Alexander’s POVI finally arrived home, still feeling the weight of everything that has happened. “Where have you been? You weren’t home last night, your phone switched off, and no one could get to you.” Cynthia asked, the sound of her voice snapping me back to reality, a reality I wished I could escape from. Her tone laced with fury, though her demeanor remained unsettling calm. I could see fire in her eyes, barely restrained. I take a deep sigh. Of all people, she’s the least person I'll ever want to talk to right now. I struggle with my feet, the weight of everything crushing on me, pressing down on my shoulders, making it hard to even lift my head.My body—it felt heavy, like I was dragging my own shadow through molasses.“Alexander! You’re not saying anything.” Cynthia gnarls. I raised my head to meet her gaze, but my brain keeps conjuring images of Isabel, her face, her scent. It’s like she’s just here. I could swear I’d seen her, just yesterday, sitting in one of those boo
Isabel’s POVSoon, Roy pulled the car into the driveway. I look at the familiar sight of our mansion, it's a sense of relief. The grand facade and the lush landscaping are a comfort reminder of home. “Isabel, are you sure you’re okay?.” He says, turning to me with a concerning expression. “Should we go to the hospital?”I shook my head, offering a reassuring smile. “No, Roy, it’s okay. I just need to be home. I’ll be fine.”He nods, still clearly worried. I made my way to the familiar warmth of the foyer, the rich textures surrounding me were like a soft whisper of reassurance. This is home—a haven where the world feels distant and safe.As I sank into the plush couch inside, I’m met by a loud, piercing scream that echoed through the house. For a moment, my heart freezes, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I exchanged a worried glance with Roy, and without hesitation, we rushed towards the source of the noise.Getting closer, more screams were heard, and my heart pounded loudly agai
Alexander POVSusan knocked softly before entering, the sound barely registering over the storm of thoughts swirling in my head. I didn’t even look up when she stepped into my office, too focused on the spreadsheet and projections that weren’t making any sense. But I knew. I knew the moment she came in that something was wrong. “Sir,” she began, her voice hesitant, as if she could sense the weight of what’s coming next. She places a thick report in front of me, her hand trembling slightly. “The investors… they’ve decided to completely back out.” My jaw clenched instinctively, the muscles in my face tightening as I finally looked up. “Why?” The question came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't care. She swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortable. “They don’t want to take the risk, especially with the recent performance and stock…” her voice trailed off, but the damage has already been done. Susan stood there, quiet, waiting for the inevitable outburst thatThe tension in the ro
Isabel’s POVI hear a voice, persistent but little, “mommy, wake up! Let’s go to the mall today!” Argh! I exclaimed silently. I keep hearing these two, talk in my dream. I guess that’s what motherhood is about right?I keep my eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the light filtering through the curtains. A small thug on my arm bringing me to reality. Wait! I wasn’t dreaming? I can hear their voices, almost loud and clear. It’s Scarlett and Sterling. “Mommy, let’s go to the mall today, please,” Scarlett said, followed by another, “Can we please go, Mommy? You promised!” Sterling piped up, his voice full of that unmistakable excitement.Today was supposed to be my day off, Just one day to relax… but it seems these little ones have decided otherwise. I tried to maneuver, rolling to my side and burying my face into the pillow, mumbling, “Maybe later, let mummy rest a bit more.” But they weren’t having it. Persistent as ever, they clambered into the bed, bouncing around me like t
Alexander’s POVThe man in a fitted charcoal grey blazer over a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. His demeanor calm and composed, turns to the boy beside her and asked, “And what flavor would you like, champ? Today’s your treat, and after this, we’ll get your toy and have some more fun.”They had to be twins—though not identical, but with a striking resemblance. Such a big family, I thought. The man could pass for their Dad, even though there isn’t any resemblance with him.I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen him before. There’s something familiar about his face, but I can’t quite place it. I keep staring, trying to connect the dots, but my mind is a drawing blanks. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, especially in business, so maybe I’m just confusing him with someone else. If we’ve met before, it must have been at one of those corporate events. Now we find a seat, directly across from them. Sophia is sitting next to me with her Vanilla ice cream, but my eyes keep drifting
Isabel’s POV“Hello, Mom,” I greet softly, slipping away from the noise, searching for a quiet corner. “Claire! My dear, I’m so excited.” My mom’s voice comes through, her excitement readable like you could feel it really close. “Your father and I will be back soon for the official ceremony—our flight is booked for tomorrow! I can’t wait to see you free to handle your dad’s business openly, as you deserve.”“I can’t wait either!” A soft smile plays on my lips. “But right now, I’m at the mall with the kids. Can we chat more when I get home?”“Oh, of course! Give Scarlett and Sterling a kiss for me. And tell, Aurora, that crazy daughter of mine to get ready for my coming,” my mother replied, her tone still bright. “Take care of yourself, darling. We’ll talk soon.”I sigh deeply, letting out a slow breath I didn't know I was holding. I walked slowly, closer to the bustling mall— the mall is buzzing with life, every corner filled with people busy shopping, chatting and taking pictures.
