Nathan's POV“Wow!” I whispered, looking around as I adjusted my tie, the sleek fabric smooth under my fingertips.My new office at the Harrigton’s headquater was a significant upgrade compared to my previous office at New Zealand, which was just a corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows. The sharp lines of the modern furniture, the understated yet elegant decor in this one, all reminded me of how much had changed. Dad and Grandfather told me to wait here not too long ago.In about five minutes, I would be meeting with the senior board members in the conference room. I straightened my suit jacket once more.However, inwardly It was almost like I was resuming at New Zealand all over again. The feeling was the same.The familiar streets were all looking foreign, the faces I once knew seemed distant. I was nervous, not just about stepping into this new role but also about confronting the past I’d left behind. The image of my parents that day before I left flashed yet ag
MICHAEL'S POVI kept my hands on the steering wheel as my car glided through the paved roads. Each turn brought me closer to Le Petit Amour restaurant, and it also brought me closer to the moment I have been rehearsing in my mind since yesterday.A part of me was wondering if I could still back out, find an excuse, or even convince myself that this dinner wasn’t going to end the way I’d planned.I eased on the brakes to navigate a few ruts ahead.The plan was simple, but executing it felt like it was going to be so much more difficult than expected.I couldn’t help but replay the conversation I was about to have, each version with different words but the same ending. I wanted to be as clear as possible but also kind. But how do you tell someone something so direct and blunt without causing them pain?In a few minutes, the restaurant district came into view, a round glittery building with a signpost in front.As I pulled into the lot, something I saw through the windscreen caught m
ISABELLA'S POVI ended the call, my fingers feeling stiff as I stared at the screen. I could feel Michael’s eyes on me, still watching, still waiting.I glanced up at him, forcing a smile that felt as fragile as glass. “Never mind," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The excuse tasted bitter on my tongue. Michael didn’t say a word. His gaze was steady, unblinking, as if he could see through the mask I was desperately trying to hold in place. I looked away, feeling the burn of his concern. The silence between us was heavy as I shifted uncomfortably, trying to act like everything was fine.But it wasn’t. The constant attempts by James to force himself back into my life was becoming tiring, and pushing him away was a little bit harder than it should be, knowing that his seed was growing inside of me. “Lets go,” Michael finally said, taking me by the hand again and opening the car door for me to enter.We left for the club, and the drive to the address was a quiet one. Th
ISABELLA'S POVI climbed down from the car and slammed my car door with a force, cursing under my breath as I stormed towards my apartment gate.The anger boiling inside me was barely contained, each step a testament to the frustration I have been trying to manage since we left the restaurant up to the incessant calls at the club.The last thing I needed now was James showing up at my new place unannounced. “What the hell are you doing here? Who gave you the address to my apartment?” I snarled, advancing slowly like someone addressing a snake.James shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on me. “Does it really matter how I found you? The important thing is that I did. We share a bond, Isabella, and we need to address it as soon as possible. We need to talk of my child inside you.”At that point, Michael, who had followed me out of the car, had stepped a little closer, standing just a few spaces away from us, keeping a wary distance. My face flushed at once in embarrassment. I cou
GENERAL POVThe day that had been marked on calendars and whispered about in conversations since the last few weeks had finally arrived.It was the 80th birthday celebration of Priest Mack, the patriarch of the Mack family, and the event was nothing short of grand.The newly built family mansion, a gift from his first daughter, Sophie Harrington, stood tall and resplendent, a masterpiece of modern architecture. The walls of the large house were adorned with shimmering drapes and elegant floral arrangements. Very large, smiling portraits of Priest Mack, clad in his parish gown, were strategically placed throughout the venue, each one radiating the warmth, wisdom, and faith of the man being celebrated. The decorations were luxurious yet tasteful, with every detail carefully planned to reflect the stature and reverence of the occasion. Outside the house and all around both yards, the manicured lawns were dotted with gazebos, each hosting a different segment of the celebration.The ai
ISABELLA'S POV I stepped on the brakes gently, bringing my Mercedes to an abrupt halt at the hospital’s parking lot. It was morning, and I had just arrived at work. I sat on the driver’s seat for a little longer, taking a deep breath, to steady myself for the day ahead. After that, I stepped out. As I began to make my way into the building, The first sight I caught was that of a nurse in a teal; her eyes brightened when she saw me. "Good morning, Dr. Harrington," she said, greeted with a slight bow. "Good morning," I replied, nodding warmly as I continued forward. A few more steps inside, an orderly in navy scrubs, was pushing a cart of supplies. "Dr. Harrington, always a pleasure to see you!" He waved happily. "Likewise," I waved back, offering a quick smile before moving on. The pattern of greetings continued with each step, nurses, patients, and members of staff, all of them offering smiles and nods. They were all constant reminders of the impact of my presence in
