Isabel’s POVI couldn’t believe Emerson would do such a crazy thing! Could he really be so ruthless? Would he really hurt Robert out of jealousy? My mind raced, trying to comprehend the chaos unfolding around me.“Tell me, did you do it or not?” My voice shook with anger and disbelief.Emerson's eyes were hard as steel. “You care about him so much, huh? Do you love him?” he sneered. “Let me guess the status of your relationship. Hug? Kiss? Or have you already slept together?”“Shut up! Don’t use your nasty thoughts to insult us. Robert never crossed the line! He’s my oldest friend from primary school, you bastard!” I retorted, my voice rising with each word. “Stop the car right now or I’ll jump out!”Emerson’s face darkened, and he immediately locked the car doors. “Don’t move. It’s not him,” he growled.I turned around again, my heart pounding. My eyes scanned the scene outside. As I looked out of the rear window, I found that a strange man had already gotten out of the car. Relief wa
Isabel’s POVSlapping Emerson was not something I ever imagined myself doing. Yet the sound of my hand hitting his cheek echoed through the bathroom. His head jerked to the side. For a moment, he looked utterly stunned. “Isabel!” His eyes were wide with a mix of shock, anger and pain. He stepped back as if I had splashed cold water on his face.I stormed out of the room. He ran after me. “Isa, wait!” I turned around to face him. He seemed to have sobered up instantly. A clarity appeared in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. His lips moved, but whatever he wanted to express was trapped within."I'm going to sleep in the second bedroom tonight," I said, my voice trembling. "Take a break, we can talk tomorrow morning." Emerson nodded silently and walked away, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.What did he want from me? Had he gone completely insane? His actions were erratic, and his emotions seemed to swing wildly
Isabel’s POV:Emerson stared at me, his brows furrowed. He was thinking of my words as if he were wrestling with a difficult problem. His eyes were intense, almost desperate. “You won’t die... I won’t let you die. Never. I’ll be with you,” he declared. His voice was unsteady, but filled with an unexpected determination.I looked at him in disbelief. This couldn’t be real. “You’re drunk. Alcohol makes you lose your mind,” I said, shaking my head. “Didn’t you forget you already have Lilith and Liam?”His expression shifted to one of pain. He murmured, almost to himself, “Oh... yeah... I have them.”I felt a flicker of hope die within me. “Do you still think you want me?” I asked, not expecting a genuine answer.“I...” He started to speak, but then his knees buckled. He almost fell.I caught him and guided him to the bed. He groaned and collapsed onto it. He quickly slipped into unconsciousness. As I watched him sleep, I felt a mixture of sorrow and confusion. What did he truly want fro
Emerson’s POVI walked into the bar at my friend Alex's party. I needed to vent my negative emotions. The looming divorce had annoyed me for many days, gnawing at my peace. I was grateful for his invitation. The bar seemed like the best place to go. The thumping bass of the music and the clinking glasses should have been a distraction. But my mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of Isabel and our unraveling relationship overwhelmed me. I had some shots, trying to numb my confused feelings.Suddenly, I caught sight of a familiar face. Could it be? I made my way up closer through the crowd, and… There she was - Isabel! I was shocked. What was she doing in a place like this?She looked drunk. She was teetering on the edge of her stool with a drink in hand. I never thought she would be at this type of party. But tonight, she was here, and she looked... different. Her sweet smile and flushed cheeks made her seem almost ethereal under the bar's neon lights. Her golden hair waved around her beauti
Isabel’s POVEmerson's voice was cold and demanding over the phone. "Why is there hair all over the bathroom? Are you cutting your hair for some strange hobby?" His voice was thick with doubt.My heart raced as I tried to come up with an explanation. I couldn't let him know the truth. "Maybe it's from your new mistress," I retorted sarcastically, hoping to deflect his suspicions. The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. Then, with a frustrated huff, he hung up. I hoped he wouldn’t obsess over this issue any more. But knowing Emerson, I doubted he would let it go easily.The after-effects of chemo were relentless. My body felt like it had been through a war. Nausea, fatigue, and aching joints were my constant companions. My hair thinned more each day, falling out in clumps. I dreaded the day I would have no hair left at all.I had to run some errands on my way home. At the supermarket, I felt weak and insecure. Each step felt heavier than the last. I caught a glimpse of
Emerson’s POVToday, a strange feeling of unease gnawed at me. Why did I feel so terrible? Perhaps it was the weather. Stuffiness and gloom hung in the air, casting a shadow over everything. I needed some fresh air to shake off this terrible feeling. I dialed my mother’s number. The phone rang a few times before she answered.“Hello, Emerson! How are you, dear?” Her voice was warm and cheerful.“Hi, Mom. I was wondering if I could come over for a visit and pick up Liam,” I said, trying to sound happy despite the strange turmoil inside.“Oh, of course! We’d love to see you. Your father will be glad to see you too,” she replied. “I’ll get our private chef started on making some delicious pastries. I know how much you love them.”“Thanks, Mom. I’ll be there soon,” I said, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. She had a habit of treating me as if I were still a boy.“Drive safely, Emerson. We can’t wait to see you,” she said before we hung up.Lilith had gone traveling with her close fri
Isabel’s POVAs I slowly regained consciousness, I realized I was no longer surrounded by smoke or flames. Instead, I was in a luxury Porsche Panamera. The soft leather seat beneath me and the quiet hum of the engine were a surreal contrast to the chaos I’d just escaped. I glanced around. I tried to piece together what had happened, when my eyes landed on Emerson. He was driving. His face was tight with concentration and—was that pain? Cold sweat dotted his forehead. His jaw clenched as if he were trying to keep himself together.What on earth happened? I looked down at myself, taking in the soot-stained clothes, the scrapes, and burns on my skin. The memories of the fire came rushing back. Emma's apartment, the smoke, the panic. And then, like a flash, I realized who must have pulled me out of that inferno. Emerson. But why? Everything was a blur. The confusion made my head spin.I stared at him, trying to make sense of it all. But he avoided my gaze. His silence felt heavy. I was
Isabel’s POVAs we drove toward Emerson’s villa, I couldn’t shake the growing confusion gnawing at me. Why was he so obsessed with my illness? The man who had shattered my heart, who had chosen someone else over me, was now determined to drag me to his private doctor. It was absurd, almost laughable. The same man who had betrayed our marriage was now so concerned about his ex-wife. I didn’t know whether to be angry, amused, or just plain tired of the emotional rollercoaster he kept putting me on.“Stop the car,” I demanded, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.Emerson didn’t even glance my way. “Don’t be stubborn, Isabel,” he said, his tone as cool and unyielding as ever. “We’re almost there.”I clenched my fists in my lap. Frustration bubbled up inside me. “I don’t need your help, Emerson. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”He ignored me. His focus was fixed on the road. “Eric will be there with the doctor. I want to see what’s wrong with you,” he said, as if
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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