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 POVEmerson looked at me with a strange mix of disbelief and excitement. His mouth quirked up in a half-smile, as though he couldn’t fully contain his surprise. “Are you serious, Isabel?” he said, his voice both soft and eager, like he was afraid I might take it back. “We have… a chance?”I gave him a cool look, wary of showing too much emotion. “Only if things are different this time.”Emerson nodded quickly, his face lighting up. “Whatever you want. Tell me what it’ll take, and I’ll make it happen.”I let the silence linger for a moment, letting him think over his own promise. Then I said, “I want to work, Emerson. I need something real. My own freedom.” I didn’t tell him the full truth—that with the freedom to work, I’d be able to implement my plans more easily. That was for me alone to know.He seemed to consider this for a second, tilting his head in that familiar, calculating way. “Fine. But you’ll work here. In my company.” His gaze sharpened, studying my reaction. “T
Isabel’s POVDays passed, stretching into an unspoken eternity, and Emerson’s condition could no longer be kept from Liam and Elena.One afternoon, I was sitting by Emerson’s bed, my hand gently brushing his, when the door to the hospital room creaked open. My heart skipped a beat."Liam, Elena, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice thick with emotion. I hadn’t expected them today, and the sight of their small faces brought a surge of overwhelming love and guilt.Eric stood behind them, his expression apologetic, his eyes soft with understanding. “They begged me, Isabel. They wouldn’t stop asking to see him... I couldn’t say no anymore.”Liam’s face was drawn, his usual bright energy dimmed with concern. Elena clung to her brother, her eyes wide with fear as they both hesitated in the doorway.Before I could say anything else, another figure appeared behind them, stepping into the room. My heart stopped for a moment as I looked up to see Emerson’s mother, Estelle, walking towards
Isabel’s POVA month had passed. One whole month, and still, no sign of life from Emerson. The machines beside his bed beeped steadily. A monotonous rhythm that I had come to know too well. A rhythm that seemed to mock the stillness of his body. I sat by his side every day, watching him, praying for some miracle—some sign that he was still there, still fighting. But each time I whispered his name, there was nothing. Nothing but the soft hum of hospital machinery.“Emerson,” I whispered, my voice trembling despite my attempts to sound steady. “Don’t you want to be with me? If you wake up, I promise we can live happily as a family of four.”I meant it, every word of it. The thought of a future with him, of raising our children together, was the only thing that kept me going. I needed him to hear me. I needed him to wake up.But Emerson remained unresponsive.He looked like a prince charming, trapped in an eternal dream—strangely peaceful. I combed his dark hair back neatly after gently
Isabel’s POVThe world blurred—shouts, chaos, the metallic scent of blood thick in my nostrils. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I clung to Emerson, his labored breaths hot against my skin.I didn’t dare move. The slick warmth of his blood drenching me was unnerving. His chest rose and fell in erratic, shallow breaths. But then, amid the cacophony of battle, a stunned silence emerged. Orders were shouted. Weapons clicked into position. Something had changed. I forced myself to glance up from Emerson’s chest, my pulse hammering.Alistair stood frozen, his face contorted in pain. Blood dripped from his hand—the very hand that had been pointing a gun at me just seconds before. His grip slackened, and the weapon tumbled to the ground.A sniper.Alistair’s men immediately scattered, taking defensive positions, frantically searching the area. But before they could react, several of them suddenly dropped to the ground.They were convulsing violently, frothing at the mouth. One by one, the
Isabel’s POVMy wrists ached from the tight ropes binding my hands behind my back as I was shoved forward. The rough ground beneath my boots felt unsteady, my knees weak with exhaustion. The air smelled of blood, gunpowder, and sweat. The night was still alive with distant gunfire, but here, in the heart of the enemy’s grasp, there was only the sound of my ragged breathing and Alistair’s mocking laughter.“Stop resisting, Emerson,” he drawled, his voice filled with smug amusement. “You’re in over your head. Oh—look who finally decided to join us.”Emerson was holding back several opponents, bruised and bloodied from the fight. His head snapped up at Alistair’s words.He turned, and when his eyes landed on me, something in his face shifted. Shock, then rage, then a devastating kind of fear. He lunged forward, but a guard was faster. A rifle butt slammed into Emerson’s ribs. The sickening crack echoed in the night, and he crumpled to the ground, gasping for air."Emerson!" I screamed,
