ISABELLA'S POV The sleek table before me gleamed under the harsh florescent light of Nicholas Montgomery's office. It's magnificence matched the man seated across from me with the stack of papers lying between us. I inhaled deeply, steadying the chaos in my chest. I opened the folder, scanning the first few lines. Nicholas's sharp gaze didn't waver and I could feel it drilling into me as I tried to focus.The terms were straightforward:1. Duration: One year. At the end of the year, it will be annulled.2. Public Appearance: Party A and B were to maintain the facade of a loving couple in Public. Events, Interviews and any situation requiring both parties to appear together demands the illusion of genuine affection. Display of PDA is allowed.3. Personal Boundaries: Neither of the parties are to prey into the other's personal life. Party A's Empire and Party B's Revenge are to remain sperate entities. Party A must fulfill his role in Party B's revenge and Party B must do the same in Pa
ISABELLA'S POV It was all over the Internet, Newspapers and daily news- "Nicholas Montgomery's Love Story". In just one week, the entire country has been whipped into a frenzy about a short clip that has gone viral. It showed Nicholas pulling me close, his hand firmly resting on my waist. It was from the perfect angel, emphasizing on how his intense gaze lingered on my lips as his thumb stroke them.My face was blurred leaving the entire country speculating - Who is Mr. Montgomery's Love interest? When did their love story begin? How did they meet? Who is this woman who melted the icy heart of the country’s most dangerous and heartless man?While everyone was busy making it their mission to find out who was in that clip, I was alone, battling with my own demons."Bella. My sweet Bella,” Daniel whispered lovingly in my ear, his arms wrapping around my waist from behind as I tried to flip a pancake in the pan. I chuckled as he pressed a kiss to my neck, but then his hand slid beneath
The car pulled over smoothly, and Nicholas stepped out with his usual air of unbothered authority. Rounding the car, he opened the door for me like a perfect gentleman—except he wasn’t. His hand extended, and I hesitated before placing mine in his. As I stepped out, his touch lingered, his hand sliding to the small of my back to guide me towards the extravagant restaurant.I've heard a lot about this place but I haven't been inside before. I noticed how there were only few people but they were all wealthy men and women. Everything about the restaurant, from the glistening tiled floors to the ornate ceiling was eerily flawless and perfect. It didn't sit right with me. Nicholas pulled out a chair for me and I sat down, mumbling a thank you. But as I settled, he leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.“Are you okay?”I froze. “Yes. Why?” My response was sharp and defensive.“Your body is warm,” he observed.My heart stuttered. Shit! "It must be the weather. I'm perfectly fine"
NICHOLAS POV"In fine, Mr. Montgomery. I just need to..."Her words barely left her lips before her body crumpled, falling against me. My heart lurched as I caught her.Fuck! Her skin was scorching to the touch, her body unnaturally limp. The sight of her pale, sweat-drenched face ignited a deep, unfamiliar worry in my chest. I knew something was wrong when her held her and her body felt warmer than usual. I didn't expect it would escalate to this. Without a second thought, I scooped her into my arms and carried her to the car. Her head rested against my chest, her breaths shallow and uneven. I quickly called my driver as I settled to the back of the car.Fredrick, my driver arrived within moments. "What happened, Mr. Montgomery?" His concerned gaze darted to the unconscious woman in my arms, his expression shifting from confusion to alarm."We need to take her to the hospital" He started the car."No" My reply came out sharper than intended. I let out a breath. "Take us home. I've c
NICHOLAS'S POV A knock came in my study room and the door slowly opened. I could already tell it was Odessa by the sound of her footsteps. My fingers which were clicking continuously on my keyboard paused, anticipating what she wanted to tell me."She's awake Nicholas and she's demanding to see you" Odessa reported, standing by the door. I only nodded and she left without another word. A few minutes later, I stood up and left. I paused at the threshold of the guest room, my eyes instantly finding her. She was up, moving about, touching everything like a curious child. I stood by, watching as her fingers brushed over the curtains, her brows furrowing slightly."Brocade" She mumbled, much to my surprise. "I see you're awake" I said breaking the silence. She flinched, her head snapping toward me. Her eyes widened slightly when they landed on me. They moved slowly, from my face to my top which hugged my body a bit, making my muscles bulge, down to my grey sweatpants. I noticed the way
ISABELLA'S POV I stood before the familiar building, my heart beating hard against my chest. It's been years since I last stepped foot into this place I once called home. As I entered the elegant mansion of the Sterlings, a nostalgic feeling washed over me, followed immediately by a sickening feeling. Nostalgia, because memories of my early childhood came playing. Sickening, because I knew, I remembered that despite growing up here, I was here welcomed. My existence was never acknowledged by the people I call my family. In the grand living room, they were all gathered. My father sat in his favorite armchair, with my mother perched beside him like the dutiful wife she always pretended to be. Daniel lounged opposite them. Christabella was the only one pacing, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.Her head snapped up the moment she saw me. "You..." She stormed towards me."What stupid game are you playing, Isabella? Huh?" She stopped inches from me, her voice rising. "Wh
NICHOLAS POV TAPTap, Tap, Tap... My fingers drummed four times against the armrest of the leather chair in Dr. Fiona Clarke’s office.It’s been five days since Isabella moved in, and my mansion has been anything but the same. My once quiet, cold sanctuary now feels invaded, as if her presence alone is enough to disrupt the carefully maintained order in my life. Even Odessa has taken a liking to her. Five days ago was also the last time I saw her. That is how long I've managed to avoid her. It was out of cowardice, no. It was a strategy.I needed time to gather my thoughts together. Having her move in was a huge decision and I wanted to some time to myself. To figure what was happening to me when it comes to her and to regain control of my mind.Across from me, Fiona Clarke tilted her head slightly, studying me for some time before speaking up."What's with the sudden visit, Mr. Montgomery? We don't have a session today" She gave her usual warm smile. "I believe I can come wheneve
NICHOLAS POV I didn’t hesitate for a second—I knew exactly where Isabella must have gone. Gathering some of my men, I took off without delay.The car screeched to a halt as we arrived at our destination: the Sterlings' Mansion.As I stepped out and approached the gate, the guards stationed there moved to block my path.“Marcus,” I called sharply, and one of my men immediately stepped forward.“Deal with them.”It was a simple command, and with that, I strode through the gates, leaving the commotion behind me.I was entering the enemies territory and I wasn't about to take any chances. I wanted to come alone but after Odessa told me it's been hours since Isabella left and she wasn't answering her calls either. I didn't need to be told something was wrong. As I entered the majestic mansion, they were all there, gathered in the extravagant living room. The entire Sterling family. The air around them was tense and bitter. The moment I realised Isabella wasn’t among them, my fear solidif
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