ALARIC’S POVSomeone was banging on the hospital door, which sounded like my wife’s voice. Fuck! I told her to stay in the car. Guess I should have dropped her home first. My brain was just too clouded by anger to think clearly. Some other voices were audible, too, but I couldn't care less because I wasn't leaving here without the needed information. Either that or I would sue the police for wrongly detaining her.I could see the fear of this man. He looked like he was in his forties, but hell hath no fury like a man in love because he would do anything to protect his wife.“You claim my wife attacked you. I need to see the evidence.” I seethed and watched him clutch onto his bedside.“Being here is enough evidence. What more do you need?” He scorned, and I closed the space between us in a rage, grabbing him by the neck. I heard him choke. I watched him plead. I watched as blood slowly drained from his face. This rage fueled every core of me. I had witnessed my wife at her lowest, sc
THIRD PERSON’S POVHe was tied up and dropped in a small wooden box, twice his age. Alaric was crying, yelling and pleading for mercy. The box opened, and a strong arm reached in. He tapped his mouth before grabbing his neck.“Die!!!” The voice yelled, and he gasped to reality with a scream. His heart was pounding so fast. His eyes darted round the familiar room, and it dawned on him that he wasn't seven anymore. He was 30 now. He was breathing so heavily while holding onto a small palm that he looked beside him only to see her resting her head on the edge of his bed. A slightly wet towel was now on his lap. His head was starting to ache, and he knew the best way to cure it with alcohol, just like always. This was a nightmare he thought he had overcome. Slowly, he carried her and put her on the bed; after covering her small frame with the duvet, he headed downstairs. She was still putting on the outfit from yesterday. Dragging in the air with every step he took.He poured himself s
ALARIC’S POVThe call he had awaited forever finally came through the next morning. His words last night kept playing in his mind as he drove them to the station. Isabella didnt make a mention of it, but he was curious to know what she thought of him right now. “About last night… I’m sorry I burdened you.” He let out. Conversation was the key, right?“I’m not burdened, Alaric. If nothing, I’m glad you deemed me fit to share that part of you.” Her tone was warm, and he could tell she meant it. They said nothing until they pulled up in the building, and he watched her freeze. “What are we doing here?” Her voice cracked.“I have a surprise for you, " he said as he walked over to her and held her hand. Her heart was pounding so loudly against her ribcage as they walked through the passway. She could imagine them coming to take her away. However, they stopped in front of two men.“Do you know these men, Mrs Wolfe?” A uniformed man questioned. Isabella looked at the two men dressed in s
ISABELLA’S POVIn the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. Days filled with laughter, love, unending compassion, and many dramas. The paintings were retrieved, and my name cleared. I even got an apology from the CEO.I also learnt about Alaric’s love for slow music and his carefree side. Knowing how much sacrifice he would make for me was almost amazing. Alaric was my light on the rough, dark road. He was the only one who truly believed in me and fought for me during those times. Seeing how love could really change someone like Alaric into who he was now was remarkable. But I didn't blame him for how he became; his father was nothing but a monster, and he had grown up believing he had to be that way, too. My heart ached terribly as I stood in line, a ticket in hand and my suitcase in another. Alaric had left to attend to some work emergency. A dark cloud loomed over my heart as I wished I could stretch the day longer than 24 hours to spend more time with him. I had branched Mireille
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 POVIn the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. Days filled with laughter, love, unending compassion, and many dramas. The paintings were retrieved, and my name cleared. I even got an apology from the CEO.I also learnt about Alaric’s love for slow music and his carefree side. Knowing how much sacrifice he would make for me was almost amazing. Alaric was my light on the rough, dark road. He was the only one who truly believed in me and fought for me during those times. Seeing how love could really change someone like Alaric into who he was now was remarkable. But I didn't blame him for how he became; his father was nothing but a monster, and he had grown up believing he had to be that way, too. My heart ached terribly as I stood in line, a ticket in hand and my suitcase in another. Alaric had left to attend to some work emergency. A dark cloud loomed over my heart as I wished I could stretch the day longer than 24 hours to spend more time with him. I had branched Mireille
ALARIC’S POVThe call he had awaited forever finally came through the next morning. His words last night kept playing in his mind as he drove them to the station. Isabella didnt make a mention of it, but he was curious to know what she thought of him right now. “About last night… I’m sorry I burdened you.” He let out. Conversation was the key, right?“I’m not burdened, Alaric. If nothing, I’m glad you deemed me fit to share that part of you.” Her tone was warm, and he could tell she meant it. They said nothing until they pulled up in the building, and he watched her freeze. “What are we doing here?” Her voice cracked.“I have a surprise for you, " he said as he walked over to her and held her hand. Her heart was pounding so loudly against her ribcage as they walked through the passway. She could imagine them coming to take her away. However, they stopped in front of two men.“Do you know these men, Mrs Wolfe?” A uniformed man questioned. Isabella looked at the two men dressed in s
