Isabel’s POVI stood frozen, ready to scream for help. Michael raised his hands, trying to signal peace. His expression softened, and he spoke gently. As if I were a frightened animal about to flee.“Miss Isabel,” he began, his voice calm but insistent, “I’m not here to hurt you. Emerson sent me. He’s been worried sick about you, more than you know.”My eyes narrowed. I didn’t trust him. Michael stepped forward cautiously. “Emerson had me keep watch on the barracks, hoping we’d find you,” he admitted.I suddenly remembered the look I’d seen pass between him and Emerson in the room earlier. Michael wasn’t here by chance—this was planned. I should have known better than to wander off like this. I clenched my fists, internally cursing my recklessness.“I never expected to see you this soon, but now that I have… Please, come back with me,” Michael said softly.I took another step back, feeling the cold bite of the wind as my heart raced. “No. I won’t go anywhere with you,” I replied, my vo
Isabel’s POVSebastian and I walked side by side, heading back toward the military camp. The air between us was thick with unspoken tension. He hadn’t said a word since the fight with Michael and the bodyguards. His face was hard as stone, eyes distant. I figured he was preoccupied, calculating his next steps. Emerson wasn’t someone to give up easily, and I knew Sebastian was already thinking about how to stay ahead of him.I kept my distance for most of the walk, staying just a step behind him, unsure of what to say. But as we neared the camp, something felt… off. His usually brisk pace had slowed considerably, so much so that without realizing it, I’d caught up to him. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and that’s when I noticed it: the slight tremble in his steps, the shallow rise and fall of his chest, and the sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead.My stomach twisted as I looked closer. His normally composed face was pale, his lips tight and colorless. Then I saw
Isabel’s POVAs I wandered through the camp, desperately trying to figure out where Sebastian might be, my mind was spinning with possibilities. Margot’s room? No, he wouldn’t go there. He wouldn’t want his sisters to worry about him. His office? I didn’t know exactly where it was, but it seemed like the most logical place.Frustration bubbled inside me. Why did he have to be so stubborn, refusing to admit he was hurt? I couldn’t just leave him like that. I needed to find him.I caught sight of a familiar face—Sebastian’s deputy, the soldier who had saved me along with him. He was talking to another soldier, but I figured it was worth a try.“Excuse me, sir,” I said tentatively, approaching them.He glanced over his shoulder and gave me a quick smile. “Oh, hi. Wait just a minute,” he said, turning back to the soldier. “Just do what I told you.”“Yes, sir,” the soldier replied before walking away.Sebastian’s deputy turned back to me with an easy grin. “What a coincidence. We meet agai
Isabel’s POV“I—I can’t believe you’re joking at a time like this,” I muttered, shaking my head but feeling a small smile tug at my lips despite myself.I hesitated for a moment longer, but then I stepped closer, taking the bandage from his hand. As I started wrapping it around his chest, I could feel his sharp intake of breath. I knew it hurt more than he was letting on.“Why didn’t you get help?” I asked quietly, focusing on my task to avoid looking directly at him.“I’m used to taking care of myself,” he replied, his voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. “And like I said, there are more important things to worry about.”“That doesn’t mean you should ignore your own injuries,” I said.He chuckled softly, but it sounded strained. “You sound like my sister.”“Well, she’s right,” I shot back, glancing up at him.The look in his eyes made me nervous, so I quickly averted my gaze. My fingers trembled slightly when they brushed against his skin. His muscles were solid, warm beneath my t
Emerson’s POVThe faint hum of the surveillance video filled the room, the images flickering in and out of clarity. I had watched this footage more times than I could count. My eyes, tired but sharp, were fixated on the moment Isabel vanished from the screen. Every detail was burned into my memory—the way she was hoisted off the ground by Sebastian and his soldiers. I paused on the image where he held her, helping her to her feet. Something about it gnawed at me, twisting in my gut like a vice.Why didn’t Isabel reach out to me? Why hadn’t she come home yet? Why did she trust that Sebastian guy over Michael?A dark, nameless anger stirred inside me. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was the betrayal of her choosing strangers over me. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was happening. Something I was just out of reach of grasping. Isabel’s face, her blue eyes filled with that familiar determination, haunted my thoughts.I paused the video, freezing on that image
Isabel’s POV“Margot? Are you in there?” I knocked gently on her bedroom door. Silence. No response.I opened the door. “Margot?” My eyes narrowed as I scanned the room. She wasn’t there.Margot was gone. An unsettling feeling in my gut told me something was wrong. It was strange—she was always meticulous about letting someone know her whereabouts. Especially with how things had been lately. I called her name again, hoping she was just in the bathroom or had simply stepped out for a moment. No response.Everything in the room seemed in order, except for her hairbrush. It was lying on the ground. My pulse quickened. The hairbrush was a gift from Sebastian; she cherished it. The thought of her carelessly dropping it didn’t sit right with me. I picked it up and noticed a crack along its handle, as if it had been thrown. Hard.Panic began to tighten its grip on me. Something was wrong. The air in the room felt heavy with tension, like the lingering remnants of a storm. I had to tell Seba