NATHAN'S POV I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair before straightening my tie and half-hoping something that might suddenly demand my attention. “Maybe I should go over the quarterly report one more time,” I muttered to myself, knowing full well that I had combed through that twice today already. With a sigh, I flipped my laptop closed and leaned stared up at the ceiling. The silence became unbearable after a few minutes. I picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts before settling on Owen’s name. He always had some chaos brewing in his world, perharps some of that chaos was what I needed now. I dialed his number, listening to the ring echo in my ear. It rang more than twice before Owen finally picked up. I could barely hear him over the background noise. “Nate, can I call you back? I’m in the middle of something a meeting. Can we talk later?” Owen’s voice was strained, struggling to rise above the chattering around him. I could te
General POVIt was an intense afternoon at the old Howard mansion, as all of the family members were present and sat around the long, oak table in the large dining room space.It was the first meeting since Michael had been discharged from the hospital, and the tension in the room was so thick it rubbed on every one of them.Grandfather had called the meeting, and inwardly, Michael was certain that it was definitely prompted by his last outing with Lilian.She must have told her parents, who in turn must have informed Grandpa about their shared interest in remaining just friends.The atmosphere in the room and the look on everyone’s face since Michael entered made it clear that all hell was about to break loose. But Michael was prepared; his mind had been made up.They all sat in silence, each wrapped in their own thoughts.Richard and Florence, Michael’s parents, sat to his right, their faces tense, eyes darting between him and the head of the table.Grandmother was next to Grandpa;
ISABELLA'S POVA year had passed since our wedding ceremony, and as expected, so much had changed. And this change began from where we had chosen to start a family.A towering off white mansion.It was everything we had dreamed of as a couple: It really made the experience feel like what it was called—exactly settling down.Think about the spaciousness; think about meaningful layout. It was just perfect.However, our new home was one out of many of the positive developments. My career as the “Phantom Medic” had soared in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Over the past year, I could no longer count the number of lives, performing surgeries that others deemed initially impossible had saved.My renown had grown by twice, not just as a surgeon but as an advocate. Remember the foundation I had fought so hard to establish? It had also grown to become a beacon for research into rare diseases, and that had been a deeply personal mission born out of my own health struggles... my near-death
ISABELLA'S POVThree weeks had passed, and it felt like a lifetime since everything had come together so perfectly. I was standing at the entrance of the outdoor venue of Augustine's parish, it was the same church my maternal grandfather currently attended.The garden was so, so breathtaking.The large hall adjacent to the garden was filled up with family, friends and well wishers.The groom boy, Michael, my grandparents, cheerful as always, was sitting proudly among executives from his family's company. His own family mingled with the guests, their smiles radiating pride. My parents, always a picture of grace, were seated in the front row. My dad, Elliot Harrington, was wearing a navy blue suit that complimented his tall frame, while my mother looked radiant in an elegant gown. Owen and Nathan, my loving brothers, sat beside them. Owen, always the typical charmer that he was, wore a fitted burgundy suit.While Nathan opted for a classic black tuxedo, looking more reserved than
MICHAEL’S POVMy grandparent’s large living room felt like a theater of looming judgment this afternoon.Every seat was occupied, and none of us was sitting with ease. It was like we all had fire under our buttocks.At the head of the room, Grandpa Howard sat, his large frame rigid in his high-backed chair, his normal face was a mask of barely contained rage, lips pursed, eyes narrowed. He gripped the armrests, staring at Elsa, who, as usual, was sitting in the far corner of the room; this time, she was avoiding his gaze like it would burn her alive.Her posture was stiff, hands clenched tightly in her lap, her eyes moving about in every direction but Grandpa’s.I found myself also mirroring Grandpa’s expression, the same fire in my own eyes.I could feel my parents sitting on either side of me, their faces drawn tight with disgust, eyes locked on Elsa.My mother’s lips were twisted, and my father’s fingers twitched as though ready to lash out at any moment. The only person who wasn