Isabel’s POVAt first, Emerson and I managed to escape the building, slipping into the shadows like ghosts. The night was thick around us, swallowing our hurried footsteps as we navigated through the wreckage of Alistair’s camp. The distant gunfire and shouts of battle echoed behind us. But just as we reached the edge of the compound, the world seemed to shift.From the darkness, figures emerged—silent and predatory, their weapons gleaming under the pale moonlight. They moved like shadows given form, their presence an unspoken promise of violence. My breath caught in my throat as a dozen, no, more than two dozen enemies surrounded us, blocking every escape route. The sheer hatred in their eyes sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. These weren’t just guards; they were fanatics, men who thrived in the chaos of bloodshed and terror.Emerson moved instinctively, stepping in front of me, gun raised. “Stay close,” he murmured, barely audible over the wind. I nodded, steadying my grip
Sebastian/Elias’ POVScarlet’s scream echoed through the dimly lit room, raw with disbelief and fury. “You’re lying!” she spat, her eyes blazing with denial. The restraints binding her wrists rattled as she struggled, but I didn’t move to stop her. There was no point—her fight wasn’t with me. It was with the truth.I let out a slow breath, pulling a small, timeworn pocket watch from my coat. The silver casing had dulled over the years, but the engraved initials remained clear. I clicked it open and held it out to her, revealing a faded family photograph inside.“My father gave this to me before he died,” I said evenly, my voice softer than before. “He cared about you, Scarlet. No matter what you believe, you were never forgotten.”Her breath hitched. For a moment, the fire in her eyes flickered, replaced by something rawer—uncertainty. “How could it be?” she murmured, barely more than a whisper.All the pieces had finally clicked into place as Scarlet unraveled her story. The tangled
Scarlet’s POVTelling my story, I was flung back into the past. Lost in the grip of memories that had never truly left me. The present moment faded, and I found myself reliving those painful years. As vivid and raw as the day they had happened.I had been young, hopeful, foolish. Despite the years of neglect, I had still wanted my parents' love. But when I overheard them denying my very existence, something inside me snapped.Disheartened, I had returned to the countryside, burying myself in my studies. Medicine became my refuge, my salvation. I dedicated myself to understanding the human body—not just how to heal it, but how to manipulate it, how to break it. My hands, once weak and trembling from years of frustration, became steady, precise instruments of control.The first time I killed a lab mouse, something dark and exhilarating bloomed inside me. Power. The ability to decide whether something lived or died. The ability to take control of what had always been out of my grasp.
Elias’ POVI watched from the shadows as Isabel and Emerson disappeared into the night, their figures swallowed by the chaos of battle outside. I clenched my fists and tried to push down the sharp, aching weight that settled in my gut.Maybe it had been foolish to think I ever stood a chance with Isabel. Emerson had always been the one she turned to in the end. The one she trusted in the heat of battle. The one she looked at with that fierce determination in her eyes. And me? I was just a shadow lingering on the edges of her world, never quite stepping into the light.A slow clap echoed through the dimly lit room."Are you just going to let them go?" Scarlet’s voice slithered through the shadows like a snake.I turned away from the exit, my expression unreadable as I faced the woman bound to the chair before me. Her wrists were tied behind her back, her face partially obscured by strands of disheveled hair. Even restrained, she exuded a sickening confidence, her smirk unwavering.I m
Isabel’s POVI had to stop Margot.There was no time to think, no time to call for backup—just raw instinct and the desperate need to prevent her from making a terrible mistake. My boots pounded against the forest floor as I sprinted after her, weaving through the pine trees in pursuit. I knew why she was doing this. I understood the desperate, reckless pull of wanting to save someone you love. But charging straight into enemy territory? Alone? It was suicide.“No!” I hissed under my breath, pushing my legs harder.Margot moved swiftly, her figure barely a shadow in the dim light. She reached the edge of the enemy’s perimeter and, without hesitation, hoisted herself up onto a low window ledge. She pulled her body through with practiced agility. She was inside before I could even call her name.Damn it.I skidded to a halt near the building, pressing myself against the rough exterior. The compound was crawling with patrols. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, calculating the be