It was strange, almost intoxicating, to be viewed this way. When I walked through the corridors, I felt the weight of their gazes, but it was different from what I had grown used to. Instead of judgment or pity, there was a quiet reverence in their eyes. They looked at me not just as a guest or a burden to be tolerated, but as someone who mattered, someone who held a place of importance in their world. I knew why, of course. Clyde had made sure they saw me this way. He had woven this narrative where I wasn’t just Isabella, but the woman who would soon stand beside him. It was a role he had crafted carefully, one that came with privileges I was only beginning to understand. And even though I knew this respect was born out of his influence, it didn’t stop me from feeling its allure. In this house, under Clyde’s roof, I was no longer an outsider looking in. I was someone of significance, and that feeling was both empowering and disconcerting. As I walked towards the hall, where Clyde wa
Clyde’s smirk faded slightly as he listened, his eyes studying me with a new intensity. I could see the gears turning in his mind, the way he was recalculating, reassessing. He hadn’t expected this from me, hadn’t expected me to stand my ground in the face of his taunts. But that was the thing about Clyde—he thrived on power plays, on challenges. “Alright,” he said finally, his voice softer now, but no less dangerous. “You’ve piqued my interest, Isabella. What’s your condition?” His question hung in the air between us, charged with a mixture of curiosity and caution. For a brief moment, I saw something in his eyes that looked almost like respect. It was fleeting, but it was there, a recognition that I wasn’t just going to be a pawn in his game. I was trying to carve out my own space, to find a way to keep a piece of myself intact in all of this. Taking a bite from my food, I gathered my thoughts, trying to steady the tumultuous emotions swirling inside me. The flavors of the meal we
Just as he turned on the screen, Carmine’s face immediately appeared, filled with concern. His brows were furrowed, his eyes wide with worry. I’d never seen him like this before, not in the two years I’ve known him. The tension in his voice was unmistakable when he asked, “Isabella, are you okay?” I was momentarily taken aback. The Carmine I knew was usually composed, often with a calm and easygoing demeanor. Yet now, he looked almost frantic, his usual confidence replaced by genuine anxiety. It was strange, seeing someone so unshakable suddenly appear so vulnerable. It took me a few seconds to process the situation, but then it hit me. For the first time, I realized that there was someone out there who truly cared about me. His concern wasn’t superficial; it wasn’t just out of politeness or obligation. No, this was real, unfiltered worry, and it was directed entirely at me. I had grown used to managing things on my own, rarely expecting anyone to be truly invested in my well-being
The pit in my stomach grew, knowing how much Carmine would be hurt by whatever Clyde was planning to say next. I could almost see it in my mind: the hope in Carmine’s eyes shattering, replaced by the raw pain of betrayal. That’s exactly what Clyde wanted—to destroy any sliver of hope either of us might have had. “Stop!” I whispered sharply, the words escaping my lips before I could even think. My voice was hoarse, strained with the effort of keeping my emotions in check. I knew shouting would only feed into his sick pleasure, so I tried to hold back the rage simmering inside me. But it was impossible to mask the desperation in my tone. Clyde’s smirk deepened, that familiar proud and taunting smile spreading across his face—the one that made my blood boil. He was reveling in this moment, thoroughly enjoying the power he held over me. He had me cornered, and he knew it. It was infuriating, knowing that no matter what I said or did, he was always one step ahead, always pulling the stri
“Babe, we’re getting married, and you’re definitely invited,” Clyde announced with sickening cheerfulness, his eyes fixed on Carmine’s expression on the screen. He was enjoying this far too much, playing up the twisted reality he’d created. He knew exactly what he was doing—pushing Carmine to the edge, making him question everything, all while I stood there helplessly caught in the middle. My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my emotions in check. The anger simmered beneath the surface, a mix of rage and frustration that I struggled to contain. Clyde was doing this on purpose, feeding off the chaos and heartbreak he was sowing. Yet despite my efforts to stay composed, my heart pounded furiously in my chest, the guilt gnawing at me. I couldn’t bring myself to meet Carmine’s gaze. I knew if I did, I would see the pain, the confusion, the devastation that was undoubtedly etched on his face. And that would break me. How could I look h
Carmine’s voice continued to pour through the screen, filled with a fervent intensity that I could feel even through the cold glass. He was laying out his plan with a determined edge, his words laced with anger and a promise of vengeance. “I’ll find him, Isabella. I’ll make him pay for what he’s done. I’ll kill Clyde for you, I swear it.” Each declaration from Carmine was a knife twisting deeper into my heart. Here he was, declaring his intention to destroy the man who had ensnared me in this dark web of lies and threats. Carmine’s words were a powerful testament to his unwavering loyalty, his readiness to fight for me despite everything that had happened. But as I listened, I felt a pang of guilt and helplessness wash over me. I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t meet his eyes and tell him the truth. The truth that I was trapped in a twisted fate, bound to marry Clyde because of the threats hanging over my head, threats that were far beyond my control. It was a reality I couldn’t cha
