Emerson is jealous!
Isabel’s POVAs soon as the door to Emerson’s study slammed shut, my anger flared. How dare he? What right did Emerson have to imprison me like this? To restrict my freedom as though I was his property? My fists clenched at my sides, and my heart pounded in my chest. I wanted to scream, to shout back at him through the thick walls of his study. But before I could do anything, a sharp pain shot through my head, making my vision blur for a second.Not now. Of all times for this headache to strike.I stumbled to the sofa, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ease the throbbing pain. There had to be some painkillers around here. Emerson kept me locked up, but he didn’t seem like the kind of man who would skimp on amenities for his precious estate. I started searching the room, trying to keep my frustration at bay, but before I could get very far, Michael suddenly appeared beside me, holding out a glass of water and a familiar bottle of painkillers.I jumped, startled by his sudden presenc
Isabel’s POVMichael’s words echoed in my mind, unsettling and ridiculous all at once. The idea that Emerson could have been so... desperate. The man who had always seemed invincible, cold, and calculating, brought to the brink because of me? It didn’t add up. But before I could dwell on it further, the doorbell rang. The sharp sound pulled me out of my thoughts.Michael glanced at me before heading to answer the door. His usually calm face twitched slightly, betraying a hint of discomfort. I watched him leave, trying to gather my scattered emotions. Emerson’s extremes—his anger, his possessiveness, his bizarre form of care—had left me off-balance. I didn’t like any of it.When Michael returned, he wasn’t alone. A familiar face stepped into the room—the housekeeper. My heart skipped a beat. Marianne.I hadn’t seen her in years, not since Emerson and I divorced. We had once gotten along so well. And now here she was, in this strange new chapter of my life, as if no time had passed.“We
Isabel’s POVI stared blankly at the two jewelry boxes in my hands. Why did Emerson want me to have them? How did he get them back from the auction? It was all so confusing.The weight of the rubies and emeralds pulled me into a flood of memories. My fingers absently traced the edges of the ruby necklace, a piece that had once belonged to my mother. I never thought I would see it again, let alone feel it rest in my hands. The deep red stones shimmered in the dim light, reflecting fragments of the past. Every time I looked at it, my mother’s radiant smile flashed before me, her warmth and elegance embedded in every facet of the jewels.But how could Emerson have gotten them? The necklace had been sold to someone else at the auction. As for the emerald brooch... it meant so much to the Williams family. And I had thrown it all away, leaving it in the hands of the highest bidder. I thought he would hate me for it, that he would immediately give it to Lilith. But instead, he had risked hi
Isabel’s POVThe sharp noise echoed through the hallway, and my heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong. “Emerson!” I called out, louder now, hoping he would answer. But the silence that followed was suffocating.A wave of dread washed over me. My hand shook as I pounded on the door. “Please, answer me.” It was a desperate plea, one I hadn’t thought I’d make after everything that happened.Marianne, hearing the noise, hurried down the hallway. The look on her face shifted from curiosity to concern as soon as she saw me. For a split second, her eyes flicked to my fancy dress and the ruby necklace glinting around my neck, a reminder of a life I had left behind. But she quickly regained her composure. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.“I heard a crash,” I said, my breath coming faster. “I think something happened to Emerson.”Her eyebrows knit together as she assessed the situation. “The door’s locked. Do you know how to open it?" I asked, my voice rising in ur
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s fingers were wrapped tightly around my wrist, his grip hot and trembling. I tried to pull away. But the way his eyes fluttered shut and his brow furrowed told me he was unconscious again. I scoffed inwardly. Was this some elaborate act of self-torture? Did he think that collapsing at my feet would somehow make me forget all the control he exerted over me? He’d forced me into this situation, but now he wanted me to believe he cared?I stared at him, unconscious and pale. I never asked him to search for me or risk his health. In fact, I couldn’t remember a single moment during our recent confrontations where he showed anything beyond a desire for dominance. His obsession with control had always suffocated any semblance of concern he might’ve had for me.As I tried to pry his hand off mine, the door swung open. Eric, the private doctor, entered in a rush. His presence seemed to jolt Emerson briefly, his hand twitching before going limp.I took the opportunity to f