THIRD PERSON’S POVHe was tied up and dropped in a small wooden box, twice his age. Alaric was crying, yelling and pleading for mercy. The box opened, and a strong arm reached in. He tapped his mouth before grabbing his neck.“Die!!!” The voice yelled, and he gasped to reality with a scream. His heart was pounding so fast. His eyes darted round the familiar room, and it dawned on him that he wasn't seven anymore. He was 30 now. He was breathing so heavily while holding onto a small palm that he looked beside him only to see her resting her head on the edge of his bed. A slightly wet towel was now on his lap. His head was starting to ache, and he knew the best way to cure it with alcohol, just like always. This was a nightmare he thought he had overcome. Slowly, he carried her and put her on the bed; after covering her small frame with the duvet, he headed downstairs. She was still putting on the outfit from yesterday. Dragging in the air with every step he took.He poured himself s
ALARIC’S POVSomeone was banging on the hospital door, which sounded like my wife’s voice. Fuck! I told her to stay in the car. Guess I should have dropped her home first. My brain was just too clouded by anger to think clearly. Some other voices were audible, too, but I couldn't care less because I wasn't leaving here without the needed information. Either that or I would sue the police for wrongly detaining her.I could see the fear of this man. He looked like he was in his forties, but hell hath no fury like a man in love because he would do anything to protect his wife.“You claim my wife attacked you. I need to see the evidence.” I seethed and watched him clutch onto his bedside.“Being here is enough evidence. What more do you need?” He scorned, and I closed the space between us in a rage, grabbing him by the neck. I heard him choke. I watched him plead. I watched as blood slowly drained from his face. This rage fueled every core of me. I had witnessed my wife at her lowest, sc
ISABELLA’S POVMy ringtone sliced through my sleep, and I grunted, my eyes still closed, as I searched the bed for my phone. Alaric’s arms were still wrapped around me.“Hello,” I said sleepily.“There is a problem, Miss Isabella. All the paintings are missing.” I heard the CEO’s voice penetrate the air, and I sat up in a startle.My heart started racing.“What do you mean, sir?” I asked, my hands shaking.“All the clients called. The paintings they got at the last auction were all stolen. Somehow, someone broke into their homes and went away with them. Three of them who tried to fight back are in the hospital. They are accusing the company of scamming them. You need to figure out what is going on, Isabella.” He sounded annoyed.I gulped down a lump of saliva in shock, and even after the call ended, I was still staring blankly at the space.How? How the hell was that possible?In a second, I dashed from the bed and straight into the restroom. I tried to be as fast as possible, and soo
THIRD PERSON’S POVA part of her wanted to turn his proposal down because there was barely enough time to get the perfect dress and prepare. But deep down, she knew the time was ticking, and she might never be prepared to if she didn't do it now. She had searched through all the rows of dresses in the third shop today but found nothing that fit. Given that Alaric was having his suit checked out wherever he was, she had no one to ask. They had both agreed not to see one another’s outfits before the right time. She had no friends. No one to make this day more special than it was. She would have asked Enzo, but he was a man. She was disgruntled as she threw the last piece on the sofa before sinking into it, her face in her palms. Tears stung her eyelids. Mireille would have been thrilled if she was here.Enzo could see her from outside the boutique and near the car, and the inside was visible. He was contemplating going in to ask her what was wrong when his phone rang, and he picked u
ISABELLA’S POVThe drive back home was strangely relaxing, possibly because of my stress. Did I find this fun? Yes. Would I repeat it? No.Alaric’s face also showed fatigue, and all I wanted was to go home to a hot meal and a warm bath.Suddenly, I heard our car screech as a car swerved right in front of us, causing Alaric and me to bounce forward. A black Benz car was now sitting in front of us, unmoving. The owner didn't seem bothered enough to get down. I could feel my heart pounding so fast as the memory of the night I had lost my baby flashed through my mind.“Are you hurt?” Alaric asked, searching my face and body, and I shook my head in response.I watched him grit his teeth before storming out of the car to knock on the window. I don’t know what transfixed, but he stood like that for about a minute or two, and by the time he got back into the car, his expression had changed, and he wasn't saying anything. He drove around the car, whose tinted glasses were wound up, so I could
ISABELLA’S POVI strode around the house, taking in every beautiful art lined up the hallway. Every stroke was detailed; I hummed as a smile graced my lips. We had a few unpacking tasks, and Alaric had left for work, so I had just a few sightseeing tasks before making a dish for us. It would feel so good to cook in this exquisite kitchen. I followed the path that led to the room, visiting each. There were ten rooms, but one was the biggest, which I presumed to be the Main bedroom. Living in a huge house gave me a sense of freedom. My phone vibrated against my jeans pocket, and I pulled it out to stare at the Doctor’s number. The same man who had saved my life the day I got into that accident and lost my baby.Weird how he didn't judge me when I informed him I was now back with Alaric after he noticed the ring on my finger.“If it makes you happy, child.” He had said.I knew he had to be the right one to tell me what drug it was. Luckily, Alaric had an important business to attend to,
ISABELLA’S POVTwo days had passed since he broke the news to me, and finally, we were moving. Two logistics trunks were outside with ten workers waiting, but I knew I had to pick out my stuff myself. I wouldn't want to lose anything or take with me something I didn't find valuable. I knew I had just a few things here due to the constant sleepovers.I was rummaging through the bathroom, packing my hair products when one of them fell and rolled to a corner. I let out a sigh, bent to take it, and instantly saw the slightly open drawer. Something blue was sitting in it. Out of curiosity, I pulled it open to see a nylon of blue pills. My heart skipped a beat. Was Alaric doing drugs? My hand shook out of fear at realising how that could change everything. I knew I had to find out.“Babe, are you done?” I heard him say. I didn't hear him walk in and quickly put it behind my back. My eyes widened as I made eye contact with him. “You good?” I let out a dry laugh. “Definitely. I’m almost do