Emerson’s POVI paced the hospital room for what felt like the hundredth time that day. My muscles ached. Not from the injuries I was recovering from, but from sheer frustration. The sterile smell of the hospital clung to my skin, and the endless beeping of machines nearby grated on my nerves. I couldn’t stand being trapped here another second, but I had no choice. They insisted I stay under observation.It had been weeks since Isabel disappeared. Every minute that passed without a lead felt like a knife twisting deeper into my gut.I had sent my best men out, scouring every corner of the city for her. But every day, the answer was the same—nothing. No one had seen her. It was like she had vanished into thin air. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had orchestrated this. That her disappearance was no accident. My mind spun with possibilities, all of them darker than the last.Suddenly, my phone rang. I grabbed it, my heart racing. On the other end was Sam, my lead inve
Isabel’s POVThe van’s engine hummed beneath me as we sped down the winding road. My wrists ached from the cold steel of the handcuffs biting into my skin, but I stayed quiet. I had learned the hard way that showing weakness only invited more cruelty from my captors. One of them was driving, and the other was sitting next to me, making sure I behaved.My physical condition had improved slightly after receiving some medication at the hospital. But I still felt the weight of exhaustion pressing on my chest.I glanced out the window, the passing trees blurring into a dark green smear. My kidnappers seemed at ease, or at least, less tense than before. Maybe they thought the worst was over. After all, I hadn’t tried anything since they dragged me out of the hospital. I had been silent, compliant even. But every moment I stayed quiet, I was thinking, calculating.I shifted in my seat, my fingers carefully tracing the edge of my handcuffs, feeling the rough metal bite into my wrists. Ever
Isabel’s POVFor a moment, everything was black.Dizzy and disoriented, I opened my eyes. The world slowly came back into focus. A blur of blood, broken glass, and twisted metal. I was still alive—barely. My heart pounded in my chest as I took in the mangled wreck of the car. The two kidnappers were groaning in pain. Their bodies were contorted at awkward angles. The air was thick with the smell of gasoline and blood. I tried to sit up. But a sharp pain shot through my legs, and I gasped.Broken glass had pierced my skin. My legs were smeared with blood. I swallowed back a cry. My mind was racing as I tried to assess my situation. I had to get out of here. If I didn’t move now, I wouldn’t survive. I gritted my teeth, bracing myself as I reached for the car door. I pushed it open with trembling hands. Each movement sent another wave of agony through my body. But I forced myself to keep going.Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around my ankle, its grip wet and sticky with blood. My heart
Isabel’s POVI was still gasping for air as if I had just surfaced from drowning. The pain in my body flared with every breath, sharp and searing. But it was the fear—the deep, bone-chilling fear—that gripped me the most. My hand brushed against something cold and stiff. The kidnapper’s lifeless body lay beside me, his eyes glazed over in death.I willed myself not to look at his face, but my eyes couldn’t help it. He looked as if he were frozen mid-scream, the rage and desperation still etched into his features. A wave of nausea hit me. I had to force down the bile rising in my throat.What just happened? Who saved me?My mind raced back to the moment of the gunshot—the figure standing in the distance, shrouded in shadows. I hadn’t seen their faces, but the cold precision of that single shot haunted me. Who were they? Friend or foe? I tried to lift my head to search for them, but the exhaustion in my body dragged me down. I slumped back against the ground, my vision fading in and ou
Isabel’s POVSebastian rushed out of the room so fast, I could hardly believe it was the same man who had been calm and collected just moments ago. His usually steady demeanor had shattered in an instant. The urgency in his movements left me unsettled. I watched him disappear down the corridor, the sound of his footsteps fading. What could have made him react like that?Woods…The name the soldier had mentioned lingered in my mind like an echo I couldn’t ignore. “Miss Woods,” he had said. The familiarity of it gnawed at me, pulling me deeper into a fog of memories.Suddenly, it dawned on me. Miss Woods, the military, a familiar officer trying to save the innocent girls… It all made sense now.It’s Margot! A voice inside me screamed.Could it really be her? Could she have survived, too? If she was here, I had to find her!My heart pounded in my chest, urging me forward. I got out of bed, despite the nurse’s objections. I grabbed the sleeve of the soldier who had delivered the news, my
