Isabel’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, the room swayed in a haze of muted light. My body felt heavy, and the soft hum of voices floated around me. A prickling sensation on the back of my hand made me glance down—a needle was taped in place, connected to an IV. I yanked it out without a second thought, wincing as a sharp sting followed. A small bead of blood bloomed on my skin, smearing as I clumsily wiped it with trembling fingers.Before I could swing my legs over the edge of the bed, the door creaked open. Emerson walked in, flanked by Eric, the family doctor, who carried a quiet professionalism that only made my anger flare hotter.“Isabel, stop,” Emerson said, his voice calm but firm as he crossed the room in long strides. “You need to rest. You fainted earlier.”Rest? The word itself felt like an insult. My chest burned with rage and despair as the fragmented truth of our earlier conversation crashed back into my mind. The missing child. Lilith. Lies.“I don’t need rest,” I spat, my
Isabel’s POV“Do I still have a chance to find him?” My voice trembled. But I kept my gaze steady, daring Emerson to answer truthfully.“Yes.” His reply came without hesitation, firm and resolute. “We’ll find him, Isabel. I promise.”The room felt suffocating, the silence stretching between us too heavy to bear. Emerson gestured toward the IV stand and called out softly, “She needs another infusion.”The family doctor appeared in the doorway, his expression both professional and faintly sympathetic. I barely glanced at him as he approached with the necessary equipment.“Don’t pull it out again, okay?” Emerson’s tone was lighter, almost coaxing, as he crouched beside me, his hand resting on the edge of the bed. “Take care of yourself. You’ll need your strength if you want to get your revenge.”Revenge. The word sliced through the haze of my exhaustion, igniting the fire inside me once more.I shut my eyes, blocking out the sight of him. He didn’t deserve my attention, not now. Not after
Isabel’s POVThe sound of Caleb’s car pulling into the driveway broke the stillness. I adjusted the bracelet on my wrist, its hidden blade a comforting weight. As I stepped out of the villa, Caleb leaned casually against his car, flashing me his trademark grin.“Well, don’t you look like a goddess ready to conquer the world,” he said, his voice filled with easy charm.“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Caleb,” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended.He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Ouch. Someone’s in a mood. But don’t worry, I’m here to fix that.” He gestured toward the passenger seat with a dramatic bow. “Your chariot awaits, milady.”I rolled my eyes but slid into the car without another word. Caleb’s usual chatter filled the silence as he drove, but I found it hard to focus on his words. My mind was a whirlwind of images—my lost child, Emerson’s confession, Lilith’s betrayal.Caleb, noticing my uncharacteristic quietness, glanced over at me. “Hey, you okay? You’re… I do
Isabel’s POVThe room was in chaos. The sensual sounds echoing from the speakers mixed with gasps, murmurs, and muffled laughter from the stunned crowd. Faces that moments ago were polished masks of social grace now twisted with shock, judgment, and disgust.“What a disgrace,” a woman near me whispered, clutching her pearls with exaggerated outrage.“Did you see that? And with multiple men?” another muttered, her voice barely concealing her glee at the unfolding scandal.“Alistair must be livid. That girl just ruined herself—and him.”Across the hall, Alistair Montrose’s face was a portrait of rage. His complexion turned a deep shade of crimson as he glared at the screen. Lilith, on the other hand, looked utterly panicked. Her carefully composed facade shattered as she stammered, trembling visibly.“Th-this isn’t real! It’s—it’s fake!” Lilith cried, her voice high-pitched and desperate. “Someone’s trying to ruin me!”Emerson remained stoic. His sharp eyes locked on Alistair. He wasn’
Isabel’s POV"Isa!" Emerson's shout mingled with Caleb's as they both froze in place. The fear was stark on their faces. Neither dared rush forward, not with Lilith's hands wrapped around my throat. Her nails bit into my skin. I gasped for air. Each breath was a struggle. The pressure was building in my head as dizziness threatened to consume me.Lilith’s grip tightened as she turned her head slowly, her face twisted with a malicious smile. Her eyes glittered with a terrifying mix of hatred and satisfaction, as if she had been waiting for this moment her entire life. The gasps and murmurs of the crowd below us seemed only to feed her frenzy."Why are you all so scared, huh?" she sneered, her voice laced with venom. "Don’t come closer. This is between me and her!" She emphasized the last word with a hateful glare at me. The room fell into a stunned silence, save for the erratic sound of my struggling breaths.Lilith leaned in, her voice dropping low enough that only I could hear her.
Isabel’s POV"Isabel!" The deafening roar of Emerson’s voice cut through the chaos. His panic-laced tone pulled me from the edge of unconsciousness. Caleb’s shout followed, equally frantic. "Isa, hold on!"The world came back into focus in a blur of light, sound, and pain. I slumped to the ground, gasping for air, my chest heaving with each desperate breath. My hands trembled uncontrollably. One was slick with warmth. When I lifted my palm, I saw it—blood.A small, shining object rested in my shaking hand. Its metallic surface glinted in the chandelier's light. My bracelet, now transformed into a dagger. It felt cold and foreign in my palm, its weight almost unbearable. I stared at it, my breath caught between relief and horror.Above me, Lilith’s agonized scream still echoed through the hall. She clutched her arm, blood seeping through her fingers and dripping onto the pristine marble floor. Her face was twisted in fury and pain. Her once-flawless composure was utterly shattered."
