THIRD POV James' fingers tapped excitedly on the steering wheel. He felt like one intoxicated, as if the car were floating rather than driving along the streets. A grin was playing on his lower lip, a rare expression of pure joy. The memory of Isabella's fiery exchange with Michael replayed vividly in his mind, the way she had shamed Michael without hesitation and in front of him too. “Do I need your signature to receive visitors?” He repeated and let out a short laugh. It was as if she had thrown down a gauntlet, making her choice clear to him. "She still loves me." James whispered to himself, his voice full of triumph. "Of course, I always knew she does." He could barely contain his happiness, already envisioning the moment Isabella would finally accept his proposal to reunite. James felt his heart swell with confidence, and before he realized it, he was humming and whistling to a jaunty tune that matched his mood. The car radio played softly in the background, and he
ISABELLA’S POV This second restaurant was everything James would choose. It had high ceilings, chandeliers above, and waiters in tailored suits gliding between tables. It was well thought out, obviously, for the kind of date he wanted tonight; it reeked of peace and quiet, something I once told him I liked when we were still together. Obviously, this wasn’t our first time at a place like this; not since the reunion. James had asked me out yet again just yesterday. which was just some days interval after the first one we went to on the same day I met Scarlett. On the second time, his voice had been laced with excitement, and I had hesitated. Nevertheless, I agreed; I had to; after all, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Spending more time with him was necessary to test his knowledge about the poison. about his involvement, I could start reading him from there. If he was involved, tonight was the night I would find out. As we entered the restaurant, I noticed how
ISABELLA'S POVJames hummed softly as he started the car, a light whistle slipping through his lips, the same upbeat tune he had been humming all evening.I stared out the window, my body sinking deeper into the passenger seat. I could say I was a bit relieved of knowing James wasn't behind my poisoning and that I would not have to continue with the seduction games.But then again, it left a blank space that was even harder to fill now, one that I wasn't even sure where to start dealing with.Now that my suspicions had been lifted from him, the question that I had now was: Who else could it have been?I sighed quietly, watching the security lights and guards. blur past as James stirred the car out of the restaurant's parking lot going through the gates and onto the main road. He hadn’t even noticed my sigh, too wrapped up in his own cheerful bubble, but I felt exhaustion.It wasn’t just a physical one; it was emotional and mental. It felt like the weight of my unanswered questions
GENERAL POVNathan let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face as he stood up from his desk.The long day at the office had drained him.His suit jacket felt heavy, the fabric stiff as he pulled it on and buttoned it absentmindedly.It was closing hours; most employees had left. since hours ago.He glanced at his phone again, its screen lighting up in the quiet room. “Still no reply from Lilian.”Even the message he sent earlier in the day was still unanswered, a stark reminder of the distance that had grown between them since the awkward incident at the restaurant when Scarlett had lashed out at them, claiming that Lilian was always around him.He shouldn't have defended her, just that he was only wary of complicating things.His fingers played over the call button, but he hesitated.He had actually tried calling earlier, but her phone had been unreachable. What difference would this make?He held the phone with his other hand and pulled open the door to his office, stepping
ISABELLA POVI paced back and forth in the small space of my living room, my mind spiraling with thoughts I couldn’t control.My fingers were trembling as I clutched them together, and my breathing was uneven. The light from the overhead lamp did nothing to calm me.How did this happen? How did Lilian’s phone end up in Nathan’s hands?I clenched my jaw, trying to steady my frantic heart, but every time I pictured what this development could lead to, a fresh wave of panic would overwhelm me.The thought of my family knowing about the poison terrified me more than the illness itself. Or rather, the poison. Just thinking about whether or not I would have to tell them made me feel chills. Would they be able to take it? The bond I shared with them was too strong; they would condemn themselves. They could even start getting ill on my behalf. Wasn’t that how they once almost got themselves killed in a fire outbreak when we were still kids? They had saved me and almost sacrificed themselve
GENERAL POVThe room felt heavy, as if the weight of the world had settled between the three siblings.Isabella’s sitting room appeared dimmer, as though the curtains were holding back more than just the sun.Lilian had left in a rush minutes ago. The hugs they exchanged before she walked out had been brief and tentative, as though none of them could find the right words to say; she had promised to check up first thing tomorrow.For now, silence reigned. Nathan, Owen, and Isabella sat in separate corners, each lost in the web of their own thoughts. The silence lasted for quite some time before Owen finally broke it.He pulled out his phone.His little finger hovered over the screen, unmoving, as he stared at it with raised brows. His chest rose and fell with a deep, deliberate breath before his hands ran over his face.He rose slowly, the movement deliberate, as if each step towards the truth was one he dreaded. His voice was hoarse when he finally opened his lips.“So... what no
General POV It had been two weeks since Isabella’s health condition was revealed—a heavy weight that still disturbed Lilian’s mind. However, today was not a day of bearing such weight. She was prepared for an evening that had the potential to be fun. She had a date coming up with Nathan in a couple of minutes. She stood in her bedroom, surrounded by chaos. The bed, once white and free of rumples, was now covered with a sea of dresses in every shade and style. Lilian held a shiny black dress up to her chest, frowning thoughtfully as she inspected her reflection in the mirror. She needed something special, something that would make her feel confident tonight. She pictured the kind of dress she wanted—elegant but not overly revealing, sophisticated yet daring enough to make Nathan look twice. Lilian’s fingers brushed over a deep emerald-green dress lying on the bed, its soft satin catching the light. She picked it up, feeling the weight of the fabric, and placed it against
GENERAL POV Isabella sat on the edge of her bed. She was staring at her reflection in the tall mirror opposite, her thoughts running wild and uncertain. Lilian was actually in the living room, having visited hours ago to keep her company. They had shared a light meal of grilled salmon and a fresh garden salad, laughing over wine glasses in an attempt to escape the heaviness that she has been struggling with for some time now. But after the meal, when Isabella saw that she had begun to scroll through her phone, she had excused herself, feeling the need to withdraw and think. She sighed deeply. Her mind was now replaying the rumors that had been circulating recently, whispered behind closed doors at her hospital, and openly exchanged in hushed tones at Michael’s company. She precisely recalled the one of yesterday, the meaningful stares from her colleagues, the sly smirks of the hospital staff, and the way one of the nurses, Megan by name, had said to her friend in the breakr