Alexander’s POVI watch as Sophia takes steps forward, her expression shifting to one of mock innocence. But before Sophia could take another step closer, the little boy—supposedly her twin—moves forward, placing himself firmly between his sister and Sophia, his small frame stiff with a protective resolve far beyond his years. His blue eyes narrow as he looks up, his face mirroring a determination that catches me off guard.Those eyes—something about them struck me as familiar, a nagging déjà vu that I couldn’t quite place. It’s almost like staring into a mirror— an echo of something I can’t quite place, but that lingers, unsettling.I rush over, stepping between the kids. “Sophia, what’s going on here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady even though frustration simmers just below the surface.Sophia’s face shifts to a look of wide-eyed innocence, her lips quivering as she shrugs her shoulders. “Daddy, I didn't do anything! She’s lying! I didn’t touch her doll!”Her words hang in t
Isabel’s POVI step out of the ice cream parlor, idly staring at the hall that seems to fade away, my thoughts drifting far beyond the noise I hear. I flip my phone in my hand, hoping to see Roy’s name flash across the screen. It’s been quite a while since I called, but still no response. I take a deep breath, glancing at the entrance of the mall, as if waiting— waiting for a miracle.“No I can’t keep waiting,” I say to myself. It’s a big mall I know, but since I can’t get through to Roy, then I’ll have to look around, definitely they should be somewhere, probably just having fun. I shrugged, letting my thoughts sink in. Just as I make my way through the mall, checking the possibilities of where they might be, I’m stunned aback by the figure in my eyes. The figure, a replica of someone I know. I can definitely tell it’s her. Cynthia. Wow! Speaking of the devil. She’s here. For a moment, I froze. Not knowing what to feel or how to react. Just as the daze was gone, I felt a wave o
Isabel’s POVAs we take our seats, I glance around the room, soaking in its glow.Crystal chandeliers hang like stars above a sea of curated beauty—fashion elites, influencers, designers, journalists. All gathered for LM Fashion’s latest showcase. Velvet drapes in the brand’s signature maroon shade frame the wide runway, sleek and gleaming beneath the spotlight. The air smells of roses, ambition, and a hint of tension that only those like me can sense.Roy sits beside me, his shoulder brushing mine slightly, his quiet presence grounding. Across the table, my mother, Victoria Montgomery—still poised as ever—leans in to whisper something to Grace, who gives a soft chuckle in return. They look relaxed. Pleased. The calm before the wave.I glance up—my eyes drawn to the opposite table where the night’s showstoppers sit.Aurora.She looks like she belongs here: regal in black, her hair pinned back with delicate crystal clips that shimmer under the soft lighting. Beside her, Richard looks d
Isabel’s POVIt’s been two weeks since the fall.Two weeks since I cornered Cynthia and made it painfully clear just how much she stands to lose if she ever dares to come for me again. I didn’t need to raise my voice. Just facts, laid bare like knives on silk. I showed her the cracks in her perfect little world—one by one. Her reputation? Hanging by a thread. Her false sense of security in that house? Dismantled. Her place in the industry? Already slipping through her manicured fingers.And that was just the beginning.Because losing her foundation is only the first drop on the rollercoaster I’ve strapped her into.Next comes the descent.I’m going to make her stay at the King’s mansion a living hell. A place so cold, so hostile, even the walls will reject her. I want her to feel the weight of being truly hated—not just by me, but by everyone that matters in that house. Especially Sabrina. The anger in Sabrina’s eyes when she looks at Cynthia now? It’s sharp. Raging. I’ve stoked the f
Isabel’s POVI struggle to loosen my arm from Alexander’s grip, tugging harder even as his fingers dig into my skin like claws desperate to stay tethered. My chest heaves from the pressure, my throat tight with restrained fury.“Let go,” I hiss, but he doesn’t budge.Not until the door swings open.And then… I see him.Roy.He’s standing there, still, shoulders broad, presence commanding. But it’s his eyes that speak volumes. The intensity in his gaze, the way it flickers from me to Alexander’s hold on my arm—it’s enough to make Alexander go still too.In seconds, Roy strides forward. I feel a rush of relief as he reaches us, his hand locking around Alexander’s wrist. His grip is firm. Steady. Without hesitation, he peels Alexander’s hand away from me, forcing him to let go.“How dare you touch her,” Roy growls, his voice low and rough, seconds before his fist crashes into Alexander’s jaw.The blow is fast, brutal. Alexander stumbles back, nearly losing balance but catches himself jus
