ALARIC’S POVIt was a shock when I returned from my work trip from Columbus and found the house empty. There was no sign of her or her things. Even after pacing the house and calling her number, I still couldn’t reach her. At first, some of me believed she was playing hard to get. She wanted me to chase her and give her the attention she sought, but I couldn’t. I had told her from the very start that I would never learn to love her if she took my father’s offer to wed me to protect the family’s reputation. Growing up, I despised being seen as a tool, just a means to keep something together or in place, just like my parents did. Father was only with Mother cause she had me. After all, his family cared too much about reputations, and they would risk anything to keep the Wolfe’s name untainted. I never saw Isabella as desperate until she agreed to their offer without caring about how I felt or what I thought was right.It was funny how the nerdy girl who made my heart flutter with her b
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 POVWhen I got to the restaurant, four people were inside. It was 6:45, so I sat at the corner, checking the time while I awaited the mystery man. Somehow, the time seemed to stretch longer. “Your chicken, ma’am.” I heard a waiter say, causing me to raise my head and look his way. He was dressed in a brown shirt and pants with a white apron around his neck and holding a tray.“I didn't place an order,” I informed him, watching him smile before placing it down.“You don’t have to worry, ma’am. It has been paid for.” With time, he disappeared behind the doors, standing in the far corner of the shop.My eyes darted around the room in confusion. Something vibrated against my lap, and I pulled out both phones to realise it was the burner phone. “How do you like your chicken?” The voice on the other end penetrated the air.“Who are you? What do you want?” I questioned, firmly gripping the phone. I tried to stop my voice from cracking.“You didn't come all that way to play games
ISABELLA’S POVWas I dumb for sending a message to this unknown person? Even though the doorman claimed a delivery man delivered it, I wanted to believe he would come again. It was three in the night. I couldn't sleep, even though Alaric had done everything to calm me down. Our flight was scheduled to leave in the morning, and I was pacing up and down the room.“Be a man and face me, coward.” This was the message in the paper I had given him.Did the mystery man collect it yet? My nerves went on the verge of breaking. My heart was hammering so fast against my ribcage while my fingers were as cold as ice. After long, heart-crushing minutes of thinking, I finally snuck out of the room and headed down the elevator. As soon as I stepped out, I saw him in the corridor.“Any news?” I asked and watched him shake his head in denial. An exasperated sign slipped free, and I ran my fingers through my hair, a million trains of thoughts whirling in my head. The weather was chilly, best for a walk
ISABELLA’S POV“We found something.”It was early morning, and Alaric and I drove to the station after the policeman called. My body was still sore from last night, and my heart was beating so fast that I held tightly onto Alaric’s hand. The street was barely empty, yet he managed to maneuver his way, and in minutes, we were standing in front of the police station. I dragged in a big breath as I wondered what news awaited me. This was either going to scar me for life or save my best friend. It was as though he noticed my fear because he held my hand.“If you ever feel uncomfortable, let me know, and we are out of here.” His words held a reassuring tone, which made me slightly calm. Two unfamiliar faces were there when we got to the office they had directed us to. One was sitting in front of a laptop while the other man, who seemed older, stood beside him. “From the tattoo in the picture, we managed to narrow it down to these three men.” The older man informed me, and I watched the
ISABELLA’S POVI had taken forever to snap out of the phase while Alaric spoke with the two police officers. Different scenarios had played out in my head. Mireille had always seemed so happy and carefree that I never thought she could hide something. She shared everything with me about how her first sex went. How sex with her new man was. How engagement was planned out. Everything except the important details.Who was the savior? I could barely determine what they were saying, but I knew he handed them what we had gotten from her house and the car. One of the police officers had said something about us taking a big risk and suggested that we stay put until we got the news. I had yet to tell Alaric I had gotten a package back in Alabama. I doubted that it mattered anymore. “We will get back to you, Mr Wolfe.” He said before flashing him a smile. Alaric hummed thanks while I laid my head between my palms, trying to solve the mystery.What clue were we missing? I thought as I tried
