ISABELLA’S POVI let the door shut behind me before I gave in and cradled my legs, sobbing softly. I was safe in the office, away from him and their glaring eyes and from his hold, memories, and irresistible smell. As pain exploded through my chest, my eyes caught the small frame sitting on my table, the scan of my baby, and a scream pierced my throat while I clutched onto my stomach. Even though it had been months, I still couldn’t forget about Bloom, a name I had always wanted to give her. Or him. I was a bad mother. I was unworthy to be called one. I was at fault for not choosing my child first and not leaving when I could. I apologize for not heading elsewhere after I got the pregnancy news. Then maybe, just maybe, my baby would still be here.My eyes were aching terribly, and my head too, yet more tears streamed down. After what seemed like an eternity, I dragged myself from the floor, wiping off my messy makeup with shaky hands while I tried to steady my breath. ‘I didn’t figh
ALARIC’S POVI froze the second the words slipped past her lips. I could hear the pain in her voice. I could see traces of the tears she tried to hold back, making my heart ache. I realised how selfish I had been. How self-centred I was. “Isa…” My voice trailed off. She was slightly trembling now. Images of her walking into the house days after the miscarriage flooded my mind, and all I had done was accuse her. I had ignored her on the day of the accident. I had let her go through the pain of losing our child alone. I had….“Please, just let me go, Alaric. There is nothing to make up for because I will never forgive you.” Her voice quivered slightly, and my arms weakened as it fell beside me.“I will die trying if I have to.” I let out, my voice sounding weak. I was in pain. Yet it was nothing compared to what she had faced. She sighed and breathed, still trying to hold back her tears. That was what years of loving me had done to her. It had changed her from the soft Isa who would po
ISABELLA’S POV“What do you mean he refuses to let you go?” Mireille let out on the other side of the phone. I could hear her feet as she paced up and down, and I could tell that she was pissed. “Why is he suddenly refusing a divorce? I’m coming over tomorrow. I need to put that asshole in his place.” She was breathing so hard.“No, no, Mireille. Hummm, you have work, and besides I don’t need that drama. My lawyer said he would handle it, so let’s give him time.” My heart was beating fast. There was a weird feeling accompanying it, too. For so many years, I had prayed that Alaric would show me this side of him, the side of him that wanted me so badly and would fight for me. But he never did. So why now?“I think it is because you are famous now. You are rich and…”“The last thing Alaric is will be a gold digger. That I know.” I ran my fingers through my newly washed hair. I was still dressed in my blue bathrobe and sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Because even after sitting in the
ISABELLA’S POVEven though the incident happened the night before, I still couldn't get my mind off it as I sat in the office. It was the second auction, and I tried to think straight. After this, I had three more to go, and then I would return to France. The term for this auction was love. Drawings that reflected love. Trust me, I had stayed on a painting for about a week, yet I still felt it wasn't conveying enough. Maybe because I had no idea what love felt like anymore. However, I was glad many paintings were present, drawn by artists wide and near. Everyone was busy with the setup, and my boss wouldn't stop calling to ask how it was going. Soon, the message was in the back of my mind.Not until I saw him sitting in the auction room, too. Alaric. His eyes caught mine for a second, and I uncomfortably looked away. To think I had believed he wouldn't come back. I had thought the first time we met had to be an accident. I tried to pay full attention as each painting was called and
ALARIC’S POV“This doesn't seem like a smart money move, Sir,” Henry informed as he ridiculously stared at the painting. “We are going broke and…”“Henry!”“But sir, we need this money.”“And we are talking about my wife here. Drive.” I ordered, clenching my teeth. He looked at me from the rearview mirror but knew better than to push the matter. Even if we go bankrupt, I will spend my last cash supporting her. This was the only one to atone for letting her do this all alone when she had spent years supporting my dreams. Most of the ideas she gave me in high school, worked and earned me a lot of cash. Isabella might not be all that, but she was smart and intelligent. She was quick to analyse loss and profit and always knew how I could avoid the loss or lessen it. She helped me a lot after Father informed me that I was taking over the business when I was twenty-eight. I tapped my feet against the floorboard as nervousness coursed through me. Elena had said my Mother fell off the stair
ISABELLA’S POVI was still sitting in my office when the auction’s manager dashed in at high speed. Angel had left minutes ago after bombarding me with questions on who Alaric really was. She found him way too attractive to resist and even when I avoided every one of her talk about my ex-husband, I could still feel my blood foaming. I no longer loved Alaric but I also didn't fancy hearing someone gush over him in that manner. Luckily I was able to get her to eventually focus on the auction, and how she needed to create more masterpiece for sale.“Miss!! We have a problem.” He was panting hard with fear written all over his face. I pressed my thumb against my head. “What is the issue, Mr Grave?” “A client…someone outside claims our paintings are fake. She is screaming and the others are scared, Miss. You need to attend to this please.”My pain rose and my heart started to pound. Not because the paintings were really fake but because a little lie like this might ruin our reputation.
