ISABELLA'S POV It was yet another busy morning, I got out of my car and walked into the hospital with the casual ease of someone who had done it countless times. Once I got through the main entrance, the antiseptic smell that lingered in the air was followed by the soft hum of machines in the distance. The quiet urgency in everyone’s steps, going in and out comforted me. It was like walking into a familiar dance hall, where I knew all the moves. I made my way toward one of the wards, nodding briefly at an emerging nurse. The small room opened with a gentle hiss, and I stepped inside, my attitude switching at once. The first patient I had come to check up on looked up eagerly as I entered, a tired but grateful smile on her face. Her graying hair framed a face that had seen too much pain, but when she saw me, there was a glow of hope in her eyes. "Good morning, Mrs. Lawson," I said, my voice carrying the warmth I especially for my patients. "How are you feeling today?"
ISABELLA'S POVI continued to stare at the screen, my eyes straining to comprehend the blankness.I was actually supposed to be happy about this news. After all, just a week ago, I was wishing for exactly the same result.But a lot had changed since then, and right now, all I could ask was how? how could I be happy now? How could I go back to my family and tell them that the baby they were already celebrating wasn't real? And what about James? And his opportunist family members who were already making plans, speaking about the future as if it was set in stone. And most importantly, what about me?I didn’t just think I was pregnant. I felt it. The symptoms were there, undeniable, and I could still touch the small protrusion of what I believed was the life growing inside me. This had to be some mistake. Something wasn’t adding up.Doctor Shaw sighed softly, a sound that seemed to come from a place of understanding. She stepped closer, her initial anxiety, and seemed to dissolve.
JAMES’S POVIt was close to evening, and my desk was full of unfinished work.Yet there was a lightness in my chest that made all of this insignificant. I never liked night shifts, and on such days, I was always scowling, but today was different. I had just hung up the phone, still feeling the new warmth of Isabella's voice echoing in my ears. She had finally agreed to meet up so we could talk about our child, and who knows, there was also a chance for us to reconcile. The thought of becoming a family again made my heart thump in expectation.I mean, what was a child's life without a strong, doting father hanging around?Just as I was still relishing the joy of this recent victory, the door to my office was flung open with a force that made me jolt forward on my chair.I looked up quickly, eyes wide with alarm, only to see Zoey standing there, her face twisted with anger. "What the hell?" I muttered, still trying to process the display.“Hey, what was all that for?”Zoey didn'
GENERAL POVThe business of the day was coming to an end, and Michael was just about to seal up his own with one of the most important discussions of his career.A talk with Robert Carlisle in his office; the man was a billionaire investor in the pharmaceutical industry, and a private moment with him meant a lot especially now that he was planning to start his own company; as a matter of fact, that was the topic of their discussion.Mr. Carlisle sat behind Michael’s brown expansive office desk, listening to Michael’s proposal calmy. His gaze was sharp, assessing the younger man with the kind of scrutiny that came with years of navigating high-stakes deals.Michael, on the other hand, was speaking passionately. His eyes were bright with ambition, and his tone was measured, every word chosen with care."So, like I said before, sir. I'm building this company from the ground up, leveraging everything I've learned and inheriting from my family’s legacy in the pharmaceutical world.” Micha
GENERAL POVThe day had gone completely dark by the time Michael and Owen got into their respective cars. They waited inside for James to stagger back into his car and drive out before they followed him. Michael was particularly angrier, he kept his hands on his steering wheel murmuring to himself, his chest heaving upwards and downwards while his mind bubbled with thoughts of what he might do when he finally caught up with James. Owen, though quieter in his car, was no less resolved, his gaze fixed intently on the taillights ahead.Soon, James started his car, and afterward, the two friends followed.The trace led them through connecting streets, past neon-lit storefronts, and busy sidewalks until they arrived at a club on the edge of town. It was so much darker now than when they first left.The only source of light in the area was from the flashing neon, signs that adorned the club’s entrance, casting an artificial hue over everything.James had since parked and entered the noi
ISABELLA'S POVLilian's hand was warm as she led me gently toward the spot in the shadow where her car was parked.The area around us was growing darker by the minute. My eyes were still misty, and I could feel the cold sting of fresh tears clinging to my cheeks.Lilian didn't say much, her concern etched into every line of her face as she helped me into the passenger seat. We locked up the car doors, and then Lilian sat beside me for a moment, and from the corner of my eye, I could see her brow furrow in a mix of confusion and sympathy.It was obvious she didn’t fully grasp what had just happened, but her concern was clear.I kept sniffing, trying to compose myself.Lilian's eyes softened as she watched; she reached out, her hand hovering over my shoulder."Why don’t you put your address into the GPS?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.I nodded, fumbling with my phone to type in the familiar route home. The screen blurred as more tears welled up, and I had to blink several ti
THIRD POVMichael and Owen made their way back to the club's main hall.Their look now was a big contrast to how they had entered earlier.They had totally emerged as whole new creatures."I can’t believe it man. This really changes everything," Michael had said, his voice still sounding doubtful in a way.Owen leaned back in his chair and shot Michael a playful smirk. "See? The way is clear for you now. I’d start calling you ‘brother-in-law from tonight." He teased, raising his palm in a mock salute.Michael laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "How is this even possible?”As they continued their banter, Owen’s eyes darted around the room, half-heartedly looking around for any trace of James.There was no sign of him; he must have hurried home since then. The crowd was even thicker now, and the music thundered through the club, making it impossible to hear anything except the beat. Suddenly, Michael felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, the sensation jolting him forward.
ISABELLA'S POVThe first light of the day shone through my white transparent curtains, waking me up from sleep.I rolled lazily on my bed before rising to sit up.A yawn escaped from my mouth as I stretched my arms over my head.It was yet another Monday morning, the start of a new week, and still, the first thing I could think of was the chaotic weekend I experienced.Even in my dream last night, all the scenes kept replaying over and over again.From Michael’s unexpected confession to the wild night out with Lilian to the quiet solitude of Sunday.Everything just lumped together, leaving me with a weird sense of unease, of foreignness. It was almost as though I had watched all the activities of my body from a state of coma.I streched my hands again one last time before climbing down from the bed, my feet touching the floor of hardwood.I trudged across the room, starting up the routine of getting ready for work.Starting with a quick brush of my teeth, a refreshing shower, and the
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