Alexander’s POV
I sit in my office, my gaze fixed through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows, beyond which the cityscape stretched out in a mosaic of bustling life.
It gnawed on me, a memory of my upbringing which I think is affecting my relationship with Isabel.
While growing up, I had always seen my mum, Sabrina, command my father, Williams, to do anything she wanted, because she was making more money than him. And I had thought that’s the norm.
Having more money than your partner in marriage means you call the shot.
You’re in control of whatever goes on or happens in your home.
Why would Isabel think I love her less simply because I commented on her dress?
I worked hard proving to my mother that I’m capable of running the company, making lots of money, so I won’t have to be like my dad when married.
Gosh!
I pace my office, running my hands through my hair.
I hate it when Isabel gives me those looks, with her shimmering silver gray eyes, which send down a cold shiver down my spine.
“Alexander the meeting is about to start,” Susan, my assistant said, jotting me out of my thoughts.
Susan has always got my back.
“Okay will be there in a jiffy.” I replied.
The meeting seems to not be ending as I keep having flashbacks from what happened in the day.
The look in Isabel’s eyes when she asked me that question.
“Alexander, what’s your say about the proposal?” Susan asked bringing my mind back to the meeting.
“Uh, yes… sure,” I mumbled, with a distant look in my eyes. My words came out slowly as if I was waking up from a dream. It was clear to everyone that my mind had been elsewhere, lost in a world only I could see. .
At this moment, my phone buzzes with a text.
Message from a restricted number, “Do you know where your wife is, and who she’s currently with?”
I glared intrusively, as if trying to process the text I just got.
Who the hell is this?
My jaw dropped.
I stilled for a moment,my phone almost slipping from my trembling hand. My mind became a chaotic storm of disbelief and denial, struggling to comprehend the barrage of messages.
Paralyzed by the onslaught of emotions, I scroll through photos sent to my phone.
The pictures show how happy she is, her smile widened like the first time we went on a date. She seems so happy like I have seen her in the past months.
Looking at the photos, one will think that they got themselves a room already. “Wait what! What if that’s what’s going to happen? Or has it already happened?” I thought to myself giving off an annoying facial expression.
“No that can’t be, Isabel isn’t like that”, I reply myself with a comforting hand clinch.
But recently she’s been giving a ‘I’m already tired of us’ vibe. What if she has decided to really give up and be with another guy? Another thought came in, making me clench my fingers tightly between my palm.
I tried zooming, but was unable to see the guy’s face.
Ranging, as cold sweats trickled down my forehead, blurring my vision and making the familiar surrounding seem distant and surreal.
“Alexander, are you okay?” Susan asked, her voice etched with concern.
“I’m okay,” I lied, but my expression gave me away.
“You're all sweaty and nervous. Now, that’s not okay,”
Truth be told, I feel hot, even though the board room is as cold as ice.
I noticed all eyes were on me. It's obvious how much my mood changed, like a flip.
I stared at them blankly.
But quickly l recovered.
“Let’s call it a day,” I said, dropping the project folder on the table. “I’ll be leaving the office on time today.
If anything comes up in my absence, email them to me.” I say looking directly at Susan.
Directly asking her for help, so things don’t look more weird than it already is.
She nods, a clear hint of understanding flickers in her eyes.
“Oh yes… sure Alexander,” Susan replied.
I excused myself from the boardroom trying to really understand the context of the text and the photo, even though I’m unable to know who sent the message.
******************
It’s 10PM and Isabel isn’t home yet.
I have dialed her number several times, and she’s not responding.
What could she be doing by this time, so late at night?
Could she be really…. No no, I said to myself, clenching my teeth together.
I’m thinking this too much.
She’s probably with her friend and nothing more. I say, trying to keep my thoughts in order.
She’s never been this late home, ever since we got married. Even if she’s out with her friend, Cynthia.
Oh yes! Cyn..thia!
I mumbled.
I should call Cynthia’s home to find out.
Her friend, Cynthia Castillo is the daughter of a rich billionaire business mogul and her father, a close family friend to us too.