VALERIA’S POV“What do you mean you failed?” Elena yelled and threw the vase in my direction but I dodged in time to protect me.My heart was racing so fast. I could feel how angry she was. She was such a brat but the money she was offering would do a lot for me at the moment. What I still didn't understand was why she was so interested in my shitty little sister. Or why anyone would like her? She was barely half as pretty as I was. If I had known she would end up in bed with the mighty Mr Wolfe, I would have been in that bed instead, and maybe by now I wouldn't have to take Elena’s unending tantrums.“Mr Wolfe showed up. I couldn't push forward. It was up to you to get him away from her.” I finally voiced out and watched her lunge forward. I screamed in pain as she dragged my hair.“You poor stricken thing. You should be glad I am letting you do this job and you dare question me??? I am the reason your Mother and you have somewhere to stay. You should be grateful I am paying your deb
ISABELLA’S POVI was drowning in a pile of work. The boss wouldn't stop calling me after the fake painting rumour. He had informed me that most clients called him complaining and now I had to call them one after another to clear the air. To inform them that my sister was only throwing a tantrum that my parents could have stopped when we were growing up.Well I didn't put it that way. I just had to explain that it was Valeria’s misunderstanding and nothing more. I even volunteered to have their paintings checked by an expert.“You hid the fact that you were married, Miss Isabella. I am sure you had your reasons but please keep your personal life away from your business life.” He paused. I could hear him fiddling with something on the other side of the call. “I’m turning a blind eye because you have sacrificed a lot for this company. Don’t let it repeat itself.” He had said before hanging up, and all I could do was stare into the empty space in front of me. After my confrontation with
AUTHOR’S POVIsabella’s soul had been trapped in a dark, endless abyss, and she had no idea of how long that had stretched on. It was like she was alive and wasn’t at the same time. All it took was just a second for everything to change. A loud cough escaped her lips as she pulled her eyes apart, her body weak and in pain. There was something attached to her arm, and the whole room looked unfamiliar, as did the Blonde-haired, good-looking man standing before her.“Where am I?” she asked out of sheer curiosity because she could vividly remember being with her husband and then the confrontation with Elena and his mother. “Get me, Alaric, please.” She proceeded, wanting to believe this was one of the rooms in their house. The man, dressed in a white shirt and black pantsuit, made his way carefully towards her, his hands in his pocket and his eyes not leaving her. He was in disbelief that she would request Alcohol the moment she awoke. Regardless, he had millions of questions running thr
ALARIC’S POVI let out a small yawn as I stretched my hand to pull my wife closer. My eyes were still closed, but I was met with emptiness. I sprang my eyes open, my heart thumping. The sun had risen in the sky, sending its reflection into the room. My eyes ran round the room. Her clothes were still sitting on the laundry basket, so that had to mean she was in the house. I dashed into the restroom to find it empty. Fear crawled through me. Did she leave me again? Was it forever this time?My heart was beating so fast. Even though I had gotten used to being people’s second choice, I had doubts that I could live without her. I picked up my phone from the bedside and instantly dialled her number, but it was switched off. A bead of sweat broke across my neck.Soon, I was storming downstairs, asking every maid if they had seen my wife, but none did. My parents and Elena were sitting at the dining table, munching on food.“Good morning, son.” Mother smiled brightly. “Care to join us?”“Hav
ISABELLA’S POVThe house was quiet, but I tried to note the way so I wouldn't get lost on my way back. The sky was filled with the stars alongside the bright moon. I dragged in some fresh air, hoping the night would speed by fast so we could leave. I didn't know how long had passed, but the air had gotten so chilly that it penetrated my skin, causing me to gnash my teeth. I clicked my phone to check the time and noticed it was dead. My charger was in the car, and the key was back in my mouth. Blowing air out, I stood up and headed back to the room.The whole place looked similar and confusing. Even though I tried to trace it, I feared I might open the wrong one. I heard a door creak open before I caught sight of the man with the glasses from before. He had a frown on his face, and his palms formed into fists. My heart raced slightly as I feared I had caught something, but he passed by me as though he didn't even see me, which was a relief. I stepped forward and noticed the door he ca
