ISABELLA'S POV It happened in a flash.The blare of a truck’s horn shattered my thoughts. I snapped my head up, my body jerking forward as my seatbelt tightened. My driver cursed under his breath, yanking the wheel hard to the right.Time seemed to stretch as I caught a glimpse of the truck—a massive, hulking beast barreling straight toward us, its headlights glaring like the eyes of a predator. My heart slammed against my ribs, terror surging through me.“Watch out!” I screamed, clutching the door handle so tightly my knuckles ached.The car swerved violently, the tires screeching against the pavement. My stomach lurched as the world tilted. The sound of metal crunching against wood echoed through the air as we veered off the road and slammed into a tree.The impact jolted me forward, the seatbelt biting into my shoulder. My breath came in short, ragged gasps, and for a moment, all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears.We’d stopped.I blinked, my vision blurred as I tried t
ISABELLA'S POV 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, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, and the faint sound of laughter echoing down the hallway.For a moment, everything felt perfect. No weight on my shoulders, no lingering shadows of the past—just peace.“Mommy!” A sweet, high-pitched voice broke through my thoughts.I turned my head just in time to see a small blur of motion barreling toward me. A little girl, her auburn curls bouncing wildly, climbed onto the bed with an exuberant giggle. “Mommy, Daddy’s being silly again!”Behind her came a boy, identical to her in every way except for the mischievous glint in his dark brown eyes. He climbed up beside her, his face breaking into the biggest grin I’d ever seen. “Mommy, Daddy said we could have pancakes with chocolate chips today!”My heart swelled as I pulled them both into
ISABELLA'S POVThe doctor’s words were like shreds of glass, cutting through my chest.“Stage four heart failure is the most severe,” she began “At this stage, your heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It can result in frequent arrhythmias, fluid buildup in the lungs, and other organ failure. Your condition is extremely fragile, Mrs. Montgomery. Even minor physical or emotional stress can trigger fatal complications.”My breath hitched, and I sank back against the pillows, trembling. The weight of her words pressed down on me, suffocating me.“How long…” My voice cracked. “How long do I have left?” The doctor hesitated. She looked away for a moment as though gathering the strength to deliver the truth. “Twelve weeks,” she said softly. “But only if you adhere to strict medical treatment. Without it… it could be much shorter.”The room felt smaller, the walls closing in. I clutched the thin blanket draped over me as though it could shield me from the devastat
ISABELLA'S POV The door barged open, startling me. My heart leapt to my throat as I quickly wiped the tears from my face. I wasn’t ready for anyone to see me like this. But then I saw him, and my breath hitched.Nicholas tall frame filled the room, his eyes locking onto mine immediately. His usually sharp, commanding presence was softer now, weighed down by a tiredness I couldn't explain."Isabella,” he breathed and walked toward me as though he couldn’t trust what he was seeing until he stood by my bedside. “You’re awake,” his voice trembled.Before I could respond, he reached out, his hand enveloping mine. He brought it to his face, pressing my palm firmly against his cheek. His skin was warm, a stark contrast to my cold fingers. He held it there for a moment, his eyes fluttering shut as though the contact alone was grounding him. Then, he turned his head slightly and placed a deep, lingering kiss in the center of my palm.“Don’t ever scare me like this again,” his voice was low
ISABELLA'S POV The car pulled to a slow stop, and I blinked awake. I straightened slightly, glancing out the window at the familiar surroundings.Before I could fully collect myself, the door on my side opened, and Nicholas appeared, his broad frame blocking out the light. Without a word, he leaned in and scooped me up into his arms, cradling me effortlessly against his chest.“Nicholas,” I murmured with a soft chuckle “I can walk just fine by myself.”He looked down at me, his lips quirking into the smallest of smiles. “The doctor said you shouldn’t stress yourself. I wouldn’t risk that.”I opened my mouth to argue but closed it almost immediately. I didn’t have the energy to fight him, and if I was honest with myself, the warmth and strength of his hold were comforting. I let my head rest against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat as he carried me toward the house.As we entered the house, Odessa’s worried voice rang out before I even saw her.“Oh, my dear!” she e
NICHOLAS POVI sat at my desk, the familiar hum of the city outside my office doing nothing to distract me. The report in front of me blurred, words melting into one another as my thoughts strayed once again to Isabella.Lately, ever since she was discharged from the hospital, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing her. The laughter that once spilled from her lips so easily, lighting up every room, was now gone. The way her eyes used to soften when they met mine had been replaced with quick, guarded glances—if she even bothered to look at me at all.I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as frustration twisted in my chest. She was slipping away from me, and I had no idea why.It wasn’t just the way she avoided my touch, brushing past me when I reached for her hand or pulling away when I kissed her cheek. It was the distance in her voice when we talked—if you could even call it talking. Our conversations had become a series of one-word replies and excuses.“I
NICHOLAS POV For a moment, her eyes darted to mine, but she quickly pulled away, snapping at me. “Let me go, Nicholas! I told you, there’s nothing wrong, and even if there is, it’s none of your business.”Her words were like a slap, but I didn’t release her. My hold on her waist tightened slightly “It is my business" my voice rose just enough to betray my frustration.“Why?”“Because it’s about you,” I leaned closer, my eyes searching hers for any sign of the woman who once let me in. “And everything about you is my business, Isabella”She rolled her eyes “Stop acting like some dutiful husband,” she scoffed bitterly.“I am your husband,” I snapped “And you are my wife!”Her lips curled into a mocking smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Contract wife, Mr. Montgomery” Her reply was like a blow to my chest, knocking the air out of me. My grip on her waist loosened and for a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.She stepped away, slipping out of my grasp with ease. I stood there, froz
CHRISTABELLA'S POV “No, no, no… my baby… no!” The words tumbled out of me as my trembling hands hovered over the growing pool of blood. Tears blurred my vision.My baby.The room spun around me, and my body felt like it was shutting down, but I couldn’t stop. Weak and shaking, I pressed my palms against the cold, blood-slicked floor, dragging myself inch by inch toward the bed.My trembling fingers clawed at the edge of the mattress, struggling to reach out. “Please,” I whimpered to no one in particular, forcing myself up with every ounce of strength I had left. The pain tore through me again, forcing a cry from my lips.Finally, I reached my phone, fumbling with it as I nearly dropped it onto the bed. My bloodstained fingers smeared across the screen as I tapped Daniel’s name, my heart pounding in my chest.The phone rang once, twice, three times. My tears fell harder, each one soaking into the bedspread as my sobs wracked my already weak body.“Pick up,” I pleaded “Please, Daniel,
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