Isabel’s POVThe silence in the car was suffocating. I stared out the window, the passing streetlights blurring into streaks of light. My hands trembled in my lap, and I clutched the fabric of my dress. The metallic texture of my bracelet-turned-dagger was still imprinted in my palm. I couldn't stop replaying Lilith’s venomous words in my mind, her twisted smile, and the weight of her confession. He’s already in hell. Go find him."Isa, are you okay? Please, say something. Don’t scare me," Emerson’s voice broke through the heavy silence. But I couldn’t bring myself to answer. My throat felt like it was closing, and my chest ached with a pain that wasn’t physical.Caleb glanced at us from the driver’s seat, his voice a mix of anger and concern. "She’s in shock, Emerson. That crazy woman deserves to rot in hell!"The word hell sent a jolt through my body. My breathing grew erratic, and the trembling turned to full-blown shaking. Emerson noticed immediately, his hands reaching for mine.
Isabel’s POVEmerson carried me into the bedroom as if I were a fragile doll about to shatter. The weight of exhaustion dragged me down, but my mind was ablaze with Lilith’s words. Every step he took, every breath I drew, felt like a cruel echo of the truth I couldn’t escape.He laid me gently on the bed. His hands were trembling as he brushed stray strands of hair from my face. “Isa,” he began softly, his voice cautious, as if afraid one wrong word would push me over the edge. “Did Lilith… say something to you? Please, tell me.”His tenderness, once a balm for my pain, now ignited my fury. “Why didn’t you find out earlier?” I snapped, my voice sharp and trembling.“What?” His brows furrowed in confusion, his gaze searching mine.The rage surged, uncontainable. I sat up and grabbed the front of his shirt, yanking him closer. “Why didn’t you find out earlier?” I hissed. The words spilled out, fast and venomous. “I can accept your disloyalty in our marriage, Emerson. I can even accept
Isabel’s POVThe air outside the hospital room was heavy, almost suffocating. Emerson sat on a bench in the hallway, his head bowed and his shoulders tense. As I stepped closer, the faint gleam of blood on his knuckles caught my eye. My breath hitched.“Emerson,” I whispered sharply, crouching in front of him. “What’s going on? Were you fighting with Sebastian again?”His gaze flicked to mine, dark and unreadable, before shifting away. “No,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “This... this is my doing.”I blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”He flexed his hand, his knuckles raw and split. “I hit the wall. To clear my head. It’s nothing.”Anger and concern bubbled in my chest. I lowered my voice, leaning closer. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself, Emerson. You need to stop bottling everything up until you explode.”His lips twitched, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “I’m fine,” he said simply, then straightened. “What’s wrong? Why are you out here?”I sighed, brushing aside my fr
Isabel’s POVThe sound of my name on my father’s lips after all this time broke something in me. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I stepped closer. “Dad,” I whispered, my voice catching.His eyes scanned my face, as if memorizing every detail. “You’ve changed,” he said, a faint smile curving his lips. “So much. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”I let out a shaky laugh, tears spilling down my cheeks. “You haven’t seen me in years, and that’s the first thing you say?”His smile widened, though it was tinged with sadness. “I’ve missed too much already. I don’t want to waste another second.”I reached out and took his hand, startled by how cool and fragile it felt in mine. His fingers curled around mine with a surprising strength, anchoring me in a moment I had dreamed of but never dared to believe would come true.“You’re here now,” I said, my voice trembling. “That’s all that matters.”He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. “I wanted to wake up for you. I did
Isabel’s POVThe moment my father’s frail smile faded behind the closed door, I felt the weight of years crash over me. My knees buckled, and I covered my mouth, struggling to suppress the sob threatening to escape.Emerson was by my side in an instant, his strong arms catching me before I could fall. “Isa,” he said softly, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of my emotions. “You can cry. It’s okay. There’s no shame in this.”His words broke the fragile dam holding back my tears. A raw, guttural sob escaped as I clung to him. The pain and relief of the moment washed over me in equal measure. For so long, I had resigned myself to the thought that I would never see my father awake again. That he would remain a distant memory frozen in time. But here he was—alive, speaking, and aware.Emerson held me tightly, his hand running soothingly over my back as he murmured soft reassurances. “You’ve been so strong, Isa. Let it out. I’m here.”For a moment, I let myself collapse into his suppor
