Isabel’s POVEmerson let go of my shoulders and hurried downstairs. He left me in the storage room. I stood there for several minutes, trying to compose myself before following him.I was confused about my own feelings. Why did Emerson care so much about Robert? He had a new family now. And why did I still feel attracted to him after all he had done to me? I took a deep breath to clear my mind, then walked out.I walked through the corridor filled with pictures of Emerson's forefathers. They looked down on me with stern and serious expressions as I walked by. It was as if they were silently judging me.“I know I no longer belong here…” I murmured. “I'll be gone from the Williams family soon enough.”Although I knew it was the right decision, the thought of divorcing Emerson still hurt. I had loved him so much. A future without him felt terrifying. Especially with my medical condition, and my father's uncertain future…When I finally came downstairs, I saw a crowd gathered around Lilith
Isabel’s POVRobert overheard the phone call and noticed my despair. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder.“Are you okay, Isabel?” He asked, concern evident in his eyes.“I uh… My father is in trouble. He’s being summoned to court. But he’s unable to take their calls, since he’s in the hospital,” I explained.Robert overheard the phone call and noticed my despair. He immediately offered to drive me to the courthouse. "Let me help, Isabel. You shouldn't go through this alone," he insisted. We hurried to court, my heart pounding with anxiety.When we arrived, the staff informed me that if my father couldn’t pay off his debt, his house would be subject to foreclosure. The thought of losing my childhood home was unbearable. It was a large old farmhouse in the woods, filled with beautiful memories. My father had renovated it himself. Pouring blood, sweat and tears into the project. "This can't be happening," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I grew up in that house. It holds so many memo
Emerson's POVI felt a surge of anger when I saw Isabel smile at a strange man. How dare she flirt with someone else at my family banquet? How could she smile at another man so easily, but always show me a cold face?My anger intensified when I recognized him. He was the man who had carried Isabel to the car. He introduced himself as Robert Evans, the son of a prominent medical enterprise. How dare he try to steal my wife? When I confronted them, I never expected Robert to provoke me. He acted protective over her, as if he were Isabel’s husband.Turning away from Robert, I took Isabel by the arm and led her to a storage room. I pressed her shoulders against the wall, glaring at her. "What were you thinking, smiling at him like that?""We were just talking, Emerson," Isabel replied, her voice shaking. "Why are you so upset?""Upset?" I spat. "You’re still my wife, Isabel. You shouldn't be talking to other men.""We're about to finalize the divorce," she shot back. "And besides, you’re
Emerson’s POVSeveral years ago, I met Lilith during a volunteering activity at a local community center. I was drawn to her unique, exotic beauty. She was tall and slender, sticking out above the people around her. Her raven hair and green eyes stood out amongst the crowd. She had an elegance and grace about her that I hadn’t seen before.We got talking. She told me about her life. She didn’t have it easy. She was juggling multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. But her real passion was music - she was a pianist. Despite her tough life, she never complained.Her strong will and optimistic attitude were what initially drew me to her. We exchanged numbers. From then on, I often invited her to lunches and dinners. I couldn’t stay away from her. As we spent more time together, our bond deepened. I found myself increasingly captivated by her.During one of our conversations, Lilith mentioned receiving assistance from a businessman because of her outstanding grades and musical talent. Sh
Emerson’s POVLilith’s departure left a void in my life that I couldn't quite comprehend. I wasn't sure if my feelings for her were love or something else. It sure felt like love… Perhaps it was the shared moments, the mutual interests, and the resilience she displayed that endeared her to me. I considered that marrying Lilith wouldn't have been a bad choice. Although my family would prefer a higher social class marriage. Spending the rest of my life with someone with the same interests would be much nicer for me. But it was too late now. All because of Mr. White.One day, I received an unexpected invitation from Isabel White. I listened to her voicemail. “Hi, Emerson, how are you?” she started, sounding quite nervous. “It’s been a while. I uh… I’d like to go watch a movie with you. And… I have something important to discuss. Are you available tonight? I’ve emailed you the details.” Curious, I searched for information about the movie online. It turned out to be a romantic film. It wa
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s texts were relentless. He kept on warning me to reconsider the consequences of my actions. But I stood firm. I knew what I wanted. I deserved better than a man who didn’t want me with all his heart.I wasn’t going to let his threats sway me. Maybe he was worried about his family’s reputation or didn’t want Lilith to suffer from public scrutiny. But eventually, he realized I wouldn’t change my mind. He agreed to the divorce. We finalized it the same day. As I signed the papers, a heavy sigh of relief escaped me. Our marriage was over.As I left the courthouse, Emerson’s scornful voice called out after me: "You are as shameless as your father. You never deserved to be loved!" His harsh words stung. I turned back to him, shocked. "What are you talking about, Emerson? What happened between you and my father?" I demanded. “It’s time to tell me the truth, right now.”Emerson’s eyes flashed with anger. "Ask him what the hell he did to Lilith!" With that, he stormed of