Alexander’s POVCameras flash like lightning across a stormy sky, the air thick with tension. I stand there, jaw set, the words already rehearsed in my head—but still, I can’t believe Isabel is making me do this.A public apology.God.But as my mother said earlier this morning, “If getting low is the only way to gain control, then get low. We’ll crawl beneath her feet if we must—until we’re ready to rise and flip her world upside down.”And when we do, it’ll be her turn to choke on regret.I inhale sharply through my nose, straighten my shoulders, and speak to the press with a calm I barely feel.Then it comes—the reporter’s question. His voice cuts through the buzz.“We see that your wife, Cynthia Castillo, has indeed offended Miss Claire Montgomery by releasing her private affairs without consent… but what we don’t know is—why? Do you mind telling us why she did so?”My fist tightens.Jaw clenched.My eyes flick toward Cynthia where she sits at the corner of the stage, legs crossed
Isabel’s POVI’m in the middle of a quick briefing with the heads of each department for the upcoming fashion show, everyone huddled around the oval table in my office. Swatches are being passed, digital models flicker across screens, and fabric samples are laid out like cards at a poker game. I’m about to ask a question about lighting when Christine slides in quietly, pressing her hand against the glass door.“Ma’am,” she says, voice low but urgent, “someone is here to see you. He said it’s important.”My brow furrows. “Who is it?”She hesitates.I dismiss the team with a nod. “We’ll pick this up later. Keep working as planned.”They file out, murmuring to one another, a few casting curious glances over their shoulders. The last door click hasn’t even faded when the knob turns again—and in walks the least person I ever expected.Carl Edward.His presence draws an immediate scoff from my lips. I arch a brow, half-surprised, half-irritated. He looks almost the same—tailored charcoal su
Isabel’s POVI barely make it through the door before my mother rushes toward me, her heels clacking against the floor.“Claire, dear, what happened?” she asks, worry laced in every word.She doesn’t wait for an answer. Her hands gently guide me to the couch, pressing me down to sit as though I might shatter if left standing.I stay still.My body might be here, but my mind keeps flicking back to Cynthia’s words earlier—family secrets.What could she be referring to?Is this one of her usual mind games?She knows exactly how deeply things like this get to me. And that’s what makes it worse. Is she just toying with me again? Or… is there actually something I don’t know?I stare at the polished floor, my brows slightly furrowed, thoughts tangled.It wouldn’t be the first time she used manipulation to shake me—but something about her tone today… it didn’t sound like a bluff.I glance up slowly, meeting my mother’s expectant eyes.Should I go on to ask?But why do I feel like even if I do,
Alexander’s POVI sit slouched in my chair, head resting against the high back, rocking slightly as the chair creaks beneath me. My fingers tap a pen rhythmically on the table, a steady beat that contrasts the chaos in my mind.“Be prepared to go down with Cynthia.”Isabel’s voice plays on a loop in my head. I don’t know why, but it’s the way she said it—with quiet certainty—that unsettles me. She’s not bluffing. That much I know.The door bursts open.I sit up instantly as my mother storms in like a woman who’s just been ripped out of a nightmare—wild eyes, stiff shoulders, hands trembling by her side.“What was she doing here?” she demands, jerking her thumb back toward the hallway. “She was just here. Isabel. And she—” Her voice falters, lips trembling.I stand slowly. “What?”“She spoke to me like I was nothing. Can you believe how she spoke to me? She even accused me of wishing her dead!”Her chest rises and falls fast, anger mixed with fear pouring from her in sharp breaths. “Sh
Aria POVThe moment I step into the LM Group building, I can feel it—the air is tense, buzzing with something unspoken. It’s in the way the receptionists glance nervously at each other, in the hushed footsteps of employees scurrying past, trying not to draw attention.But it’s when I step further inside that I spot her.Cynthia.She stands like she owns the damn place, as always. Her shoulders back, head high, the kind of look that screams drama cloaked in luxury. A slow, knowing smile tugs at the corner of my lips. Of course she’s here. Probably to pull one of her usual stunts—perform for the gallery like she hasn’t already been exposed. But who would still be sane, knowing just how close they are to losing everything?I barely had to do anything. And yet… now she’s standing right in the middle of her downfall, finally receiving the punishment she deserves.That thought comforts me—for a second.Until I see her turn toward Isabel.I can’t hear what she says, but I see it happen. I se
Isabel’s POVI step out into the cool air, letting the heavy door click shut behind me. A breath pushes past my lips as I lift my face toward the sky, the breeze brushing over my skin like a silent reward.“That was cool,” I murmur to myself, nodding slightly. “You don’t have to let Alexander’s presence affect you. Never again.”He’s not worth it—not the pain, not the confusion, and certainly not the space in my heart. A man who can look you dead in the eye and question your safety like it’s a business inconvenience doesn’t deserve to be kept anywhere near your soul.My hand curls into a fist at my side, nails biting into my palm.“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he stays far away from my life for good.”I turn to walk toward my car, heels clicking steadily across the pavement. But just as I reach for the handle, a shift in the air stills me. That familiar scent—too expensive, too calculated—hits before I even see her.Sabrina.The mother hen.Of course.I blink, inhale slowly,