I can definitely call up their house landline to talk with anyone at home.
Just when I was about to dial the Castillo’s mansion, my phone buzzed with texts.
Surprise as it is also from the same restricted number I received earlier in the day.
I hurriedly Opened to see the messages.
My jaw dropped.
Photos of Isabel and a guy in bed.
I squint my eyes, looking down to the barrage of photos sent to me.
My jaw tightened to the point of aching, a deep furrow forming between his brows.
The guy in his mid thirties, with a broad chest.
Isabel deep in sleep and her head layed on his bare chest.
I clenched my fist.
My brows slightly furrowed, as if deep in contemplation..
I can’t believe Isabel slept out with another man on the night before our anniversary.
I have thought about trying my best to work on my habits, because I still love Isabel and want to save our marriage.
But I guess it’s not the same with my wife, Isabel.
My eyes welling with tears.
Memories of our once happy home flickers through my mind.
Now the home isn't the same anymore.
A mix of fury and betrayal surged through me.
I had drafted out divorce papers as I was sick of her constant complaints. Thinking maybe she’s also tired of our marriage, but didn’t have the balls to serve it to Isabel yet.
But after seeing the explicit nature of these photos, my decision of trying to change and save our marriage is changed. Gosh! I can’t believe I almost thought our marriage could work.
I growl, shrugging into the couch.
If Isabel doesn’t want me anymore, then there’s no point trying to keep what’s already broken.
It’s time to end this chapter of my life.
I’m going to divorce Isabel. I say with a tight fist.
Isabel’s POVmy eyes opened to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the room curtains.The unfamiliar ceiling of the room came into focus.Where am I? I asked myself, feeling a slight ache.I groaned softly, pressing a hand on my temple as I tried to piece together the fragments of last night. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to remember how I got here.What happened? I thought to myself, anxiety bubbling as I pushed myself to sit up.I scanned the room, searching for any clues that might jog my memory, but everything looked untouched, pristine, almost sterile.The mirror across the room caught my eye.Slowly, I stood, wrapping a sheet around me as I walked over.My reflection looking back at me- disheveled hair, makeup smudged.My eyes wide with confusion and fear.I noticed a faint bruise on my shoulder, but there’s no pain, just the unsettling sense of not knowing how it got there.I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.I need to figure this out, to make sense
Isabel’s POVWalking through the hallway of the King’s Mansion, I feel sad.The hallway Furnished with High ceilings adorned with intricate moldings that creates an aura of spaciousness. The polished marble floors gleam under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. One can feel the air filled with a subtle scent of fresh flowers.But I sense tension as I walk through the hallway.Why is everywhere so quiet?I thought to myself.Two steps into the big and exotic living room, I was shocked to see Alexander sitting in one of antique furniture pieces near the window.His gaze feels so cold.I can tell he’s mad. Ranging with anger, but trying to keep his cool.“You’re finally home.” He says, giving an icy demeanor.I hesitated.Unable to say anything for a moment. Puzzled and surprised as it’s been a while since Alexander was home by this time of the day.He’s either already at the office, or he traveled for a business trip from work. While I only got to know about it from his assistant,
Alexander’s POVAs the alcohol wore off, reality seeped in.I find myself staring at the ceiling, the weight of my actions settling heavily on my chest.What have I done? I say, covering my face with my hands.My heart is beating inside my chest.Last night was I and Isabel’s anniversary, and instead of spending the night with her, I’m here with her best friend!My eyes widened.Not when I have decided to let go of our marriage. There is no point in celebrating an anniversary. I thought to myself, trying to escape the weight of what feels so heavy to accept.But I shouldn’t have done this.I turned to look at Cynthia, now sleeping beside me, and I felt a pang of regret.Did I really do this?My thoughts were interrupted when Cynthia rolled, placing her hand round my body.I immediately swung it off, feeling irritated by her touch.“What’s it Alexander?” She says, her voice shaky.“You can’t seriously treat me this way, after what happened between us last night.” She ventured out, a f
