorite places in London and soon realized that the city wasn't so bad after all ― she actually started to think she likes London better than Small Heath. She showed Isiah all the best things to do in London and even brought him to see the Royal Ballet. 

When Anna was a child, a sad and unloved child living in Australia she had dreamt of being a ballerina though wasn't any good at dancing. She knew some of the most used society dances ― Imogen taught her ― but otherwise Anna was hopeless.

It was a late evening when Anna was sitting on her favor lounge chair, her favorite book in hands. She was completely lost in her own world and appreciated the moment of distraction. Her life has turned upside down way too many times in a short time and she was growing tired of it. 

In her mind, Anna was on an adventure somewhere far away. She was happy there and no family members were imprisoned and sentenced to death. That world was the world Anna wanted to live in. Not the one where her family was in prison.

"Everything all right?" Isiah stepped into the library.

Anna looked up from her book and smiled.

"Yes," she said. "I was just reading."

"Is it any good?" Isiah pointed at the book.

"I wouldn't be reading it if it wasn't," Anna rolled her eyes.

Isiah shrugged. "I've read many books I don't like."

"Like what?" Asked Anna while closing her book.

"The bible," he said.

Anna chuckled. "The bible? You've read the bible?"

"My father's a preacher," Isiah reminded.

"I always forget that," admitted Anna. "You don't strike me as a preacher's son."

Isiah placed his hand on his chest, pretending to be hurt by Anna's words.

"You were snorting snow when I first met you. And the second time, you were still hung over from the day before," said Anna, recalling the two first times she's seen Isiah. 

"I don't make good first impression," Isiah smirked.

He walked further into the library and was surprised by the chilliness in the room. He frowned, looking at Anna with a concerned look.

"It's freezing in here," he said.

Anna shrugged. "Is it?"

"Yes," said Isiah.

He looked around the room once and noticed an open window. 

"The window is open," he pointed out and went to close it. "Why was the window open?"

"I guess I left it open," said Anna and placed her book down. "You're acting weird."

Isiah shook his head and scoffed. "No I'm not."

He was acting weird. 

Anna's words which he had overheard some days ago rang in his head like million little bells. Every time he looked at her he could hear the words she had said  ― the words she's wants to say to him but hasn't yet.

Never in his life did Isiah think he would fall for someone. He thought he was going to be a bachelor his entire life, never committing to anyone. But then he met Anna and though he tried to forget about her, forget about his feelings, he couldn't. 

"I'm not," Isiah said again.

"You're not very convincing," mused Anna. "What is it?"

Isiah shrugged. "Nothing. Really."

Anna rolled her eyes, still not convinced by Isiah's words. She stood up and started to walk around the room. She didn't say a word but just walked, hiding a small smile. 

"What?" Isiah asked when Anna looked at her with a mysterious look.

"I'm just trying to figure out what is it that you can't tell me," she said and kept walking around. "For all I know, you might want to leave. Or that you are the one behind my family's arrest or..."

"Never!" Isiah nearly shouted. "I was not behind what happened to your family and I'm not leaving you."

Anna smirked and turned around to face Isiah. "Then what is it? Because now you're acting like a child."

"I'm not acting like a child," said Isiah.

"Then what?"

"You're so stubborn, you know that right?" Sighed Isiah and massaged his temples. "So stubborn. A true Shelby."

"Gray. Not a Shelby," Anna said as she did not want to be associated with Thomas any more. 

She really hated Thomas right now but it did make her sad. Thomas had been so nice to her, she felt like he understood her in a way no one else in the family does but then he went ahead and ruined everything. 

Isiah nodded. "Of course."

Anna flashed a smile at him but she still didn't have the answer for Isiah's strange behavior.

With her brows knitted together Anna walked over to Isiah. She stopped right in front of him, her eyes pierced to his. She stood so close to him that she could feel his warm breath against her face. There was a small smile across decorating the corners of her mouth when she leaned towards Isiah.

"You're lying," she whispered. "Something's going on. Please don't lie. Thomas was the last person who lied to me and things turned to shit."

Isiah sighed, his hand finding the small of Anna's back and pulled her even closer.

"It's nothing," he said.

"Nothing is always something. Now care to tell me? Otherwise I will just assumer the worst," said Anna.

It was nothing bad but ― just a thought of confessing his love. But it was scary and though Isiah was quite sure Anna felt the same way, he was scared to say the words to her. 

"Anna..." 

"You better start talking Isiah Jesus," Anna demanded and pulled away from him. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. I need you to tell me what's the matter."

Anna was afraid too but for different reasons than Isiah. She was afraid that there was something wrong ― she couldn't take another hit. While she was grateful for everyone's help, she was also impatient. Anna wanted results. She wanted her mother to be released yesterday.

People have always said that Anna's eyes could tell a million stories and when her eyes were now locked with Isiah's, he could tell that too. He could tell she was worried and tired, and he couldn't have that. 

"Okay. I will tell you."

So he took in a deep breath and exhaled.

"I know my timing isn't the greatest and there's a lot going on with your family but I want you to know that I... I think I'm in love with you," Isiah said, his eyes never leaving Anna's. 

Anna said nothing but stared at him.

