Isabel’s POV“No, I came alone,” Sarah said firmly as we hurried through the dim parking lot to the car waiting outside. Her face was calm, but I could see a flicker of urgency in her gaze. She took a quick look over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s just get out of here before they decide to come after us.”I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I imagined Lilith or one of her guards charging down the hall after us. The thought sent my pulse racing, and I quickened my steps to match Sarah’s.Once we were inside the car, away from Lilith’s twisted games and out of her reach, I felt a rush of relief. As we pulled away, Sarah let out a breath, and her face softened. “Isabel, I’m sorry for putting you through all of this,” she said, a touch of regret in her voice. “This was never supposed to happen. Emerson asked me to come get you when he realized where you’d gone.”That caught my attention. “Wait, what? Emerson asked you?” My che
Isabel’s POVThe night pressed in, filling the car with a thick, heavy silence as Sarah drove. My thoughts drifted back to that night Emerson had come home hurt. His face had been pale and his sleeve soaked in blood. I knew now that he had met with Alistair. There was a subtle tension that ran through his body every time the man’s name came up, a wariness that made Emerson—normally so controlled—seem vulnerable. And now, that same tension clawed at me as I pieced things together.“Thanks for telling me this, Sarah.” I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I have to make a phone call."She nodded, an edge of concern in her expression. “Of course, Isabel. Whatever you need.”I dialed Michael's number. My heart pounded as I listened to the rings. He didn’t answer. I swallowed hard, feeling panic rise in my throat. What was going on? Did Alistair get to Michael too?But then, a few seconds later, my phone rang. “Isabel? Sorry for missing your call. Is everything okay?” Michael’
Isabel’s POVThe sight of Emerson, lounging casually behind his desk with a half-smoked cigar in hand, stopped me cold. He looked so at ease, as though he hadn’t a care in the world. My heart was still racing from the sprint up here. I couldn’t decide if I was more relieved to see him safe or furious at his calm, almost comical expression. If only he knew the nightmare scenarios that had been running through my mind.At the sight of me, Emerson’s expression shifted from surprise to mild concern. He quickly snuffed out the cigar in the ashtray. "Isabel?" He stood up, scanning me as if looking for injuries. “Are you alright? Did something happen at the meeting?”The calmness of his tone was almost too much. “Am I alright?” I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. “Do you have any idea what kind of state I was in when I got here? I thought you—” I caught myself, unable to finish the sentence. I wasn’t about to tell him that I’d pictured him injured or worse. Not with how dismissive h
Isabel’s POVAs Emerson stood there, in the middle of his massive office, a conflicted look crossed his face. He sighed, then finally admitted, “It’s true. I met with Lilith’s father, Alistair, to make a deal.”I felt a flash of dread ripple through me. This was worse than I’d thought. But there was something else in his expression. A wariness, as though he were about to reveal something that might push me over the edge.I crossed my arms, my voice steady but tense. “A deal? What did he want?”Emerson looked away. His hesitation was almost palpable. “He… asked me to agree to a condition.” His eyes flicked up to meet mine, full of unspoken conflict. “He wants me to go public with my relationship.”The air between us thickened. “Your relationship… with who?” I asked, my jaw clenched, though I already suspected the answer.“With Lilith,” he said quietly, his words laced with regret. He barely finished the sentence before glancing away. As though he was unable to face the look in my eyes.
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s head turned slowly back toward me. The red outline of my hand was still visible across his cheek. He looked more stunned than hurt, his eyes wide with shock. For a split second, my heart fluttered with regret. But no, he’d brought this on himself. My pulse pounded with every beat as I faced him down, unflinching, daring him to say something. Anything.But instead, he blinked, focusing on my hand. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, as if he hadn’t just pushed me to the edge. “Your hand… does it hurt?”I almost laughed at his calm response, incredulous. “Are you seriously worried about my hand?” My voice shook, but I wouldn’t let it falter completely. “You just told me you agreed to go public with Lilith, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?” His concern seemed absurd, almost surreal. How could he pretend to care about me while putting me through this endless charade?He took a step toward me, hands open in a placating gesture. “Isa, it’s not what you think—”“Not wha
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s gaze dropped to the floor, and I saw the answer in his eyes. He’d known. For how long, I couldn’t tell. But he had known enough to piece it all together.My heart twisted as I looked at him, feeling both a painful familiarity and a hollowness that seemed to swallow the air between us.He swallowed hard, lifting his eyes back to mine. “Isa,” he murmured, his voice strained, “I thought if I could keep you out of it, I could protect you… It was all for you.”I stared at him, his words little more than an echo in the emptiness. “Protect me?” I shook my head, unable to mask the incredulity in my tone. “All this time, you’ve been holding me at arm’s length, spinning your version of the truth, and calling it protection?” The words spilled out, sharp and cold. “I hope you realize… You’ve done more harm by keeping me in the dark than any danger you think you were shielding me from.”The flicker of pain that crossed his face did nothing to soften me. “You’re the only pe
