Isabelle stood in the kitchen, rinsing out a few dishes as the older woman bustled around, preparing her things for the busy day ahead at the restaurant.
Mrs. Aldric paused at the doorway, turning to Isabelle with a thoughtful look. “Isabelle, I want you to stay home today.”
“What?” Isabelle blinked, setting down the dish. “Why?”
Mrs. Aldric sighed, adjusting the strap of her bag. “Dan’s got his sights set on you, and I don’t want to give him another excuse to show up at the restaurant. I don't think he's been so focused on something like this, it only just lasts for a while, but what he said yesterday sounded pretty serious and I don't want to put you in danger.”
Isabelle frowned, a pang of guilt and frustration tightening her chest. “But I can’t just hide here. I don’t want to be a burden to you. With the way I told him off and rejected him, he would know that I'm serious and stay away too, wouldn't he?”
“You’re not a burden,” Mrs. Aldric said firmly, placing a reassuring hand on Isabelle’s shoulder. “Look, I don't like disobeying my gut feeling, dear. I don't want you to go out today. It's Sunday, a day where people spend time with family. I won't have lots of customers around, plus, Clara would be around today to help me. You’ve been through enough, dear. One day away from the restaurant won’t hurt and would definitely not make you a burden to me.”
Isabelle hesitated but finally nodded. “Alright. If you think it’s best.”
“It is,” Mrs. Aldric said, offering a small smile. “I’ll be back before dinner. Make yourself at home. You can go for some fresh air at the beach too if you feel stuffed in here.”
Isabelle nodded with a smile. She was worried about being a burden but more relieved that she wouldn't have to deal with Dan for the whole day and hopefully, ever again.
---The hours dragged on as Isabelle tried to keep herself occupied. She tidied the house, read an old novel she found on a dusty shelf, and even attempted to bake something edible. But no matter how much she busied herself, her thoughts kept returning to Dan and the way he had looked at her the previous night.
In the early afternoon, the phone rang, startling her. Isabelle picked it up, hearing Mrs. Aldric’s voice on the other end.
“Isabelle, dear, I’m so sorry to bother you,” she said, her tone slightly frantic. “I left the ledger with yesterday’s accounts on the kitchen counter. Could you bring it to me? I need it urgently.”
“Of course,” Isabelle replied, already heading to the counter where the small leather-bound book rested.
“Thank you, dear. Just be careful on your way, also, Dan didn't visit at all. I think your rejection worked. See you soon.” Mrs. Aldric added before hanging up.
Isabelle was now more relieved, her rejection definitely worked since Dan didn't show up at the restaurant. She had nothing to worry about now. She got dressed quickly and grabbed the ledger before heading out.
The streets were quiet as Isabelle made her way toward the restaurant, the ledger clutched tightly against her chest. The sun was high in the sky, and the village seemed peaceful, with only the occasional passerby or distant chatter breaking the stillness.
But as she turned onto a narrower path lined with trees, a shadow fell across her path. She froze, her heart sinking as Dan stepped out from behind a corner, his familiar smirk spreading across his face.
“Well, well, who do we have here?” he drawled, blocking her way. “Didn’t think I’d see you out and about today. I see you avoided going to the restaurant because of me? Are you afraid?”
Isabelle’s grip on the ledger tightened. “Dan, how did you..... Just leave me alone, okay? I already made myself clear enough.”
“That’s not very polite,” he said, grabbing his chest and feigning hurt as he took a step closer. “I told you last night—I always get what I want. Did you think you’d escape me so easily? It's cute that you let your old woman go to the restaurant alone today, but did you have it in mind to stay locked in forever? It's a small town, princess. We'll meet eventually.”
Her pulse quickened, panic rising in her chest. “I don’t want any trouble. Just let me pass.”
Dan chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Trouble? Oh, sweetheart, you’re not even trying to make this fun.”
“Stay away from me,” Isabelle snapped, taking a step back.