Isabel’s POVThe air was thick with tension as I stood there, vulnerable and exposed. I felt the weight of my decision pressing down on me like a storm. Was this the right choice?If nothing else, I had to save Margot. She stood there, trembling, with a gun pressed against her temple. This was not her battle to fight, nor was it Sebastian’s. This was between me and Emerson. I would not let these kind, innocent siblings get caught in the crossfire.Emerson’s bodyguards formed a barrier between me and Sebastian, while the soldiers stood watchful but uncertain. I knew this was my moment. If I didn’t act, things would spiral out of control. Emerson wasn’t the type to be patient for long. And Sebastian, despite his calm exterior, was on the verge of losing his composure. Margot’s life hung in the balance, and I couldn’t bear to see her suffer any more because of me.“Isabel, you can’t do this,” Sebastian said, his voice laced with disbelief. His eyes met mine, searching for some other s
Isabel’s POVAs I stood between Sebastian and Emerson, I felt a swirl of confusion. Sebastian’s sudden action—the cold, metallic object he had slipped into my hand—left me unsettled. I clenched my palm tightly, trying not to let my thoughts betray me. If Emerson noticed anything out of the ordinary, things could escalate quickly.The object felt familiar. Similar to the invisible headset I had used to listen in on their conversation, only smaller. Was it a communication device? One thing was clear—Sebastian wasn’t letting me go without a plan. We would stay connected.“I’ll keep my promise,” Sebastian said, his voice low but firm. There was a quiet intensity in his eyes as he glanced toward me. “As a return for all you’ve done for us.”He was referring to the investigation—Lilith, my father, the monstrous clinic, and everything we had unraveled. The look in his eyes told me that this wasn’t goodbye. Not completely. There was still unfinished business between us, and this small devic
Isabel’s POVMy hands clenched at my sides, my initial shock giving way to anger. “What are you doing here, Lilith?”“Oh, just taking a walk,” she said airily. “What a coincidence running into you two. You know how small the world is.”Her eyes glittered with malice, and I knew she wasn’t here by accident. Whatever game she was playing, it was only just beginning.Lilith turned to Caleb, her voice dripping with fake concern. “You should enjoy your time while you can. You wouldn’t want to end up like Sebastian.”Her words sent a chill through me, but before I could respond, Caleb stepped closer to her, his tone low and dangerous. “Leave. Now.”Lilith’s smug smile widened as she waved her smartphone in the air, its screen flashing faintly in the sunlight. “What do you think Emerson would say,” she purred, “if I told him about this little outing?”I clenched my fists, my annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface. “Lilith, enough with the games. This is Emerson’s cousin Caleb you’re try
Isabel’s POV“Captivity, huh?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“Exactly,” he said, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “While the evil lord of the manor is away, I’m here to whisk you off to freedom.”His words were clearly meant as a joke, but I couldn’t ignore the subtle jab at Emerson. “And where exactly are you planning to whisk me off to?”“You’ll see.” Caleb’s tone turned mysterious. “But it’s somewhere you’ll love, I promise.”I hesitated. Spending time with Caleb felt like a risk. He had always been a wild card, unpredictable and charming in equal measure. And with the complicated web of tension between Emerson and me, getting too close to his cousin felt... inappropriate.“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said. “Besides, there’s Liam to consider. I can’t just leave him here.”As if summoned by my words, the maid came rushing out, taking Liam in her arms. She looked flustered, apologizing profusely for not hearing the doorbell.“It’s all right,” Caleb said with a sunny smi
Isabel’s POVI forced a laugh, trying to brush off her comment. “I think you’re imagining things,” I said lightly, but the words felt hollow.The maid smiled apologetically. “Perhaps. I didn’t mean anything by it, miss.”At first, it felt absurd—laughable even. Liam was Emerson and Lilith’s child; that was an undeniable fact. But as the seconds ticked by, something darker, more insidious, began to creep into my thoughts.“That’s ridiculous,” I said aloud, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.The maid gave me a sheepish smile, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, Miss. It’s just something I noticed. His eyes, maybe? Or his smile? I didn’t mean anything by it.”Her apology only heightened my unease. “It’s fine,” I replied curtly, waving her off.But the seed was planted. My gaze drifted down to Liam, who sat in my lap, staring up at me with a toothy grin. His eyes sparkled with innocence, as if he was oblivious to the storm brewing in my mind.Could it be true?I sh
