I slowly opened my eyes, the sterile white light of the hospital room blinding at first. My head felt heavy, my entire body disconnected from the bed I was lying on. Panic and confusion hit me as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. How did I end up here, in a hospital, of all places? I tried to recall what had happened, and immediately fragments of the morning's events began to piece together.I remembered being at my hotel room, immersed in the usual chaos of preparing for legal cases, but today I wasn't myself. This morning started with a persistent cough that I had quickly dismissed as just stress, though it was the first time it felt this bad. It had been six months since I'd been dealing with this persistent cough that wouldn't go away, no matter how many medications I'd taken. Back then, I thought it was because of the winter season. The cough came with other symptoms, ones I had brushed off as nothing.But this morning, the discomfort grew, twisting into a painful tightne
ISABELLA'S POV The sting of his words was unbearable, but I refused to break. “You bastard,” I hissed, my palm connecting with his cheek in a loud, satisfying slap.“Isabella Sterling!” My father’s voice thundered, his control finally slipping. “Enough of this childishness! You’re humiliating us!”I turned to him, my eyes blazing. “Humiliating? If anyone should be ashamed, it’s your precious soon-to-be son-in-law and your despicable daughter!” I pointed at Christabella who sprang up from her chair but mother held her hand and signaled her to sit back."So you're claiming we aren't married?" I turned to Daniel, whose hands were still soothing his cheek. "Then explain this" I slammed the financial report to his chest. "Explain how you've been taking huge amount from my law firm. Explain what you've been doing with my 10 million" I could see the confusion on everyone's face."What? Don't tell me you've been using my hard end money to plan your marriage to my sister?" Daniel snorted an
ISABELLA'S POV The night went by. The birthday party continued and the mysterious man was no where to be found. Frustration and exhaustion weighed down on me as I left to the lodging area to a book a room. I couldn't go back to my apartment. Not with the overwhelming weight of Daniel's betrayal still hanging down on me. I needed space, a place where I could breathe without the ghost of our marriage suffocating me.Taking out my black card, I walked to the front desk "A room for the night, please" The receptionist smiled warmly and took the card, swiping it. The second stretched between us and when she glanced up at me, her expression had shifted. "I'm sorry, Ms. Sterling but it's been declined"My eyes grew wide. "I- what do you mean declined?" My voice wavered but I tried to hold on to my composure. "That’s impossible, Try it again."She glanced at the screen, her brows furrowing "It's not going through. Perhaps there's an issue with your bank"I felt the ground tilt beneath me. H
ISABELLA'S POV "You have stage 2 heart failure, caused by a condition known as cardiomyopathy. Based on the tests we ran on the medicine you submitted…” He paused, as if searching for the right words, “…the medication contains toxic substances. Given what you’ve shared about taking them for years, they’ve caused significant damage to your heart.”I stopped listening. The rest of his words blurred into the background. Stage 2 heart failure. Toxic medicine. Damage. My heart. The only thing ringing clear was the truth: Daniel had done this to me. He had poisoned me while pretending it was to help me get pregnant. My mind spun with disbelief, a sickening, gut-wrenching feeling wrapping around me like a vice, making me want to throw up.As the gravity of his words sank in, the room spun. It felt surreal as if I were watching my life unfold from a distance. All those years of hope, of yearning to be a mother.How could he?The doctor’s voice broke through the fog in my mind. “You’ll need t
ISABELLA'S POVThe rain lashed against the café window as I traced the rim of my untouched coffee cup. THREE MONTHS and Ninety days of trying every possible way to regain what Daniel had stolen from me. Three months of runing into locked doors, empty promises, and outright rejection. I had sold everything I had left.Lawyers were useless. Bankers smirked at my empty accounts and refused to approve my loan requests. Even the few people I had once considered allies disappeared the moment I asked for help. And those who decided to help, demanded something; that I sleep with them.I was running out of options. And there was only one name left on my list.Nicholas Montgomery. Founder and CEO of NeuraCorp, a leading tech empire specialized in advanced AI systems and biomedical technologies. Nicholas Montgomery, the richest man in North-Virexia. At just the age of 22, with strong resilience and determination, he founded NeuraCorp and in just 10 years, turned it into the top leading tec