But Dan was faster. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm in an iron grip. Isabelle cried out, struggling against him, but his strength was overwhelming.
“You’ve got a lot of fire,” he said, his breath hot against her ear. “I like that so much. You intrigue me.”
“Let me go!” she shouted, twisting and kicking at him.
His grip tightened, and his face twisted with irritation. “I think you need to learn some respect here. When I said, you're mine, I meant it.”
With a swift, calculated movement, Dan’s hand struck a pressure point at the side of Isabelle’s neck—just beneath her ear. Pain flared sharply, and her vision blurred as her body went limp.
“You can’t—” she managed to whisper before everything went dark.
Dan looked down at Isabelle’s unconscious form, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. He crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Sweet dreams, beautiful,” he muttered.
The sound of approaching footsteps made him glance up sharply. Muttering a curse, he hoisted Isabelle over his shoulder and slipped into the shadows of the trees, disappearing from sight.
---
At the restaurant, Mrs. Aldric checked the clock again and again, her brows furrowing with concern. Isabelle should have arrived by now.
Clara noticed her restlessness and approached her. “Everything alright, Mrs. Aldric?”
Mrs. Aldric forced a smile, though worry gnawed at her. “Yes, dear. I’m just waiting for Isabelle.”
Clara scoffed. “ You look like you lost your daughter. Why is she so close to you by the way?”
Mrs Aldric looked at Clara, surprised she was bringing that up. “ It's nothing to you. I'm more worried about her absence right now.”
Clara moved closer to Mrs Aldric and patted her shoulder. “ Come on, Mrs Aldric. Isabelle isn't a teenager. She's probably just running late. She'll be here soon. Don't worry.”
Mrs Aldric nodded in agreement but as the minutes stretched into an hour, her unease deepened. Something was definitely wrong.
Kindly rate this book, and let me know your thoughts too. Also I’d be happy if we can invite our friends to join us in this jolly ride.
The evening sun cast long shadows across the quiet streets as Mrs. Aldric hurriedly locked the restaurant door, her hands trembling. Isabelle should have arrived hours ago. Something was wrong. Her gut churned with unease as she practically jogged home, her thoughts racing.“Please let her be home,” she muttered under her breath, her shoes clicking against the cobblestones.When she reached the house, she threw the door open, calling out, “Isabelle? Isabelle, are you here?”The silence that greeted her sent a chill down her spine. She checked the kitchen, the small sitting room, and even upstairs, her worry growing with every empty room. Isabelle’s bag and the ledger were gone, but the house was eerily quiet.Mrs. Aldric sank onto the sofa, her head in her hands. “Where could she have gone?” she whispered, fear tightening around her chest.She didn’t sit for long. With a resolve born from years of running her business and protecting the people she cared about, she bolted out the door a
The air was cool and damp as Dan pulled up to his secret house on the outskirts of the town, the small property cloaked in shadows from the surrounding trees. Isabelle’s unconscious form lay slumped in the passenger seat, her face pale in the faint moonlight. Dan smirked as he stepped out of the car, walking around to lift her limp body into his arms.“She’s lighter than I thought,” he muttered, adjusting her weight.He had just reached the porch steps when he noticed a figure standing near the doorway. The man was tall, dressed in dark clothing, and leaning casually against the doorframe. The dim light from the porch lamp didn’t quite reach his face, leaving it covered in the shadows.Dan tensed, his grip on Isabelle tightening. “Who the hell are you?”The man straightened, his movements slow and deliberate. “Just someone with a lot of interest in the girl you’re carrying,” he said, his voice smooth and low.Dan narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Is that so? What do you know about
Dan sat comfortably on his worn leather couch, a self-satisfied grin on his face as he sipped whiskey from a crystal glass. Outside his home, the muffled voices of the townspeople grew louder, their determined footsteps heading straight for his door, just like he had expected... or heard from Clara. He barely flinched when the knock came—a loud, insistent pounding that echoed through the small house.With deliberate slowness, Dan rose from his couch and strolled to the door. He opened it just enough to lean against the frame, his smirk widening when he saw Mrs. Aldric standing at the forefront of the group. Her face was lined with worry and anger, a combination that only fueled his amusement.“Well, if it isn’t the town’s matron saint,” Dan uttered, dully. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Aldric? And the others?”Her eyes narrowed. “We’re looking for Isabelle. Where is she?”Dan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Isabelle? You mean your little stray? Haven’t seen her.”“Don’t lie to