ISABELLA’S POVWe walked in, holding hands. They were still sitting around the table. Elena looked up.“Our car is bad. We might have to spend the night, " my husband informed them, and I caught Elena’s face brightening. However, Alaric didn't look happy. He turned to me. “You should have dinner. I have no appetite.” “Me too.”Eating where I wasn't liked wasn't advisable, even if I was hungry. Who knew what end they would go to? A lot of things just seemed too weird. I could sense the competition among them all.“That’s nice. We are all staying over, too.” An older man who looked like he was in his late thirties said, his glass on the brink of his nose. He was dressed in a green shirt and white pants. I didn't know his name.“Alright, uncle. We will head to bed now. We have work tomorrow,” Alaric informed me and then pulled me with him. I could feel his warmth seeping through my skin as we headed upstairs, and soon, he stopped in front of a brown door. “We will stay in this room,”
ISABELLA’S POVI stood there frozen, unable to decide what to do or say. Was I to burst in on them and have her in a cuckold, or was I to wait till they left?I tried holding my breath as though they would hear it. I could hear her moan. Her back against the wall, they looked so engrossed in their act, and they probably weren't stopping anytime soon. Lastly, I wasn't about to watch a full-blown porn movie. A swam of irritation hit me in the stomach, almost throwing me up. This was so disgusting. It felt so wrong. What could ever be the reason to cheat on your husband with his brother? Why?I was thinking of what to do when my phone rang, and I was startled. I pulled it out quickly and turned it off. My body shook, and my lips got dry. I heard them; then he whispered something and footsteps. And somehow, I was glad that it was finally over, so I stepped out, only to see her standing there, her arms wrapped around her waist.“I knew it had to be you. Whatever you plan to do, remember t
ISABELLA’S POVMy heart was racing so fast as we drove into a tall building with a vast compound. This was the second time I was coming to his house, the first time was when I was invited by his father to talk about the marriage. My fingers were trembling. It was like visiting the past and it left a sour taste in my mouth. “We can leave if you don’t want to.” He must have been able to tell.“No, I’m fine. I just can't wait to see them.” I lied and watched him raise his brows but he doesn't ask any questions.Stepping closer, he wrapped his palm around mine, and whispered, “If you ever get a need to leave, then I will get you out of here. I don't like them either so I won’t force you to.” His words felt like pouring a big bowl of ice over my burning nerves because I felt a lot of relief. We walked through the huge white door, laughter echoing through the air. My legs were getting wobbly and I dragged in a deep breathe to calm myself.We were still holding hands. “Mother.” Alaric s
ISABELLA’S POVEven as we sat on the left side of the room, the looming feeling was unshaken. The setting was pretty. From the chandelier hanging low to the large wooden piano sitting in the centre of the room to the pianist clicking away. Including the white fabrics spread on each table and the pretty flowers. The atmosphere smelt so nice and rich. I couldn't tell if it was due to the other guests there or if a particular spray was infused in the air.I watched him signal the waiter, and he walked over. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants, his black hair neatly trimmed, and a smile on his face.“What would you love to eat, Isabella?” he asked, quickly adding, “Can I call you that?”I hummed in response, too nervous to talk. It widened as my eyes ran over the words on the menu I had picked from the table. Every single meal here was so expensive that even water wasn't spared. It wasn't that I couldn't eat them; I just wondered why he was so nice to me. Noticing their gazes
ISABELLA’S POVI felt my heart swell with pride as I spoke. I was standing in a room with five men looking at me and nodding in agreement. CEO Rex was dressed in a grey suit and black shirt and had a proud expression. He was relaxed in his seat, his fingers stroking his beard. Today was my first day in San Francisco, and I had to catch an early flight to get here, and luckily, it was barely five hours. A car had come to pick me up, too.“I believe doing this will benefit our company because it will strengthen loyalty and help build a relationship with the community. I need you to understand that the world is revolving, and seeing things from young talents’ perspectives might just be what we need to keep us growing. Thank you.” I completed the sentence and watched Rex clap with a smile.Picking the document, I headed back to my seat. My heart started to race. What if they didn't like my idea? Wouldn't that make me look like a fool?“See, I told you she is a very intelligent woman,” Re
THIRD PERSON’S POVAlaric ran his fingers through his hair as he huffed. His anger was brewing, but not at her but himself. Maybe he had overreacted a little. This person was her boss, after all; this was her dream, her line of work, and he might have to accept. But how was he supposed to stand there and watch another man touch his wife?Adjusting his tie, he slammed the car door shut and then stormed after her.“Isa!! Stop!” He ordered, but she didn't budge. She had heard him, but she would be damned to let him have his way. She could feel the volcano in her about to erupt, coupled with the twist deep in her stomach.“Fuck Isa. Do you always have to be so stubborn?” He increased his pace, and so did she. Finally, she sighted the door and stormed in, fiddling with the lock when it was pushed open.“Fuck Isa. Fuck!” He yelled, looking at everything but her. “I am going to have hypertension at this point.” He was breathing heavily and running his fingers through his hair again. “Wha