ISABELLA'S POV Nicholas withdrew his fingers, coated with my release, and brought them to my lips. “Taste yourself, Sunshine,” he demanded softly. I obeyed, sucking his fingers clean, my gaze locked with his.“Good girl,” he growled, pulling me into a searing kiss. His tongue swept into my mouth, tasting me as though he couldn’t get enough.My hands fumbled with the button of his pants, tugging them down and wrapping my fingers around his hard length. “Fuck, Isabella,” he groaned as I stroked him, his breath hitching.His hand went to my thighs and he parted them. He stepped back, staring at me like I was a work of art, something meant to be worshiped, explored, and pleasured. I bit my lips, my cheeks burning red. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his gaze filled with unrestrained desire.“Stop teasing,” I pleaded breathlessly, tugging him closer.Nicholas grinned, lowering his head to place a long, teasing lick against my soaked folds. “Impatient, are we?” he teased “Come on, tell
ISABELLA'S POV The glint of polished diamonds caught my eye as I trailed my fingers along the glass display case. The jewelry shop buzzed softly with murmurs and the faint chime of music. I hadn’t planned to stop here today, but the allure of the glittering gems had been too strong to resist. These past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, the kind I hadn’t felt in years. I couldn’t stop thinking about Nicholas. About how his sharp, commanding demeanor softened when it was just the two of us. We’d spent mornings laughing over breakfast and nights where he’d whisper things that made me feel like I was the center of his universe. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. Safe and whole.I caught myself smiling as I admired a delicate sapphire necklace in the display. Life had been cruel, but for once, I had a reason to hope. I had Nicholas. And for now, that was enough.But that peace shattered in an instant.The shop door burst open with a crash that made my heart le
NICHOLAS POVI sat across from Mr. Franklin, the contract spread out between us on the table. As Mr. Franklin went on about the project’s phases, I found myself thinking of Isabella.Her brilliance had sealed this deal. Her wittiness and intelligence—she’d captivated Mr. Franklin and his team during the negotiation in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Pride swelled in my chest just thinking about it again. Isabella was extraordinary.I wondered if she was done shopping. Maybe she was at home by now, curled up on the couch with a book or playing the piano. I could almost see her fingers gliding over the keys, Lilly perched nearby, her blue eyes fixated on Isabella as if she, too, was mesmerized by her music. The thought brought a rare smile to my face.The soft buzz of my earpiece interrupted my thoughts. I reached up, pressing it lightly. One of the bodyguards I’d assigned to follow Isabella and keep me updated on her whereabouts- was calling.“What is it?” I asked.Static crackled briefly, f
ISABELLA'S POV The chaos had finally subsided. The robbers were apprehended, and though my heart still raced, I was relieved to know that no one had been hurt.I stood near the shattered display cases, rubbing at the ache in my arm where one of the robbers had yanked me earlier. My breaths were shallow but I forced myself to stay upright as I surveyed the aftermath. The jewelry store was in shambles, glass shards scattered across the floor, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that everyone was safe.A woman’s voice broke through the haze. “Miss… Miss…”I turned to see the mother of the little boy I had shielded earlier. Her face was streaked with tears, her hands trembling as she approached me. Then, before I could react, she fell to her knees, clutching at my hands.“Thank you,” she sobbed “Thank you for saving my son. You—you risked your life for him. I owe you everything. My life, everything is yours.”My chest tightened at her gratitude, an unfamiliar weight pressing against
ISABELLA'S POV I couldn't stop shivering.I stepped out of the bathroom, tying the belt of my robe securely around my waist as the cool air of the room kissed my damp skin. My hair was still wet, and I used a towel to pat it dry, though my hands trembled faintly. The heat of the water had soothed some of the tension, but not enough. My heart still pounded, though slower now,I barely had time to gather my thoughts when the bedroom door swung open with a loud bang. Startled, I froze. Nicholas stood there, his chest rising and falling as though he had run all the way here.Our eyes met, and for a moment, neither of us moved. He looked… disheveled, his shirt rumpled, his hair a mess. His eyes, though, were what caught me. The worry and softness in them made my chest tighten.“Nicholas?” My racing heart gradually slowed “What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting with Mr. Arlington?”He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he crossed the room in three long strides and
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
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