Izzy had begun to think she knew the rhythms of her new life with Liam. The tightly choreographed appearances, the carefully curated smiles, the unspoken rules of high society—they were becoming familiar, even if they still felt like borrowed clothes that didn’t quite fit. But despite her growing familiarity with the public side of Liam Stone, the private side remained a mystery. She knew him as the unflinching CEO, the man who could face down his uncle without batting an eye and glide through a crowd of power players with perfect ease. And yet, behind those impenetrable gray eyes, she sensed something more.It was subtle at first—small things that she might not have noticed had she not been paying such close attention. The way his hand tightened slightly when they posed for photos, as if steadying himself. The way his eyes sometimes darted away during conversations, as if he were momentarily lost in a thought he didn’t want to share. Or the way he would retreat to his study late at n
The days slipped by, each one blurring into the next, but Izzy found herself becoming increasingly aware of Liam. The air between them had changed since the night she’d overheard his late-night phone call, since she’d glimpsed that rare vulnerability hidden behind his polished exterior. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but now that she had, she couldn’t unsee what lay beneath his carefully controlled façade—a man bearing a heavy weight, who shouldered it alone.Her initial discomfort with their arrangement was still there, lingering in the background. But as they spent more time together—at events, at dinners, even in the quiet moments in the penthouse—her discomfort was becoming entangled with something else, something that felt unsettling and magnetic all at once.The first time she noticed the change was during a quiet evening after yet another high-society event. They returned home late, both exhausted. Liam had loosened his tie, his jacket slung over one shoulder, looking far more
For the first time in weeks, Izzy felt like her old self. She was sitting in a bustling downtown pub, surrounded by laughter, music, and the familiar energy of Chicago’s nightlife. Across from her, her best friend Lily was grinning, holding up her glass for a toast.“To new beginnings,” Lily said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Or, at least, to survival in the world of high society.”Izzy laughed, clinking her glass with Lily’s. “I’ll drink to that.”She took a long sip of her cocktail, the sweet, fizzy taste a refreshing change from the usual champagne and wine that seemed to flow endlessly at every event she’d attended with Liam. For a few hours, she felt free—free from the expectations, from the constant scrutiny, and from the unspoken tension simmering between her and her new husband.“So,” Lily leaned in, a smirk on her face. “How’s life as Mrs. Stone? Are you getting used to the glitz and glamour yet?”Izzy rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help but smile. “It’s… complicat
Izzy was in her office at Stone Enterprises, absorbed in her latest design project. She had been grateful to Liam for helping her find a way to keep her career active within the confines of their arrangement. Being able to work on her designs in a private office within his company allowed her to feel a sense of purpose, something that grounded her amidst the complexities of her new life.She was so deep in her work that she didn’t hear the knock at her door until it opened. Looking up, she saw a familiar face, and her eyes widened in surprise and delight."Daniel!" she exclaimed, getting up from her desk.Daniel Grayson, an old friend from her college days, stepped in with a wide grin. He was a landscape architect who’d spent the last few years traveling for various projects around the world. Tall, with an easygoing smile and a twinkle in his eye, Daniel had always been one of her closest friends. They’d spent hours in college working side by side in the studio, challenging and inspir
It was a rare sunny afternoon in Chicago when Izzy received the invitation. A sleek black envelope, delivered directly to her desk at Stone Enterprises, bearing her name in elegant, looping script. Inside was a beautifully embossed card inviting Mrs. Isabella Stone to a charity luncheon hosted by the West Foundation—a name Izzy knew all too well from her occasional gossip tabloid readings. Sabrina West was a prominent socialite, the kind who seemed to exist only in the pages of high-society magazines and whispered stories of scandal and intrigue.Izzy knew Sabrina was part of Liam's past, a woman who had once stood beside him at countless events, always elegantly draped on his arm. The media had fawned over their relationship, and there had been endless speculation about their future together. Sabrina West was Liam’s longest and most serious relationship—until it ended abruptly. Izzy didn’t know the details, and she hadn’t asked, but she had sensed that whatever had happened between t
Izzy’s mind was still buzzing from her encounter with Sabrina. The woman had a way of getting under her skin, her words lingering long after their conversation had ended. The whole night, Sabrina’s thinly veiled insinuations echoed in Izzy’s thoughts, casting shadows over her confidence. Sabrina seemed so sure of herself, so certain of her claim on Liam, that it left Izzy with an unsettling question: Did Liam still care for her?The thought felt ridiculous, but Sabrina had planted it expertly, like a seed taking root. It didn’t help that Liam had been more distant than usual since that night. He had promised to talk to Sabrina, but he hadn’t mentioned it again, and Izzy had no idea if he’d actually followed through.It was the beginning of a shift she could feel—a shift Sabrina was clearly determined to nurture.The next few days, Sabrina’s presence seemed to be everywhere.Izzy was in her office at Stone Enterprises, going over designs for a new project, when the receptionist knocked
