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Aria’s POVI wake up with a pounding headache, the kind that makes me want to bury myself under the covers and disappear. I press my fingers against my temples, my hand ruffling through my hair as I try to ground myself.Coffee—yeah, I need coffee. Something strong enough to stop the room from spinning.My eyes finally crack open, and I’m hit by the unfamiliar sight of the room around me. It’s… luxurious. Like the kind of place you see in ads, not where I’d ever find myself on a regular morning.The bedding’s crisp and thick, the air scented faintly of cedar and linen. There’s a softness to everything, even in the light filtering through the heavy curtains.For a second, I just blink, trying to let it all sink in, wondering how I even got here.Then the fog in my head starts to lift. Little fragments of last night come together: the Castillo building, a crowded bar, way too many shots… and him.I sit up quickly, clutching my head as the rush of motion makes it throb even harder. I was
Aria’s POVA few hours later, I find myself staring at the beach entrance, barely believing I agreed to this. Spend the day with him? Who demands a day in return for silence? But if it keeps him quiet, fine. I’ll pretend to enjoy it, put on my best act.As soon as we step onto the warm sand, I throw my hands up in exaggerated excitement. “Wow, this is amazing!” I turn to him, forcing a bright smile. “How did you know I needed this?” My arms swing out as if I’m embracing the ocean breeze, letting it cool my skin. And okay—maybe I actually do need this. A distraction. A moment to feel normal, even if only for today.I catch him watching me, his expression softer than I expected. His usual guarded demeanor is gone, replaced by something almost… contemplative. It’s like he’s lost in thought, somewhere else entirely.My smile falters as I study him, feeling slightly off balance. The Collins I’ve been bumping into all this time—the persistent lawyer, the one who always seems composed—feels
Isabel’s POVI trudge up the stairs, my legs heavy like they’re weighed down by sandbags. Each step feels harder than the last, my shoulders slumping as I grip the railing to keep from stumbling.Talking to my mother, trying to justify the twins calling Roy “Dad”—it’s like I’ve been drained of everything. My head throbs, and even the soft lights lining the hallway feel like they’re pressing down on me.Argh. But why do I feel like I’ve just dug my own grave? I blink, trying to connect the dots. I mean, ever since the kids started calling Roy ‘Dad,’ they’ve wanted us together more than ever.Tonight, the twins had been relentless, insisting I go on a date with Roy now that my project was done. They didn’t just want dinner—they wanted something real. And for them, Roy being ‘Daddy’ wasn’t just a word anymore.In my room, I open my closet, scanning through my options. A dinner date with Roy—well, I need to dress up, if not for him, then for the kids. I pull out a sleek, emerald green dre
Collins’ POVFor once, the day doesn’t feel like a battlefield.Spending time with Aria—just the two of us, away from the tension of legal battles and unspoken worries—feels like a break from reality. I know she only agreed because she had no choice. I see it in the way she holds herself, the reluctance she tries to mask with small smiles. But I’ll take it.Even if it’s not how I want, even if it’s just because of the secret I’m keeping for her, I’ll take this moment. A day that isn’t about struggles. A day that isn’t about the cases we’ve been trapped in—hers, mine, and the ones we’ve both found ourselves tangled in.By the time we arrive at the restaurant, I’m already thinking about wrapping up the night. This was the condition, after all. My silence in exchange for a day without fights, without the weight of what we both know pressing down on us.But then I see her.Claire.Or should I say, Isabel.The truth I uncovered still sits heavy in my chest, fresh and unsettling. She’s here
Isabel’s POVI swing slowly in my chair, letting the motion soothe me as I gaze out of my office window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. Today is supposed to be a special day—her birthday. But she’s not here anymore. She’s gone. Six feet below the ground. She’d sacrificed herself to make sure I was safe, to give me a chance to live. Memories flash before me—of her laughter filling the house, her warm smile, her comforting arms. For a moment, I’m pulled back into those happy days, feeling that old familiar love.A soft knock on the door pulls me back to the present. I glance up to see Christine entering the room, her expression composed, yet there’s a sense of urgency in her steps. She places an iPad on my desk, clearing her throat. “Miss Aria won’t be able to make it to the meeting today. She sent over some photos of the designs you both were discussing last time,” she explains, her voice respectful.I raise an eyebrow, silently prompting her for more clarification