Flashback: Hours AgoLiam Anderson leaned back in his chair, the weight of the boardroom’s discussions pressing heavily on him. The sleek conference room was filled with sharply dressed executives, their voices droning on about projections, prices and market trends. Normally, this would be his domain—strategic, controlled, predictable.But today, his mind was elsewhere.The vibration of his phone against the brown polished table snapped him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw the name flash: Marcus.Marcus was his man on the ground, the one he’d hired to keep tabs on Isabelle from the moment he found her in that hospital and left her to go her own way. He didn’t trust the world enough to leave her alone, not with the shadows of her past looming all around her.“Excuse me,” Liam said abruptly, interrupting the executive that was speaking. He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. The murmurs in the room reduced as all eyes turned to him.“Mr. Anderson, this is a crucial
The police station was colder than Isabelle expected, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow on the tired faces of the officers and suspects alike. Isabelle clutched her arms tightly around herself as she walked in beside Liam, her steps hesitant. She had a lot on her mind at that moment.Dan was being held in a separate room, but Liam had arranged for her to see him once she felt ready. For now, Isabelle sat in the waiting area just outside the room, trying to piece together her scattered emotions and waiting for Liam to come with a police officer escort.She barely noticed the sound of hurried footsteps and people walking about in front of until a familiar voice cut through the air. It was from inside the room where Dan was kept. “I thought you were better than this?” Clara demanded, her voice tight with worry.Isabelle looked up sharply, her breath catching in her throat. She recognized that voice. It was the voice of someone from the town. It was Clara's voice. What was she
The police station was quiet now, the chaos of the evening finally going down. Isabelle sat beside Liam on a bench, her arms wrapped around her body as if trying to shield herself against the cold reality of her life. Mrs. Aldric had insisted on staying until Isabelle was finished giving her statement, but eventually, the older woman had to leave.Before she left, Mrs. Aldric gripped Liam’s arm firmly. “Take care of her,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And bring her back safely.”“I promise,” Liam replied, his voice steady.When they were alone, Liam turned to Isabelle, the expression on his face, filled with concern. “Are you alright?”“No,” Isabelle said simply, her voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t think I’ll ever be alright again. That man, Richard is so scary. He would go to the length of killing me just to keep his abusive nature under wraps.”He sighed, his expression softening. “I know this feels impossible, but I’m going to make sure Richard never comes nea
Isabelle followed Liam out of his office, she was nervous from the whirlwind of the past few days and the decision she had made that day. It was going to be a long and hard journey, no doubt, but she had Liam and Mrs Aldric on her side now. “Isabelle,” Liam said, gesturing toward a man waiting by the window. “Meet my secretary, Frank Payne.”Frank turned with an exaggerated flourish, his bright smile instantly lighting up the room. He was a tall, lanky, young man with an easy charm, dressed in a sharp suit that somehow still looked casual.“Ah, the infamous Miss Isabelle,” Frank said dramatically, taking her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. “You’re even more beautiful than the pictures I saw you in. I caught Mr Anderson staring at pictures from time to time. Pleasure to meet you!”Isabelle couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier tension easing slightly. “Nice to meet you too, Frank.”“You’re too kind,” Frank said, shooting a grin at Liam. “How did someone as stiff as you convince h
