Isabel’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating, and I found myself clenching my fists to keep my nerves at bay. Emerson’s sudden question hung heavily between the three of us. I could feel my heart pounding erratically.Caleb’s usual confidence faltered as Emerson’s piercing gaze bore into him. For a moment, Caleb looked genuinely stunned, his mouth opening and closing without sound. The silence stretched uncomfortably. My thoughts, relentless and intrusive, began to spiral. Caleb’s behavior over the past few days replayed in my mind like fragments of an unsolved puzzle.Did he have feelings for me?The question lingered, its weight growing with each passing second. Some of his recent actions hinted at something deeper.His attentiveness, the way his eyes seemed to linger just a moment too long, the subtle protectiveness in his tone when he spoke about me. Could there be more to it?Or was I just being narcissistic?I held my breath, silently praying.Please… let this be nothing.
Isabel’s POVI blinked, stunned by Emerson’s question. His words hung in the air like an invisible weight pressing down on me. The intensity in his gaze made my stomach churn, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.“What are you really asking, Emerson?” I finally managed, my voice quieter than I intended.His posture remained rigid, his jaw clenched tight as if holding back something he wasn’t sure he wanted to say. The faintest crease in his brow betrayed an emotion I hadn’t expected—vulnerability. But there was something else, too, simmering just beneath the surface.Jealousy.The realization sent a shiver down my spine. Emerson, the cold and calculating man who rarely let emotions dictate his actions, was jealous. I hadn’t thought him capable of such a feeling, not when he had spent so much time keeping me at arm’s length, guarding his emotions like precious secrets.“Caleb is a nice young man,” I began cautiously, unsure where this conversation was heading. “He’s... a very qualifi
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. Emerson’s parting words lingered like a shadow. Targeted by whom? And for what? The cryptic warning looped in my mind like a song I couldn’t forget, each repetition pulling me deeper into uncertainty.My mind raced with questions, but before I could ask them, Emerson walked away. His posture was tense, his footsteps deliberate as he retreated to his study. He had closed the door on the conversation as quickly as he’d opened it.“Good night,” he said quietly, though the words carried a note of finality that made it clear the topic was no longer up for discussion.I stood in the dimly lit hallway, staring at the closed study door, debating whether to knock and demand answers. But the image of his stern expression and tightly set jaw earlier stopped me. Emerson wasn’t the type to yield under pressure, especially when his mind was made up.With a heavy sigh, I turned and headed back to my room, my thoughts swirling like leaves caught
Emerson’s POVThe quiet of the night felt like both a balm and a curse. After hours of stewing in the study, I finally left to grab a drink.My thoughts were heavier than I cared to admit. The dimly lit hallway stretched before me, and my feet carried me toward Liam’s room almost on instinct.I hesitated at the door. Was this what my life had come to—seeking solace in stolen moments with my son while the rest of the world tried to unravel me?The door creaked softly as I pushed it open. But what I saw made me pause.Isabel sat in the rocking chair, Liam cradled against her chest. Both were asleep, their breathing synchronized in a way that filled the room with a rare peace. Liam’s small hand rested on Isabel’s collar. As if he was anchoring himself to her even in his dreams.A pang of longing hit me square in the chest. It was a feeling I couldn’t suppress, no matter how hard I tried. Seeing them like this reminded me of what I could’ve had. If I hadn’t been so blinded by Lilith’s su
Isabel’s POVThe morning light streamed through the windows. Emerson wasn’t in sight when I got up. Which wasn’t unusual, but today it felt heavier. My mind wandered back to the phantom kiss from last night. Was it real? Or just another figment of my restless imagination?I shook off the thought and focused on the routine. After breakfast, I fed Liam pieces of soft fruit. He giggled as he grabbed for the bits, his little fingers sticky with juice. Watching him laugh eased the knots in my stomach, but not entirely. There were too many unanswered questions. Too many looming shadows.Work awaited, and I needed the distraction.Today’s assignment was exciting yet stressful—helping with the final touches on a high-profile fashion show. The backstage area buzzed with energy. It was a chaotic orchestra of models, makeup artists, and frantic stylists. I slipped into my role seamlessly, setting up cameras and checking the light angles.But something felt off. Sarah, usually the picture of ca
Isabel’s POVCaleb and I sat in his car, the hum of the engine our only soundtrack as we trailed Emerson’s sleek vehicle through the busy streets. My palms were clammy against the leather seat, my nerves taut with anticipation. I knew this was a bad idea. But curiosity and a gnawing sense of unease had taken root in my chest.“Relax,” Caleb said, his voice light but his grip on the steering wheel firm. “You’re going to give us away before we even get there.”“I’m relaxed,” I shot back, though my jittering foot betrayed me.“You’re the definition of not relaxed, Isa.” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood.Despite myself, I let out a small laugh. “Just focus on the road.”We arrived at the Imperial Pearl, an upscale restaurant that exuded luxury from its gilded doors to the soft glow of chandeliers visible through its windows. Caleb parked a short distance away. We waited for a moment, watching as Emerson and Lilith stepped out of his car and entered the building.“They look cozy,” C
Isabel’s POVThe restaurant descended into a chaotic frenzy as the journalists swarmed Emerson and Lilith’s table. Cameras flashed incessantly, their harsh light casting sharp shadows across the luxurious decor. Microphones jutted forward like accusing fingers. Each reporter was desperate to be the one who snagged the scoop of the night.“Mr. Emerson, are the rumors true? Are you and Miss Lilith officially together?”“Are you planning to announce your engagement tonight?”“Is this dinner the start of a new chapter for you both?”Emerson’s face darkened, his usual composure slipping under the relentless interrogation. He sat rigidly, his jaw clenched. His eyes flicked momentarily to Lilith, who was practically glowing with satisfaction. She leaned closer to him, her hand resting on his arm, and offered the crowd her most dazzling smile.“We’ve always shared a special bond,” Lilith said sweetly, her voice carrying just enough warmth to suggest intimacy. Then, with an almost imperceptib
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the restaurant was thick and palpable as the journalists lingered. They were whispering among themselves. Their dissatisfaction simmered beneath forced restraint. They exchanged glances, as if daring one another to defy Michael’s looming presence. But he stood tall, his posture commanding respect, counting down aloud with the precision of a metronome.“Three minutes,” Michael said, his voice steady but steely.The whispering grew louder, peppered with grumbles of indignation. A few reporters tried to plead their case.“Surely, Mr. Emerson wouldn’t mind answering just one—”“Two minutes.” Michael’s sharp tone cut through the noise like a blade, his piercing gaze silencing the room. I hid behind my wig and glasses, pretending to be an innocent bystander.The defiance faltered. Reluctantly, the journalists began packing up their equipment. They slowly shuffled out with thinly veiled frustration. Their murmurs faded into the background as the heavy doors swun
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
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