It was early in the morning, and Izzy was nursing a cup of coffee in the penthouse kitchen when Liam walked in, already dressed in a sharp gray suit and looking like he was ready to conquer the day. He moved with the same calm confidence he always did, yet today, there was an edge of urgency in his eyes.“Izzy,” he said, breaking her morning reverie. She looked up, meeting his gaze, trying to hide her surprise. Mornings weren’t usually a time for conversation between them; they kept to their own routines and left each other in peace. So his direct, focused attention now caught her off guard.“Yes?” she replied, setting her mug down and giving him her full attention.“I need you to accompany me out of the city for a conference,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, his gaze unwavering. “It’s a two-day event, and it would look better if we attended as a couple.”Izzy’s eyebrows shot up, both surprised and hesitant. “A conference? Do you really need me there? I thought… you usua
The next morning, the air in the suite felt thick and tense, as though last night’s unresolved emotions had settled into the walls, waiting to be confronted. Izzy woke early, alone in the bed, a dull ache in her chest as she remembered Liam leaving the room after their passionate but unfinished night. She lay there for a few moments, staring up at the ceiling, trying to sort through her feelings.She wanted him—she wanted him in a way that went beyond their contract, beyond the careful boundaries they’d set up between themselves. But Liam had made it clear that he wasn’t ready to let down his walls, and that stung. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep herself in this strange limbo, hovering between reality and pretense.With a sigh, she finally forced herself out of bed, pulling on a robe and heading into the main living area. To her surprise, she found Liam already awake, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the ocean. He was dressed in a white dress shi
The late afternoon sun streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of Izzy’s office, casting warm golden light onto the drafting table where she worked. The space was a perfect blend of creativity and professionalism, with sleek modern furniture, open shelving filled with architectural models, and a massive whiteboard covered in sketches and ideas for her latest project.Izzy stood at the table, pencil in hand, her brow furrowed in concentration as she sketched out the final details of a sleek, contemporary home design for a new client. A soft breeze drifted in through the open window, carrying with it the distant hum of the city below.She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her engagement and wedding rings catching the sunlight as she worked. It was a small detail, but one that made her heart swell every time she noticed it.The door to her office creaked open, and a familiar voice broke the quiet.“Still at it, I see.”Izzy looked up, a smile breaking across her face as
The hum of the private jet’s engines filled the cabin, but Izzy barely noticed it. She sat by the window, her head resting against Liam’s shoulder as she gazed out at the clouds stretching endlessly across the sky. The week on the island had been a dream—a blur of white sands, turquoise waters, and tender moments—but now, as they returned to Chicago, reality was waiting for them.And for the first time in her life, Izzy didn’t feel anxious about it.Liam’s hand rested over hers, his thumb tracing slow circles against her skin. “You’re quiet,” he murmured, glancing down at her.“I’m just thinking,” she said softly.“About what?”Izzy smiled, tilting her head to look up at him. “About everything. The future, mostly. It feels like… like we finally get to start living. No contracts, no scheming uncles, no dark secrets hanging over us. Just us.”Liam’s lips curved into a small smile, his blue eyes softening. “It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?”She nodded, leaning into him. “The best.”When th
The warm, salty breeze of the Caribbean washed over them as Liam and Izzy stepped off the private plane. The island was like something out of a postcard—white sand beaches stretching endlessly, turquoise waters sparkling under the sun, and lush palm trees swaying gently in the wind. It was paradise, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Izzy could breathe deeply, unburdened by worry or stress.“This is unreal,” she said, her voice full of awe as she looked around.Liam placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the waiting car that would take them to their villa. “I wanted it to be special,” he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “After everything we’ve been through, you deserve nothing less than perfection.”Izzy glanced up at him, her heart fluttering. He was dressed casually in linen pants and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his usual commanding presence softened by the relaxed atmosphere. This was a side of Liam she r
