THIRD PERSON’S POVBianca was never expecting to see her son coming back that night alone. His face held an expressionless, unsmiling face and a longing gaze. She was back in his home now alongside John, who had noticed Alaric’s foul mood as he stormed into his room. He sent Bianca a knowing gaze.“I will go see him, " Bianca said when he cut her short.“You should rest. I will go.” He announced almost immediately and walked off.After knocking on the door and getting a muffled response, he finally pulled the door open and stepped in to see Alaric tapping away on his laptop, drawing in slow and steady breaths with his left hand hidden away from view.He finally looked up. “Thank you for staying with her, Uncle, but I can take it up from here.” He said with clenched teeth and lowered his gaze back to the laptop.John felt the urge to say something else, but he didn't. He nodded and slowly retracted from the room. The sound of the door closing made a sigh slip out of Alaric’s trembling
ISABELLA’S POVToday was exactly two years since I married the man I had loved for five years. A smile caressed my lips as I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and turned my head to steal a glimpse of the pretty red and white cake sitting in the transparent box on the passenger seat. My phone dinged continuously, but every time I looked at it, it was just classmates from way back, expressing how lucky I was to be married to the once school hottie and a multi-billionaire. Maybe my marriage wasn't as rosy as people thought, but I was at least glad I got to be with him. Alaric Wolfe….His name rang in my head for the umpteenth time. The image from the first day I saw him seeped into my mind. It was my first day in college, and I was just a shy, nerdy girl with whom no one wanted to relate. Even my sister did her best to avoid me. “Who walks around in glasses and an ugly outfit like that? Reputation, girl. I don't know about you, but mine matters.” She had said, sounding so disgus
ISABELLA’S POVA sharp pain ran through my head as I drifted my eyes apart. The harsh, sterile light hitting my sensitive eyes caused me to blink. The smell of antiseptic filled the air, mixed with the beeping sounds of the machines. I tried to take in everything about my surroundings. Before everything went blank, the image found its way in. “Oh! You awake?” A gentle female voice said, and I turned my head slowly due to the pain of seeing a pretty lady who seemed to be in her twenties smiling at me. She was dressed in a nurse uniform. She had black hair and looked like she was pleased with her job. “How do you feel now?” She questioned; however, I felt my mouth was too dry to respond. It felt like I hadn't drunk a drop of water in ages. My throat was so parched, with my head throbbing.My whole body was on fire. It felt as though it was stung by needles, and I groaned. “What day is it?” I managed to croak out, my voice a shadow of itself. I could feel my energy draining with string
ISABELLA’S POV“See what the cat dragged in after four days.” Elena let out a smug look on her face. “Just enough time to have all the fun in the world while your husband suffers. Poor Alaric. It must be such a headache to be married to you.” She added, her tone dropping, causing me to clench my teeth.Two years after school, and yet nothing had changed. That is such old bitchy behaviour from a spoilt brat. I rolled my eyes and tried to walk past her, squeezing Mireille’s hand not to give a response. My whole body was on fire. The pain was getting worse with every second that ticked by, even though the Doctor admitted to giving me painkillers. I still had to show up some other days to get checked. “You don't get to leave when I’m talking!” She threatened, pulling me back and causing my head to let out a bang. My heart rate rose, and I could feel it hammering against my chest as memories of the accident flooded my mind. I could smell the lingering petrol in the air. The world was clos
ISABELLA’S POVI took a deep breath as my eyes ran through the well-light room. Tables and chairs were in every corner of the room, and so were people I had never met until this moment. My fingers were trembling from the nervousness. This was an art competition, and I didn’t even know if I was supposed to be there. Mireille had submitted one of my Alaric paintings to sign up for this. I saw contestant number 5 doing his own thing, and the crowd cheered him on. According to rumours, there were ten participants, most of whom had influential people or knew the judges. In contrast, all I had was Mireille.“I can’t do this,” I mumbled, and she immediately caught my palms in her, squeezing it gently.“Of course, you can. I know what you are capable of, Isa. If you ever feel nervous, remember the one time I peed myself in front of my crush and didn’t do the same.” I chuckled slightly, her words calming me a little.“Contestant 6, come up stage.” I heard one of the judges say into the microp
ISABELLA’S POVThe sun was shining brightly in the sky yet Alaric was nowhere to be found, even after I sent a mail to him, demanding that he showed up. I grunted as I tapped my shoe heel against the floor due to the nerves wrecking inside me. It felt so strange, unreal that I was about to put an end to this bondage. This term called love that had tied me down for so long. It was almost nine am and my flight leaves in thirty minutes.“We need to go, Isa. He is not coming. He doesn’t care enough to.” Mireille said, her left hand wrapped around my shoulder. “I’m glad you know you deserve better now.” She added in a whisper and I felt my eyes soak with tears.For once I had thought he would care enough to be here. To let me go of my heart, and stop hurting me. But how can he let go of something he never wanted in his possession. I bit on my lower lip and nodded before getting back into the black Mercedes Benz the company had pick me up. Even as the door closed and the engine roared to l
