Isabella's POV We fell asleep in each other's arms, and it was the most blissful experience I have ever had.I didn't know how long I had slept but I soon woke up, checking the clock, and it was almost the break of dawn.I turned to look down at Xander, and a smile crept onto my face, as I watched him sleep, he looked so handsome that I couldn't take my eyes off him.I wished I could spend more time with him, but I knew I couldn't because I was not ready yet for anyone to see me right here in Xander's room. So I knew I had to leave.I kissed his cheeks softly, and as I stood up wearing my clothes, I slowly made my way out of his room.The house was still quiet, as it looked like no one was awake yet, and I was thankful for that.So I quietly walked up to my room, trying not to make a sound.Walking in, Mia was still sleeping. So I breathed out a sigh of relief because I was not in the mood for any kind of lecture right now.I slowly got into bed, acting like I was there all along as
Isabella's POV'' Do you need backup? I know it would not be easy,'' Mia said.'' No it is something I have to do alone,'' I let out with sadness laced in my voice.'' I know, there is no easy way to end things with anyone,'' Mia said as she hugged me.'' Okay, so away from that sad note, what is next for Isander, because my 5 million followers are eager to know?'' Mia said and I rolled my eyes.'' Mia, don't start please,'' I let out, standing up to my feet.'' What? Don't leave me and my followers hanging, we all want to know what is next in this love story of yours,'' Mia said. I scoffed and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door so she would not follow me in.'' You can not hide from me, Isa,'' Mia screamed from the other end of the door and I laughed.Looking at myself in the mirror. I breathed out heavily, wondering how my life had become this complicated. This was not the plan. I didn't plan to fall for the Draco. I was supposed to keep a low profile and then leave when Ja
Isabella's POV'' How did it go,'' Mia asked me immediately as I entered the room.'' Badly, Manny was there,'' I answered and Mia looked at me with surprise.'' How did that happen?'' Mia let out.''Xander was playing one of his silly games,'' I answered.'' Damn, I can imagine the level of awkwardness you must have experienced.'' Mia let out softly.'' Yeah, but he apologized,'' I said and Mia looked at me as if I was speaking nonsense.'' No... You don't know what you are saying. How can the Draco apologize to you?'' Mia said, looking at me with disbelief in her eyes.'' But he did,'' I let out, feeling giddy that I had the most dangerous man in this city wrapped around my fingers.'' Wow, girl, you have that man where you want him,'' Mia said and I couldn't help but smile at her words.'' But what about Manny? He is still in the dark about all of this, and I kind of feel bad for him.'' Mia said and my heart broke, knowing that she was right.'' I will talk to him, I will go and fi
Isabella's POVIt had been over a week since Manny told me that he wanted to leave with me. And I still couldn't bring myself to tell him that I wanted to end things with him, so that is how I had been in my room avoiding everyone, including Xander, because I knew he was not going to like it, that I still hadn't ended things with Manny.Manny and Xander had been trying to see me, but I still refused to see anyone.Mia kept on telling me to snap out of it, telling me to summon up courage and end things with Manny and stop torturing myself.But it was easier said than done.'' How long are you going to keep up with this,'' Mia asked me as she walked into my room.'' For as long as it takes, that is the plan,'' I said softly as I cuddled up in the sheets.'' No, no way, I am not going to allow you to do that. It has been over a week, Isa, at least leave this room, because it is already reeking of self-pity.'' Mia let out.'' Mia go away, I don't want to leave this bed or this room,'' I s
Isabella's POVI was mad, I was livid, I felt used, and the positive relationship I thought I had with Manny was not so positive after all. I thought he was different, I thought he was a good person, but I didn't know that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing and a manipulator.''How could I have been so blind and stupid not to have seen this coming.'' I cried to myself as I continued to run back to my room.But Manny soon caught up with me, stopping me in my tracks immediately.'' Let me go you asshole,'' I yelled.'' Just listen to me Babe, Let me explain,'' Manny let out, but now I was disgusted by his voice.'' Don't you dare, I am not your babe, not now, not ever,'' I yelled.'' Please Isabella, just allow me to explain,'' Manny let out.'' And why should I allow you to do that, so that you can feed me with more lies, you stupid manipulator?'' I yelled.'' Isabella, please don't do this,'' Manny let out with remorse in his voice.'' Do what? Manuel,'' This was the first time I calle
Isabella's POV'' Shouldn't you go with him? Are you two, not a couple anymore? Why are you making all these fuses about it?'' I soon heard Ruby say as she walked up to us with a smirk on her face.'' Stay out of this Ruby, this has nothing to do with you,'' I let out, with anger laced in my voice, as I continued to pull at Manny's hands just to set myself free.'' that is where you are wrong. My dear, it has everything to do with me. With you gone, Xander and I can live happily ever after. So obey your boyfriend and just leave with him.'' Ruby said and I felt nothing but disgust.'' Did you know about this,'' I asked and Ruby laughed.'' Oh you poor thing, you know nothing, my dear, I was the one that made up the plan. Augstín here just gave the order and our good soldier here carried it out.'' Ruby said with a smirk on her face.'' How could you do this, you are a woman like me,'' I yelled and Ruby laughed even harder.'' Oh, you are so pathetic, I did this and I can do much more, s
Isabella's POVManny screamed in pain as he let go of me. I didn't even think. I ran over to Xander, holding him tightly.'' You shot me, you fucking shot me, you asshole,'' Manny yelled.'' Stop whining like a little child, it is just your hand,'' Xander let out and Manny groaned even more in pain.'' I am going to kill you, Xander,'' Manny screamed, and Xander chuckled softly.'' You should be happy that I didn't put a bullet into your head, Manny,'' Xander said softly with a smirk on his face.'' You wouldn't dare,'' Manny let out.'' Come on, Isabella, come back to me, we need to leave now,'' Manny let out as his gaze drifted towards me.'' She is not going anywhere with you, or maybe I should put that bullet in your head so that you will understand that she is not yours anymore to take,'' Xander yelled in anger this time.Xander soon turned around holding me in his arms, as he began to walk back into the house with me, leaving a screaming Manny behind us.We got into the house, a
Isabella's POV '' What did you just say,'' Xander asked with disbelief laced in his voice.'' Ruby here is responsible for your shooting at the charity ball,'' I said again, and Ruby looked at me with fear in her eyes.'' No, that can not be, Ruby is a lot of things. I can not stand her, but I don't think she would do something like that, she knows better than to try and kill me.'' Xander let out, as he was clearly in denial.'' Yes my love, you know me, you know very well that I can not do that, this woman has gone crazy,'' Ruby let out and I rolled my eyes.'' If it is any consolation, the bullet was meant for me, you only got in the way, trying to protect me,'' I said and Xander shook his head.'' No it can't be,'' He let out.'' What if I told you that she stupidly told me this, herself? She was so hell-bent on getting rid of me because she knew I was the only thing standing between you and her,'' I said.'' Don't listen to her my love, all that she is saying are lies,'' Ruby let
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,