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 POVThe moment I asked Sebastian for help, I knew I was stepping into dangerous territory. His brow furrowed as he listened to my request, and I could see the wheels turning in his head as he processed my words. I didn’t expect him to understand right away, but I hoped he would trust me.“You want me to investigate Lilith and ... your father?” he repeated slowly, his voice laced with skepticism. “What exactly happened between them?”I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirl of emotions inside me. “Yes. I don’t know what exactly happened. That’s what I’m wanting to find out.”Sebastian’s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Why investigate your own father? Shouldn’t you be seeking justice for him, not trying to dig up old wounds?”I hesitated, feeling the weight of my next words before they left my lips. “My father’s bankruptcy and the accident that put him in a coma... they weren’t random. I believe they were orchestrated. It’s all connected to women he support
Emerson’s POVThe stale air of the hospital still clung to me as I sat in my new hideout—a small, isolated estate on the outskirts of the city. The moment I left that sterile prison of beeping machines and antiseptic smells, I knew I couldn’t return to my villa. If Lilith found out I was awake, that’s the first place she would search. I couldn’t risk her finding me. Not yet. There were too many unanswered questions. I needed time to investigate her further.The quiet of the countryside felt stifling. Every creak of the old house, every rustle of the wind outside, set my nerves on edge. I had always thrived in the center of the action—dealing with businesses, controlling the narrative. But now, I was in hiding. Like some kind of fugitive in my own life. All because of Lilith.Days passed until Sam called. His voice crackled over the line, full of the information I had been waiting for.“Sir,” he said, his tone as serious as ever. “I’ve got some news from the investigation.”I sat up s
Isabel’s POVMargot wanted me to stay at the military base with her for a while. Her insistence was gentle but firm, as if she sensed how fragile I was.“What about your uncle? Won’t he find you if you're here?” I asked, concerns slipping into my voice. Her uncle, General Victor Woods, was no ordinary man. His reach was vast, his power nearly limitless. The idea of him stumbling upon us sent a chill through my body.“Don’t worry,” Margot replied, her voice soothing but with a steely edge. “My brother has allies here. They’re making sure every mention of my presence is kept out of the system. The chances of him randomly visiting this site are slim to none.”I sighed with relief, though a part of me still felt uneasy. Could I really hide here? I didn’t want to endanger anyone. Especially Margot, who had already endured so much. But the truth was, I needed to rest, to heal. Maybe, just maybe, this place could be a temporary sanctuary—a space to regain my strength, with the right medicat
Isabel’s POV“Wait a minute… What?!” My breath caught. “You met Alistair?” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. I stared at Caleb, dread twisting in my stomach. “Did he… Did he recognize you?”Caleb shook his head, his expression grim. “No, he didn’t. He doesn’t know me, which worked in my favor.”I studied him carefully. His hair was still disheveled from the night before, and his shirt bore faint stains of spilled liquor. He looked like someone who had been in a fight—not just with others, but within himself.“In your favor? How?” I asked.“He didn’t really notice me,” Caleb began, leaning against the windowsill. “I was at the bar. Just trying to... clear my head, I guess.”“I figured as much,” I said with a faint smile, gesturing at his clothing. Caleb cringed, and I felt a pang of guilt for my impulsive remark. “Please, continue,” I added, my voice softer now.“Then I saw him—Alistair,” Caleb continued. “He came strutting in like he owned the place, two barely-dressed showgirl
Isabel’s POV“Oh…” I groaned, shifting against the pillows as I struggled to sit up. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and my limbs felt like lead. Before my vision could fully clear, I noticed two figures looming over me—Emerson and Caleb, their faces tight with concern.“Isa, are you okay?” Emerson’s voice was taut, barely masking his worry.“Do you need anything? Water? The doctor?” Caleb added quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush.It took me a moment to register their presence fully, my foggy mind finally catching up with reality. Emerson stood with his usual rigid posture. But Caleb’s appearance caught me off guard. His hair was unkempt, sticking out in every direction as if he hadn’t slept. The clothes he wore were crumpled, the same ones from yesterday. He smelled like beer and cigarettes.And, most concerning, there was a fresh bruise darkening the corner of his mouth. His pallor was sickly, his eyes red-rimmed with exhaustion and… guilt?“Caleb,” I said hoarsely, my su
Emerson’s POVI must have drifted off in the chair beside Isabel’s bed, exhaustion finally overtaking me. The steady rhythm of the machines and her breathing had lulled me into a restless sleep. But then, her soft mumbling pulled me from the haze of slumber. Incoherent words tumbled from her lips as she stirred against the sheets.The moment I opened my eyes, I knew something was wrong.The first thing I noticed was the heat radiating off her. She was drenched in sweat. Her breathing was shallow and rapid. My heart sank as I realized something was terribly wrong.“Isa, wake up. You have a fever!” I whispered frantically, my voice trembling. I gently shook her shoulder. But her head lolled to the side. “Fever?” she muttered, struggling to regain consciousness.Panic surged through me like a lightning strike. I hit the emergency call button. The shrill beep echoed in the room as I pulled her into my arms. Her body was frighteningly hot, and her face was flushed to an alarming shade of
Isabel’s POVCaleb swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he struggled to form words. His face had gone pale. His usual self-assured demeanor was crumbling before me. "I... I understand," he said at last, his voice barely a whisper.I exhaled, turning away from him. The weight of the conversation felt suffocating. “Good,” I said curtly. “Then we have nothing more to discuss.”The words felt cold, even to me. But I couldn’t bring myself to soften them. My emotions were frayed, and I needed space. Walking to the window, I gazed out at the darkening sky. The fading light painted the horizon in shades of purple and orange, but its beauty did little to soothe the storm raging inside me. My heart felt heavy—with guilt for hurting Caleb, with frustration for the mess we were all entangled in.Behind me, Caleb shifted uncomfortably. “I never meant to hurt you or anyone else, Isa,” he said, his tone low and weighted with regret.I didn’t respond, letting the silence stretch between us.
