NICHOLAS POV The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint, flickering bulb swinging above. The metallic tang of blood lingered with every breath I took as I slid the leather glove onto my hand. My men stood a few feet away, their expressions unreadable as they continued their work on the man tied to the chair.He was unrecognizable now—face swollen, cuts bleeding through his tattered shirt, his head lolling forward as if he barely had the strength to hold it up. A low, guttural groan escaped his lips when one of my men landed another punch to his ribs.I stayed silent, watching. Observing.Robbery? That was nothing new. It wasn't something I would waste my time on. That was a job for the police. But this man had made the gravest mistake of his life. He’d dared to hold my wife at gunpoint. He’d put fear in her eyes, a fear I couldn’t erase no matter how tightly I held her afterward.This was no longer about the robbery. This was fucking personal.The other robbers were already loc
NICHOLAS POV The front door closed with a muted click behind me, but the house felt too quiet. My shoes echoed faintly on the hardwood floors as I headed upstairs, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides.The living area was empty, and so was the bedroom. When I didn’t find her there either, I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. She must be in the library—again. That’s where she’d spent most of her time since the incident, retreating into its quiet solace to recover herself.Removing the gloves slowly, I tossed them into the bathroom sink. My hands were steady, but the faint tremor in my jaw betrayed my restraint. I turned on the tap, letting the water run cool, and shoved my hands under the stream.Victor had always been a thorn in my side. A pathetic excuse for a man clinging to power he didn’t deserve. His attempts to sabotage me were as predictable as they were ineffective—undermining deals, spreading false rumors, and trying to sway the board against me. I wa
NICHOLAS POV Alex’s question hit me like a freight train, but I didn’t flinch. I couldn’t let him see how much weight those words carried.“Have you told her how you feel?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.I reached for anything my hand could grip, a glass of water, taking a gulp and letting the silence stretch. “There’s nothing to tell,” I said.Alex snorted. “Don’t give me that crap, Nicholas. We’ve known each other since we were kids. You can fool the rest of the world, but not me.” He leaned forward. “Now that you've realized your feelings, there's no turning back. Hell, you'd destroy every last thing you’ve built if it meant keeping her safe.”I set the glass down, slower than necessary. I didn’t look at him.“She’s my wife,” I mumbled.“She’s more than that, and you know it,” Alex pressed. “But you’re too damn scared to admit it. Why, Nicholas? What’s stopping you?”I finally looked at him, his face a mix of frustration and concern “It doesn’t matter,” I said eventually “Fe
ISABELLA'S POV Nicholas was seated at his desk, but he wasn’t working. Papers were spread out before him, and he was meticulously aligning their edges, over and over again. Once the stack was perfectly straight, he picked up a pen and began clicking it open and closed, his brow furrowed in intense concentration.When the pen slipped from his fingers and rolled onto the floor, his jaw tightened, and he immediately crouched to pick it up. But instead of simply placing it back on the desk, he began scrubbing at the spot where it had fallen, as if trying to erase its very existence.I stepped into the room, my voice barely above a whisper. “Mr. Montgomery?”He didn’t respond. His focus was entirely on the task in front of him, his breathing shallow and quick.“Mr. Montgomery,” I said again, louder this time.His head snapped up, his eyes meeting mine for a brief second before darting away. “Go back to bed, Isabella,” he said curtly, his voice cold.I didn’t move. I couldn’t, as I watched
ISABELLA'S POV Nicholas’s breathing turned erratic, his chest heaving as his hands clutched the edge of the desk like it was the only thing holding him. His sharp gasps filled the room, a sign of what he was battling inside.I didn’t think. I simply acted.“Please, sit down,” I said softly despite the ache in my chest.He didn’t move at first, his knuckles whitening as his grip on the desk tightened. I placed my hand gently over his, guiding him down without forcing him. Slowly, he relented, lowering himself onto the chair, but he didn’t let go of the desk. He leaned forward, elbows on the surface, his head bowed as if trying to hide the storm inside him.I stepped closer, settling between his legs and cupping his face in my hands. His skin was warm, damp with the faint sheen of sweat, and his jaw trembled under my touch.“Nicholas,” I whispered, my thumbs brushing gently over his cheekbones. “Breathe. You’re okay. I’m here.”He didn’t respond, his breaths coming too fast. I kept my h
NICHOLAS POV The dream starts the same way it always does.I’m standing in the park, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The fireworks explode above me, brilliant bursts of light that seem to set the sky on fire. For a fleeting moment, everything feels... right.I turn, and there he is.He was smiling—really smiling, not the pale imitation he wore for everyone else. His eyes, once the brightest blue, now dulled and hollow, lit up with fleeting joy. His bald head reflected the bursts of light in the sky, and for once, he didn’t look like he was dying. He looked... alive."Thank you, Nicholas," he says, his voice fragile, as though it might shatter. "I just... wanted to see this. Before..."Before? My chest tightens."Don’t say that," I whisper. "We’re just here to enjoy the fireworks, remember?"He nods, but there’s something in his gaze—sadness.Then, the chaos begins. A loud gunshot rang through the air. The distant sound of shouting grows louder. The crowd started surging
