Isabella's POV'' What? No that can not be,'' Manny let out, standing up to his feet as he looked at me in disbelief.'' He was shot at the city's charity ball,'' I said, and Manny still didn't believe it.'' How did it happen? Who did it? Was he not supposed to be with his men?'' Manny asked me so many questions all at the same time.'' Manny, it all happened so fast. First, there was an explosion, and then before I knew it, Xander was on the floor bleeding out. I didn't see the person responsible,'' I tried to clarify.'' Oh my goodness, why did no one call us, his father doesn't know,'' Manny let out as he took out his phone.'' What are you doing?'' I asked.'' Calling his father, of course, Agustín has to know what happened to his son,'' Manny answered.He was on the phone for a while, and when he was done he turned back to me.'' Agustín will be here tonight, but tell me, how is he? I want to see him,'' Manny said and my face fell in dismay.'' Isabella, what is going on? Where
Cora's POVI froze as I saw Ruby walk in with an unreadable expression on her face as she looked at me, but soon her demeanour changed immediately as she drifted her gaze towards Xander.'' Oh my goodness baby, how did this happen,'' Ruby asked as she ran over to Xander.'' Yes son, how did you allow yourself to get shot like this? Where were your men when this happened? The Draco getting shot in his city had never happened before.'' Agustín let out, scolding his son.'' It all happened so fast dad, I didn't see who did this,'' Xander answered, but his face clearly showed that there was more he was not telling us.'' Son, are you telling me that you didn't see the person that did this to you,'' Agustin scolded Xander, and I wondered what kind of father he was. His son almost died and all he could do was scold him.'' I did see anything Dad, get off my back already,'' Xander tried to yell, but he whimpered in pain, rolling his eyes.'' Don't worry baby, I am just glad that you are okay
Isabella's POVRight now, it felt like my world was at a standstill, but it was also spinning out of control all at the same time.I stayed in my room all day because I didn't want to see anyone, my mind could not stop itself from thinking about the mess that I had just put myself into. I was in love with someone that belonged to another.'' Ugh,'' I groaned out, as I was currently being consumed by a huge wave of emotions.'' Isabella, what is going on with you,'' I scolded myself.I was still lost in thought when the door opened and Mary walked in with a tray of food in hand.'' Hey, I brought you dinner, because I knew you wouldn't want to come down as always,'' Mary said and I smiled.'' Thank you, I don't know what I would have done without you,'' I let out, as I was thankful that she was here because I was quite hungry.'' I know, I am kind of your favourite person in this house,'' Mary smiled, saying.'' Of course, you are Mary, you are my only favourite person in this house,'
Isabella's POVEven as my mind had a mind of its own, I still tried to get some sleep, though it was so hard to do because now my dreams were haunted by the memories of that night, some were good, but most of them were horrible, as I still saw myself holding Xander's bloody body in my hand's once again.Thankfully, I drifted back to reality when I heard a knock at the door.I quickly opened my eyes, blinking profusely as the rays of the sunrise threatened to blind me.Getting comfortable in the light, I heard the knock yet again, so I stood up and walked over to the door.Opening it, I was Manny standing there with a huge bouquet of white roses in his hands.I was kind of surprised seeing him here so early this morning, with flowers in his hands.'' Manny what is this?'' I asked.'' I am sorry,'' He let out with remorse laced in his voice.And I was wondering why he was apologising, but then I remembered the argument we had yesterday, and to the heavens, I forgot about that.'' Hey, I
Isabella's POVI walked towards Xander's room with Manny, and my heart was beating out of control and I didn't even know why. No that was a lie, I actually did know why. Because ever since that night my heart knew what it wanted, it has filled me with nothing but fear, knowing now that my heart could not have what it desired. Taking in a deep breath, Manny walked me into the room, Xander's eyes were closed and it looked like he was asleep, but the second I stepped in, his eyes flung up. A smile crept onto his face but it died down immediately as soon as he saw Manny by my side. A scowl sat pretty on his face as his eyes drifted between me and Manny. '' Why are you here?'' Xander asked as his eyes trailed on me now. '' We came to see how you are doing,'' Manny quickly answered as I shivered nonstop under his gaze, as I slowly found myself getting lost in his eyes. '' Oh is that so,'' Xander asked as his eyes never left me. '' Yes, we came to see how you doing, and we can see t
Isabella's POVI was drowning in an ocean of invading thoughts, and Xander was at the centre of it all. It felt like he was the only thing I could think of lately, even when I knew I didn't want to.I was with Manny in the car right now, but it felt like I wasn't.'' Are you okay babe,'' I soon heard Manny ask.'' Yes, I am,'' I smiled, looking up at him.'' Are you sure because you have been very quiet and you are never this quiet,'' Manny let out and I shook my head.'' I am fine, I just have a little headache, that is all,'' I lied.'' Oh my, do you want us to go to the doctor first,'' Manny asked and I shook my head.'' No, don't bother yourself, It is just a headache,'' I said and Manny nodded as he held onto my hand, kissing it softly.'' Don't worry, we will soon get to where we are going, and I am sure if you see where I am taking you too, you will feel much better,'' Manny let out, and I forced myself to smile.'' I can not wait,'' I lied again as I turned my head to look out
