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Chapter 174 - Behind Closed Doors
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2024-11-12 10:41:18Related chapters
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 175 - Double Life
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.
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 176 - Crossing the Line
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 177 - A Truth Too Late
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 178 - Held in Suspense
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 179 - Threats & Promises
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 180 - A Dangerous Plea
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s words had hit me like ice water. My chest tightened as I imagined Sebastian and Margot, trapped in some cold, faceless compound under General Woods’ watch. From their stories, I knew Victor Woods was ruthless—an iron fist disguised by military decorum. And Sebastian? He’d told me bits and pieces about the things he’d done, the kinds of dangers he faced. But this… this was beyond anything I’d pictured.I turned to Emerson, my voice trembling. “What exactly did General Woods find? Do you… do you know what he’s planning for them?”Emerson’s face was like stone, unreadable. “I haven’t heard of any casualties among his officers,” he said slowly, as if choosing each word with caution.“But Woods won’t let an incident like this slide. And Margot… I haven’t heard about her. Her identity was always hidden. For her, it could be even worse if she’s exposed.”I could barely breathe. Margot had been Sebastian’s lifeline, his only family since they were children. She was bra
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 181 - A Shattered Calm
Isabel’s POVAfter Emerson had finally told me the truth, things returned back to the way they were. Days blurred together as I adjusted to this strange, captive existence. Life seemed to fall back into routine. But it was a routine defined by restriction. I was confined within Emerson’s sprawling estate. Surrounded by luxury and splendor, yet feeling as though I was encased in glass. I could see out into the world. But every time I moved, the invisible walls closed in.Trapped in his grand house with nowhere to go, it was hard to feel anything but restless. Emerson and I might have come to an agreement, but the tension lingered. A quiet weight that pressed on me each morning as I woke. Meanwhile, Sebastian’s absence loomed over everything. Sebastian’s silence, the fate of his sister Margot, and my uncertain future. These thoughts haunted me, trailing through my mind like ghosts I couldn’t shake.The contact device Sebastian had given me—my last connection to him—remained silent, de
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 182 - Reunited in Chaos
Isabel’s POV“What did you say? Tumor?!”The voice, rough and loud, jarred me from unconsciousness like a splash of cold water. My head throbbed, a deep ache nestled at the base of my skull, and the rest of my body felt too heavy, as if I’d been weighed down. Blinking against the harsh light, I struggled to sit up. My vision gradually sharpened, and I saw a young man standing by my bedside, facing a doctor with an intensity that seemed both familiar and foreign.“Miss Isabel needs rest,” the doctor murmured with a steady calm, though he cast an uncertain glance between us. “Let’s discuss her condition outside—”“I’ll decide when she can rest,” the man snapped, his tone biting.Who was he? And why was he here?I cleared my throat, though my voice came out hoarse and faint. “Excuse me,” I managed, interrupting the tense exchange. The young man immediately turned. As he looked at me, his expression softened, melting from irritation into something warmer, something… protective.“Isabel,
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 193 - Unexpected Confrontations
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 192 - Swept Away
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 191 - Mirror’s Deception
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 190 - Silent Night
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 189 - A Promise in the Dark
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 188 - His Audacity
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 187 - Whispers of Suspicion
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 186 - Threads of Distrust
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 185 - Stirring the Pot
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