Isabel’s POVWhen I woke up, I was back in my familiar room at the infirmary. My body felt heavy, as though a thick fog had settled into my bones. My excursion to find Margot had led nowhere. I hadn’t even made it past a few corridors before everything had gone dark. I let out a slow breath, trying to make sense of the gnawing disappointment I felt. But, in a strange way, I supposed I should be grateful. I had been lost, and the soldiers were starting to get suspicious. Perhaps my headache, for once, had saved me from worse consequences.My eyes drifted toward the far corner of the room. The soldier who had found me with Sebastian was deep in conversation with a military doctor. The lines of their faces were tense, their postures rigid. As though they were discussing something far more serious than my brief collapse. Anxiety prickled at the back of my mind. What now?As soon as the soldier noticed I was awake, he excused himself and approached my bedside. His expression was grim, al
Isabel’s POVThe request had been jarring at first. But as I sat in the cold infirmary room, the reality of it began to sink in. What use would I have for my eyes after I was gone? The thought swirled in my mind, weighing heavily yet feeling almost... obvious. Of course I would agree. Even if it had been a stranger who needed my help, I would've made the same decision. But this wasn’t just anyone—this was Margot. She was the only reason I’d escaped that nightmare alive. She had been the anchor that kept me sane through unimaginable horrors.The military doctor remained quiet, giving me space to process. He’d asked me to consider donating my corneas posthumously, but it wasn’t a hard decision. The memories of Margot's kindness, her bravery, flooded back to me. How could I deny her now?I couldn’t let her go blind because of those terrible drugs—the ones she saved me from ever swallowing.“Yes,” I finally said, voice calm but resolute. “I’ll do it.”The doctor gave me a short nod, then
Isabel’s POVI turned at the sound of hurried footsteps, my heart skipping a beat when I saw her. Margot. She looked frail but determined, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps as she leaned against Sebastian for support.“Margot?” I whispered, completely taken aback. “Why did you get out of bed? You need to recover!”Her response wasn’t words, not at first. She stumbled forward, her legs unsteady, and threw her arms around me. She pulled me into a tight embrace. The force of it made me catch my breath. For a moment, all I could do was stand there, stunned, as she buried her head against my shoulder.“Isa, Isa,” she murmured, her voice trembling. “I missed you so much. I was so worried…”The sound of her voice, so raw and full of emotion, stirred something deep inside me. It was surreal, having her here in my arms after everything. After all we had been through—the terror, the darkness, the endless uncertainty of whether we’d survive—it was like a dream. I wrapped my arms around he
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
Isabel’s POVThe ride to the other side of the island was surreal. As the dense jungle opened to reveal the North Star Hotel, my breath caught. The place was a paradise within a paradise. Beach huts with thatched roofs stood in neat rows along the golden shoreline, their soft lights glowing against the approaching dusk. Palm trees swayed lazily in the breeze. The sound of distant waves mixed with warm laughter and the enticing aroma of barbecue.A maid in a crisp white uniform greeted me as I stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the main resort area. “Miss Isabel?” she asked with a warm smile.“Yes,” I replied, suddenly feeling out of place in my simple sundress amidst the elegance of the setting.“Please follow me.” She gestured toward a winding path that led deeper into the property.The beach hut she led me to was perched perfectly on the edge of the sand, its wide veranda overlooking the sparkling ocean. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the edges of the roof, and lanterns sw
Isabel’s POVReaching the girl, I carefully pulled her onto my back. Her delicate weight was almost nonexistent. Her pale skin and lips tinged with blue made my chest tighten with fear.“Don’t you dare give up,” I muttered, kicking hard toward the shore. The effort burned my muscles, each stroke a battle against the ocean. But adrenaline and sheer determination propelled me forward faster than I’d ever swam.When my feet finally touched the sandy shore, I stumbled onto the beach, cradling her in my arms. I laid her gently on the warm sand, brushing wet strands of her blonde hair from her face.“Come on, sweetheart,” I murmured, my voice trembling. “Stay with me.”I pressed my ear to her chest. The faint sound of her heartbeat brought a wave of relief. Still, her breaths were shallow. Panic clawed at my mind, but I forced myself to focus.I tilted her head back and began CPR. My hands moved with a steadiness that surprised me, even as fear gnawed at my resolve.Minutes felt like hours u
Isabel’s POVFrom the moment I stepped foot on the island, I knew I had made the right decision. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of salt and hibiscus. The sound of waves lapping gently against the shore soothed the raw edges of my nerves. It was a paradise unlike anything I had ever known. The ocean stretched endlessly before me—a shimmering expanse of turquoise that met the sky at an indistinct line. A local fisherman greeted me warmly as I stepped onto the pristine shore. His weathered face broke into a kind smile as he motioned toward a path leading up the beach. “This way, miss,” he said, his voice rough from years spent at sea.He led me to a charming beach house, nestled among a grove of palm trees swaying gently in the ocean breeze. The house was modest in size but modern in design.Its whitewashed walls glowed softly in the afternoon light. Large windows reflected the surrounding dunes and the endless stretch of turquoise sea just steps away.The porch was shaded b