ISABELLA'S POV I was now seating inside Nicholas Montgomery's car, a big, heavy coat covering me up. My clothes had dried up a bit and so had my hair thanks to the heater that was on. Nicholas was seated beside me, his eyes fixed on the monitor before him."I heard you've been waiting for me" He broke the long silence between us."Yes," I let out a breath, rubbing my palms together to warm myself up. Nervousness wreck havoc inside me, the thought of Nicholas Montgomery seating beside me, ringing continuously in my head. I couldn't believe it. The country's most dangerous man is in the same car with me."To what do I owe your sudden visit, Ms. Sterling?" He demanded.Drawing in a deep breath, I steadied myself. This wasn't how I wanted us to meet- me in a pathetic state but it was time to act professional. "I'm here to ask for your help" I went straight to point."Help?" He raised an eyebrow and turned. Piercing steel grey eyes bored right through me, sending every nerve in me sky rat
NICHOLAS'S POV Isabella Lucia Sterling, daughter of the Honorable Dominic Von Sterling. A lawyer known for her competence and undying loyalty to justice. In all her years of being a lawyer, she's only lost two cases. One, because the victim withdrew at the last minute, and the other because the judge was secretly bribed a huge amount of money.A woman renowned for her beauty, glamour, and charisma. Elegant. Composed. Unshakable. These were just a few words used to describe her.The first time I laid eyes on her was at Starlight Haven three months ago.That night, a masquerade party was hosted to celebrate Mr. Wood's 65th birthday, and I had attended as the owner of the hotel. It didn't matter that I had just experienced the shittiest day of my life.Hiding behind my mask, I retreated to the most secluded spot in the grand ballroom, alone, observing every movement, every drink served, every light of a cigarette, every fake smile and laughter, every tip made to the servers, and every si
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
CHRISTABELLA'S POV The days after Father’s surgery had been a mixture of tense silence and power plays. It was fascinating, really, how quickly everyone had fallen into their roles. Daniel, of course, wasted no time seizing the opportunity to run the household and oversee the empire in Father’s absence. He wasn’t outright declaring himself in charge—that would be too brazen—but the way he lingered in Father’s study, the way he directed the staff and made decisions without consulting anyone, told me everything I needed to know.And Mother? She was too weak to care. Her energy was consumed entirely by Father’s recovery, and she didn’t seem to mind leaving the reins to Daniel. Perhaps she thought it was temporary, or perhaps she simply didn’t have the strength to argue. Either way, she was blind to what was happening around her.Not me, though.I watched everything, listened to every conversation, and let it all play out. As much as I hated seeing Daniel preen in his stolen position, I
ISABELLA'S POV The warmth in Nicholas' voice and the sincerity in his eyes brought a lump to my throat. I leaned into his touch, letting myself breathe for a moment.“He’ll be fine,” He continued. “You’ve survived so much. You don’t need to carry his burdens too.”I nodded, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease slightly.Nicholas stood, giving my knee a reassuring squeeze before heading to the closet to get dressed. As he pulled on his shirt, I followed him, grabbing his tie from the rack.“Let me,” I offered, stepping closer.He watched me with an amused smile as I looped the tie around his neck, my fingers deftly molding the knot. I could feel his intense gaze on me.I glanced up briefly, catching his gaze, but he wasn’t just watching me—he was memorizing me, taking in every detail of my face. His eyes traced the curve of my lips, lingering there for a moment before shifting to the bridge of my nose, then the arch of my brows. When his gaze met mine again, there was something un
ISABELLA'S POV I sat up on the bed, my head resting against the headboard, my phone still clutched in my hand. The staff member's voice echoed in my head. "Your father collapsed. He’s undergoing an emergency surgery at the moment. It’s serious."A part of me felt numb. Another part—the one I tried so hard to suppress—felt a pang of worry, even guilt. No matter how much I tried to deny it, I couldn’t ignore the knot forming in my chest.Should I go see him? Would it even matter after everything he’s done?I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the phone as if it could anchor me. The answer wouldn’t come, no matter how much I wrestled with it. The memories of his disapproving glares, his dismissive words, and the moment he disowned me all swirled in my head, taunting me.The urge to call the hospital clashed with the overwhelming desire to do nothing at all. What would I even say if I went? Would he want to see me? Or would he turn me away, like he always did?Lost in m
CHRISTABELLA'S POVThe hospital waiting room was a pit of despair, filled with the muffled sounds of sobs and the sharp tang of disinfectant. Mother sat in the corner, her face pale and drawn, clutching a rosary so tightly her knuckles were bone-white. I leaned into her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and whispering empty reassurances.“He’s strong, Mother,” I murmured, stroking her hand. “Father’s a fighter. He’ll pull through.”She nodded absently, tears streaming down her face as she whispered prayers under her breath.I should have felt something—pain, fear-anything—but the only thing I felt was anticipation. The kind that made my chest tight with excitement. If all went well, this could be the moment everything changes for me.The doors to the waiting room burst open, and Daniel stormed in, his hair disheveled and his tie loosened as though he’d rushed all the way here. His eyes found mine, and I immediately let the tears flow freely, allowing the fear to fill my face as I
