Isabel’s POVThe sound of Liam’s delighted squeal sliced through the air. My heart lurched as I saw him wobbling dangerously in his highchair. Without thinking, my body reacted on instinct. I rushed toward him, arms outstretched, as though I could somehow catch him in time.But Emerson was faster and closeby. His reflexes, though weakened by his recent injury, hadn’t dulled enough to let anything happen to his son. He grabbed Liam just before the boy could topple over, pulling him securely into his arms.The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment.Liam was completely unaware of the chaos he had caused. His small face broke into a wide grin. One that exposed his tiny teeth as he clapped his hands, clearly pleased with the attention.My arms, now useless, hung awkwardly at my sides. Embarrassment crawled up my neck like an unwelcome heat. Why had I reacted like that? Why had I leapt into the fray as if I had any right to? This was Emerson’s and Lilith’s child. But before I could mo
Isabel’s POVEmerson hadn’t told Lilith he was awake? The thought gripped me like a cold hand on my heart. Why wouldn’t he tell her? What had changed between them? The more I tried to rationalize it, the more tangled I became in my thoughts. There had to be a reason, but what was it?As I cleared the breakfast bowls from the table, I caught sight of Liam still happily banging his spoon against the high chair. His innocent laughter was a sharp contrast to the storm of questions raging in my mind. That little spoon clattering against the bowl felt like a small anchor pulling me back from the whirlwind of emotions Emerson always stirred in me. But still, I couldn’t shake the growing unease.From the hallway, Emerson and Michael’s low, urgent voices filtered through, muffled but distinct enough to catch snippets of their conversation. I wiped my hands on a dishcloth, straining to hear more.“She’s been looking everywhere for you,” Michael said. “She was even spotted near the villa.”“Wha
Isabel’s POVArriving at the hospital felt like I was finally coming up for air after being submerged in deep waters for too long. The sterile smell, the faint hum of machines, even the cold white walls—all of it was oddly comforting. It was the only place that hadn’t changed in the whirlwind of my life lately. As I stepped into my father’s room, relief surged through me. Seeing him there, safe, breathing, alive—it made the months of uncertainty and fear fade, even if just a little.I stood by his bed, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. His face was peaceful, like he was just sleeping. But I knew better—he was trapped in the unyielding prison of a vegetative state. His hand lay limp at his side. Without thinking, I reached out and held it. His skin was warm, but there was no reaction. I had grown used to that over the months, but it still stung every time.“Dad,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” The words tumbled out before I coul
Isabel’s POVWhen I stepped out of the bathroom, the three bodyguards were waiting. Their eyes scanned me with suspicion. I plastered on a casual smile, pretending not to notice their scrutiny. “I’m heading to see a gynecologist,” I said lightly, adding a pointed look as I continued walking past them. “Do you really need to follow me for that?”They exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering across their faces. One of them finally spoke, “We have to check with the boss.”Of course. Emerson.I crossed my arms, impatience bubbling up inside me. One of the guards pulled out his phone. His voice was a low murmur as he relayed my request. After a short conversation, he turned to me and handed over the phone.“He wants to speak to you.”I rolled my eyes and took the phone, bringing it to my ear. “What is it, Emerson?” I asked, letting my annoyance slip into my tone.His voice came through the line, tight with frustration. “What’s going on, Isabel?”I paused, knowing exactly how to frame my r
Isabel’s POVThe phone rang incessantly in my hand, vibrating like a heartbeat. Emerson’s name flashed on the screen, demanding my attention. I could almost sense his impatience seeping through the device. My thumb hovered over the green button, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer just yet. Not now.I needed a moment to think.If this had been a few days ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I would’ve used this exact moment—this opportunity—to slip away from Emerson’s grip. As far as possible from the life of constant surveillance and control. I had spent too long in the grip of powerful men, waiting for the right window to escape, knowing that my time was slipping away like sand through my fingers.But now, everything had changed.“The tumor hasn’t grown.” Robert’s news had been like a sudden, unexpected crack of light in the darkness. The results from the secret examination still echoed in my mind. The tumor was no longer spreading, and there was even the chance of improvement. A pos
Isabel’s POVI sat in the waiting room of the private hospital, my mind still reeling from the good news about my tumor. But my thoughts were quickly overshadowed by Emerson’s angry, suspicious voice.“I couldn’t answer the phone during my gynecologist examination now, could I?” I said smoothly, even though I could feel my nerves rising. It was a lie, but a necessary one.There was a pause on the other end of the line. Emerson’s voice, when it came, was tight, still edged with suspicion. “Well… Why did it take so long?”I swallowed, quickly coming up with an explanation. “There are some complications because of the miscarriage,” I said softly, adding just enough vulnerability into my tone to disarm him. “I’m still awaiting the results, but they might have to run additional tests and treatments.”I wanted to plant the seed of a future cover—an excuse for any medical visits that Robert would arrange for me. This was all about buying time, staying under the radar while I figured out what