ISABELLA’S POVI dragged in a deep breath as my fingers trembled coldly. I was sitting in one of the offices that the red haired secretary had directed me to, just two days after i got to Florida. My heart couldn't stop beating so fast as I awaited them to get here. I meant the CEO of DeluxeArts, said to be in a meeting. I was dressed in a wine-colored cooperate gown that stopped a little above my knees, paired with a white heel and bag. Mireille picked them out. I took in the sight of the office as the large glass windows flooded the room with light, while overlooking the buzzing street. The office was separated by glass walls that made her feel almost seen and each calling painted in matte black. In front of land laid a sophisticated piece of wooden furniture with a monitor and keyboard on it. There were books, and paintings hanging and neatly arranged on the shelves. Everywhere smelt so intoxicating.The glass door pushed open and I watched a middle aged man walk into the room, dr
ISABELLA’S POVBeing back in Alabama sent my nerves on a spiral mode. Not much has changed, except a little bit of color upgrading from most buildings. Mireille had tried talking me out of coming but I couldn’t bring myself to turn down the company, later she had begged to come along and protect me, but I wasn’t selfish enough to let her when I knew how much it would affect her work. However, the company had prepared a hotel room for me and a car. But I still had heavy eyes that ached terribly from the lack of sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about how Alaric was just an hour drive from the hotel. Standing in the hall as I watched the hired staffs carry out their duties made me feel a little at ease. This was the biggest art auction I was holding with prominent people coming to watch and my heart swelled with immense pride. I did it. I had a name for myself. Built a life for myself. A smile caressed my lips and I dragged in the flowery scent that flooded the air. As much as I
THIRD PERSON’S POVBianca was never expecting to see her son coming back that night alone. His face held an expressionless, unsmiling face and a longing gaze. She was back in his home now alongside John, who had noticed Alaric’s foul mood as he stormed into his room. He sent Bianca a knowing gaze.“I will go see him, " Bianca said when he cut her short.“You should rest. I will go.” He announced almost immediately and walked off.After knocking on the door and getting a muffled response, he finally pulled the door open and stepped in to see Alaric tapping away on his laptop, drawing in slow and steady breaths with his left hand hidden away from view.He finally looked up. “Thank you for staying with her, Uncle, but I can take it up from here.” He said with clenched teeth and lowered his gaze back to the laptop.John felt the urge to say something else, but he didn't. He nodded and slowly retracted from the room. The sound of the door closing made a sigh slip out of Alaric’s trembling
ISABELLA’S POVHe had left. Stormed out of the room in a rage, I finally let my weakness show as my legs wobbled and dragged them to settle back on the chair. The past couple of days had been so hard, from trying not to think about him or our past to having dreams that entailed him. Dreams that even the paintings I spent nights on to cope with it couldn’t stop them. For weeks, I had awaited his arrival. I desperately wished that he would run across the surface of the earth just to see me. But now that it happened, I realized how much rage I felt towards him. How much pain he wouldn’t stop causing me, and I started to wonder if this was worth it in the end. This wound kept being peeled open because I refused to stop loving a man who made me question my worth. He could have come sooner, but he didn't. He could have stepped out that day to save me from Elena, but he didn't. He had the chance to clear the engagement rumor but stayed put. He could have stopped me from signing the divorce
ALARIC’S POVAfter we settled down and placed orders, I noticed Mother’s eyes lighting up as she looked around the room.“Ever being here?” She shook her head. “Always wanted to come with Ethan.” Her smile slowly disappeared.That was my father’s name. And as much as I wanted to ask her why she stayed, I didn’t want to ruin the moment. Our orders were served, and a few spoons were put into it. A voice spoke from behind, and my mother’s eyes shot up like fireworks were set off.“Uncle,” I said, slicing through the tension in the air. He cleared his throat and then looked at me.“May I?” He pointed to the spare chair.Something seemed off. Very off. But I nodded.“I didn’t think you would be here.” He pointed out. I noticed Mother’s eyes were barely leaving him, and now and then, her cheeks would turn red. My father’s brother? Could there be something between them?“I had to take Mom out,” I informed him. He nodded and slowly turned towards her as though he were conscious.“The color