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s fever-driven behavior left me speechless and irritated. I stared at him, sprawled across my bed like a child in need of comfort. This wasn’t the man I knew—dominant, overbearing, always in control. Now he was acting like a lost boy, his feverish mind twisting reality. The change was unnerving.“Emerson,” I said softly, but firmly. “You need to go back to your room.”He didn’t respond. His body was limp, his breathing heavy. I sighed in frustration. “This isn’t helping anything. You’re not proving anything by staying here.”His hand, still resting on mine, twitched slightly. His skin was so hot, it felt like it might burn through mine. But when I looked at his face, I saw that he had fallen asleep. His brow was furrowed even in unconsciousness.I shook my head. I didn’t know what to do with him. He was too heavy for me to move on my own. But I wasn’t about to sit here all night waiting for him to wake up.Just then, Marianne entered the room with a servant behind
Isabel’s POVThe device Sebastian had given me was still tucked away in the military clothes. And those clothes were… in my room, right next to the bed where Emerson lay.I crept through the dimly lit hallway. The old wooden floorboards groaned softly under my weight. The atmosphere felt heavy, as if the very air was laden with secrets. My heart raced as I approached the door to my room. Every instinct was urging me to retreat. I pressed my ear against the cool wood, straining to catch any sound from within.A low, rhythmic snoring floated through the door. Good. Emerson was sleeping, as I had hoped.Carefully, I pushed the door ajar and slipped inside. The sight of him sprawled across the bed, his face partially hidden by tousled hair, stirred a strange mixture of emotions within me. I focused on the chair where my old barracks clothes hung. Shadows draped them like a ghost of my past. I tiptoed toward it, my heart pounding with every cautious step.Just as I reached the jacket pock
Isabel’s POVI sat frozen on the edge of the sofa, Sebastian’s words still echoing in my mind. Emerson was at the scene of the accident. The idea circled my thoughts like a dark cloud. Could he have been behind my father’s accident? I had always assumed it was orchestrated by one of my father’s competitors. That’s what made sense—his financial ruin had already seemed like enough revenge for Emerson. But what if that wasn’t enough for him? What if he wanted my father dead?It didn’t make sense. Emerson had the power to make someone disappear quietly, effortlessly. He didn’t need a car accident. If he wanted to eliminate my father, why not do it while he was vulnerable, in the hospital? Emerson had all the opportunity in the world. He could’ve hired someone to make it look like a tragic complication from surgery or recovery. But he didn’t. So what was he doing at the scene?The conflicting thoughts twisted inside me like a knot. What are you hiding, Emerson? I couldn’t shake Sebastian’
Isabel’s POVThe restaurant descended into a chaotic frenzy as the journalists swarmed Emerson and Lilith’s table. Cameras flashed incessantly, their harsh light casting sharp shadows across the luxurious decor. Microphones jutted forward like accusing fingers. Each reporter was desperate to be the one who snagged the scoop of the night.“Mr. Emerson, are the rumors true? Are you and Miss Lilith officially together?”“Are you planning to announce your engagement tonight?”“Is this dinner the start of a new chapter for you both?”Emerson’s face darkened, his usual composure slipping under the relentless interrogation. He sat rigidly, his jaw clenched. His eyes flicked momentarily to Lilith, who was practically glowing with satisfaction. She leaned closer to him, her hand resting on his arm, and offered the crowd her most dazzling smile.“We’ve always shared a special bond,” Lilith said sweetly, her voice carrying just enough warmth to suggest intimacy. Then, with an almost imperceptib
Isabel’s POVCaleb and I sat in his car, the hum of the engine our only soundtrack as we trailed Emerson’s sleek vehicle through the busy streets. My palms were clammy against the leather seat, my nerves taut with anticipation. I knew this was a bad idea. But curiosity and a gnawing sense of unease had taken root in my chest.“Relax,” Caleb said, his voice light but his grip on the steering wheel firm. “You’re going to give us away before we even get there.”“I’m relaxed,” I shot back, though my jittering foot betrayed me.“You’re the definition of not relaxed, Isa.” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood.Despite myself, I let out a small laugh. “Just focus on the road.”We arrived at the Imperial Pearl, an upscale restaurant that exuded luxury from its gilded doors to the soft glow of chandeliers visible through its windows. Caleb parked a short distance away. We waited for a moment, watching as Emerson and Lilith stepped out of his car and entered the building.“They look cozy,” C
Isabel’s POVThe morning light streamed through the windows. Emerson wasn’t in sight when I got up. Which wasn’t unusual, but today it felt heavier. My mind wandered back to the phantom kiss from last night. Was it real? Or just another figment of my restless imagination?I shook off the thought and focused on the routine. After breakfast, I fed Liam pieces of soft fruit. He giggled as he grabbed for the bits, his little fingers sticky with juice. Watching him laugh eased the knots in my stomach, but not entirely. There were too many unanswered questions. Too many looming shadows.Work awaited, and I needed the distraction.Today’s assignment was exciting yet stressful—helping with the final touches on a high-profile fashion show. The backstage area buzzed with energy. It was a chaotic orchestra of models, makeup artists, and frantic stylists. I slipped into my role seamlessly, setting up cameras and checking the light angles.But something felt off. Sarah, usually the picture of ca