Isabel’s POVI look at Alexander, my cold eyes piercing through his.His demeanor is icy like it always has been. Looking unsettled.I wonder what could be going through his mind. Who am I trying to deceive? He’s definitely thinking of his night with Cynthia.The thought of what could have gone down between them came crossing my mind.I tightened my jaw.I’ll never forgive them both.He wants a divorce? He gets it. I’m done been the good and understanding wife of an unfaithful bastard.I signed the divorce papers without hesitation, storming into the room to get my stuff and leave the hell outta here.Did Alexander think I’m going to beg for him to not end this marriage? I can't even stand being in the same room with him.He disgust me!Not after what I saw the other night at the hotel.I used to think Alexander loved me, I used to think our marriage could be saved. Tears well up my eyes.To think that I almost told him about my pregnancy, thinking it could bring us back together. I
Isabel’s POVI booked a bolt to Canyonville to see my parents.The drive to canyonville always felt like a journey back in time, each mile taking me closer to the life I’d left behind.As we drive into the familiar gravel road leading to my parents’ house, I can’t help but feel the weight of everything that has happened.My divorce from Alexander was still fresh, the pain sharp and unrelenting, like a wound that refused to heal.I thought to myself, how am I going to face my parents? They had put so much effort into making my life better, they made sure I lacked nothing, even though we weren’t rich.They hustled day and night, to see that I never lacked, and made sure I attended one of the best high schools in LA. I made them proud by getting a scholarship to continue my university education.I had dreamed of a future filled with love and happiness. I had always wished to make lots of money to assist my parents also, but here I am with nothing to show for it.“We have arrived Ma’am,”
Isabel’s POVI wake up feeling pain in my stomach.I hope my baby’s safe? I say to myself, my eyes wide open.I need to visit the hospital immediately! I jumped out of the bed, as I got ready to leave for the hospital. Hi, Mom, Dad, I say, greeting my parents who look worried sick seeing the way I hastened my steps. “Bel,” Dad called out. “Is anything the problem?”“I will be back,” I say, letting my voice out loud from the door, without giving a direct answer to his question. ************************I sit in the waiting room of LAC+USC Medical Center. My hand pressed firmly against my abdomen as the pain surged through me.The room is buzzed with quiet conversations and the distance hum of medical equipment.Just opposite me, I see a couple who also came in for a check up. The lady in her early twenties like me, but with blonde hair.Her husband held her hands, giving her a wide smile.She’s so lucky to have a loving and caring husband…How I wish…. ‘Stop being silly Isabel, St
Cynthia’s POVThe white walls of the bathroom close in on me as I stare at the pregnancy test in my hand, two faint lines confirming what I’d already suspected.I’m pregnant.I let my shoulders down, remembering the night with Alexander. The drug I’d slipped into his drink was working exactly as planned, until…. I tightened my jaw. Even though we had kissed passionately, and on the verge of being intimate, nothing else happened. And it hurts. Why? Why? Why?….I flip my hair, glaring at the mirror that shows my angry reflection.Why did he suddenly remember Isabel? I still remember vividly how he muttered, ‘you’re not…. Isabel.’ Pushing me away from his embrace.His body sinking into the bed, completely at my mercy.It’s all because of Isabel! I hate her so much.I hate the fact that she exists!I roll my eyes, trying to gather some piece of information.James! I scream.Foolish of me to not have remembered. It’s James baby!I remember sleeping with James on the night I had tak
Alexander’s POVI stare at Cynthia, my mind a foggy mess of half-remembered images.I can see the smug smile on her face, as she claims to be pregnant with my child. My child! The word still sounds like a beat to my chest. The only memory I could grasp is of us kissing, maybe a little more, but beyond that… nothing. Jeez! I rub my hands on my temples. Taking a deep sigh. “Cynthia you can’t be serious right?” I say, steadying my voice. As I try to break the tension that almost feels like a slice to my throat.“How can you say that to me…eee?” She asks, letting tears roll her cheeks, looking towards my mother as if asking for her help. I see a flicker of something run through her eyes—maybe mischief, just not able to comprehend.“Are you now going to deny your child even before bir..th?” She says, letting herself almost look like she’s about to faint. “Oh my dear,” Sabrina says, rushing towards her as she lets her sit on the couch and demands the housekeeper, Monica, to bring so