Isabel’s POVSince Elias left, restlessness had wrapped around me like a second skin. I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease that clawed at my chest. Each tick of the clock only amplified my fears. What did Emerson want? Why had he gone to such lengths to meet Elias? Was it a ploy to find me, or was it something else entirely?I paced the room, my thoughts spiraling. Images of Emerson flooded my mind—his intense gaze, the quiet storm that always brewed in his presence. Would he storm in here, demanding answers, or was he plotting something far more calculated?Hours dragged by, each one heavier than the last. Finally, the phone rang, shattering the silence. I lunged for it, my pulse quickening.“It’s me,” Elias’s voice came through, steady and composed as always. “He didn’t discover you.”Relief coursed through me, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Then why was he here?”“He proposed a partnership,” Elias said, his tone measured. “He wants us to work together to o
Sebastian/Elias’ POV“He’s found me, hasn’t he?” Isabel’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet the panic in her tone was unmistakable. Her eyes darted around the room as if expecting Emerson to burst through the door at any moment. “I knew it would happen sooner or later. I knew I couldn’t stay hidden forever. He’s too smart, too determined. I should’ve insisted we move somewhere even more remote. Maybe changed my appearance... maybe—”She began pacing the room, her movements rapid and restless, her hands repeatedly tugging at the hem of her shirt as though trying to ground herself. Her bare feet made soft but hurried sounds against the wooden floor, each step amplifying the tension in the small space.Her eyes turned to me, searching for answers. “Do you think he’s angry? That’s why he’s here, isn’t it? To confront me? To tell me how much I’ve hurt him? Maybe to...” Her voice faltered, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “Maybe to take me back—by force, if he has to.”
Isabel’s POVMy hands trembled as I stared at the television screen, my breath catching in my throat. Alistair Montrose’s sharp, confident eyes bore into the camera as he vehemently denied the accusations. His words were laced with defiance, his arrogance unwavering. How dare he? How dare he act so righteous after tearing my family apart, after ruining lives without a shred of remorse?I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. “How can he stand there and say those things after all he’s done?” My voice wavered with anger.Elias leaned back in his chair. His expression was unreadable but his tone was calm and deliberate. “That’s who he is. Alistair doesn’t bow to pressure. But don’t let that calm exterior fool you, Isabel. He’s cornered, and Emerson made sure of it.”“Emerson?” I asked, startled.Elias nodded. “Over the past three months, he’s been relentless. Retaliating. Gathering evidence. It’s no coincidence Alistair’s empire is crumbling. If Alistair can’t navigate his way
Isabel’s POVThe sight of Margot standing in the doorway stole my breath. Her hair, usually flawless, was a windswept mess, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Before I could find my voice, she rushed toward me, her arms wrapping around me tightly.“You’re awake!” she sobbed, her body trembling against mine. “I thought… I thought I’d never see you again.”Her vulnerability tugged at something deep within me. I held her close, my own emotions threatening to spill over. “Margot… What are you doing here?”As she pulled back, wiping her tears, a thought clawed its way into my mind. If Margot was here, did it mean Caleb might know where I was? My chest tightened. The fewer people who knew about me being alive, the safer everyone would be.Before I could ask, Margot seemed to read my mind. “No, Caleb doesn’t know,” she admitted, her tone quieter now. “He’ll never find out.”The weight of her words made me falter. “What do you mean? Aren’t you two… together?”She shook her head, forcing
Isabel’s POVThe weight of Elias’s words settled over me like a suffocating blanket, each revelation cutting deeper than the last. I stared at him, my heart hammering in disbelief. Alistair and Raoul—names that now carried the full weight of betrayal and hatred. And my dad... or rather, my adoptive father, as he had admitted in his dying moments. The man who raised me, who taught me strength and resilience, was gone. And with his death came the unrelenting sting of truths I was not ready to confront.“I still can’t believe it,” I murmured, my voice trembling. “All these years, he hid the truth from me. He wasn’t my biological father.” I paused, swallowing hard. “But that doesn’t change how much I loved him. Or how much it hurts knowing I’ll never see him again.”Elias’s face softened. “He loved you, Isabel. Whatever the truth of your bloodline may be, he raised you as his own daughter. I’m sure his greatest regret was not telling you sooner.”I wanted to believe him, but the ache in