Isabel’s POVAs the bodyguards drove me home, my mind raced with ideas. Each one more outrageous than the last. How could I get into Emerson’s office? Should I bring him lunch and pretend to be a delivery courier? No, that wouldn’t work; I’d get caught before I even got to his office. My thoughts flickered back to a conversation I’d overheard him having on the phone. His current secretary had been fired, which meant they were taking applications. Yes, that could work!Once I was home, I hurried to rummage through my closet filled with luxurious clothes. Many of the gowns reminded me of parties and galas Emerson had taken me to. This closet was like my old life staring back at me.I searched for something that looked professional and secretary-like. I had to make my fake application look as real as possible.I finally settled on a crisp white blouse paired with a gray pencil skirt. I straightened my golden bob and fastened it half-up with a clasp, giving myself a quick once-over in th
Isabel’s POV“Mr. Williams!” The receptionist’s voice trembled as she greeted Emerson. Her face had drained of color. “I—I thought I shouldn’t let any women through without an appointment.” She forced a nervous smile, as if hoping he would understand, perhaps even commend her caution.Emerson didn’t even look at her. His gaze was hard, unyielding. “She’s not just any woman,” he said coldly. “You’re fired.”A shocked gasp escaped her lips. I turned to him in surprise. Not just any woman? The words echoed in my mind, stirring something I didn’t want to name. More and more, Emerson’s recent actions hinted that he might actually have feelings for me. But how could that be possible?“Please, Mr. Williams,” the receptionist stammered, rushing to follow him. “I didn’t mean to offend—really, I was only trying to protect—”Michael stepped in, blocking her from coming any closer. “I’d suggest you leave with your dignity intact,” he murmured. His voice was calm but resolute. She hesitated, cas
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s amused expression flickered. There was a crack in his usual control that intrigued me. He leaned back against his desk, folding his arms across his chest in a casual stance. Though his eyes betrayed something else—a touch of unease, or maybe hesitation.“What do you mean?” he asked, feigning ignorance. But I knew better.“You know exactly what I mean.” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t regret it. His half-hearted evasions, the careful mix of attentiveness and indifference—it was all wearing thin."One moment, you’re cold and distant, practically pushing me out of your life. The next, you’re telling me I can come and go as I please. You send Lilith away, ask me for… a kiss, and then act as though it never happened. Why, Emerson? Why are you doing all this?”For a long, heavy moment, Emerson didn’t respond. He held my gaze. The amusement was gone from his face. Replaced by something harder to read. His silence drew out. The seconds stretched
Isabel’s POV“Isabel, don’t be like that. I…” Emerson’s words trailed off, and I could see the familiar look in his eyes. That hint of evasion just before he gave a carefully crafted excuse. His face was composed. But I’d known him for too long not to see right through it.I took a slow breath and let him go first. I released my arms from his shoulders and took a step back, pretending to be calm and nonchalant. But my cheeks burnt slightly, and I felt a little flustered beneath my exterior. This was the first time in nearly a year that we’d been so close, that I’d actually touched him. The warmth of his skin lingered, unwanted. Like an old melody that haunted me without invitation. To steer him away from whatever flimsy excuse he was about to offer, I forced a casual smile.“You know what? Let’s not waste more time on this. Why don’t you just eat the lunch I prepared you?” I asked, shifting the conversation. I could see the relief in his posture. He had been even more flustered at
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s jaw clenched. He was clearly at a loss. A subtle flash of panic crossed his usually calm blue eyes. “Who told you that?”I folded my arms, raising an eyebrow. “You really think I needed someone to tell me? I’m a clever girl, Emerson. You come home with a stab wound, and the next day my father’s doctor miraculously appears? Don’t insult me by acting like I wouldn’t put two and two together.”He narrowed his eyes, suspicion lacing his expression as he considered my words. Then he seemed to connect the dots himself. His face hardened. “It was Michael, wasn’t it? That son of a—”Before I could stop him, he grabbed the landline phone. The muscles in his forearm tensed as he reached to dial. I caught his hand firmly, feeling the warmth of his skin as I steadied my gaze on him.“Emerson,” I said, my voice soft but unwavering, “grow up. This isn’t about playing the blame game. We need to talk. Like adults.”His blue eyes met mine, and for a moment, the hardness softened.
Emerson’s POVIsabel’s gaze bore into me, her eyes glinting with that determined fire that both thrilled and unnerved me. She was sitting in my chair, looking as if she owned the place. I hadn’t anticipated any of this—not her finding out about Alistair, her father’s doctor, or how she would demand the truth from me.Her actions today had completely caught me off guard. She had shaken me to my core. When she got so close, wrapping her arms around my neck… My god, I didn’t know what to do with myself.Her voice cut through my thoughts. "I need to know the truth, Emerson," she repeated. "About Alistair, Lilith, everything."Her words pulled me back to that night. I had faced Alistair Montrose in his mountain estate. My heart pounded in my chest even now, as I recalled the events. I had gone there to strike a deal, knowing that only a man like him could stand between Isabel and any chance of peace. I didn’t expect him to be so… heavily protected. The estate was more fortress than home.