Isabella's POV''Do not say those words to me again,'' I whispered, and Manny looked at me confused.'' Isabella why? why shouldn't I tell you that I love you?'' Manny asked.'' Because you can not love me,'' I let out as my eyes trailed to the floor.'' Isabella, why is that? Remember we do not choose who we love,'' Manny asked.'' You can not love someone like me, Manny, when all this is all over, I will leave this place and I don't know if this love you have for me will survive the outside world,'' I answered, but I knew that was not the real reason.'' Isabella, look at me,'' he said as he lifted my head to look at him.'' I do not care, I love you and that is all that matters, and when all this is over we will figure it out okay,'' Manny said.'' But what if,'' I wanted to protest but Manny stopped.''As I said before, you don't have to say those words back to me right now, I will wait for as long as it takes because you are worth it. And this love I have for you is big enough fo
Isabella's POV I just told Mia about my feelings for the Draco, and she was so happy about it, but now she is looking at me with an unreadable look in her eyes.'' Mia say something please.'' I let out because what she just said was not what I wanted to hear.'' Isa what else do you want me to say, like I said it was about time you finally recognized your feelings for him, so tell me what are you going to do now, are you going to tell Manny that you are in love with the Draco,'' Mia said and I shook my head.'' That is the problem, Mia. I am in a dilemma right now. How do you expect me to tell Manny that? He has been nothing but good to me. I can not bring myself to break his heart,'' I said and Mia rolled her eyes.'' So what are you saying? Are you going to stay with a man that you don't love?'' Mia asked.'' I never said that I didn't love him,'' I let out and Mia laughed.'' You didn't have to, it is written all over your face,'' Mia said and I breathed out heavily.'' I care ab
Isabella's POVI never believed that saying about your life flashing before your eyes when you're about to die. It always seemed cliché and stupid. But everything changed when I stood face-to-face with death, and my life replayed before me, both the good and the bad.---One Month LaterXander Diaz, known as "the Draco," was killed in a shoot-out with the police. The most dangerous man in the city was gunned down. There has been no statement from his family, and the police urged citizens to celebrate this victory, claiming peace had been restored."The chief of police assures us that the Draco will no longer wreak havoc in our city. We now head to the cemetery where the notorious mafia king is being laid to rest," the reporter said before the TV went black."Hey, I was watching that," I yelled, turning to see Xander holding the remote, and smiling."Aren't you tired of watching the news about my death? That's all they talk about these days. I didn't know I was this important," Xander
Isabella's POV:Three weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. Here we remained, entrenched in the safety of our secluded hideout, while Xander and Javier meticulously plotted their next move against Xavier. Despite the passage of time, my unease around Javier persisted like a stubborn shadow, casting doubt upon every whispered plan and stolen moment of respite.Xander and I got back together like the separation had never happened. Yet beneath the veneer of our rekindled love lay a constant churn of uncertainty. Thoughts of Judith, and the callous manner in which Xavier had snatched her away from me, haunted my every waking moment like a relentless specter."Thinking won't change a thing, you know that right," Xander's voice broke through the suffocating silence, pulling me back from the brink of my spiraling thoughts."What's on your mind?" he inquired, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine as his lips brushed against mine in a tender caress."Judith," I confessed, my voice b
Isabella's POV It felt like we were trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, caught in a vortex of danger with no escape in sight. Xavier's relentless pursuit loomed over us like a shadow, while the sudden appearance of Javier, Xander's longtime enemy, only added to our peril. "We're done for now. I don't think we'll ever get out of this alive. If Xavier doesn't get to us, Javier will," I murmured, my voice laced with resignation as I scanned the bleak horizon. As I braced myself for the worst, I closed my eyes, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation with either of them. But his unexpected offer of salvation shattered the silence, his words cutting through the suffocating tension like a ray of hope. "Get in if you want to live. You can't outrun them," Javier's voice broke through the chaos, his tone surprisingly sincere. Doubt gnawed at my insides as I grappled with the sudden turn of events. "Was Javier actually trying to save us?" "No, this must be a trick, a