The morning was perfect. The crisp, early autumn air carried the scent of freshly fallen leaves, and the soft sunlight filtering through the trees made the garden venue glow. The space had been transformed into a dreamscape of white roses, twinkling fairy lights, and flowing ivory drapery. Everything looked exactly as Izzy had imagined it—the perfect blend of elegance and intimacy.In the bridal suite, Izzy stood in front of a full-length mirror, her heart pounding in her chest. The dress she had chosen—a classic ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and delicate lace detailing—fit her like a dream. The soft tulle skirt pooled at her feet, and the intricate beadwork on the bodice sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Her hair was swept into an elegant chignon, a few loose curls framing her face, and her makeup was soft and romantic.Sarah fussed with the hem of the dress, her face glowing with excitement. “You look like a literal princess, Izzy,” she said, stepping bac
The week leading up to the wedding had been a whirlwind of preparations, meetings, and final adjustments. Yet amid the chaos, there was one tradition that Izzy and Liam’s friends refused to let slide—the bachelor and bachelorette parties. After everything they had been through, it was time to celebrate, to laugh, and to allow themselves a moment to breathe before the big day.Izzy glanced at herself in the mirror, laughing softly as she adjusted the sparkly “BRIDE” sash Sarah had insisted she wear. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, turning to her best friend, who was grinning ear to ear.“Ridiculous? No,” Sarah said with mock offense, hands on her hips. “It’s tradition. You are the bride, and we are going to celebrate like it’s our job.”Izzy rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. Dressed in a sleek white cocktail dress and heels that Sarah had forced her into, she felt radiant—something she hadn’t had much time to think about in the chaos of the weddi
The morning sunlight poured into the penthouse kitchen, flooding the space with a warm golden glow. Izzy stood at the counter, surrounded by swatches of fabric, invitation samples, and color-coded to-do lists spread haphazardly across the marble countertop. A cup of coffee sat untouched beside her, forgotten in the chaos as she flipped through her wedding planner for what felt like the hundredth time that week.“This might actually drive me insane,” she muttered under her breath, biting the end of her pen as she tried to finalize the seating arrangements.Liam walked in, dressed casually in dark jeans and a crisp white shirt, his hair still slightly damp from his morning shower. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of the counter, his brow raising at the sheer volume of wedding-related material. “Am I interrupting a battlefield strategy session, or is this still about the wedding?” he teased, leaning against the doorframe.Izzy shot him a mock glare. “You laugh now, but you’ll feel m
The boardroom of Stone Enterprises was filled with an air of quiet tension. The long, polished mahogany table gleamed under the overhead lights, and the room was full of powerful people dressed in sleek suits, their faces carefully neutral. It was a defining moment for the company—one that would either mark the end of months of chaos or plunge it into another chapter of instability.At the head of the table, Liam Stone stood tall, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, his posture confident, and his piercing blue eyes swept over the room with quiet authority. At his side sat Izzy, her presence as steadying to him as his resolve. Though she wasn’t technically a part of the company, she had insisted on being there for him during this final showdown with his uncle, Charles Stone.Across the table, Charles sat slouched in his chair, his smug demeanor barely masking his growing unease. He had been so certain that Maxwell’s arrest and Noah
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fresh linens, but for once, the atmosphere was light, almost celebratory. Izzy sat on the edge of Ethan’s bed, her heart swelling with gratitude as she watched him chat animatedly with his doctor. His cheeks were full of color now, his energy vibrant in a way she hadn’t seen in years.“Mom always said I’d grow up to be the toughest kid on the block,” Ethan said proudly, crossing his arms over his chest as if to show off imaginary muscles. “And I guess I proved her right!”Dr. Patel laughed, flipping through the last of his notes on Ethan’s chart. “You sure did, champ. You’ve been through a lot, but I’m happy to officially tell you that you’re in full remission. Your body’s healed completely.”Izzy’s breath caught at the word—remission. She hadn’t dared to hope for it, not fully, not after the long, terrifying months of treatments, surgeries, and setbacks. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for Ethan’s hand, squeezing it tightly.“Did you hea
The courthouse loomed before them, its gray stone walls towering over the bustling city streets. The air was cold that morning, a sharp wind whipping through the crowd of reporters and onlookers gathered outside the building. Cameras flashed, and voices shouted questions as Liam and Izzy stepped out of the sleek black car that had brought them there.“Mr. Stone, do you think Maxwell Stone will be convicted?”“Is it true you’re testifying today?”“Mrs. Stone, how does it feel to face the man who killed your parents?”Izzy flinched at the question, but Liam’s hand found hers, steady and grounding, as they walked up the courthouse steps. He glanced at her, his blue eyes filled with quiet reassurance. She gave him a small nod, gripping his hand tightly as they pushed through the crowd and entered the building.Inside, the noise of the outside world faded, replaced by the low murmur of voices and the echo of footsteps on polished floors. The weight of the moment pressed down on Izzy as the