“And now,” he continued, his voice laced with sarcasm and bitterness, “I don’t know what offer he dangled in front of you, but it must’ve been something big. Something worth more than your pride, more than everything you once stood for.” His words dripped with contempt, like he couldn’t even fathom what kind of deal I would strike to marry the one man I had despised for so long. “Because here you are, ready to say ‘I do’ to the person you’ve hated all this time.” His words stung, each one feeling like a slap, but I couldn’t flinch. I wouldn’t. Carmine was letting out all the anger, all the pain, that had been festering inside him, and I knew he needed to. Maybe he thought if he said it out loud, he’d understand it better. Or maybe he was hoping I’d break down, admit to some grand scheme, some ulterior motive that could explain away this madness. But I had no such answers to give him. It was clear he couldn’t reconcile the woman standing before him with the one who had once vowed to b
Carmine’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening into one of barely controlled rage. But even with that fury burning in his eyes, he didn’t take Clyde’s bait. Instead, he straightened his shoulders and forced a cold, humorless smile. "I’ll wait to read the address on that invitation card," he shot back, his voice icy. "Make it hurry then." With that final, cutting remark, Carmine ended the call, the screen going black in an instant. The silence that followed was deafening, pressing down on me like a heavy weight. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the dark screen, my mind racing and emotions tangled in a knot I couldn’t untangle. The tension in my chest tightened until it felt like I could hardly breathe. Clyde, on the other hand, seemed entirely unfazed by the tense exchange. He let out a satisfied chuckle, clearly pleased with himself, as if this entire twisted interaction was nothing more than a source of amusement for him. “Well, that went better than expected,” he mus
For two years, everything had remained stagnant and unchanging. Despite the passing of time, there was an overwhelming feeling of stagnation in the air, as if time itself had ceased to move forward. My sister, who had once been a vivacious and energetic individual, now seemed to have lost all her vitality. She appeared lifeless and devoid of any joy, as if something deep within her had been snuffed out.All of us, her family and friends, watched helplessly as she slowly withered away. We saw the light in her eyes gradually fade, and her once radiant smile turn into a mere facade. It was clear that she was struggling under the weight of some heavy burden, but none of us knew what it was, nor how to help her.It wasn't until one day, after years of keeping her emotions bottled up inside, that she finally broke down and confessed everything to Fenrir."I can't take it anymore," she cried out, tears streaming down her face. "I'm leaving this pack, and I'm leaving you."The words hung in t
"Then I hope to see you at my wedding, 'father'!" I spat out the word 'father' with all the bitterness and resentment that had been building inside me for years. Carlo's presence, once a looming figure of authority, now elicited nothing but contempt. His eyes blazed with fury, a storm of anger swirling beneath the surface. I could feel the intensity of his glare, a searing heat that threatened to consume me whole. In that moment, if looks could kill, I would have crumbled to dust under his gaze alone. With a menacing step forward, Carlo moved to confront me, his body tensing with restrained aggression. But before he could reach me, Carmine intervened, stepping between us with a firm resolve. "Enough, Carlo," Carmine's voice rang out, authoritative yet tinged with concern. His stance was protective, a barrier between me and the father whose control over my life had finally slipped away. Carlo's jaw clenched as he regarded Carmine with thinly veiled disdain. "She belongs with her fa
In that very moment, a palpable sense of concern radiated from him towards me, an unwavering testament to the depth of his worry that persisted even to the present instant. It was as though his thoughts had formed an unbreakable connection with my well-being, transcending time and circumstance. The sight before me, the ascending trail that we embarked upon, seemed to mirror the journey of our camaraderie. As each step led us higher, so too did it elevate the emotions that bound us together.Gazing upon the majestic expanse around us, a cascade of emotions surged within me, threatening to spill over as tears welled up in my eyes. The vista that unfolded was not merely a panorama of nature's grandeur, but a reflection of the intricate tapestry of our relationships. The towering peaks echoed with the laughter we had shared, and the sprawling valleys whispered secrets we had entrusted to one another.As the sun cast its golden rays upon the landscape, illuminating even the crevices hidden
