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Chapter 131 - Beneath the Jewel’s Gleam
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 132 - The Wounded Hunter
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 133 - Fevered Delusions
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 134 - A Line to Freedom
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 135 - Whispers Through the Wire
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 136 - The Secrets He Keeps
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’
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 137 - Twisted Provocations
Isabel’s POV"Miss Isabel," Marianne’s voice was gentle, almost pleading, "I know it’s not my place, but I think he really needs you right now."Her words hung in the air. A part of me wanted to turn around, to run from whatever control Emerson was trying to have over me. But I needed answers. Why had he done all of this? What was driving him?With a steadying breath, I nodded. "Fine. I’ll see him." She gave me a relieved smile, but it did nothing to ease the tension in my chest. Marianne’s footsteps echoed softly as I followed her down the long, dimly lit hallway toward the guest room, where Emerson had claimed my bed. The closer I got, the tighter the knot in my stomach grew.Why did he need to see me so badly? Why was he doing this to himself—putting his health at risk, refusing to take his medicine—just to talk to me?As I approached the room, I felt the weight of my suspicions and fears, the lingering bitterness between us. The door creaked open, and there he was, lying in bed,
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 138 - Sharp Edge of Desperation
Isabel’s POVFor a fleeting moment, Emerson looked taken aback. His usual icy demeanor cracked just enough to reveal a hint of something raw underneath. But then, his expression hardened again, eyes narrowing. His self-esteem, bruised by my words, spiked his anger."Of course not," he scoffed, his tone laced with contempt. "Don’t flatter yourself, Isabel. The brooch belongs to you. It was given to you, and it should stay with you. That’s all."His words bit at me, but I wasn’t about to let him see the sting. He shifted slightly in the bed, wincing as the movement aggravated his injuries. The weariness etched into his features might have softened another person in my position. But I was too angry to care. I studied his face, searching for even the faintest flicker of sincerity. But there was none. Only the same cold, calculating mask he'd always worn—an impenetrable barrier between us.I’d seen it a thousand times during our marriage. Back then, I used to think of his aloofness as part
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 139 - Cutting the Chains
Isabel’s POV"Isabel," Emerson said, his trembling voice a sharp contrast to the icy demeanor he usually wore like armor. "Put the knife down."The vulnerability in his tone made me hesitate for a moment. But I didn’t lower the blade."Let me go, Emerson," I demanded, my voice steady but tense. "I can’t live like this—trapped, controlled. I won’t. So if you don’t give me my freedom..." I let the words trail off deliberately, knowing he understood the threat behind them.The air between us was thick with tension, so heavy it felt suffocating. Emerson’s chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, his eyes locked onto mine. He seemed torn, between his need to control me and his fear of what I might do to escape his grip."Isabel," he whispered again, and this time his voice cracked just slightly. "Please... put it down."The ironclad man who seemed to control everything, suddenly seemed so vulnerable. It was a rare crack in the wall, a glimpse of something deeper. But I didn’t trust it. Not af
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 193 - Unexpected Confrontations
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 192 - Swept Away
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 191 - Mirror’s Deception
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 190 - Silent Night
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 189 - A Promise in the Dark
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 188 - His Audacity
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 187 - Whispers of Suspicion
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 186 - Threads of Distrust
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 185 - Stirring the Pot
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