NICHOLAS POV My chest rises and falls rapidly, and I wipe the cold sweat from my brow. The dim light of my study surrounds me, the clock on the wall ticking in the silence. My hands tremble as I rake them through my hair.The images of my mother and brother still linger, their voices echoing in my mind. But as the fog of the nightmare begins to clear, a different image comes to mind—Isabella.I scan the room instinctively, as if expecting her to be there, though I know she isn’t. That was when it hit me- I've been pushing her away.Ever since that night, after my pathetic little breakdown, I’ve been retreating again. Hiding. Cowardly running from her just as I always do.I shoot up from the chair and left the study hurriedly. I need to see her. I need to make sure she’s okay, that she’s here, safe.When I reach our bedroom, I push the door open gently. The sight of her lying on the bed takes my breath away. She’s curled up, her chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm, her face se
DANIEL'S POVThe dim, pulsing lights of Club Vertigo painted the walls in hues of crimson and shadow. Smoke curled lazily in the air, mingling with the bass-heavy music pounding through the speakers. I sat in my usual booth at the far end of the room in the VIP section, where I could observe everything without interruption. My glass of whiskey swirled lazily in my hand, my gaze fixed on the stage.Strippers spun on the pole with practiced grace, their bodies twisting and arching seductively. My lips curled into a smirk, my confidence at an all-time high. I sipped my drink, the burn of the alcohol warming me from the inside out. This is where I belonged. It feels so good returning to the club since the scandal Isabella unleashed at my empire launch—humiliating me in front of my potential investors. But tonight, that humiliation feels like a distant memory.One of the strippers locked eyes with me, her lips curling into a wicked smile. She stepped off the stage, her stiletto heels clic
The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I stretched lazily in bed, savoring the warmth of the covers and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Somewhere down the hallway, faint bursts of laughter echoed—a sound that filled my heart in ways I could never fully explain.“Mommy!” a sweet, high-pitched voice broke through the tranquility.I turned just in time to see a small blur of auburn curls barreling toward me. My daughter, Chloe, climbed onto the bed with a delighted giggle, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mommy, Daddy’s being silly again!”Hot on her heels was her twin brother, Caleb. He shared her curls but had Nicholas’s sharp, gray eyes—the kind that seemed to see through everything. He scrambled up beside her, his grin so wide it threatened to split his face. “Mommy, Daddy said we could have pancakes with chocolate chips today!”My heart swelled as I pulled them both into my arms
ISABELLA'S POV"Now!"Nicholas' voice rang out cutting through the tension like a lifeline. Before I could process what was happening, his arms were around me, pulling me into the safety of his embrace.The gun Daniel was holding clattered to the floor as Nicholas's men, who had been pretending to work for Daniel, lunged forward. Their movements were swift like they’d been waiting for this exact moment. They tackled Daniel to the ground, pinning him there as he roared in frustration, his curses echoing through the room.Victor, always the snake, was quicker to react. His sharp eyes darted to the pile of documents he’d gathered, and in one smooth motion, he scooped them up and tried to flee from the scene until uniformed officers emerged from the shadows, guns drawn, their commanding voices booming.“Hands in the air! Drop the documents and get on the ground!”Victor froze mid-step, his face contorted with fury as he realized there was no escape. His gaze darted around, desperate for an
ISABELLA'S POV The rough hands dragged me forward, my shoes scraping against the jagged rocks. My heart thundered in my chest as I caught sight of the open expanse before me—a cliff, rocky and treacherous, with nothing but empty air beyond its edge. The chilling sound of the wind howling against the cliffs made me shudder.Then I saw him.Nicholas.He was standing at the other end of the cliff. Relief crashed into me like a wave, and tears immediately welled in my eyes."Nicholas!” I cried, my voice breaking as I tried to rush toward him but the cold barrel of a gun pressed against my temple stopped me in my tracks."Ah, ah, ah," Daniel's voice came. "Not so fast, Isabella."My breath hitched. Nicholas yelled from the other side of the cliff.“Isabella, stay where you are! Don’t move!”I froze, looking to him for reassurance.But then I took in our surroundings. There was no one else here—no police, no backup, just Nicholas on one side and Daniel, Victor, two of Daniel’s men, and me