The grand ballroom of the Anderson Companies owned building was transformed into a vision of luxury for the wedding of the year. Glittering chandeliers cast warm light over the elegantly dressed guests, a sea of billionaires, politicians, and socialites filled the space. Outside, the media clamored for any glimpse of the bride and groom, their cameras flashing as black-tie guests arrived in luxury cars.In a private dressing room upstairs, Isabelle sat before a decorated mirror as a team of makeup artists worked on her. The room smelled faintly of perfume and flowers, the hum of whispered compliments filling the air.“You’re so stunning, Miss Isabelle,” one of the artists gushed, stepping back to admire her work. “Liam Anderson is a lucky man. You're so lucky too. Half the country would kill to be in your shoes right now.”Another nodded enthusiastically, adjusting the hem of Isabelle’s white wedding dress. “The most eligible bachelor in the country, and now he’s yours.”Isabelle mana
The city lights flickered past in a blur as Frank maneuvered the car through the streets. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was tense, filled only with the steady hum of the engine and the faint tapping of Liam’s fingers against his iPad. His gaze was locked onto the screen, scanning through endless articles, reports, and anything remotely connected to the name Marcus Carter.Frank, who had been watching his boss out of the corner of his eye, finally spoke. “Alright, boss, where exactly are we headed?”Liam didn’t respond immediately. His brows furrowed deeper as he scrolled, his jaw tightening.Frank sighed. “And what are you looking at so damn intensely? I swear, you’ve been at it since we left the office. Did we get a project that I don't know about?”Liam let out a slow breath, lowering the device slightly. “I’m going through everything online that has Marcus Carter’s name on it.”Frank frowned. “Marcus Carter?” He repeated the name, searching his memory. “Can’t say it rings a bel
The drive to Westford University was tense. Isabelle gripped the steering wheel firmly, her mind racing through possible ways to handle the situation. Next to her, Selena sat with her arms crossed, tapping her nails against her knee impatiently.“I still don’t see why we have to be nice about this,” Selena muttered, shifting in her seat.Isabelle sighed, keeping her eyes on the road. “Because we need them to trust us. If we go in there guns blazing, they’ll only become more defensive.”Selena scoffed. “That’s assuming they deserve any respect after what they pulled. They didn’t just reject our partnership—they publicly trashed Polaris Tech. If they had doubts, they could’ve kept it internal.”Isabelle nodded. “I agree. What they did was irresponsible. But think about it—did they say anything false?”Selena frowned. “Well—no, but—”“They didn’t outright lie,” Isabelle continued. “They didn’t fabricate anything. They just repeated what they thought was true. And whether we like it or no
By the time Isabelle finally walked through the doors of the house, exhaustion weighed down on her shoulders. The day had been long—Crestview’s success, Westford’s betrayal, and the revelation that Laura and Estella were behind the attack on Polaris Tech.And worse, the growing suspicion that Marcus had been orchestrating this entire thing from the start.She barely had time to gather her thoughts before she heard the deep, familiar voice from across the living room.“You’re late. Again, Isabelle.”She looked up to see Liam standing by the bar, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, and a glass of whiskey in his hand. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable.Isabelle sighed, setting her bag down by the couch. “I know. I'm sorry.”Liam placed his glass down and crossed the room in three long strides. Before she could react, he cupped her face, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.“Are you alright?” His voice was low, laced with concern.She swa
The next morning, Isabelle and Selena sat in Isabelle’s office, scanning an email from Professor Langston.Crestview University had officially agreed to host the Polaris AI demonstration next week.Selena grinned as she leaned back in her chair. “We finally got a big one. This could set off a domino effect for other universities.”Isabelle nodded, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment. “If Crestview endorses us, others will follow.”But before they could fully celebrate, another email arrived—one that wiped the smiles off their faces.Westford University, another top university on their list that they visited and pitched their ideas too had rejected their proposal outright. Worse, they had publicly warned students against using Polaris AI, citing “concerns over long-term data privacy.”Selena’s expression darkened as she slammed her hand onto Isabelle’s desk. “This is bad. If one university publicly doubts us, others will hesitate too.”Isabelle scanned the content of the email showi