Isabel’s POVI scooped Liam off the floor just in time, as the heavy bookshelf came crashing down behind us. I felt a sharp sting as the shelf scraped against my arm. But the pain was nothing compared to the terror that gripped me just moments before. If I had been a second later, the shelf would have crushed him.The sound of the crash brought Emerson and two maids rushing into the hallway. I sat on the floor, my arms wrapped tightly around a trembling Liam, as the heavy cupboard lay sprawled beside us.“Isabel! What happened?” Emerson’s voice was laced with panic as he knelt down beside me, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene.Still catching my breath, I managed to explain. “He pulled the shelf down... it was falling... I just grabbed him in time.” My voice trembled, my pulse still racing from the near disaster.Emerson’s face softened, relief flooding his features. “You saved him, Isa…” His voice was quiet, almost reverent. He crouched down beside me, staring at Liam as if the real
Isabel’s POVKiss me? The words echoed in my mind, twisting my gut in disgust. Every fiber of my being recoiled. But I quickly remembered the delicate game I was playing.If I wanted to win Emerson over, to buy my freedom bit by bit, I couldn’t let my true feelings show. Not now. Not after I’d spent days carefully maintaining peace between us. The only way to get what I wanted was through calculated patience.I forced a smile, gentle but firm. "I don’t think that’s a good idea right now," I said, keeping my voice calm.Emerson blinked, caught off guard. I’d never seen him speechless before. He stammered, “Oh… okay, sorry… It’s just—I thought—”The sight of him stumbling over his words would’ve been almost comical if the situation weren’t so dire. It was strange seeing this side of him—vulnerable, unsure. For years, he’d been nothing but cold, controlling, calculating. Now he stood before me, clearly embarrassed. As if he wasn’t sure how to proceed."It’s fine," I said, adjusting the
Isabel’s POVI froze. The nurse’s cold and detached voice echoed in my mind like a warning bell. My gut twisted with an inexplicable dread. Something was very, very wrong. I tried to get a good look at her face, but her cap and mask obscured her features. Her head was bowed so low I couldn’t even see her eyes.Who was she? Why was she acting so strangely?Fear clawed its way into my chest as I felt my body weakening. My hands trembled, then went limp. A numb heaviness crept through me, making my head swim. My words came out slurred and frantic. “What… did you give me?” My voice barely carried, thin and fragile like paper in the wind.The nurse didn’t answer. Instead, she moved with brisk, calculated efficiency. Her gloved hands gripped me under the arms. Her strength was surprising, almost mechanical. I couldn’t fight back—I could hardly lift a finger. She hoisted me onto a gurney and pulled a white sheet taut over my body. The weight of the fabric against my face felt suffocating.
Isabel’s POVI felt an unsettling unease gnawing at me as the minutes ticked by. Half an hour had passed since Robert had left, and yet Emerson had not returned. That wasn’t like him at all. Emerson rarely left me alone for this long. His overbearing presence was usually a constant shadow. Something was off. My nerves prickled with unease, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.Finally, I decided to step out of the ward and check. Just as I reached the door, it swung open, and Emerson appeared on the threshold. “Oh!” His sudden entrance startled me, and I instinctively stepped back.“Where have you been?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even, though suspicion flickered in my mind.“I got held up on a company call,” he said. His tone was casual, but his expression was anything but. There was a rigidity to his stance, a flicker of something uneasy in his eyes.He’s lying, I thought immediately. But what could it be about? My heart leapt with a mix of curiosity and anxiety. Still, I knew be
Robert’s POVAs I stepped out of Isabel’s ward, I couldn’t quiet the storm of worry inside me. The looming surgery hung like a dark cloud over my thoughts. She was so calm about it, but I couldn’t share her composure.Dr. Leighton had assured me that everything was as prepared as it could be. But the risks were undeniable. Isabel’s condition was fragile. The thought of losing her made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to imagine a world without her. I glanced back toward her door, as though I could will away the danger just by lingering nearby. Despite everything, the fire in her sapphire blue eyes hadn’t dimmed. That fire had drawn me to her all those years ago. And it still burned brightly now, even in her weakest moments.Isabel was a force of nature, enduring so much pain and heartbreak while somehow holding herself together. How could I not still love her? But that love wasn’t simple anymore. Emerson had built walls around her. Walls that were almost impenetrable. Almost.A memor
Isabel’s POVRobert leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His face was a mixture of determination and fatigue. “Dr. Leighton has made all the necessary preparations for your surgery,” he began, his voice steady. “You don’t need to worry about that part.”The words should have been comforting, but a question lingered in my mind. “Was this all instructed by Sebastian?” I asked cautiously, my heart quickening.He nodded. “Yes. Sebastian contacted me weeks ago, in secret. He’s the one who helped me build a connection with Mateo. Without him, none of this would’ve been possible.”I stared at him, the enormity of the situation sinking in. Elias—though for his own safety, I had to call him by his alias—had been working behind the scenes to protect me, even while I’d been cut off from the world. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Why didn’t you try to contact me?” I asked, confusion building in my chest.“I couldn’t risk it,” Robert explained. “Not with Emerson watching your every move.