Isabel’s POVThe words Cynthia said yesterday still linger in my mind, threading through my thoughts no matter how much I try to push them aside. I barely slept, replaying every single thing she said—her smug tone, the veiled warnings.But I don’t have time to dwell on that now. There’s work to be done.Christine steps in just as I’m scanning through the final details of a document.“Ma’am,” she calls, her voice even but carrying an edge of urgency.I hum in acknowledgment, eyes still on the screen, my fingers skimming the text.“We’ve received an official message from The Regency Hotel,” she continues. “They’ve canceled our application to use their venue for the upcoming event.”That gets my attention. My head lifts sharply. “What?” My brows knit. “How? You mean Carl is rejecting our connection?”Christine nods.I lean back into my chair, disbelief settling in. “Wait, I don’t get it. He was the one interested first. He’s been more excited than anyone about having us.” I shake my head
Isabel’s POVThe soft hum of conversation fills the office as we sit around the long conference table, our attention fixed on the large screen displaying the latest batch of photos from AD Media. The room is warm with a sense of accomplishment as we scroll through the shots—each frame capturing the elegance, the power, the essence of what we envisioned for the brand.“This one,” one of the designers murmurs, tapping a perfectly lit shot. “The composition is flawless.”“No, this,” another interjects, zooming in on an image where the fabric falls just right, highlighting the sharp cut of the blazer.I nod, taking it all in, my fingers brushing over the glossy proofs on the table. This is what I live for—every detail, every selection. The best of the best must be chosen.Just as I’m about to weigh in, the door bursts open.The loud bang echoes through the room, and all heads whip toward the entrance.“No, ma’am, you can’t just—” Christine’s voice is frantic as she rushes in behind her.Bu
Cynthia’s POV The dimly lit room hums with quiet sophistication as I swirl the wine in my glass, watching the deep red liquid catch the faint glow of the chandelier. The air is thick with the scent of aged wood and expensive leather, a setting that matches the confidence coursing through me.Then, the door creaks open.I don’t turn immediately. Instead, I glance sideways, catching James in my peripheral vision. He stands there, his posture tense, but there’s something different about him tonight. A certainty.“Hope this isn’t going to be one of your excuses again.” My voice is smooth, laced with just the right amount of impatience. I tilt my chin slightly, taking another slow sip, daring him to prove me wrong.James exhales weakly and steps forward, closing the distance before I can react. His arms wrap around me from behind, tight—too tight. There’s something desperate in the way he holds me, something that sets my teeth on edge.I stiffen. This isn’t why I’m here.Pushing against h
Alexander’s POVI freeze mid-step.Isabel?The moment I see her walk out of Collins’ office, my mind goes blank. She doesn’t even glance at me, just strides past like I’m nothing but air. Like I never existed to her. The indifference in her expression, the way her shoulders are squared as if she’s holding herself together—it unsettles me more than I care to admit.What the hell is she doing here? What business does she have with Collins?Something isn’t right. I can feel it.I push the door open, stepping in and shutting it behind me. Collins barely flinches, though I catch the flicker of shock that flashes across his face before he masks it with a smooth smile. He’s quick—too quick—to change the atmosphere.“Oh, buddy, you’re here.” He walks out from behind his desk, all casual. “So, how was your visit to Carl Edward? Hmmm, I’m sure now he’ll be scared to ever mess with you again. I know just how to deal with dudes like him. Dudes like him are careful about letting their personal aff