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s words hung in the air, still heavy with the shock of their weight.“I just came from Robert’s facility,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I visited your father. Robert is still there, observing his condition. So I came here to tell you the good news.”My heart surged with emotion—hope, relief, fear. “Is he… is he really awake? Speaking? Moving?”After all these years in a vegetative state, I could barely imagine it.“Yes,” Emerson confirmed, his gaze softening as he saw the tears in my eyes. “He’s still weak, but he’s asking for you.”I didn’t need to hear anything else. “I need to see him,” I said, already pushing myself up from the bed despite the lingering ache in my limbs.Emerson’s expression tightened. “Isa, this is the safest place for you right now. You need rest.”“I don’t care,” I snapped, surprising even myself with the sharpness of my tone. “He’s my father. I’ve waited years for this moment. Don’t ask me to wait any longer.”He sighed, clearly torn
Isabel’s POVCaleb’s face was flushed a deep crimson, his eyes darting between Margot and the floor as though looking for an escape. His response came softly, but with a surprising conviction. “Yes,” he said, “but I’ll need time to adapt.”Margot’s expression lit up with pure joy. Before anyone could react, she flung herself into Caleb’s arms with reckless abandon. For a blind person, it was a precarious move. But Margot’s trust was complete and unwavering.“Whoa! Careful!” Caleb exclaimed, catching her instinctively. He stumbled slightly before steadying her. His arms held her as though she were the most fragile treasure in the world.Margot laughed, a carefree sound that filled the room with warmth. “I knew you wouldn’t let me fall.”“Well, you’re lucky I’ve been working out,” Caleb teased, attempting to regain some composure but failing miserably as his blush deepened.Their giggles intertwined, creating a melody of joy that brightened the sterile hospital room. Watching them, I fel
Isabel’s POVThe room felt quieter after Robert and Sebastian left to visit my father, their purpose clear but their outcomes uncertain. Emerson had been called away as well, leaving Caleb behind to care for me. It was a kindness, but I could tell he wasn’t entirely comfortable. Caleb fidgeted with his shirt sleeve, his usual ease replaced by a hesitant awkwardness I hadn’t seen before."Caleb," I said softly, tilting my head to catch his eye. "Are you okay?"He gave a start, as though he’d forgotten I was in the room, and offered a shaky laugh. “Yeah, just… a lot on my mind.”His gaze wandered, distant and unfocused, and I didn’t need to guess what—or who—he was thinking about. "It’s Margot, isn’t it?"His blush confirmed my suspicion, his face reddening like a guilty teenager caught sneaking out. “Is it that obvious?”I couldn’t help but smile. "Only completely. You’re not usually this... distracted."He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know, Isabel. I mean, I like
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s face contorted with anger, his voice like a crack of thunder in the room. “Who do you think you are?” he growled, his fists clenched at his sides. His eyes blazed as he turned to Sebastian, bristling with barely restrained fury. “Even if I’m dead, she can’t be with you. What can you give her? A lifetime of hiding? A life lived in shadows?”Sebastian didn’t flinch. His expression remained calm, though a flicker of disdain danced in his eyes. “Hiding?” he said coolly. “Coming from someone whose entire life revolves around control, that’s rich.”“Enough, Emerson!” I shouted, stepping between him and Sebastian before the tension could boil over. My heart pounded as I faced his fury. “He’s my friend! You can’t treat him like that!”Emerson glared at me. But I held my ground, refusing to back down. “This isn’t about you, Emerson. It’s about my father. It’s about my life.” My words hung in the air, sharp and undeniable. Emerson froze, his jaw tight as if he were swall
Isabel’s POV“You—” Emerson’s face contorted with rage as he glared at Sebastian. The muscles in his jaw twitched. For a moment, I thought he might lunge at him again. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but words seemed to fail him.“Enough!” Robert’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. He stepped between them, raising both hands in a calming gesture. “This isn’t helping Isabel, and you both know it. Put your egos aside for once.”Emerson’s chest heaved, his breath ragged as he struggled to rein in his temper. His glare remained locked on Sebastian, who stood there calmly, his expression almost bored. Finally, Emerson turned away, muttering under his breath as if conceding defeat for the moment.Sebastian smirked faintly. The glint of triumph in his eyes only fueled Emerson’s simmering anger. He addressed the room, his tone as composed as ever. “You’re right, Robert. Now that we’ve put the childish tantrums behind us, let’s focus on the real issue.
Isabel’s POV“You’ve got some nerve,” Emerson growled, his tone a mixture of fury and disbelief. His movements were sudden, like a predator closing in on its prey. In a flash, he lunged at Sebastian, grabbing him by the collar with a violence that made everyone in the room flinch. “How the hell did you get in here? This place is highly secured.”“Emerson!” I shouted, but my voice was drowned out by the tension crackling between them.Sebastian, in stark contrast to Emerson’s fury, remained eerily calm. He met Emerson’s rage with cold, disdainful eyes, as though the physical attack barely registered. With an almost casual motion, he broke Emerson’s grip. He brushed his collar as if erasing the evidence of the encounter. “Do you think your men can stop me?” he said, his voice as smooth and cutting as glass.He stepped back and gestured toward the hallway behind us. “Why don’t you look for yourself?”The change in Emerson’s expression was immediate. His usual confidence faltered as his