NICHOLAS POV "Explain to me what the fuck you mean by you didn’t come back with my wife?!” My voice thundered loudly. I stared down the group of bodyguards standing in my office, their heads bowed in shame. “Your only job was to protect her. To make sure she was safe. And now you’re standing here—without her!”"Where the fuck is my wife?!" I roared, fury blinding every bit of reasoning.The lead guard flinched but managed to stammer, “Sir, we—there was a commotion. We tried to—”“Tried?” I slammed my fist onto the desk, making it shudder under the force. “You tried? Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? Who you were supposed to protect?!” My mind was spiraling into chaos, painting horrifying images of what could be happening to Isabella. Was she hurt? Was she terrified? My stomach churned at the thought of her crying out for me, needing me, and I wasn’t there.I pointed at one of my men, my finger trembling with rage. “Lock them up,” I barked “I don’t care how you do it. Ho
ISABELLA'S POV The grand ballroom buzzed with polite conversation, the soft clinking of glasses, and the occasional hum of excitement as bidders raised their paddles. The silent auction had brought together an array of high-profile attendees, from CEOs to philanthropists, each trying to outshine the other with their charitable contributions. I, on the other hand, didn't care much.Life has been good—better than I had ever expected after Daniel was no longer a part of it. My law firm was now soaring to unimaginable heights. Cases came pouring in and with every victory on my part, my reputation as the greatest lawyer only grew stronger.It felt surreal sometimes, standing here in my designer gown, exchanging pleasantries with people who once doubted me, envied me, or outright hated me. Yet here I was, proving them all wrong.I glanced at my phone, briefly wondering what Nicholas was up to. The thought brought a small smile to my lips. He’d encouraged me to attend this event, insistin
ISABELLA'S POV The moment I stepped into Starlight Haven, I was struck by how different it felt. The familiar lobby, usually bustling with quiet elegance, was now glowing with a soft, romantic light. Flowers—white lilies and lavender roses—and pictures of me, lined the path ahead, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of candles. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes followed the illuminated trail leading toward the rooftop.I took a deep breath, gripping my clutch tightly as I ascended the staircase. Each step seemed to echo in the quiet, heightening the anticipation swirling in my chest. When I reached the top, I paused.The rooftop garden has been transformed into something out of a dream. Strings of twinkling lights crisscross above, casting a magical glow over the space. An orchestra was nestled in one corner, their instruments gleaming as they played a soft, familiar melody. The music seemed to wrap around me, pulling me forward.And then I saw him.Nicholas stood at the
DANIEL'S POV The guard’s voice grated against my ears as he approached my cell. “West, you’ve got a visitor.”A visitor? My heart skipped, but not from joy. Who could it be?Christabella’s face flashed in my mind and I beamed at the thought. Maybe she couldn’t resist the pull that bonded us together. Maybe, just maybe, she had come crawling back, realizing she still needed me. After all, she's head over heels for me.I rose to my feet, ignoring the ache in my bruised ribs, and followed the guard out of the cell block. My steps quickened as the thought of Christabella visiting me filled my mind.But as I stepped into the visitor's room and caught sight of the man waiting on the other side of the thick glass, my blood ran cold.Victor.That smug bastard sat there, his posture relaxed, his hands folded neatly on the table as if he owned the place. Rage bubbled up inside me.“You son of a bitch!” I roared, slamming my fists against the partition between us. The sound reverberated through
ISABELLA'S POV I opened the door to find Christabella standing there, her expression a mix of nervousness and hope. She looked different—less polished, less poised. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, and she clutched a small wicker basket in her hands like it was her lifeline. “Hi,” she said softly, offering a nervous smile.I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. “What are you doing here, Christabella? What do you want?”She hesitated, shifting on her feet before holding the basket out to me. “I, uh... I brought this for you.”I glanced at the basket and back at her, my brow arching skeptically. “A basket of what?”Her chuckle was uneasy “Dark chocolate with raspberry. I remember it was your favorite when we were kids, so I thought...you know, it’d be a nice gift.”I couldn’t help the incredulous laugh that escaped me. “So you just came here to hand me some chocolate? What are we, five?”Her smile faltered, and her gaze dropped to the ground. She bit her lip, her grip tighten
ISABELLA'S POV Six Months LaterSunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, painting soft golden patterns across the room. The sound of birds chirping outside drifted in with the warm morning breeze. I blinked against the brightness, slowly stretching beneath the covers.It's been half a year since I woke up from surgery, since I felt Nicholas’s hand on mine and heard him whispered my name like I was his entire world. Since I realized that, despite everything, I was still alive.And not just alive. Thriving.I pushed the blankets off and stepped toward the window, my movements no longer hesitant or weak. The first few weeks after the transplant had been grueling. My body had fought against exhaustion, against pain, against the overwhelming weight of recovering.But Nicholas had been there for all of it. Every doctor’s appointment. Every sleepless night. Every moment of doubt when I thought I wouldn’t make it.Now, my reflection in the glass wasn't of a fragile woman barely holding