Isabel’s POVWe sat in silence in Emerson's vast office, perched at the top of the gleaming building. Its floor-to-ceiling windows opened up to the sprawling skyline of Rivermont. I could feel the quiet power of this space, with the leather-bound books, sleek decor, and polished surfaces. All of it whispered of authority and control. And there I was, seated in his imposing office chair. Today, it felt like I had finally gained a measure of that control myself. Or so I thought.But now, Emerson was seated across from me, seemingly lost in thought. He still hadn’t given me any answers. I tapped my fingers on the glass-topped desk, watching the clock as the seconds ticked by.Emerson’s eyes were distant. As if he was wrestling with something he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—share.After what felt like an eternity, I could no longer tolerate the silence. Every second he refused to answer me, I felt my patience wear thin. I sighed. He finally glanced at me, as if he just remembered I was still the
Isabel’s POVEmerson glared at her, clearly frustrated at the sudden interruption. The woman was flustered. Her gaze darted between Emerson and me. An awkward tension hung in the air. “Who gave you permission to enter my office like this? Without even having the decency to knock?” he asked, his voice low and threatening.Her cheeks turned bright red and her apologies came in a rush. "I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mr. Williams. I… it’s just—this is urgent.”Emerson’s mouth pressed into a thin line. He took a long, steadying breath before nodding curtly. “Alright. Go on.”“It's about the photographer, Claire,” the woman said, her voice tense. “She had an accident in the restroom—slipped and fell. The doctors are worried… she’s at risk of miscarrying. She’s being taken to the hospital now.”The news hit like a cold slap, the kind that ripples outward in icy waves. Memories of my own fall and miscarriage flooded me. I felt a pang of compassion for the woman and hoped she would meet a kinder
Isabel’s POV“Well, well. Long time no see, beauty.” A gravelly voice carried a dark satisfaction, the kind that sent a shiver down my spine. “Do you remember me?”A hulking figure loomed over me. His one good eye was gleaming with malice. The other was covered by a black eyepatch. His scarred face twisted into a cruel smile, revealing gold-plated teeth as he leaned closer.I didn’t want to, but the memories hit me like a freight train. The eyepatch was new, but I’d recognize that face anywhere—the auction boss.My stomach churned. No, not him. Not this nightmare again.“You,” I whispered, my voice trembling. My throat felt parched, the words barely audible.“Ah, so you do remember me,” he sneered, straightening to his full height. “You and that bastard Emerson. You cost me everything—my business, my empire, my eye!” He pointed at his eyepatch with a flourish. “Do you know what it’s like to lose everything? To live in the shadows like a rat because of you two?”The anger in his voice
Emerson’s POV"How the hell did this happen?!" My voice echoed through the cold, sterile halls of the hospital. "You assured me this hospital had the most high-end security in the country! Was that all a goddamn lie?!"I had never felt so panicked and furious as when I found Isabel’s room empty. How could someone have gotten to her, here, in this heavily guarded military hospital?The head of security flinched under my glare, stammering something about protocols and procedures. I barely heard him. My entire focus was on the CCTV footage playing out in front of me. Mateo, standing beside me in the small, dimly lit surveillance room, was furiously scanning the feed. His face was pale but focused."Stop. Zoom in here," Mateo ordered sharply, pointing at the screen.The grainy footage showed a nurse moving briskly down the corridor with a gurney. Something was off. Mateo muttered, “She’s not staff.”"What do you mean she’s not staff?" I barked.He leaned closer, squinting. “Look at the un
Isabel’s POVThe wheels beneath me squeaked to a stop, jerking the gurney and making my already fragile body shift uncomfortably. I heard voices—a hospital staff member, brisk and questioning. My heart leapt as I recognized Emerson’s distinct tone, clipped and commanding. Relief coursed through me. He had to see through this charade.The nurse stiffened beside me, her movements growing tense. I could feel the moment of hesitation, the pause as she formulated a response. Then, in a calm and professional voice, she spoke.“I’m transferring a patient to radiology,” she said, her tone steady and clipped. “It’s urgent. The doctor requested immediate imaging prep before surgery.”A long silence followed, broken only by the shuffling of papers. “We didn’t receive an order for radiology transport,” someone said skeptically.The nurse didn’t miss a beat. “It’s a last-minute call from Dr. Leighton himself. If you have concerns, take it up with him—but I suggest you don’t delay the schedule.”H
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