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 POVMy heart stopped. Emerson? So he was awake. The name echoed in my mind like a bell tolling, sending waves of panic through my veins. I thought he wouldn’t care where I was, at least not so fast. But if Emerson was contacting Sebastian… Had he found me? Was he trying to drag me back into his web again? A knot of fear tightened in my stomach.“Isabel, are you alright? You look so pale,” Margot’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. She touched my arm gently, her brows creased in worry.I couldn’t speak. My throat felt dry as if fear had stolen the words. My attention was focused on Sebastian, who stood just outside. His voice was low but clear.“OK, I get it. Help me set up a meeting with him tomorrow.” Sebastian’s words sent a chill down my spine. The phone call ended with a final click. When Sebastian came back into the room, his eyes immediately caught mine.I quickly lowered my head, hoping to hide the panic that must be etched on my face. I couldn’t let him s
Isabel’s POVI was taken aback by Sebastian’s suggestion to eavesdrop on his conversation with Emerson, but grateful for the opportunity. It was the closest I could get to knowing what Emerson wanted without putting myself directly in his path. As the weight of everything began to settle on me, I felt a strange mixture of dread and hope. Just as I was about to return to Margot’s room, Sebastian stopped me.“You should let the doctor check you again, considering your condition. You don’t look well,” he said, his voice firm but gentle.I opened my mouth to protest. But he raised a hand before I could utter a word. “I’m not taking no for an answer. You’ve been through too much to ignore your health.”Reluctantly, I followed him to the medical office. Inside, the sterile scent hit me like a wave. The doctor, a man with sharp eyes and a compassionate smile, greeted us. Sebastian explained why we were there, and the doctor wasted no time in beginning the examination.After what felt like
Isabel’s POVThe room felt like it had been stripped of oxygen. My breath hitched, and my fingers tightened around the edges of the table."Alistair is back?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.Emerson nodded grimly. "It was only a rumor at first, but now it’s confirmed. He’s been moving in the shadows. We don’t know exactly what he’s planning yet."I looked at Margot, who had gone pale. Her fingers trembled as she gripped the back of a chair. The color drained from her face, but her expression hardened in determination."It has to be him," she said, her voice breaking with restrained fury. "He took my brother. I knew something felt off... Elias wouldn't just disappear without leaving a trace."My mind was reeling. Elias had been missing for almost two weeks. His silence had been deafening. Now, knowing that Alistair was involved, any hope we had left was beginning to wither.Margot’s breathing quickened. "I have to find him. Now. Every second I wait—""Margot, stop!" I grabb
Isabel’s POVMy heart was pounding in my chest as I watched Emerson dial Caleb’s number. The tension in the room was thick, pressing against my ribs, making it hard to breathe. Please, please, please be okay.The silent plea played in my head like a mantra.Margot sat stiffly beside me, her gaze flickering between the phone and the door, as if expecting bad news to come crashing through at any moment.Would Caleb pick up? Were he and Liam safe?A pit of dread pooled in my stomach. What if something had happened? I would never forgive myself. I had already failed Elias by not realizing he was in danger. The thought of failing my own child, of allowing my son to be vulnerable while I was too weak to protect him, was unbearable.The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. Then—“What’s up, cousin?” Caleb’s voice came through the speaker. His typical casual tone instantly relieved some of the tension in my chest.“Caleb!” Emerson’s voice boomed through the room. “Where the hell are you?”“W
Isabel’s POVI turned to Margot, still catching my breath from the sheer adrenaline moments ago. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on me. Elena could have fallen. She could have—I shook the thought away, instead focusing on Margot.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice softer than I expected.Margot sighed, rubbing her temples. “It’s a long story,” she admitted, then gave a small, almost shy smile. “One that might actually make you happy.”I raised a brow, intrigued despite the lingering fear curling in my stomach.Margot exhaled deeply, her fingers tracing over Elena’s curls absentmindedly. “I found out Caleb was the one who provided me with the best medical resources after… everything that happened.” She gestured vaguely, referring to the months of struggle, of pain, of uncertainty. “I didn’t even know. He never told me.”My heart clenched at the sincerity in her voice. Caleb had done so much for her in silence, expecting nothing in return. That was just who