Isabel’s POVEmma and Robert were my constant support during my chemotherapy. They made the unbearable bearable. Their friendship was like a comforting balm. Emma, ever the optimist, often suggested I start a new relationship. Her own new crush seemed to have reignited her belief in love.One evening, as we sat together, her phone buzzed incessantly. Annoyance flashed across her face as she checked the messages.“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing her frown.“Alex invited me to a party. He wants me to meet his friends. But I don’t want to go. We’re not even dating,” she replied, sounding frustrated.“Why don’t you give it a try? You might have fun,” I encouraged her, though I wasn’t feeling very social myself.Emma’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Isabel! Let’s go together!”“Me? I’m not used to these kinds of occasions,” I protested.“Come on! Just accompany me. You don’t want your friend to be lonely, do you?”Reluctantly, I agreed. Her excitement was infectious. She dragged me to her spac
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t believe Emerson would do such a crazy thing! Could he really be so ruthless? Would he really hurt Robert out of jealousy? My mind raced, trying to comprehend the chaos unfolding around me.“Tell me, did you do it or not?” My voice shook with anger and disbelief.Emerson's eyes were hard as steel. “You care about him so much, huh? Do you love him?” he sneered. “Let me guess the status of your relationship. Hug? Kiss? Or have you already slept together?”“Shut up! Don’t use your nasty thoughts to insult us. Robert never crossed the line! He’s my oldest friend from primary school, you bastard!” I retorted, my voice rising with each word. “Stop the car right now or I’ll jump out!”Emerson’s face darkened, and he immediately locked the car doors. “Don’t move. It’s not him,” he growled.I turned around again, my heart pounding. My eyes scanned the scene outside. As I looked out of the rear window, I found that a strange man had already gotten out of the car. Relief wa
Emerson’s POV“Daddy, where are you going?”I paused mid-step, turning to see Liam standing in the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His hair was a tousled mess, and his favorite blanket hung limply from his small hand. Despite the early hour, his innocent gaze pierced through me like sunlight through storm clouds.“You’re awake so early, my son,” I said, scooping him up into my arms. His warmth was comforting, grounding me in a way little else could.Liam tilted his head, curiosity shining in his eyes. “Are you going to see Mommy?”His words froze me in place. My grip on him tightened slightly, and I shot a questioning glance at the nanny standing just behind him. She shifted uncomfortably.“I… I think it’s because of your sleep talk, sir,” she admitted hesitantly. “Back when you went to visit Isabel’s grave every day, you, uh... Every time you returned, you’d call her name in your dreams.”“Oh… I see,” I muttered, my shoulders slumping slightly.The maid’s gaze softened as she c
Sebastian/Elias’ POV“Sir, the trial is about to begin.”Carter’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I nodded curtly, tightening my tie in the reflection of the courthouse window. My heart beat heavily, not with fear but with the weight of a mission that had spanned years. This was the day Victor Woods would finally face the consequences of his actions—a day I had dreamed of since I was a boy.Victor had taken everything from me: my father, my family, and the life I should have had. After Isabel left with the Sullivans, I threw myself fully into my revenge. My promotion following the intel I had provided about the hospital incident gave me the leverage I needed to expose the truth. Emerson's power and influence had been a useful tool. The path to today was carved with blood, sweat, and unrelenting determination.I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. The courthouse doors loomed large before me. But my mind slipped back to a day I will always cherish… The day I had finally shown Victor m
Isabel’s POVThe line was silent for a moment before a confused voice came through. "Sorry, who is this?" Robert asked, the faint sound of papers shuffling in the background.I almost laughed but held it back, savoring the moment. “It’s Isabel,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’m back in Rivermont.”There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a stunned, almost disbelieving, “Isabel? Is it really you?”“It sure is,” I confirmed, letting the warmth in my voice convey what words couldn’t.The line went quiet again, but this time I could sense the emotion on the other end. “I—I can’t believe it,” Robert finally stammered. “After all this time…”“Well, believe it,” I replied lightly, though my heart felt heavy with the weight of all the years of silence between us. “I’m here, and I thought we should catch up.”“Yes,” he said immediately, his voice a mix of urgency and relief. “When? Where?”We arranged to meet at a quiet café on the edge of town. It had once been a favorite