ALARIC’S POVI didn’t notice my missing mother until the maid knocked on my door to inform me. I frowned as I paced the room, dialing her number repeatedly, but it wasn’t connecting. “Switched off.” I frowned, tossing my phone on the couch. What was she up to now?I dialed the number I had vowed never to dial, and after the third attempt, he finally picked up.“What?” He sounded uninterested.“Is Mother there?” There was a brief silence, and I could hear Chris chatting in the background. These were having family moments that he didn't ever have with me. My heart ached a little, and someday, I would love to ask him why he despised me so much. Why did he marry her when he knew he would forever hate the sight of me?“Do I look like her nanny to you?” he bellowed, and I think it was on the loudspeaker because Chris chuckled underneath.“If you want to apologize to Father, just say so. You don't have to use this means. If you are sincere, I can beg Father to let you come work for us aga
THIRD PERSON POVBianca’s revelation had shattered what was left of their relationship. Alaric had avoided her no matter what she did, and she spent most days crying herself to sleep. She could feel her soul slowly dispersing. Every now and then, she could have sworn that someone was watching her. Maybe the grim reaper, and it was time she righted her wrongs and induced death early if it didn’t come as fast as it should. She was in pain every single day, her bones aching like they were melting under a fire. Living was demanding. She had gone through every person she could think of who knew Isabella closely but got nothing. Until now, she was standing in the middle of a bar five hours away from home. She had flown down to Navellyland, a small town that he had to be in. This information cost her a lot of money, but she was glad his company could help.Her eyes darted round the room to see him, but he was nowhere near there. Sighing, she headed to the bartender and requested water. “T
ALARIC’S POVFather was holding a meeting with the board, introducing his son with so much pride. Something he had never done when it came to me. The people had sent me questioning glances or maybe mockery. I could hear them saying the mighty Wolfe had fallen. The man who thought he knew it all.“I promise to do better than my brother here.” Chris shaded, and they smiled, nodding. I can see we have been having some financial crisis. Brother must have had a hard time handling it, but I have spent my life preparing for this.” He smiled at me.Why weren't they seeing this? This bratty side of him? They thought I was worse. He seemed like a terrible version of me. I guess he was the father’s true son, after all.“Please cooperate with him to grow this business some more,” Father announced, and Chris cleared his throat. He adjusted his blue suit alongside his shoulder pad before pushing several documents toward them.The logo looked familiar—very familiar—and then it dawned on me. It was o
THIRD PERSON’S POVElena’s heart had gotten as cold as ice. Even as she bled and pain shot through her bones, she managed to keep an expressionless self. She couldn't forget how she had laid there in tears as they erased the only evidence of Devan that she had. Was it weird that she had prayed never to wake up? When Father told her that he had found another potential man for her to marry and requested she go on a date with him, she nodded in agreement and retired to her room. She was still nursing her wound, but he didnt care. He seemed happier than ever. Chris and his family had cut off the engagement and withdrew from every project, advising their partners to do the same. They had announced it on TV and even paid the newspapers to carry the news because, according to them, it would dent their image. Elena didn't care anymore. All her obsession about marrying Alaric had evaporated. The only man she loved was gone after all. The only one who made living worth it. Her father had stor
THIRD PERSON’S POVDevan wasn’t expecting anyone, yet when the door had been kicked open, and he was pulled out in his singlet and pants, he knew his time was up. He had known loving someone dangerous would burn him beyond recognition, yet he hoped they would last forever. He wished he could give her the life she was used to, and that was why he was working on himself, applying for jobs, building websites every time he could, and praying for an investment that would change everything. Although Elena had volunteered to help him get a job or start a business, he did not want anything more to do with her father’s money. He tried to build it all on his own. Become the man for her. Until he met Elena, he had lived a dull life after losing his family and home in a fire. He has lost everything, and Elena's showing up has become the light in his cramped tunnel. The stars in his dark, moonless sky. The fireworks that spark up his world.The police officers cuffed him and drove him down to the
THIRD PERSON’S POVElena could feel every breath in her heart. She was pregnant. Her head spun so fast, and the world was rotating in her face. The sound of the beeping from the metal in the room sounded clearer, and she could even hear the sound of her blood rushing to her eyes. Her mother smiled hard at her, happy they were finally saved from the debt. With the baby, the Wolfe would have no choice but to accept her, and finally, she would watch her husband become himself again. Happy and stable. Bianca’s eyes widened in shock as Elena’s past admission to no sex between them echoed in her head.“Who is the father?” Bianca questioned, causing her mother to throw her a questioning look.“What do you mean? Elena, what is she talking about?” Her mother’s eyes darted from them both. Her breath hitched.Elena’s heart was beating so fast and ramming against her chest. She had tried to be careful and used after-sex pills, so how?“Your daughter and I never had sex,” Alaric announced, scoffe