Isabel’s POVTime seemed to slow as I sprinted toward the house, my heart hammering against my ribs. The image of Elena dangling from the second-floor window was seared into my mind, an unbearable nightmare unfolding in real time. My arms were outstretched, ready to catch her if she fell. But a sudden movement at the window made me freeze.Margot.She was there, gripping Elena tightly. Her entire body strained as she pulled the little girl with all her might. My breath hitched. Margot? How? What was she doing here? And how had Elena even ended up in such a dangerous position? The questions swirled in my mind, but there was no time for answers. All that mattered was that Margot had a firm hold on my darling niece.A final tug, and then—a heavy thud. They had landed safely on the floor. Relief flooded me. But I didn't allow myself to hesitate any longer. I turned on my heel and bolted up the stairs, my legs burning as I took two steps at a time. Emerson was already ahead of me, his
Isabel’s POVThe fog had finally lifted.After days of treatment under the guidance of medical experts, the poison’s grip on my mind had loosened. My thoughts were clearer. My body, once sluggish and foreign, was finally my own again. Emerson had been a pillar through it all. His quiet elation was evident in the way his gaze lingered on me. In the way his fingers often ‘accidentally’ brushed against mine. As if to reassure himself that I was still here—still me.I still couldn’t bring myself to truly look in the mirror—not after the last time, when the reflection staring back at me had been a hollow, broken version of myself. But as I moved past, my eyes flickered to the glass, catching a glimpse. For the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t just see the damage—the dark circles, the lingering weariness in my expression. No, beneath all that, there was something else. A spark. A glimmer of the woman I used to be. The one who had returned to Rivermont not as a victim, but a
Sebastian/Elias’s POVThe air in the dimly lit chamber grew thick with tension as Alistair Montrose stepped even closer. His breath reeked of cigars and an attempt at mint to mask the stench, but it only made it worse. A nauseating mix of indulgence and decay. The closer he got, the stronger the sickening combination became, making my empty stomach churn.I yanked against the chains binding my wrists, the metal digging deeper into my raw skin. My muscles screamed in protest. But I refused to stay still, to give him the satisfaction of seeing me accept my fate. I met his gaze with unflinching defiance."Calm down, young man," Alistair cooed, mockingly, as if soothing a wayward child. His voice dripped with condescension, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. "What’s wrong? Are you not satisfied with my… hospitality?"My blood boiled. The sound of his voice alone ignited a fresh wave of fury inside me. I gathered the metallic tang of blood in my mouth and spat. A dark satisfaction cu
Sebastian/Elias’s POV“Ugh,” I groaned, my voice raw and low with sleepless surrender. A sliver of sunlight slipped through a crack in the wall. A thin, mocking reminder that another morning had arrived.The cold bit into my skin like the sharp edge of a blade. The pain of the chains holding my arms overhead was relentless. They had cut into my wrists until the skin had been rubbed raw. Blood had dried and cracked along my forearms. The dull ache merged with the bruises and gashes that covered my body. I no longer knew how long I had been here. Days? Weeks? It could have been months.Time stretched endlessly in the dim chamber, swallowed by the darkness that pressed in from all sides.My last clear memory before waking in this hellhole was the mission. A simple retrieval, or so I had thought. I had been careful, thorough—yet somehow, I had walked right into an ambush. A sharp pain at the base of my skull told me they had knocked me out. I had awoken in chains. Disoriented, aching,
Isabel’s POV“We’ve got to get hold of those candles.” Emerson’s voice was firm, his expression grim. He turned to Michael. “Stop the garbage truck before it leaves the estate. Make sure we recover any candles that were thrown away.”Michael nodded and pulled out his phone, issuing rapid instructions to his team. Meanwhile, Emerson was already making another call, his voice clipped and urgent. “I need a rushed toxicology report. Priority level one. Have your team ready to test a sample as soon as we retrieve it.”I clenched my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms. A cold dread curled in my stomach. If our suspicions were true, if those candles had truly been poisoning me for weeks… Lila had been doing this right under my nose. Right under Emerson’s nose. How?More importantly—why?“I can’t believe this,” I muttered, shaking my head as a shudder ran through me. “It means she had planned this all along. She wasn’t just lurking, waiting for a moment of opportunity—she was a
Isabel’s POV“Oh, you’re back! How are you feeling, ma’am?”Marianne’s warm voice greeted us the moment we stepped inside the villa. She stood in the foyer, her hands clasped neatly in front of her apron, her eyes filled with familiar concern. Normally, I would have felt comforted by her presence—Marianne had worked for this family for years, and I had always trusted her like a second mother. But now, that trust was riddled with cracks.Emerson and I exchanged a look. There was something heavy in the air between us. An unspoken understanding that everything had changed.“I’m... okay,” I said, though my voice felt hollow. “Thanks.”Marianne smiled, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—uncertainty, perhaps? Or was I just imagining it? “I was just about to go out to buy groceries, but Michael disagreed. Did something happen?” she asked.I hesitated. Emerson didn’t.“Marianne, we need to ask you about the scented candles you’ve been bringing into the house.” His tone was fir