ISABELLA’S POVI was sitting on my couch that afternoon, my TV tuned on some spaces away. The live broadcast had been on for nearly an hour, but my focus hadn’t wavered. There on the screen was Michael, seated among the press, his expression calm but resolute, just as we had rehearsed together the night before. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, and his eyes were sharp. Michael sat in the center of the long table, surrounded by journalists whose pens moved rapidly across their notepads, eager to catch every word.His posture was upright, shoulders squared, but I could of course feel the tension he bore.I leaned forward on the couch as Michael began speaking, his voice strong and unwavering despite the gravity of what he was about to expose."After months of working with Robert Carlisle, I’ve uncovered disturbing truths." Michael began, his voice steady but his eyes darkening with emotion."I discovered that he’s been altering the properties of our product to make it more addict
GENERAL POVOwen stood in front of the full-length mirror, tightening his tie with slow, deliberate movements. His reflection stared back.He brushed a few wrinkles from his collar, muttering under his breath, ticking off the list of meetings and cover-ups waiting for him at the office. After some time of thinking about the office and where he had to be, the same old thoughts crept back, uninvited and heavy.The same old sense of discomfort he had tried to bury for days now…his tangled feelings for Claire.Came yet again.However, his thought pattern was a little different this time.For reasons he couldn't explain, the scene from that fateful night replayed in his head.He had gone to meet her, intent on laying everything out his feelings, urge to speak his mind only to find her in the VIP section, lips locked with another man. Owen had frozen, his eyes startled and alarmed.But thinking about it now, what had haunted him more than the betrayal was actually her reaction. Claire ha
ISABELLA'S POVI sat at the edge of my couch, my mind a storm of thoughts.It's been three days. Three days since I’d stormed out of Scarlett’s place, a trip of reconciliation that had quickly developed into something else I didn't bargain for.Now, it was followed by her trying to reach out to me, forwarding. desperate and pleading in the text messages...I had ignored them all, as if refusing to acknowledge them would make the gnawing suspicion less real.My gaze drifted out of the window. Inside me, there was only a deepening gloom. The things I had seen that day, the contracts with Xander, strange inconsistencies in Scarlett’s defense—it had all begun to fester like an open wound.No, something isn’t right. The words escaped my lips in a low murmur, barely audible.I needed answers. And I needed them now. I picked up my phone, quickly dialing Claire’s number and agitation in my veins.“Good morning, Dr. Isabella,” Claire’s voice greeted me, bright and efficient as always.“Morn
MICHAEL’S POV The moment I stepped into the club,music hit me, vibrating floors dim lights, charged atmosphere…name it. I paused just inside the entrance, scanning the room casually, my eyes adjusting to the low lighting as I searched for Owen. We had agreed to meet here. The club was one of those exclusive spots, packed with people who knew they were being watched but pretended otherwise. As I looked around, I saw a few groups clustered in private booths, laughter merged with the hum of conversation, while some others wriggled their tiny waists on the dance floor. Taking a breath, I made my way in, walking slowly and moving through the crowd, my hands brushing past people’s shoulders. Owen would be waiting in the VIP section, and I needed not to rush to get there. However, the urgency of what brought me drove me. The VIP area was cordoned off by a velvet rope, guarded by a bouncer who gave me a curt nod of recognition before unhooking the rope. I slipped past without a
ISABELLA'S POVNathan had shared with me how Scarlett had been visiting him of late, lingering too long at his door, just enough to stir old wounds. And even reaching out to the estate security personnel whenever he wasn't around. At least it showed a level of desperation on her part. And that was why I was on my way there today.Despite the hurt, part of me hoped we could still talk this out. Even though restoring her back into his life wouldn't be all that possible.But we could still arrive at something that works. Just like James and I had done.After all, we had been friends for years. All I wanted was a hint of remorse from her, an acknowledgment of the line she had crossed.As I parked in front of the gallery, the emptiness of the space mirrored the hollow feeling in my chest. The lights were off, the windows dark, and not a soul in sight. I stood for a moment, staring at the locked door, a quiet sigh escaping my lips. So, she wasn’t here. And perhaps indoors or something
GENERAL POVOwen pushed the door to his apartment and entered.He shut the door softly behind him, pausing for a second, as though leaving the world outside was not quite enough.He moved with slow, deliberate steps, crossing the room with a weariness that had become second nature to him over the past few days.His face was hard to read; his brows were slightly drawn, lost in thought.When Owen reached his bedroom, he stopped at the center of the room, standing there as though uncertain of what to do next.His eyes were scanning the space, landing on nothing in particular, and for a long moment, he didn’t move.The room felt too big, too empty. It swallowed him whole.With a heavy sigh, his hand reached up to undo the buttons of his shirt, one by one, slowly. The fabric fell away from his body, and he carelessly tossed it onto the bed. He stood shirtless and then made to sit down on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped loosely as his head hung low.For day