Isabel’s POVAs I felt the grip of Emerson’s arms tighten around me, a chill ran down my spine. His touch was rough, but there was a desperation to it that I hadn’t seen before. “Let me go,” I said, my voice low and unsteady. I pushed against his chest, trying to twist free. But his hold only grew more insistent.“Where are you going?” he murmured, his tone almost mocking. “Is there someone else waiting for you? Robert, perhaps? Or maybe Sebastian?”I stopped struggling. His words hung heavy in the air between us. “What are you talking about?” I replied, incredulous. “Why are you even bringing them up?” The frustration in my voice didn’t faze him—if anything, it seemed to amuse him.“Isabel,” he said, his voice darkening, “you think I don’t know? You run around, putting yourself in danger, and then expect me to just sit back and let it happen. I’m not that foolish.” His eyes narrowed, searching mine. His jaw was clenched in some unspoken battle.I could feel my anger building, but b
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s gaze softened, his brows knitting in a mix of confusion and frustration as he watched me. “I don’t understand, Isabel,” he said, his voice quiet but tinged with irritation. “Why does Sebastian matter so much to you? You’ve known him for what—weeks?”The question hung between us, a challenge veiled in quiet resentment. I swallowed, trying to steady my emotions. Emerson’s jealousy was thick, almost palpable, yet there was something deeper lurking beneath it—something I couldn’t ignore.“It’s not about how long I’ve known him,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “It’s about the fact that he risked his life for me. He didn’t have to, but he did.” I searched Emerson’s face, hoping to break through the wall he seemed determined to build. “You can’t just expect me to forget that.”His jaw clenched as he held my gaze. There was a flicker of something vulnerable in his expression, but it was quickly buried beneath his usual stoic mask. “Fine,” he muttered. “If that’s what yo
Isabel’s POVCarter first sent a team of soldiers to probe the enemy’s defenses. The plan was simple: test the waters, gauge their numbers, and avoid unnecessary bloodshed before reinforcements arrived. But what they found was far worse than expected.“These are not just Alistair’s usual lackeys,” Carter murmured, lowering his binoculars. “The numbers far exceed our expectations. And what’s worse: these men are seasoned fighters. Most of them have appeared on international wanted lists… multiple times.”Emerson, standing beside him, clenched his fists. “That bastard really went all in.”I narrowed my eyes, straining to make out the details from our vantage point on the rocky hillside. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged terrain. The distant compound was a maze of dilapidated buildings, high fences, and scattered patrols. From here, it was impossible to tell how many men were stationed inside. But it was clear we were up against more than just a handful
Sebastian/Elias’s POVI stood there, rooted to the spot, watching the scene unfold before me. The sterile, cold walls of the laboratory pressed in around me.Alistair’s voice broke the silence, a hint of pride echoing through his words. “This is my proudest work! Thanks to your potions, Scarlet.” His tone was a mix of admiration and satisfaction, as if he had just achieved the culmination of a long and arduous project.Scarlet’s gaze flickered to me, her sharp eyes assessing the situation with cold precision. There was no mistaking it: she was shocked I hadn’t escaped yet. She must be wondering if her antidote had failed.Then, without warning, she lunged forward, grabbing Alistair by the collar with a force that was both unexpected and dangerous. Her voice was low, a warning laced with venom. “I’m telling you, don’t touch my nephew! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never stand again!” Her words were like a promise, a threat wrapped in maternal protection. But there was something more
Emerson’s POVI sat in the car, fingers drumming absently against the steering wheel as my mind churned through everything that had happened. The weight of it all pressed down on my shoulders like an iron grip. Lilith’s confessions, Elias’s predicament, the looming confrontation with Alistair—it was a tangled mess of threats and uncertainties. Every second that passed only heightened the tension coiling in my chest.A sharp knock on the window pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Carter standing outside, his sharp gaze scanning the area. I rolled the window down, and he wasted no time.“I heard you caught a woman? How is she involved in this?” he asked, his voice even but laced with curiosity.I exhaled and nodded, stepping out of the vehicle. My eyes swept the surroundings instinctively, old habits keeping me cautious even in relatively safe zones. Carter caught on immediately.“Margot’s with Isabel back at the base,” he assured me. “We can talk there.”I gave him a curt nod,
