[At first the touch is startling to her as he comes closer to her, Isabela's nerves plenty on edge from remembering this was once a place that held her back and treated her less than she deserved, but it doesn't take long for her to relax at the gesture of sympathy. Justice despite what he is doesn't...seem to be holding any of this against her, instead it's like he's trying to understand what she'd dealt with.

It's odd in a way she doesn't know how to describe her own feelings for, but the sigh she lets out likely gives away the relief she feels in the tension loosening in her shoulders. No one had her side in things back then, besides Zevran and her own strength to back up her actions. She wasn't looking for understanding from all this but it felt nice all the same.]

Antiva was his playground, he had much more clout and standing here than some young bride he'd bought off the streets of Llomeryn. I didn't even figure I could leave on my own, but I did hope maybe if I antagonized him enough maybe he would break it off himself. Leave me to my own devices and go find someone new to have at his fingertips.

[And it hurts a little to admit that, but the moment she'd signed Luis' death sentence she swore she'd never be that woman again.]

I wasn't the same woman I am now, Justice. I was still young, bitter and angry at where I'd ended up with not nearly enough strength as I have now to stand up for myself. Probably for the best, because I doubt I would have gotten away as easily as I did if I had killed him myself.