ISABELLA’S POV“I don't think we should do that after what happened last night.” He responded, dishing the chicken, fried potatoes, and egg on a plate and handing it to her.“We?” she repeated, then added, “Thank you for the food.”He hummed as he poured her an orange juice. “You don't think I will let you go alone, right?” She was speechless for a second. She wasn't entirely expecting him not to follow her, and she didn't want to bother him. “Enjoy your meal while I go take a bath, okay.” His hand was resting on the table as he spoke before he raised a palm and touched her forehead. “You seem better now. Let me know if it changes.” With this, he walked out of sight.Her mouth tasted bitter, but she managed to chew the food because she couldn't let his effort go to waste. Soon, he was dressed in a light blue shirt and cream-colored shorts. His face was neatly shaved, too. She was done, too, and within minutes, they were in his car, driving towards Mireille’s apartment.Her heart be
THIRD PERSON’S POVHer heart thumped loudly against her ribcage, her fingers were trembling, and she felt a cold spine run through her veins. “Stay right there,” Alaric ordered before shoving the door open and running to the street. He had parked the car in a safe place, but she could barely make anything out as blood rushed to her ears.He knew the homeless man had to be involved. He was conversant with how things like this worked. A surge of adrenaline ran through him as he stormed into the streets. His eyes moved over the countless people. He could still remember what the homeless man was dressed in and what he looked like. Sweat broke across his face as he stepped into people’s faces to check if the homeless man had changed into another outfit. He had read too many crime books to know how this works while growing up. Finally, he caught sight of the tattered black hoodie. He grabbed him by the shoulder with renewed hope and flipped him around.“Ouch, you're hurting me, " a femal
ISABELLA’S POVI froze. His words replayed in my mind, but this time, slower. It felt like the world was crumbling beneath my feet as time had stopped. My body trembled vigorously. Mireille. Mireille was dead.Tears rolled down my cheek as I gripped tightly onto my wine-suit trousers. It felt unreal, and the words sounded foreign for a second.Alaric closed the gap between us, his palms grabbing my shoulder. The pain broke my heart. “We can't say it's her until we see the body, " he said, and I could tell that he was only trying to calm me down. I booked us a last-minute ticket, and our flight leaves in an hour. Your bag is packed as well.” He formed as he pulled me up gently, and I leaned into him. I could barely make out anything in my surroundings as we walked out of the building and into his car. The second the door to the car closed, I let out a scream, hitting the seat head. Alaric stepped in from the other side.“To the airport, Enzo.” Enzo glanced at me through the review
ISABELLA’S POVThe day of the auction slowly rolled in, and even though my life was a wrecking ball, I managed to hold it together. But I had to admit I was zoning in and out multiple times. I had a dream concerning Mireille overnight. In the dream, she was begging for help, blood all over her.I sighed again and dragged my mind back to the bidding. The theme of it was beauty. Luckily, I managed to source the best of all the paintings. I had painted an image of Mireille; she was the only one who knew the meaning of beauty. Her eyes glowed up genuinely every time I succeeded with work. Her smile seemed to light up every dark room in the house. Her words uplifted my soul, and she loved me unconditionally. As the time ticked, I tapped my feet against the floor, waiting for it to end, but it seemed to stretch more. I hadn't seen Alaric all morning, and more weird thoughts ran through my mind. “The boss is here, ma’am.” A female staff whispered against my ear, and I startled a little bef
ISABELLA’S POVTwo days had passed, and there was still no sign of Mireille. Her phone number was not going through, and I made another shocking discovery. It was almost as if she vanished into thin air. Dread spread through my trembling body as I paced up and down my office. I didn't have a choice but to be here. The urge to ditch everything and take a flight to Florida engulfed me. I had spent the previous night rolling and tossing on the bed. Different thoughts ran through my mind. What could have happened to Mireille? Why was she not calling or messaging me?The fourth auction was tomorrow, and I could not leave. I had so much to attend to. There were a lot of paintings I had to bring in. I had to take care of the guest list, coupled with the fact that my boss was looking up to me to make this a success. The door creaked, and Alaric stepped in, dressed in an all-white suit. The way he carried him with so much grace and confidence was attractive. The dangerous aura that emanated