Isabel’s POVThe weight of the key in my hand felt symbolic. It was a tangible marker of the new life ahead. As I slid it into the ornate lock of my new villa, a sense of determination settled over me. The door swung open, revealing a sprawling space with high ceilings, marble floors, and expansive windows that offered breathtaking views of the city skyline. Eric had outdone himself in finding us the best place on the market.This wasn’t just a home. It was a declaration of power and potential.Elena’s gasp brought a smile to my face. “This place is huge!” she exclaimed, her wide eyes darting around the opulent foyer.“It is,” I said, squeezing her small hand. “But no matter how big it is, it’s still just a house. We’ll make it a home.”She nodded, her excitement dimming slightly as she turned thoughtful. “Like we did back home, in Sicily?”“Exactly,” I replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Together.”The maid Eric had arranged for us, a cheerful woman named Claire, greet
Isabel’s POVEric’s words stayed with me long after our conversation. The trust he placed in me, the belief that I could bring Liam back, was both empowering and terrifying. I had spent so long building myself up—physically, emotionally, and mentally—but leaving meant stepping into the unknown again.That night, as I began packing my suitcase, the reality of it all hit me. The familiar comfort of my family estate in Sicily would soon be replaced by the harsh world I had left behind. Yet, this time was different. I was different.A soft rustle near the door caught my attention. I turned to find Elena peeking in, her wide eyes glistening with unshed tears.“Elena? What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked gently, setting down the folded dress in my hands.She hesitated, then stepped into the room, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. “Are you… leaving me?”Her words pierced through me like a knife. I knelt down to her level, holding her tiny hands in mine. “Oh, sweetheart, no. I could never
Isabel’s POVThe days in Eric’s villa on the south coast of Sicily unfolded like a slow, beautiful symphony. The house itself was a marvel of understated elegance, perched on a hill with sweeping views of the ocean. The soft sound of waves crashing against the cliffs became the background music to my new life.Eric had spared no effort to make me feel welcome. My room was spacious and airy, its large windows letting in the golden morning light. Elena, the spirited little girl Eric had adopted, often wandered in without knocking. Her giggles filled the space as she clambered onto my bed or rummaged through my things with innocent curiosity.“Isabel, come look!” Elena called one morning, dragging me out of my study. She had found a butterfly in the garden and insisted we follow it. Her laughter was infectious as she darted through the roses, her tiny hands trying to catch the delicate creature without success. She reminded me so much of Liam—her curiosity, her boundless energy, and th
Emerson’s POVI couldn’t move on. No matter how much time had passed since Isabel’s death, the gaping wound in my chest refused to heal. It wasn’t just grief; it was guilt. A relentless, suffocating guilt that gnawed at my sanity day after day. I should have noticed sooner, should have seen the signs of her illness. Instead, I had lashed out, controlled her, suffocated her when all she needed was understanding and space.I often visited her grave, kneeling on the cold, unyielding ground as though it could offer me absolution. The marble headstone was pristine, its engraving sharp and final: Isabel White. The sight of her name etched in stone tore at me every time. I would whisper into the void, hoping that somehow, somewhere, she could hear me.“I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice hoarse. “For everything. I should have been better—for you, for us, for Liam. He’s growing so fast now, Isa. You’d be so proud of him. He’s got your stubbornness, your fire. Every time he smiles, I see you.”Th
Isabel’s POVUnder a canopy of stars, the warmth of family enveloped me—a feeling I hadn’t experienced in so long it almost felt foreign. As I sat at the table, sipping the last of my wine, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye.Margaret, the elderly woman who was now confirmed as my grandmother, slowly wheeled her chair toward me. Her hands trembled as they gripped the armrests.“Lily,” she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of years and memories. A sweet smile lit her face as her watery eyes met mine. “I always knew you would come back.”I felt a pang in my chest. Her mistake didn’t sting as much as it should have. Instead, it filled me with a strange sense of peace. Taking her frail hand in mine, I returned her smile.“I’m Lily’s daughter, Grandmother,” I said gently. “But in a sense, you’re right. My mother lives on within me. So, in a way, she is here with us tonight.”Margaret’s expression softened further, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say more but coul
Isabel’s POVI sat at the long outdoor table with Eric, his family, and little Elena. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses wove a fragile sense of warmth I hadn’t felt in years. This was… my family.The golden hues of the setting sun painted the ocean in shimmering amber. The air was heavy with the scent of grilled seafood and the faint sweetness of tropical flowers. But my heart was heavy, weighed down by the revelations of the evening.Eric leaned forward, his expression softened by nostalgia. His deep voice was steady but tinged with emotion. “Your mother, Lily… she was the heart of our family,” he began, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. “She was young, beautiful—just like you—and perhaps a little too naive when she left us.”I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the edge of my chair. “She left? Why?”Eric sighed and shook his head. “She fell in love. Head over heels, the kind of love that blinds you to everything else. He was a man with a reputation—a famous playboy known