Alexander’s POVI sit in my car a few miles from the LM Group building, staring blankly at the road ahead. I can’t believe I’m here again, caught up in this madness.I’d accepted long ago to let it go—that Claire Montgomery isn’t Isabel. But today, Collins’ question keeps gnawing at me, refusing to let me move on.“What will you do if Claire happens to be the real Isabel we thought died five years ago?”It wasn’t just a casual question. No, there was something in his tone, something that said he knew more than he was letting on.Collins is my friend, and I’ve known him long enough to sense when he’s hinting at something.Now, here I am, clutching the steering wheel and tapping my fingers against it, the other hand pressed hard against my temple as I think about the consequences of what I’m about to do.I take a deep breath, muttering to myself, “Screw it. I don’t care. Today, I’m getting to the bottom of this. No more lies.”Just as I’m about to start the engine and move closer to the
Isabel’s POVMy legs shake as I crawl back, my breath hitching as the masked figure inches closer. The sight of him sends a violent shudder through me. It’s him. The man from the foundation’s party. The one who attacked me that night, who nearly ended my life.How? How is he here? How did he find me?My pulse pounds against my ribs, and fear coils tightly around my chest. How is he able to get close to me? The thought makes my stomach drop.I fix my eyes on him, desperate to make sense of this, to find any crack in the terror consuming me. My breath is shallow, each inhale feeling like a battle against the panic rising in my throat. I need to hear his voice. I need to know why he’s here.“Why?” My voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper. “What do you want from me?”No response. His silence is suffocating.I swallow hard, steadying my gaze on him, though my fingers dig into the dirt as I inch backward. If I keep him talking, if I can get him to say something, maybe—just maybe—I can get
Isabel’s povThe hospital’s bright lights feel harsh, unforgiving as we leave the ER, a fresh bandage wrapped around Alexander’s arm.We find ourselves in a small coffee shop within the building. I stare blankly at the coffee in front of me, tracing the rim of the cup. Words seem to escape me, questions I have don’t make it past my lips.The silence stretches until, finally, I say, “Thank you.” It’s barely a whisper, but as the words leave my mouth, I feel a weight lift. “Thank you for saving me. Again.” My heart still pounds in my chest, the adrenaline slowly fading, leaving behind a strange mixture of gratitude and confusion. I should feel relieved, but instead, there’s an unsettled ache that creeps into my bones. Why is this so hard to process? Why does everything feel so complicated now?I sink into my chair, trying to ignore the growing tension inside me, the unanswered questions swirling around us.Alexander leans forward, his gaze intense, but I cut him off. “Last time, you sa
Cynthia’s POVThe air in the boardroom is thick with unspoken thoughts. The executives sit stiffly around the long table, their gazes flicking between one another, avoiding direct eye contact with me. Some fidget with their pens, others drum their fingers against the table, their silence louder than words.I clear my throat, leaning forward slightly, my fingers locking together as I scan each of them. “I know you’re all wondering why this meeting,” I begin, my voice even, measured. “And I also know that none of you are strangers to the news.”The reaction is immediate—bodies shifting, pens stilled, a few glances exchanged. A chair creaks as someone adjusts their posture. Some try to mask their discomfort, their expressions carefully neutral, but I see it. I feel it.My temples throb, and I press my fingers against them briefly before exhaling sharply. “Yes, I know I agreed to the partnership with Claire.” My voice is steady, but there’s a deliberate pause before I continue, my nails p
Isabel’s POVI’m home. Finally. But peace? Nowhere in sight.“See why I never supported you returning?” My mother’s voice cuts through the air, thick with frustration. She paces the room, eyes sharp with anger. “That evil girl Cynthia will never let you rest! Look at this—she’s already revealed your true identity to the public. What next? She’ll paint you as a cheat? How shameless can she be? And now, she dares to spread lies, saying you’re not even a Montgomery!”She throws her phone onto the coffee table, her chest rising and falling as she exhales sharply. I just sit there, staring at the screen, the comments from Cynthia’s post flashing in my mind.Isabel Montgomery? Isn’t that Claire?No way! Claire and Isabel might look alike, but their class is different!Claire is classy and polished—Isabel? Not so much.Maybe she was hiding in plain sight all along.Some believed it, others refused to. The debate raged on.Just then, Aurora bursts in, shopping bags in hand, excitement shining
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