In that instant, the room seemed to hold its breath, as if the universe itself were awaiting your response. But it wasn't just a query that I posed; it was an exploration of the intricate layers of my affection. My mother, with her unwavering support and boundless care, had molded me into the person I had become. Yet, you, my love, had carved out a niche within me that was uniquely yours, painting the canvas of my life with hues of passion and understanding.The notion that my concern could be compartmentalized, limited to just one person, felt foreign to the very essence of who I was. You see, dear love, my heart was a vast expanse, capable of accommodating the most profound adoration for both my mother and you. It was as if the tendrils of my affection had intertwined, creating a delicate dance between the woman who had given me life and the person who had breathed new meaning into it.So, as I stood there, the words hung delicately in the air, an invitation to delve into the depths
Carlo's words sliced through the air, sharp and cutting. "If I knew you were alive all this time, I would have done it way too soon," he remarked, his tone devoid of remorse or empathy.I felt a surge of anger rise within me, threatening to spill over. How could he be so callous, so indifferent to everything that had transpired? His lack of remorse only fueled my frustration, intensifying the urge to lash out.I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the torrent of emotions swirling inside me. The temptation to slap him, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain he had caused, was almost overwhelming.But I held back, knowing that violence would only escalate the situation. Instead, I met his gaze with a mixture of defiance and disbelief."You don't care about anything," I accused, my voice trembling with restrained anger. "You abandoned me, Carlo. You left me to fend for myself."His expression remained impassive, unmoved by my accusation. It was as if my words were mere echoes
The kiss had been brief, fleeting, but its impact lingered in the charged air between us. As I pulled away, I couldn't help but notice the intensity burning in Clyde's eyes. There was a fire there, a raw desire that sent a thrill through me, even as my heart raced with uncertainty.The flames in his gaze seemed to grow hotter, more insistent, mirroring the rush of blood in my veins. My pulse quickened, matching the rapid beat of my heart as I struggled to catch my breath.With soft, deliberate steps, Clyde closed the distance between us once more. Before I could react, I found myself pressed against the cool solidity of the wall, his presence overwhelming and intoxicating.His proximity sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a whirlwind of emotions within me. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew me in despite my better judgment. His touch was gentle yet possessive, a silent declaration of his desire and determination.I met his gaze, my own eyes searching his for
I sighed heavily at his question, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling over me like a heavy blanket."Clyde, do we really need to do this?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration. "Can you not be serious for just one time?"To my surprise, instead of the usual indifference or defensiveness, Clyde's head tipped back and he burst out laughing. It wasn't his usual fake or sarcastic laughter that I had grown accustomed to. This was genuine, unguarded laughter—the kind I had never seen from him before.His laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls and mingling with the tension that had been hanging between us. I couldn't help but feel perplexed, unsure of how to react. This unexpected display of emotion was like a crack in the facade he had always maintained around me, revealing a side of him I hadn't known existed.As Clyde's laughter slowly subsided, he looked at me with a faint smile playing on his lips. There was a warmth in his eyes, a softness that softened the edges of
I was confused. The whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me was almost too much to bear. It was as if my heart and mind were at war, trying to make sense of the situation. I felt a sharp sting of rejection that cut deeper than I expected. Despite having no romantic feelings for Clyde, the hurt I experienced was real and piercing. As I stood there, lost in a haze of my own thoughts, I didn't realize that my emotions were manifesting physically. It wasn't until I felt the warmth of a tear trailing down my cheek that I became aware of it. The tear seemed to hold all the confusion and pain I was feeling, and its sudden appearance startled me. Clyde's voice broke through my fog of thoughts, but it wasn't the comforting sound I had hoped for. "Did you not hear me?" he asked, his tone cold and distant. The chill in his voice made it clear that he regretted ever touching me. His words cut through me, amplifying the hurt and confusion I already felt. In that moment, I could see the regret
Damon was angry as he walked away leaving Elevena with Noah. He didn't care what everyone would think but when Peter whispered him that it isn't the right time he stopped.Elevena ran after him saying she doesn't care how he treats her because she knows how much he love her.She was lying one after another because if she won't they will suspect them for acting as they are in love when in truth they aren't.She knew when this will happen no one will blame Damon but her. No matter how hard she try because in the end one wrong step and she will be the one to bear consequences."Damon wait for me," Elevena yelled but he didn't stop and went straight to his personal room, specifically made for him only.Elevena didn't care if she was allowed to enter or not and went inside after him.Damon was furious after seeing her Noah. He was feeling weak as his emotions took over him. he wasn't thinking straight and he knew this is not how he should do things.He couldn't be weak over a girl who alre