ISABELLA'S POVAfter the delightful breakfast with Odessa, she mentioned that Nicholas was in his study. So, I made my way back upstairs. Now standing in front of the rich, dark wood door, I hesitated. I had never stepped foot inside Nicholas’s study before, and I rarely saw Odessa or Alfred venture in there either.As I pushed the door open, my eyes widened at the sight before me. Everything about the room screamed luxury and advanced technology. From the glass floor to the sleek table at the center of the room. When I stepped further inside, running my fingers along the smooth surface of the desk, the faint scent of leather and cedar lingered mingling with the faint scent of Nicholas' cologne but he wasn't in the room. The walls were lined with shelves that stretched to the ceiling and as I got closer, my eyes widened a bit at how meticulously arranged the books were. They were arranged precisely by size, cover, colour and even alphabetically. I also noticed how the books were in f
ISABELLA'S POV Nicholas's sharp intake of breath made me look at him. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened, the amusement from earlier replaced by something raw and furious.“I suppose it was my fault,” I added, forcing a smile. “I should have taken better care of her.”Nicholas shook his head “No, Isabella. That wasn’t your fault”"I guess" I tried to laugh it off."Why haven't you bought another one? It's been years," He asked, and I looked at him. His eyes bored right into mine as though he could see the emotions starting to twirl inside."You're scared it might die because you won't be able to take care of it?" he murmured, his words sticking a nerve.I blinked, surprised at how easily he read me. “Maybe.”“Do you want a cat?”His question caught me off guard. “What?”“Do you want another cat, Isabella?” he asked again.My lips parted, but no words came out. Why did he care?“It doesn’t matter,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “Let’s forget about it.”His brow arched as he st
ISABELLA'S POV I slammed the door shut behind me, the familiar surge of annoyance bubbling hot in my chest. It's been hours since my encounter with Christabella but that encounter was all it took for my entire day to be ruined. The only thing I wanted now was peace and quietness. "Welcome, my dear" Odessa's soft voice greeted me from the foyer but I didn't look at her. I was lost in thoughts, irritation tangling my skin. "Would you like me to prepare something for you, dear?" Her gentle voice asked again and I finally looked at her."Not yet, Odessa. I'm not hungry" I gave her a faint smile, one that didn't reach my my eyes. She studied me for a moment, a knowing look in her eyes. With a slight tilt of her head, she stepped closer "Follow me, dear. There's something I'd like to show you" she said, her eyes lit with excitement My brows furrowed slightly. Something? I nodded and pushed aside everything that weighed in my heart, I followed Odessa, curious about what she wanted to sh
NICHOLAS POVTHE NEXT DAYAs soon I stepped through the front door, I stormed straight into my room, my movements swift and forceful. I flung my phone away but made sure it landed safely on the comforter of my bed. With a quick, sharp motion I yanked my tie off, throwing it inside the basket of unwashed clothes. My jacket came off next and I folded it where it should be. I was angry but I couldn't even let it show. The weight of my encounter with Victor pressed down on my chest, suffocating me. He always knew how to push my buttons, how to make me feel like I was failing the legacy my grandfather left behind. That bastard always questioned me, questioned my every move, my every decision, and no matter how much I tried to act unaffected, it was exhausting, especially with the constant reminder that things weren't moving perfectly like they should. But my thoughts suddenly drifted to her. Isabella. The anger in my chest subsided slightly as I pictured her. A soft, almost invisible sm
NICHOLAS POVThe moment my lips collided with hers, everything else ceased to exist. The softness of her lips, the way she tasted, and the way she melted into me- consumed me. It was like every ounce of control I'd spent years perfecting was rippled out of my grasp in an instant. I couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't stop. My grip on the back of her neck tightened and I pulled her closer. The kiss deepened, my tongue sweeping into her mouth and savoring every taste of her. She gave in with a soft, breathy moan, a sound that sent a jolt of electricity straight to my cock. Every ounce of discipline I had, disintegrated. I was no longer Nicholas Montgomery, the man who calculated every step, who planned every encounter with precision. I was just a man, utterly and completely consumed by her. My hand slid lower, gripping her hip as I pulled her fully into my lap, desperate to feel every inch of her. Her soft gasp sent a jolt of electricity through me and I groaned into her mout
ISABELLA'S POV The club was a swirl of energy as Nicholas and I stepped inside. Dim lights flickered overhead, illuminating clusters of elegantly dressed people. It wasn't just any type of club, but a safe haven for the elites. Nicholas walked beside me, his hand resting lightly on the curve of my waist. It was a casual touch, almost indifferent, yet the only thing I could hear was the thundering beat of my heart against my chest. It was hard not to notice how people seemed to part for Nicholas as we entered. Even the boldest of gaze darted away when they met his as though his icy demeanor was too much to bear. Before I could process the atmosphere fully, a tall, strikingly handsome man with an easy grin made his way to us. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, a clear show of his status. But it was the confident glint in his eyes that struck me first. I was quick to recognize him. Alex Reynolds. North-Virexia's greatest renowned Formula 1 driver. My eyes widened a bit in surpris
ISABELLA'S POV "Care For a Dance, Mrs. Montgomery?"Alex's voice startled me out of my thoughts. I turned to find him smiling, his hand extended once more. I glanced toward Nicholas whose gaze was still on me like a hawk. "Why not?" I replied, placing my hand on his. Alex led me to the center of the room, his hand resting lightly on my waist as we began to move. Nicholas' eyes felt like a brand on my back, digging into my skin and that made me tense."You seem distracted," Alex said, his voice cutting through my haze of thoughts. I forced a smile "It's nothing""Hmm," he tilted his head to study me "You're wondering what he's thinking, aren't you?" The question caught me off guard but I tried to brush it off. "It's not that way" I mumbled. "He likes you," he said and my eyes widened. "What?""Would have said love but...""What makes you say that?" I asked.He scoffed "I've known Nicholas enough to see the way he looks at you. It's... different" "Different? How?"Alex twirled me e
🌸 CHAPTER FORTY 🌸NICHOLAS POVI rip off my tie and dumped it on my dresser before making a quick work of my button. I pulled at my head and groaned, wanting desperately to distract me from how hard my dick was in my pants. I was so mad- not at Isabella, but at myself, for wanting her the way that I do. Her curves, her scent, and her legs-fuck those sexy legs. Only God knows how many times I'd imagined them wrapped around my waist as I thrust deeply into her. I can already feel my dick getting harder by the thought of it. I took off my shirt and pulled my pants down, alongside my boxers, freeing my boner from its restraints and headed straight to the bathroom.The cold water poured over my head, drenching my hair and running down my tensed body as I stood under the shower but it did nothing to calm me down–or rather my boner. I tried to think of something, anything that could make me less horny, but my thoughts kept going back to Isabella. Of what could have happened if we had pus
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