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 POVMargot, not one to give up easily, nudged me under the table with a playful grin. “Come on, Isabel! Don’t you think my brother deserves a chance at happiness too? He’s been so focused on revenge, he hasn’t even thought about romance. Someone needs to snap him out of it.” Her teasing tone belied the seriousness of her words. Sebastian shot his sister a glare, though it lacked real anger. “Margot, enough.”“What?” she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes as if she had said nothing out of the ordinary. “I’m just saying, you deserve more than this endless chase for justice. You deserve love, too.”Her words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. The room went quiet. Sebastian cleared his throat, his discomfort evident.“I’m not looking for that right now,” Sebastian said, his voice quieter. As if he was trying to convince himself more than us. “There are more important things.”“Are there?” Margot challenged gently. “Or are you just afraid to live again?”I lowered my eyes
Isabel’s POVI woke up early, long before the sun had fully risen. My mind was already racing. Today was the day I would see Emerson—my ex-husband, the man who had once been everything to me. Who was now a source of fear and uncertainty. I hadn’t seen him since I was kidnapped from the hospital. My thoughts spiraled as I tried to piece together what today’s meeting would bring. How had he been recovering? Did he know that Lilith, his fiancée, was involved in the very scheme that had me kidnapped? And even if he did, would he leave her?I knew the answer in my heart. No, he wouldn’t. But I still feel heartbroken for such a known answer.Emerson was too calculating, too determined. Our past wouldn’t be enough to make him discard Lilith. Not with her power and influence at his side. The weight of this truth pressed against me, making my chest tighten as I threw the blanket off and got ready.A knock at the door pulled me out of my anxious thoughts. It was Sebastian, standing in the doo
Isabel’s POV“No, Emerson. Don’t be impulsive. Control yourself,” I screamed inwardly, watching through the glass. I gripped the arms of my chair tightly. Tension radiated through my body as I anticipated what might come next.Sebastian remained calm, unfazed by Emerson’s looming anger. It was as if the heat rolling off Emerson’s glare was invisible to him. But I could feel it, even from this distance, as if it were directed at me.Sebastian, with a faint smirk, continued his bold provocation. "I’m sorry. Did I misspeak? Is Lilith not your fiancée? Strange, because I can’t recall anyone of such significance in your life—at least, not based on what I’ve found." His tone was polite, almost apologetic, but dripping with intent.Michael, Emerson’s loyal assistant, shifted uncomfortably beside him. "Mr. Sebastian, I’d suggest watching your words," he cautioned, though his voice lacked authority. It was clear who held the reins in this confrontation, and it wasn’t him.For a heartbeat, I fea
Isabel’s POVI was frozen. Emerson knew. Somehow, he had pieced it together, connecting dots I didn’t even know existed. Sebastian’s secret, Margot’s safety, my very presence—it was all in jeopardy. My first instinct was to burst through the door, offer myself up in exchange for their freedom. But then, through the one-way glass, I caught a subtle gesture from Sebastian. His fingers shifted. It was a barely noticeable movement, but one I recognized immediately.Don't move.I clenched my fists and forced myself to stay still. Despite every nerve in my body screaming to act. The tension between Sebastian and Emerson was palpable, like the air had thickened with an invisible force. Neither man was backing down. The room seemed to hum with danger.Sebastian’s expression remained calm, his poker face impeccable. "I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said, his voice laced with false innocence. "Woods is a common name. The General's family name, not mine. You must be mista
Isabel’s POVAfter Emerson left, the tension in the room hung heavy in the air. His presence still lingered like a storm cloud threatening to break. I waited a while to make sure he was truly gone. I watched quietly as Sebastian paced the room with clenched fists, muttering curse words under his breath. After a few minutes, I left the small room behind the mirror and joined Sebastian. His normally calm demeanor was shattered. His chest was still heaving with frustration and anger."Are you okay?" I asked softly, unsure of how to ease the storm brewing inside him.He just shook his head, his jaw tight, and said nothing. His silence spoke volumes, though. I could feel the weight of everything we had just endured pressing down on him. I couldn’t blame him—Emerson had come armed with far more knowledge than we had anticipated, and the danger was now more real than ever.I found myself studying Sebastian more closely, suddenly aware of the man behind the disguise. His square jawline was
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