Isabel’s POV“Excuse me? Are you threatening me, Caleb?” My voice was sharp, tinged with disbelief. The words felt foreign coming out of my mouth, but his behavior left me no choice. Caleb stood there, his head hung low. As though the weight of my accusation had crushed him.He didn’t respond right away. His lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, he exhaled deeply, shaking his head. “No, Isabel. I wouldn’t threaten you.” His voice was low, almost broken. “But... I can’t pretend anymore.”“What are you talking about?” I asked cautiously, my heart beating faster.Caleb’s shoulders slumped, and he took a hesitant step toward me. “I’m jealous, okay?” His voice cracked on the last word. “I’m jealous of him, whoever he is. I thought... I thought I had a chance, Isa.”I stared at him, stunned. “What?”“When you divorced Emerson,” he began, his words tumbling out in a rush, “I thought—at least—I could stay by your side. Even if it was just as family. I told myself that was enough. But if yo
Isabel’s POVMy eyes widened as I studied the photo. Its edges were worn as though it had been handled countless times. I reached out instinctively, my fingers trembling as they brushed the air between us. "Where did you get this?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.Caleb stepped back quickly, moving the photo away from me with a smooth, deliberate motion. His eyes met mine. For the first time, there was something unfamiliar in his gaze—something secretive. My stomach twisted. Was Caleb more involved in these conspiracies than I thought? Could I still trust him?“Caleb,” I said, my voice lowering as I stepped closer, “give it to me.”I tried to reach for the photo, which he now held high above his head. He was much taller than me, so I jumped to reach it. “Caleb! This is not a game. Give that photo to me, now! You have no idea what you’re doing,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice raising with each word.But Caleb shook his head. A sly smile played at the corners of h
Isabel’s POVI stared at Dr. Vargas, the words he had just spoken reverberating through my chest. My heart raced with a mix of confusion and dread. “Is Sebastian in danger?” My voice wavered as the question escaped my lips before I could stop it. The image of Elias flashed in my mind—him slipping away from my view, his enigmatic presence lingering just long enough to stir unease.Dr. Vargas nodded solemnly, a flicker of something unspoken in his gaze. “Yes, he is. But Sebastian’s not one to back down. He’ll find a way to get back at the traitors, no matter what. You shouldn’t be worrying about him right now.” His voice was steady, but his eyes searched my face for something I wasn’t sure I could give. “Focus on your own survival, Isabel. Take care of yourself.”His eyes were sharp, but there was a layer of weariness beneath them. He wasn’t just giving advice—he was issuing a warning. A warning that the path we were all walking was fraught with peril. What Dr. Vargas really meant wa
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating. Emerson’s sudden outburst had left both Caleb and me startled, and the air buzzed with unanswered questions.“Emerson,” Caleb said, his voice steady but laced with concern, “what’s going on? You’re acting like we’re in the middle of a war zone.”Emerson was already moving, grabbing my belongings with frantic urgency. “We don’t have time for questions, Caleb. We need to get Isabel out of here. Now.”“Emerson!” I snapped, forcing as much authority into my voice as I could muster. “Stop. You can’t just uproot me like this without explaining. What’s happening?”His jaw tightened, his eyes darting toward the window as if he expected danger to come crashing through at any moment. He sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck before finally meeting my gaze.“I saw a man,” he said, his voice low. “He was in the hallway earlier, wearing a coat with Alistair’s family badge embroidered on it.”My breath caught in my throat. “Alistair’s badge
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest. Margot was giving out her contact information—was she being careless, or had she judged Caleb trustworthy? Did she know he was connected to me? It seemed unlikely, but Margot was sharp. Perhaps too sharp to let something like that slip by accident. Still, the possibility worried me. She’d suffered enough already, and the thought of her inadvertently drawing danger closer made my stomach twist.“Her name?” Caleb repeated, frowning slightly. He scratched his head, looking sheepish. “Well, uh… no. She didn’t tell me. Said she wanted to keep a sense of mystery.” His face lit up with a wry grin. “An interesting girl, though. Made me feel like I was the one being studied.”He chuckled, but there was a hint of doubt in his voice. Caleb was many things, but overly confident wasn’t one of them. He seemed to be replaying the encounter in his head, wondering if he’d done something wrong—or maybe if he hadn’t been charming enough.I