Isabel’s POVWe delayed our mission. Lilith's intel might be significant and give us clues on how to proceed.In the interrogation room, Lilith sat handcuffed to the chair, her face twisted with a mixture of defiance and resignation. I stood behind the mirrored glass, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to steady my breathing. Emerson and one of his men sat across from her, their expressions unreadable. The tension in the room was thick, palpable."Talk," Emerson commanded, his voice cold.Lilith smirked, leaning back as if the shackles meant nothing to her. "Where do I begin?" she mused, tilting her head. "Maybe with the fact that I was Lila all along?"My stomach dropped. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay rooted to the spot. I knew it. But I’d never expected to hear her say it aloud. My mind reeled as Lilith continued."Alistair took me after you thought I’d died," she said, her tone shifting into something bitter. "He changed me—physically, mentally. His damned
Isabel’s POVCarter and Emerson bent over the map, their voices low but intense as they laid out the plan. The dimly lit tent smelled of sweat, gun oil, and the anticipation of an impending fight. My fingers tightened into fists at my sides. I refused to be left behind.“We move in small teams,” Carter was saying. “Margot and I will take a group to circle around and cover you. The reinforcements are still a few hours out, so we’ll have to be careful.”Emerson nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’ll lead a team ahead to scout their positions.”“I’m going with you.” The words left my mouth before I could second-guess them.Emerson’s head snapped toward me, his brows furrowing. “No. It’s too dangerous.”I squared my shoulders. “I didn’t train for years on that island just to sit in the shadows while you go off to fight. I’m stronger than ever now, and you know it.”He exhaled through his nose, his fingers flexing at his sides as if fighting the urge to grab my arm and shake some sense i
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the image of Eric’s disappointed eyes from my mind. The way he had looked at me—like I was making the worst mistake of my life—had been haunting me ever since I rejected his offer.Although returning home with him and bringing the twins sounded like a dream, I couldn’t risk any danger following us.“Isabel, do you even hear yourself?” Eric had asked, his voice thick with disbelief. He gestured at Emerson. “Haven’t you learned your lesson with him?”I had known this conversation would be difficult, but seeing the pain on his face still cut deeper than I had expected. To him, my decision wasn’t just reckless—it was a betrayal. He had spent so much time trying to protect me, trying to give me an escape, only for me to walk right back into the fire.“This isn’t about Emerson,” I had explained, forcing my voice to remain steady. “It’s about unfinished business, Eric. I can’t leave Rivermont. Not yet.”He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Isabel, I’m begging
Sebastian/Elias’s POVScarlet’s voice was razor-sharp, slicing through the tension-laden air. “I never meant for my nephew to be dragged into your web of danger, Alistair.” Her eyes burned with a fury I hadn’t seen before. Yet there was something else lurking beneath it—regret. Guilt.Alistair, as always, was unimpressed. He gave a dismissive wave, his mouth curling into an infuriating smirk. “Spare me the theatrics, Scarlet. He dragged himself into this when he started meddling with my operation. You want to play the remorseful aunt now? Too late.” His gaze turned to me, and his voice took on a condescending edge. “You should be thanking her, Elias. She’s the one who made those delightful little concoctions running through your veins.”Scarlet stiffened, but she didn’t deny it. “I never gave you permission to use them on my family members.“And since when do I ask for permission?” Alistair sighed, as if the conversation bored him. “Since you’re so concerned, why don’t you give him
Sebastian/Elias's POVThe basement was the same as ever—cold, damp, and stinking of rust and decay. Dust swirled in the dim light from the single flickering bulb, casting erratic shadows on the cracked stone walls. But this time, I wasn’t the one in chains.“Kill him.” Alistair’s voice was sharp and commanding, his outstretched hand pointing at a young man kneeling a few feet away. He couldn’t have been much older than nineteen, his face drawn and gaunt from fear. His chains rattled as he tried to inch backward, but there was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.I didn’t hesitate.I lunged forward, my foot connecting with his chest before he could react. He crumpled to the ground with a strangled gasp. Without missing a beat, I dropped to one knee, my hands locking around his throat. His pulse fluttered beneath my fingers, his breath hitching as I tightened my grip.He struggled—weakly at first, then more desperately, his fingers clawing at my wrists. But I was stronger. Faster. Bette
Lilith’s POV"What? You want to change back to your old face?"The woman in front of me didn't even look up as she spoke, her voice laced with contempt and utter boredom. She was in her fifties, yet not a single wrinkle marred her flawless skin. Her body, toned and striking, was a testament to her wealth and vanity. She sat elegantly on the edge of a metal counter, her fingers idly playing with a small vial of serum. The dim, sterile light of the underground lab reflected off the glass, casting eerie patterns across the walls.I clenched my fists. Of course, she wouldn’t take me seriously—not at first. But I was done playing games."I’ve completed the task my father gave me," I said, my voice steady, though my stomach twisted with unease. "I no longer want to bear this disgusting face."That got her attention. Scarlet finally turned to face me, a slow, amused smirk curling her lips. She tilted her head slightly, as if studying me for the first time."Completed?" she repeated mockingl