Emerson’s POVThe quiet of the night felt like both a balm and a curse. After hours of stewing in the study, I finally left to grab a drink.My thoughts were heavier than I cared to admit. The dimly lit hallway stretched before me, and my feet carried me toward Liam’s room almost on instinct.I hesitated at the door. Was this what my life had come to—seeking solace in stolen moments with my son while the rest of the world tried to unravel me?The door creaked softly as I pushed it open. But what I saw made me pause.Isabel sat in the rocking chair, Liam cradled against her chest. Both were asleep, their breathing synchronized in a way that filled the room with a rare peace. Liam’s small hand rested on Isabel’s collar. As if he was anchoring himself to her even in his dreams.A pang of longing hit me square in the chest. It was a feeling I couldn’t suppress, no matter how hard I tried. Seeing them like this reminded me of what I could’ve had. If I hadn’t been so blinded by Lilith’s su
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. Emerson’s parting words lingered like a shadow. Targeted by whom? And for what? The cryptic warning looped in my mind like a song I couldn’t forget, each repetition pulling me deeper into uncertainty.My mind raced with questions, but before I could ask them, Emerson walked away. His posture was tense, his footsteps deliberate as he retreated to his study. He had closed the door on the conversation as quickly as he’d opened it.“Good night,” he said quietly, though the words carried a note of finality that made it clear the topic was no longer up for discussion.I stood in the dimly lit hallway, staring at the closed study door, debating whether to knock and demand answers. But the image of his stern expression and tightly set jaw earlier stopped me. Emerson wasn’t the type to yield under pressure, especially when his mind was made up.With a heavy sigh, I turned and headed back to my room, my thoughts swirling like leaves caught
Isabel’s POVI blinked, stunned by Emerson’s question. His words hung in the air like an invisible weight pressing down on me. The intensity in his gaze made my stomach churn, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.“What are you really asking, Emerson?” I finally managed, my voice quieter than I intended.His posture remained rigid, his jaw clenched tight as if holding back something he wasn’t sure he wanted to say. The faintest crease in his brow betrayed an emotion I hadn’t expected—vulnerability. But there was something else, too, simmering just beneath the surface.Jealousy.The realization sent a shiver down my spine. Emerson, the cold and calculating man who rarely let emotions dictate his actions, was jealous. I hadn’t thought him capable of such a feeling, not when he had spent so much time keeping me at arm’s length, guarding his emotions like precious secrets.“Caleb is a nice young man,” I began cautiously, unsure where this conversation was heading. “He’s... a very qualifi
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating, and I found myself clenching my fists to keep my nerves at bay. Emerson’s sudden question hung heavily between the three of us. I could feel my heart pounding erratically.Caleb’s usual confidence faltered as Emerson’s piercing gaze bore into him. For a moment, Caleb looked genuinely stunned, his mouth opening and closing without sound. The silence stretched uncomfortably. My thoughts, relentless and intrusive, began to spiral. Caleb’s behavior over the past few days replayed in my mind like fragments of an unsolved puzzle.Did he have feelings for me?The question lingered, its weight growing with each passing second. Some of his recent actions hinted at something deeper.His attentiveness, the way his eyes seemed to linger just a moment too long, the subtle protectiveness in his tone when he spoke about me. Could there be more to it?Or was I just being narcissistic?I held my breath, silently praying.Please… let this be nothing.
Isabel’s POVCaleb barely waited for Emerson to approach before launching into his explanation. He was clearly worried about me. His voice carried the clipped confidence of someone both annoyed and defensive.“Look, before you get all moody and controlling,” Caleb began, stepping forward with his hands half-raised in mock surrender, “I took Isabel out because she needed some air. Nothing happened, alright? No harm, no foul.”Emerson didn’t acknowledge him. His sharp, unyielding gaze locked onto me instead, stripping away any sense of ease I had managed to salvage from the day. The intensity in his eyes made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Though I refused to flinch under the weight of his scrutiny.“Emerson,” Caleb pressed, clearly unwilling to let the tension fester, “you don’t have to interrogate her like this. She’s a grown woman. She doesn’t need a chaperone every time she steps out the door.”“Caleb.” Emerson’s voice was clipped and precise, as though he were severing the convers
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