THIRD POVThe anxiety in the room was so great that one could taste it.Nathan’s voice cut through the silence.“Why have you been hiding from me, Lilian? Why? What are you hiding from?”he demanded, his eyes drilling into Lilian’s own from across the room.Lilian remained standing, her posture betraying her turmoil.She looked on the brink of tears, her guilt almost vivid in the air as her gaze darted back and forth between Nathan and the floor. Each glance at Nathan's piercing stare seemed to shatter her resolve a little more.From the corner of the room, Isabella sat quietly, observing.Her expression was carefully neutral, but a subtle concern showed very much in her eyes.She remained silent, her attention moving between the two with the growing tension.Lilian still hadn’t said a word, her lips parting, but no sound came.Nathan took a step closer, his brow furrowing deeper. “It was more than just a kiss, Lilian... After that night, you changed. Now tell me... what do you know
THIRD POVThe room fell into a deafening silence after Isabella’s question.Her wide, bewildered eyes focused on her brother Nathan for some time before they turned to face Lilian; she was still grappling with the weight of Scarlett’s decision.Her lips parted slightly, but they still could not produce; the situation was still proving too difficult for her to grasp completely.The shock left her frozen in place, her mind synchronizing the event over and over again for answers that weren’t coming.As for Lilian, she remained standing a few steps away and had her hands firmly planted on her waist. Her teary eyes misted with emotion, her breaths shallow, as if holding back a torrent of feelings too much for her tender heart. She was also watching Nathan and Isabella,.her lips trembling, and like Isabella, there were no words for her to say.Nathan, on the other hand, stared at the wall, the anger etched in his face beginning to shift. His jaw clenched tightly, then slowly they relaxed
ISABELLA'S POVI stood in the middle of my bedroom, surrounded by discarded clothes. Dresses, skirts, blouses—they were all piled up on the bed as I rifled through my closet, frantically trying to find something, anything, that would make me look perfect for the visit. These things were always so difficult for me. Perharps, that was the downside of having boys only as siblings. My fashion sense felt too masculine even to me; I would be lying if I said I trusted it enough, and in an occasion like the one I was preparing for right now, my doubt was twice the normal.I tried on a red dress first, spinning slightly in front of the mirror. Too bold. I pulled it off quickly, my nerves starting to creep in. Next, I tried a pale blue blouse with a white skirt. It looked pretty, but still didn’t feel right either.I was restless. Michael’s family wasn’t just any family. His mother, particularly I, wanted to impress her; according to him, she was the one who was at the forefront of pushi
ISABELLA'S POV Michael’s parents turned out to be nothing like the stiff, formal figures I had imagined. Instead, they were warm, lively, and welcoming. Michael's father, in the typical playful manner he had projected himself for the last few minutes, was the first to bring up the idea of games after lunch. “I bet none of you can beat me at charades,” he announced, puffing up his chest. His wife rolled her eyes but smiled fondly. “Oh, please, Richard. You can’t even act out a frying pan properly.” She teased, making all of us burst into laughter. As the game began, I found myself swept up in their playful banter, the tension I had felt earlier melting away. Michael’s dad's exaggerated gestures during his turn were so comically absurd that even Michael, usually so composed, doubled over with laughter. At one point, his father tried mimicking a bird, flapping his arms wildly while making awkward squawking noises. “That’s supposed to be a penguin?” I asked, trying and fail
ISABELLA'S POV“Are we even still friends anymore?”My voice was like an arrow, so unexpected yet so piercing, not just to her but to me; my breath trembled in my throat.For a second, she couldn't respond. She wasn’t prepared for me to say that.Her eyes widened briefly before narrowing, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. Her fingers twitched at her sides, her shoulders stiffening, almost like she was bracing herself for the impact of something hard.I took a step closer, swallowing hard as I held her gaze with mine.She could feel the judgment in my eyes—the hurt that had been growing for months, finally breaking free. “Like... Did you even know I was sick, Scarlett? Or were you too busy with your so-called actor boyfriend?” I asked.“Talk to me!” I shouted.Scarlett inhaled sharply, her hands flying to her waist. Then she let out a scoff."Come off it, Bella; I knew that bitch Lilian would tell you that." She spat, shaking her head."That gi
JAME'S POVThe glass of Macallan Rare Cask in front of me remained untouched.The club lighting was a little too dim—as usual, not enough to tell the actual color of what I was drinking.I looked around casually. I had lost track of how long I have been sitting here, waiting for just one person... Gregory.A quick glance at my watch reminded me... It was about forty-five minutes since I arrived here.The noise around me was deafening, laughter and conversations blending into a single vibrant hum.I pulled out my phone despite doubting that it would help.The first call didn’t go through.I cursed under my breath and tried again. Nothing.The third attempt met the same fate, and frustration began to knot in my chest, tightening with every passing second. I rubbed a hand down my face, clenching my jaw. What the hell was going on? Why would Gregory decide to be unreachable now of all times, especially at such a crucial hour of the day? I know what I had to abandon to be here myself.O
THIRD POVDr. Robert Langston stood before the full-length mirror in his room, meticulously adjusting the knot of his tie.He straightened his suit jacket, fingers brushing over the half-grey hair at his temples as a satisfied smile showed on his face.His reflection stared back at him, sharp and confident, embodying everything he had worked toward.His plan was finally coming together far more smoothly than he had anticipated.He let out a soft chuckle, remembering the exact moment when James had fallen for his proposal last night.It had been effortless, like a house of cards collapsing with the lightest touch. "Executive board member indeed," he muttered under his breath, his lips twisting into a devious mocking grin. But in all honesty, who wouldn't have taken the bait? It was a perfect offer, tailored to perfection, and James, from his history as an opportunist, had lived up to expectation.With a nod of satisfaction, Robert swiped at an invisible stain on his jacket, his moveme
MICHEAL'S POVThe large, luxurious hall was just the perfect one of this grand moment I have been planning.Rows of chairs were perfectly arranged around beautifully adorned tables.Centerpieces gleamed under the soft lights above.Already, a number of guests had taken their seats, dressed in their finest attire, chatting amongst themselves, laughter bubbling through the hall like faint echoes.At one corner of the hall, I was standing with my hands on my waist, taking in the view.The space was enormous, far bigger than I had imagined when planning this. A few guests were already seated, chatting softly, their I spotted familiar faces in the crowd.my grandfather, with his dyed hair, sitting stoically in his favorite navy suit, and beside him.I also picked out my mother, wearing an elegant black dress matching the pearl necklace she always wore for big events like this. Across the room, Nathan and Owen leaned in towards each other, deep in conversation.Nathan, ever the gentleman,
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