Isabel’s POVThe stillness of the room pressed on me, amplified by the steady rhythm of Emerson’s breathing behind me. He still wasn’t asleep—I could tell by the occasional shift of his weight and the faint sighs escaping him.He had withdrawn his arm when I didn’t answer, but the proximity between us remained charged. Every so often, his body would shift, brushing against mine—a subtle, fleeting contact that sent ripples through my already frayed nerves. Was it accidental? Or deliberate? I couldn’t be sure, and the ambiguity only made it worse.My body, traitorous as ever, reacted in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The heat of his presence seemed to seep into my skin, igniting a tension I had no desire to acknowledge. It wasn’t fair—after everything, after all the anger and betrayal, how could some unintentional touch unravel me like this?I tried to suppress the swirling emotions, willing myself to focus on anything else. But the way my heart raced, the way my breath hitched in those st
Isabel’s POVSitting on the kitchen table, Emerson still looming over me, my mind spiraled with guilt. Sebastian was locked up, possibly suffering, all because of me. He’d been trying to help me, to protect me, and now he was paying the price. I clenched my fists in my lap, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions.“Isabel.”Emerson’s voice broke through the haze. His sharp gaze fixed on me. His head tilted slightly as if studying a puzzle. “You’re quiet. You look… off. Do you know something you’re not telling me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.My heart skipped a beat. Did he suspect? Could he somehow see through me, past the walls I’d painstakingly built?I met his eyes, masking the turmoil within. “No,” I said, forcing a small, almost casual shrug. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”He didn’t seem entirely convinced. His piercing gaze lingered on me longer than I liked. I bit my lip, weighing my options. If Emerson knew the truth about Sebastian’s private investigation and
Isabel’s POVI turned to Emerson after Caleb left. Exhaustion was weighing on my shoulders like a lead blanket. “I’m really tired, and I have work tomorrow,” I murmured, taking a step toward the stairs. The tension from dinner and everything Caleb had implied was still twisting in my chest. I just wanted to escape. To drift off into blissful ignorance.But before I could get far, Emerson swept me off my feet—literally.“Emerson! What are you doing?!” I protested, squirming against his firm grip as he carried me effortlessly back to the kitchen.Without so much as a word, he placed me on the kitchen table as though I weighed nothing. I struggled to slide off, but his hands settled on either side of me, caging me in.My heart raced, but not entirely from rage. There was something about the way his eyes locked onto mine, unflinching and determined, that threw me completely off balance. I hated how he could do this—how he could ignite a whirlwind of emotions with just a look. How he made
Isabel’s POVCaleb strolled into the room as if he owned the place. A wide grin was plastered across his face. “Are you two done whispering sweet nothings yet? Or should I come back later with popcorn?”Emerson groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Caleb, do you have a radar for bad timing, or is it just a natural talent?”“I like to think of it as a gift,” Caleb quipped, leaning casually against the doorframe.I stifled a laugh despite the tension, my lips twitching into a small smile. Caleb always had a way of breaking even the heaviest silences with his antics.“Come inside,” Emerson said with an exasperated sigh. “If you’re going to interrupt, you might as well eat with us.”The three of us made our way to the dining room, where a simple but elegant dinner awaited. Caleb, ever the opportunist, immediately dug in. He complimented the meal with exaggerated enthusiasm.“This roast? Perfection. I’ve been abroad for so long, I forgot what a proper home-cooked meal tastes like. Kudo
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s hand clamped firmly over Caleb’s mouth. Caleb’s muffled protests only made the moment more absurd. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Emerson? This is your grand strategy? Silencing him like a five-year-old?”Emerson shot me a look, his expression a mix of irritation and weary amusement. “You’d be surprised how much trouble this one can cause when left unchecked,” he muttered.Caleb, never one to miss an opportunity, wriggled free with an exaggerated gasp. “Admit it, you missed me,” he said, his grin wide and cheeky.“Missed you?” Emerson arched an eyebrow. “I’m considering sending you back abroad.”Caleb clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. Such gratitude for saving Isabel’s life. You’re lucky I have a forgiving nature.”At the mention of the accident, Emerson’s expression softened. His irritation ebbed, replaced by something quieter, almost regretful. His gaze shifted to me, lingering with a kind of intensity that made my chest tighten.“Are
Isabel’s POVI stared at Caleb, my mind still struggling to process what he had just said. A surprise for his lover? Emerson had said nothing about this, not even hinted at it. The idea clawed at me, a cruel whisper of betrayal I didn’t want to entertain.Recently, his long hours and late nights had seemed justified—he was supposed to be focused on finding Sebastian and Margot. He had painted himself as a man weighed down by duty, by the chaos of the military’s reshuffling. But now? Doubt slithered into my thoughts like a cold wind, chilling my resolve. What if he wasn’t just busy with military upheavals? What if he was lying?I bit my lip, trying to dismiss the growing unease. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to believe that Emerson, for all his faults, could betray me in this way. But hadn’t I learned the hard way not to trust him blindly? My heart and mind were locked in a bitter tug-of-war.Caleb leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His expression softened a