CHRISTABELLA'S POV “Congratulations, Mrs West. You’re five weeks pregnant.”The words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and for a moment, the world around me seemed to tilt. Five weeks. My mind raced, calculating the timeline, and my stomach twisted with the realization.I forced a smile, nodding as if this was the best news I’d ever received.The doctor continued speaking—something about prenatal vitamins and follow-up appointments—but her words blurred. When the doctor and nurse left me alone to clean up, I stared at the ultrasound screen, the tiny flicker of life still visible. My fingers brushed against my stomach, the gel cool and sticky beneath my hand. A part of me wanted to cry—this was what I had wanted for so long. But it wasn’t supposed to happen like this.I wiped the gel off my stomach slowly, my hands trembling. Five weeks but this child wasn’t Daniel’s. It wasn’t conceived out of love or even lust. It was born of necessity, a calculated move in a game I couldn’t affor
DANIEL'S POV A sharp knock at the door pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. My head snapped up, eyes narrowing at the intrusion.“Come in,” I barked.The door creaked open, and one of my men stepped in, his face pale and drawn. He hesitated at the threshold, his gaze darting around the room like he was afraid of what he might find.“Well?” I snapped, motioning for him to speak.He took a cautious step forward, clearing his throat. “Sir, I managed to get away before the third warehouse was hit. I—I couldn’t stop it. Whoever they are, they knew exactly where to strike.”I straightened in my chair, my eyes narrowing. “And?”“I overheard Chase talking to someone on the phone,” he said. “It turned out he was an informant working for them. They weren’t just after the goods—they wanted to send a message. They knew your operations. Down to the smallest detail" My jaw tightened, my mind racing. Inside information? That was the only explanation to how everything happened so smoothly. The hi
ISABELLA'S POV Before I could catch my breath, Nicholas lifted me effortlessly, pinning me against the cool tiles of the bathroom wall. His strength was staggering. My legs wrapped around his shoulders instinctively, and I gasped as his gaze dropped to where I ached for him most. "Now it’s my turn," he said. "I want to hear you scream my name."He didn’t wait for a response. His mouth descended, and I cried out as his tongue parted me, his lips and teeth working in perfect harmony to unravel me. The sensations were overwhelming, his pace relentless. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as my body arched against him."Nicholas!" I moaned, the sound echoing off the walls. His name was the only word I could manage, the only thought that existed. His tongue thrust into me, his groans vibrating against my skin. He was everywhere, consuming me entirely. The pressure built and built until it was unbearable. My release crashed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me trembling i
ISABELLA'S POV The weight of the night still lingered between us. Nicholas rested his forehead against my shoulder, his breath slow and steady, but his grip on my waist was firm, like he was afraid to let go. For a man so composed, so unshakable in the eyes of the world, he carried so much beneath the surface.“Nicholas,” I murmured softly, my other hand brushing against his hair. “You should take a shower. It’ll help you feel better.”His eyes, stormy and unyielding, looked up to mine, and a small, tired smirk tugged at his lips. “Is that your way of telling me I look terrible?”“No,” I replied quickly, trying not to smile. “You don’t. You just look… like you need it. Trust me, it’ll help.”He stared at me like he was debating something. Then, he mumbled, his hold on my waist tightening a bit “Only if you shower with me.”The request hit me like a physical force, and I froze. “What?”“You heard me,” he said, placing a kiss on my neck. “If I’m going to shower, you’re coming with me.”
ISABELLA'S POV I leaned closer, my heart aching for him, but I didn’t interrupt. He needed this. He needed to let it out.“He hated physical contact,” Nicholas said, his voice quieter now “He thought it was weak. If I so much as reached for his hand, he’d pull away like I was disgusting. He’d say things like, ‘Don’t cling to me. You’re not a child.’”His voice wavered, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “But it wasn’t just that. He said... people were filthy. He hated the idea of me being around anyone. He’d say things like, ‘You don’t know where their hands have been,’ or ‘They’ll ruin you with their germs and disease”I bit my lip, struggling to keep my emotions in check as he continued.“When I was ten, he started locking me in the house. Not just for discipline, but to keep me away from the world. He called it ‘preservation.’” Nicholas’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Preservation. Like I was some fragile object he needed to keep clean, untouched. Anytime I tried to step outsi