Isabella's POV"I didn't stutter. Did I? Marry me, and I'll be your saviour," Xavier's voice oozed with a sinister charm that made my skin crawl. Each syllable felt like a dagger aimed straight at my heart."How can you even ask that? Why would I marry you, Xavier, when it's clear you hold nothing but disdain for me?" My voice quivered with a mix of fear and defiance, unable to hide the loathing simmering beneath the surface."I don't despise you. You're merely a pawn in this twisted game," Xavier's words slithered out, his gaze piercing through me as he closed the distance between us. "Marry me, and I'll bestow upon you a life beyond your wildest dreams.""What about Ruby? You made promises to her too," I challenged, my voice trembling with the weight of betrayal and hurt."Ruby was a foolish distraction. It was never my intention to marry her. Say yes, and you'll stand by my side as the Draco's queen," he urged, his smile sending shivers down my spine as his finger brushed against m
Xander's POVHearing the gunshots, I swiftly turned around, my gun clenched tightly in my hands, ready to defend myself and my men. To my dismay, I found them sprawled on the ground, incapacitated, while Xavier stood tall beside them, a smirk of satisfaction etched on his face.The revelation shook me to my core. My own cousin, the perpetrator of such a betrayal? I had spared his life once; was this the gratitude I received in return?"Hi, Cousin. It seems you've decided to join us. I was anticipating your arrival," Xavier greeted, his voice dripping with malice as he surveyed the chaos he had orchestrated."Xavier, damn you! So, it was you all along. How could you sink so low?" I exclaimed, a mixture of shock and rage coursing through me as I leveled my gun at him. But Xavier's response was a mocking laugh, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement."Oh, dear cousin, you've yet to fathom the depths to which I can sink," he taunted, his smirk widening into a sinister grin. I prepared to
Xander's POV"What do you mean she's been taken?" I roared, my anger surging like a tidal wave, crashing against the shores of my composure."I'm sorry, boss. I was knocked out cold, and when I came to, she and her guardian were gone. I went back to their house, but it was empty. I fear the worst, Draco," the man confessed, his voice trembling with fear, his eyes darting nervously around the room as if expecting my wrath to materialize into physical force."How dare you return with such news!" I bellowed, the force of my voice reverberating off the walls like thunder. I seized a glass from the table, hurling it against the wall behind him. It shattered into a thousand glittering fragments, mirroring the shattered pieces of my control. He cowered before me, his knees shaking in terror, a stark contrast to the facade of toughness he usually wore."I-I'm sorry, boss," he stammered, his fear palpable, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain his composure in the face of my rage."W
Xander's POV Days turned into months, each one a relentless reminder of Bella's absence. The gaping void she left behind refused to be filled, a constant ache in my chest that I couldn't shake. I understood why she had to leave, though. Agustin's actions were a stain on our family name, an unforgivable betrayal that tainted everything it touched. But despite the pain, a flicker of hope lingered in the depths of my heart, a desperate wish that Bella could find it in herself to forgive me for the sins of my father. "Son, stop torturing yourself over her. It's better this way," Agustin's voice grated on my nerves, each word a reminder of his role in driving her away. "Why are you still here? Didn't I ask you to leave?" I snapped, frustration boiling over. "Xander, you're my son. I can't just abandon you in your time of need," he replied, his tone almost pleading. "This man is pushing me to my limits," I muttered under my breath. "Look, Agustin, I don't want you around. You've caused
Isabella's POV Many months slowly passed by, and I gradually settled in my hometown.I still thought of Xander, because his ring reminded me of him. I knew I couldn't forget him even if I tried, so I stopped forcing myself to.I frequently visited my father's grave, as being with him greatly helped me.So today, I wanted to visit him as well.'' Judith, I am going to see my father,'' I said, and she nodded.'' Alright, why don't I come with you today? Judith suggested, and I looked at her surprised because she never wanted to come with me in the past.'' Don't look at me like that, I just want to go with you.'' she rolled her eyes.''I know you always want to be alone with him, but I would like to come and pay my respect as well.'' Judith let out.'' Are you sure?'' I asked, and she rolled her eyes yet again.'' I am an old woman, don't you think by now I would be sure of what I want to do,'' she replied.'' Okay, that will not be a problem. I would be happy if you came,'' I smiled a
Isabella's POVI got back to my hometown and everything still felt the same, even the air had the same feeling that it had before.The memories of why I left came flooding but, the demons I was running away from were still lurking at every corner.But not everything remained the same. The guilt I had about my father's death was all gone now that I knew who truly took him from me.I hated Agustin with all of my heart, how I wish I could put a bullet in his head.'' So why didn't you? Because no one would blame you if you did, not ever Xander,'' the voices in my head said to me.''No, even though I wanted so badly to end his life just like he ended my dad's life, I couldn't do it, because it would make me just as guilty as him,'' I said to the voices as I dismissed that thought immediately.Getting out of the airport, I took a taxi to Judith's house.A lot of emotion took over me as the car stopped in front of her house. I got down and walked to her front porch, taking in a deep breath,