Isabelle arrived at Polaris Tech that morning, fully prepared for a long day. The student discount marketing plan was in motion, and she had no room for mistakes. The moment she stepped into her office, a member of the PR team handed her a thick folder filled with reports and updates. She barely had time to flip through it before her phone buzzed with a meeting reminder.Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the conference room. Inside, the marketing and PR teams were already gathered, with Marcus seated at the head of the table. Greg, the head of marketing, was going over the discount structures they had decided on—tiered percentages for students based on their courses and subscription plans.After some final adjustments, Marcus turned to Isabelle and Selena. "Your job is to make sure students actually know about this. Partnerships, ads, outreach—whatever it takes."Selena crossed her arms. "Universities would be the best way to go. If we get academic institutions to endorse Polari
Isabelle took a deep breath before stepping out of her office. It was time for the meeting with the marketing team, and she had already put together a few ideas on how to boost Polaris AI’s public image. As she made her way toward the meeting room, she spotted Selena walking ahead of her, her posture stiff, her steps quick and purposeful."Selena," Isa called out.Selena didn’t stop.Isa frowned but quickened her pace until she caught up and gently grabbed Selena’s arm. The woman turned sharply, her eyes flashing with irritation."What do you want?" Selena asked coldly.Isa let go of her arm and met her gaze with calm confidence. "Look, I know you don’t like me here. You think I’m here to take your position, but you don’t have to worry about that. I have no intention of staying in Polaris Tech permanently."Selena’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes."I’ll be gone in three weeks," Isa continued, her voice steady. "I was brought in temporarily,
The towering glass building of Polaris Technologies loomed before Isabelle as she stepped out of the car. The sleek, modern exterior was almost like Anderson Corp’s, yet there was no sense of familiarity—this wasn’t her first time here. But today, everything was different. Today, she was not a visitor or a negotiator. She was an employee. Even if temporary.With a deep breath, she adjusted her blouse and made her way through the entrance. The moment she stepped inside, the air changed. Whispers rippled through the lobby like a wave, eyes discreetly flicking in her direction. Some employees murmured with excitement, others with skepticism."So that’s Isabelle Rivers? Liam Anderson's wife?""I heard she’s brilliant.""I heard she played a big role in the security breach scandal. She even held a press conference. What’s she doing here?"" Has she been hired permanently by Mr Carter?"Isabelle kept her head high, ignoring the murmurs as she reached the reception desk. The receptionist, a
Isabelle stood in front of the mirror, absently gathering her hair to tie it up. But the moment she lifted it, she froze.Hickeys.Deep, reddish-purple bruises littered the pale skin of her neck and collarbone, evidence of last night’s passion. She inhaled sharply, her fingers grazing over them.Her cheeks flushed.She should be annoyed—it was inconvenient to go around with these marks. But instead, a small, traitorous smile tugged at her lips.Liam was insatiable.She bit her lower lip, caught between amusement and frustration. There was no way she could wear her hair up today.Behind her, the door to the walk-in closet opened, and Liam stepped out, dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit. His hair was neatly styled, and he was adjusting his tie with practiced ease. The sight of him, so effortlessly put together, made last night’s memory even more vivid.Liam glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked. “What’s got you so happy this early in the morning?”Isa snapped out of her daze
Isabelle gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as she maneuvered through the dimly lit streets. She wasn’t supposed to be doing this.Both Allison and Ethan had warned her—stay away.But how could she?The way Vivian had been dragged away, the panic in her eyes, the sheer weight of what had happened—it wouldn’t leave Isa’s mind. And Marcus... she had never trusted him completely. Something about him had always felt off.Now, more than ever, she needed answers.She arrived at the detention center, her heart pounding as she stepped out of the car. It was a grim-looking building, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded heavily. What the hell am I doing? she wondered. But it was too late to turn back now.After going through security and the necessary formalities, she sat in the visitation area, waiting. The fluorescent lights flickered above her, making the dull gray walls feel even colder.The door on the other side of the glass partition buzzed open.Vivian stepped in.I