"And you don't have to say it back. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to but I just have to tell you this. I know it's complicated with you being Michael's sister and all but since when do we care what others think, eh? Then there's the fact that you might stay in London or move here one day because all this," Isiah continued and looked around the room. "All this is going to be yours one day and when it is, and you live here, I would want you to remember me."

"W-wait..." Anna said but Isiah just kept going.

"I'm not good with my words. I don't belong to a world where I spend my evenings going to ballets or have a drink with a judge. I'm not cut out for that but you are and I'm not going to stand in your way. Once the time comes, I won't stop you."

"Isiah," Anna said again, her voice much louder now. "Care to listen?"

Isiah took in a deep breath and exhaled.

"Yes," he said.

"First of all stop worrying. Whatever my future will be like, I don't have to decide it today. Or tomorrow. Second of all... I love you too," she said and smiled.

Though he has heard her say it before ― that one day by accident ― it felt even better now. To hear her say it, to hear her mouth move to say those words felt like he could rule the world. Like he has all the power in the world because he's lucky enough to have Anna Gray to love him. 

"Isiah?" Anna asked. 

A broad smile that could compete with the sun spread across his face and he pulled Anna to his arms.

"You're surprised?" Wondered Anna when Isiah's reaction nearly threw her off guard.

"No but I'm happy," he said.

Isiah Jesus wasn't someone who jumps up and down when happy or cries when he's sad ― but he would gladly do those things just to show Anna how seriously and madly in love with her he was. 

"Good. Me too," she said and closed the distance between her and Isiah, locking her lips to his. 

The kiss tasted sweet and if Anna wouldn't need air to breath, she would've stayed there forever. But eventually she needed to catch her breath so she slowly parted her lips from Isiah's. 

"Your family is so going to kill me," muttered Isiah, his forehead pressed against Anna's.

Anna bit her lip for a moment before speaking.

"First they have to get out of prison," she said, her eyebrow arched in a way that made her look more and more like Polly.

"Then they can kill you."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," said Isiah. "But I'm willing to suffer through that just so you can have your family back."

Though she tried, Anna couldn't smile. There was still hope ― more than ever perhaps because now there were people working on the case ― but time was running out. Her family wasn't going to be kept in jail for too long.

Their crimes were punishable with a hanging.

Hanging as feeling a robe around one's neck, feeling the earth disappearing from under neath your feet. Seeing the life you've lived flash before your eyes until you can no longer catch breath and you die. It was a painful death.

"Anna?" 

"Sorry..." sighed Anna. "I was lost in my thoughts."

Isiah brushed his fingertips down Anna's cheek.

"You sure?" He asked.

Anna didn't want to wallow in self-pity or ruin the sweet moment between her and Isiah. She wanted to remember this moment as one of great happiness and love ―not a moment of sadness and fear.

"I am," she said and pecked his lips once again. "Come. Let's go to the gardens. I want to show you something."

She didn't stay and wait for an answer but left the library, expecting Isiah to follow him. And he did. 

The gardens were beautiful ― not as enormous as the ones the Brightons have ― but beautiful still. Anna's always liked outdoors and she could only guess it is because when she was a child, she spent most of her days out just so she wouldn't have to be with the people she lived with. 

Being outdoors made her feel safe. Before she didn't know why but now as the memories of her past were fresh, she knew why. Being outdoors, she has the chance and possibility to run. She can run and run as long as she just can. No one could stop her. Lock her into a room and make her stay there.

"So what it is about me that you love?" Isiah smirked.

His hand was holding Anna's and they were walking. Just walking around, enjoying the moment. 

"Don't be a brat," chuckled Anna. 

Isiah brought Anna's hand to his lips and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. 

"That was not an answer," he said with a smile.

Anna grinned widely and rolled her eyes.

"Can it be a secret?" Anna wondered.

"I will tell if you will," Isiah tried to bargain the truth out of Anna.

"But I never asked," she said, wrinkling her nose.

She twirled around once, her hair bouncing against her shoulders effortlessly before she flashed a childish smile and sprinted like a lighting during a stormy day. She was laughing, running around and for a moment she wanted to pretend that everything was all right. That she was just a girl in love and not basically an orphan, once again.

Isiah laughed at Anna's behavior as he has never seen her so carefree. 

It was a beautiful sight and Isiah thought Anna should always feel this way. She deserves the very best and if it was up to Isiah, she would never feel pain again. She would never be sad.

But what Isiah didn't realize was that Anna's eyes were filled with tears. Her laughter had died into shallow attempts to catch a breath. Her legs were growing weak and her vision was turning blurry. Her head hurt like it was dipped into a bucket of cold water and ice. 

Her chest burned and for a moment or two, Anna thought she was back in Australia. Laying on her death bed with her chest and head screaming in pain.

It was stupid of her ― how she didn't see the signs before.

Isiah had said the library was freezing but she hadn't felt that.

She hasn't had nightmares in days.

Anna's barely felt anything pain ― that was not normal for a girl like her.

Slowly, she turned around to see Isiah.

She smiled but a weak smile.

"Anna?" She heard Isiah say her name.

Her knees buckled.

She closed her eyes and fell down.

"Anna!"

Isiah calling her name was the last thing she heard before everything went black.