Isabel’s POVLife has finally settled back into its usual rhythm. The buzz around the upcoming collection launch is louder than ever, and work keeps me occupied. Everything is back to normal—or at least, it should be.But something feels off.Eva Langley.Her confession video had cleared the air, but it wasn’t enough. The damage she caused… the lives she tried to ruin—it can’t just be brushed aside. She needs to be held accountable. She needs to pay. But she’s nowhere to be found. Ever since the video surfaced, she’s vanished.The door to my office swings open, pulling me from my thoughts. I look up—only to see Aria standing there.Shock stills me. “Aria?”She just got out of the hospital. Shouldn’t she be resting?I’m already on my feet, gesturing to the chair. “I can’t believe you. You should be resting, so why did you come all the way here?”Aria smiles, a light chuckle escaping her lips. “You talk as if I’ve broken a leg.”I huff at her humor, the tension lifting slightly, if only
Anonymous POVI slam my hand against the table, the sharp crack slicing through the silence like a whip.“You’re all idiots. A bunch of useless idiots.” My voice is cold, controlled, but the frustration simmering beneath it is lethal.No one speaks. No one even breathes too loudly. They know better.I exhale slowly, dragging my gaze over them like a blade. My eyes land on one of my men—stiff, shoulders squared, pretending he isn’t about to piss himself.“You.” My voice drops, quiet but deadly. “You never complete your tasks. Always excuses.”He flinches. Doesn’t dare speak.I take a step toward him, watching a bead of sweat roll down his temple. “You had your chance at the cemetery,” I say, voice smooth, almost conversational. “And what did you do? You came back whining about Alex.” I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Tell me, how?”He swallows thickly, but I don’t have the patience for his pathetic stammering.I shift my gaze. Eva.She’s crouched by the side, fidgeting like a scared
Isabel’s POVIt’s been a few days since Eva’s confession video was released, and the internet hasn’t stopped buzzing about it. People are shocked—outraged, even—at the lengths she went to just because she was paid to ruin someone’s life. But the real question remains: who paid her? The video never mentioned a name. Was she protecting someone, or was this just another attempt to manipulate the narrative and divert attention from herself? No one has been able to find her since the video surfaced, and that only makes everything more suspicious.I sigh, shaking my head as I pass by my mother’s room. But then, a strange sound stops me in my tracks. Muffled, restless movements. A whimper. My chest tightens.Without thinking, I push the door open and rush inside.My mother is trembling, her body jerking slightly as if caught in a nightmare. Her brows are deeply furrowed, her lips parting as she mumbles something I can’t understand. Her fingers clench at the sheets, twisting them tightly in h
Collins’ POVMy hands tighten into fists as I step closer, rage surging through my veins like fire.“What right do you have?” My voice is razor-sharp, cutting through the air as I glare at Cynthia. “What gives you the damn right to do this to Aria?”She flinches but recovers fast, lifting her chin like she’s untouchable. But she isn’t—not today.I lunge before I can stop myself, my fingers wrapping around her throat, squeezing. Hard. She gasps, her nails clawing at my hand, desperate for breath. But I don’t let go. Not yet.“You ruined her,” I growl, my grip tightening. “Destroyed her business, humiliated her—why, Cynthia? Why the hell would you do that?”Her eyes widen, panic flashing across her face as she struggles, her legs kicking against the floor. She wheezes, lips parting like she wants to say something, but no words come out.A rush of satisfaction coils in my gut, but then—“Collins!”A voice slices through the fog of rage, distant at first, then clearer.“Collins, man, snap
Roy’s POVRelief settles in my chest as I watch Aria, now stable, resting against the pillows. The weight of not knowing if she’d make it through the night finally lifts. I glance toward Isabel, expecting to see the same relief mirrored in her expression.And I do.She looks at me, her eyes soft in a way that sends a strange warmth through me. As the doctor finishes his final instructions and leaves the room, silence follows. Isabel doesn’t say much, just a small nod in my direction, but something lingers in her gaze—something unreadable.I notice the way her attention shifts, her body tensing slightly, as if she’s suddenly somewhere else in her mind. Before I can ask, she exhales and murmurs, “I’ll… I’ll be outside.” A quick motion toward the door, and she’s gone.I watch the space she just occupied, a frown tugging at my brows, but Aria’s soft sigh pulls me back.Minutes drag on as I help her lie back down, adjusting the blanket over her. Her breathing steadies, her lashes flutterin