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s reaction was immediate and explosive. His hand shot out, seizing Robert by the collar with a force that made me flinch. “Are you kidding me?” he roared, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “More than once? You know what craniotomy entails better than anyone!” His eyes burned with fury. But beneath that, I saw something deeper—raw panic, the kind that comes when control slips through your fingers.I pressed my back against the headboard, anxiety rising in my chest. “Emerson, let go of him!” I shouted, but my voice cracked. He was hesitating, though. His grip tightened and loosened as if his emotions were at war.Robert, surprisingly composed, twisted Emerson’s wrist away with a sharp motion. His calmness wasn’t indifference—it was laced with disdain. “Yes, I do know. But that doesn’t change the reality of her situation,” Robert said, his voice sharp as glass. His eyes narrowed. “And if you want to talk about responsibility, let’s discuss how she
Isabel’s POVMy heart sank as I stared into Emerson’s intense gaze. The weight of his words still lingered. I couldn’t afford to risk my friends—not Elias, not Robert, not anyone who had worked so tirelessly to help me. Yet, I also knew the precarious nature of my situation. One wrong move, one slip of truth, and Emerson would tighten his grip in the name of love. He would trap me at his side like a bird in a gilded cage.The thought made my stomach churn. It wasn’t love—it was control, suffocating and inescapable. If he discovered the true extent of my illness, my chances of escaping with Liam would vanish.For Liam, I needed to be free.“Emerson, I—” I began, my voice faltering as doubt crept in. Was I really prepared to keep fighting this battle, knowing how high the stakes were?Before I could say another word, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade.“Isa, long time no see!”I whipped my head toward the door, startled. There he was—Robert—leaning casually against th
Isabel’s POVI sat propped up in bed, trying to read Emerson’s expression. He had always been sharp, but I hadn’t expected him to piece things together this quickly. Despite all Robert’s and my attempts to keep the details of the surgery planning under wraps, Emerson had unraveled the threads effortlessly.I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was relentless when it came to matters he cared about. And right now, that matter was me.Still, I didn’t react dramatically. This was Emerson, after all. It was natural for someone as intelligent and observant as him to sense when things didn’t add up. And despite his anger, I knew he wouldn’t jeopardize the efforts of the people working tirelessly to save my life. Whatever his feelings about Robert or Elias—or even Mateo—he wouldn’t risk doing anything that might hurt me. That, I was sure of.Emerson stood stiffly at the foot of my bed, his gaze boring into me. He was waiting for an explanation, but I wasn’t about to offer one on a silver platt
Isabel’s POVMy heart thudded painfully in my chest as Mateo’s words hung in the air. The air in the room was so thick with tension it was hard to breathe. Emerson stood stiffly beside my bed, his face a storm of anger and fear. His voice thundered, breaking the fragile silence.“What?! How could this happen? Didn’t you say the tumor was benign? Or have you been lying all along?!”Dr. Mateo Vargas’s calm demeanor cracked under the strain of Emerson’s fury. “I understand how shocking this is, Sir. However, this is not the time or place for accusations.” He gestured toward me, indicating the fragile state I was in.“I did say it was benign,” Mateo countered, his voice rising. “But I also warned that surgery might become necessary if her condition worsened.”Emerson’s fists clenched, and I feared he might explode. His worry wasn’t misplaced, but it wasn’t helping either. I reached out to him weakly, my fingers brushing against the fabric of his sleeve. “Emerson,” I whispered, my voice b
Isabel’s POVI could feel there was an unspoken chemistry building between Caleb and Margot. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but I could tell that Caleb was starting to focus his attention elsewhere. Maybe it was just my imagination. But I hoped it would take the edge off his lingering feelings for me.It wasn't that I disliked Caleb—he had been a constant presence in my life for so long. Always reliable, always there. But his feelings for me… I was certain they were just an illusion. At least, that’s what I told myself. He was clinging to memories from the past, to a version of me that no longer existed. I believed he would eventually realize what real love looked like, and it certainly wasn’t bound by the past. I didn’t point it out to him; he had to figure it out on his own. Love wasn’t something that could be forced.As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, Emerson returned with food, breaking through the quiet. He didn’t ask what Caleb and I had been talking about, thank