Isabel’s POVThe cool night air hit my face as we rushed outside. Emerson carried Liam in his arms, his face a mask of fear and desperation. The sight was so surreal I could barely process it. Just as we reached the driveway, Caleb’s car screeched to a halt, his headlights cutting through the darkness.“Isabel?” Caleb’s voice was laced with worry as he got out of the car. “I came to see if you were okay after everything that happened at the banquet… What’s going on?”Emerson didn’t slow down, his steps quick and purposeful. “No time to explain!” he barked. “Liam needs help. Stay here with Isabel.”But I stepped forward, shaking my head. “I’m going with you.”Caleb turned to me, confused. “Isa, are you sure? You don’t look well yourself.”“I’m fine,” I replied, though I wasn’t. My legs felt like jelly, and my head was still spinning from everything that had happened earlier. But something inside me couldn’t let Liam suffer alone.Emerson hesitated, glancing between me and Caleb. “You’r
Isabel’s POVAn awkward silence stretched between us as Caleb realized his mistake. He had almost revealed my secret, after promising me he wouldn’t tell Emerson.“Caleb, what are you talking about?” Emerson’s voice rang sharp with alarm, his gaze bouncing between the two of us. “Isa, explain. What’s going on?”My chest tightened as Caleb’s slip hung in the air. The last thing I wanted was for Emerson to know the truth about my illness—not now, not like this. My mind raced, grasping for an excuse that wouldn’t crumble under Emerson’s probing questions.“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, forcing my voice to steady. “Caleb is just overreacting. I’ve been a little unwell recently, that’s all.”Caleb’s face was taut with guilt, his lips pressed into a thin line. He looked as though he wanted to protest. But I caught his eye and gave a slight shake of my head. His shoulders sagged as he understood my silent plea to keep quiet.But Emerson wasn’t so easily convinced. His eyes narrowed, suspici
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s face was a storm of anger as he stood near his phone, which had miraculously survived the fall. The rage that had consumed him moments before was evident in the tense set of his jaw and the tremble in his clenched fists. I lingered by the doorway, unsure of what to say. The aftermath of his outburst settled heavily around us.When he finally noticed me, his hardened expression softened. His exasperation momentarily melted into something gentler. His eyes met mine, a mixture of frustration and guilt swirling in their depths.I forced an awkward smile, unsure of how to navigate the tension. “I… I didn’t mean to overhear,” I said quietly, my voice barely cutting through the silence.He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “It’s not your fault,” he muttered. “It’s hers.”I didn’t ask for details; I could already piece together enough. Lilith. Whatever she’d said or done during that heated phone call had pushed him to his breakin
Isabel’s POVWhen the doctor said I couldn’t donate my blood, my heart dropped. I thought it was because of my illness—something I had been so desperate to keep hidden. “Why not, Doctor? What’s going on?” Emerson demanded.My mind raced for an explanation that would divert attention from my condition. But then, the doctor’s words sliced through the air like a thunderclap:“Immediate family members cannot donate blood.”What?The room froze in shock. The statement hung in the air, confusing and impossible. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat loud enough to drown out the quiet murmurs around me. Surely, he must have been mistaken. My illness must have been the real reason. How else could this be explained?“What do you mean by that?” I asked, my voice trembling, barely louder than a whisper. “Please, explain.”The doctor hesitated, his gaze darting between us as if he didn’t know how to soften the blow. “There are indicators in Liam’s DNA that suggest…” He trailed off, adjusting h
Isabel’s POVI slowly turned my gaze to Emerson, my heart pounding in my chest. The words he’d just spoken hung in the air between us, a shock that reverberated through my body. My eyes met his, and I stared at him, stunned by the audacity of the question. My voice caught in my throat.“What?” I finally managed to croak, my voice trembling.“You heard me,” Emerson repeated, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that felt almost suffocating. “If Liam is your son—our son—you’d want him to grow up in a stable home, right? I’m asking if you’d consider giving us another chance.”The question felt like a slap, a cruel and twisted joke at a time when everything else seemed to be collapsing around me. My lips parted, but no words came. The confusion, anger, and disbelief swirled inside me until I couldn’t take it any longer. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped Emerson across the face. The sound of the slap echoed through the room, a sharp, resounding reality.“How dare you
Isabel’s POVThe atmosphere in the hospital room was a mix of tense anticipation and fragile hope. Liam’s tiny chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. It was a comforting sight, even if the future still felt like a swirling cloud of uncertainty. Suddenly, the sharp ring of Emerson's phone cut through the quiet hum of the hospital room. Emerson’s brows knitted as he glanced at the screen. He answered quickly, his voice dropping to a low, urgent tone. His expression shifted dramatically—surprise, disbelief, and then a sharp edge of worry settled into his features.“I’m sorry,” he said after a brief pause, his voice wavering for a split second before regaining some composure. “I have to go. There’s trouble at the main house. My parents just got back from abroad, and some policemen broke in. They’ve taken my father away.”His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, searching for some reaction. “The police said he has to cooperate with an investigation into my company’s bribery event. But I
Isabel’s POVThe room was filled with an oppressive atmosphere, each second a battle between my fear and determination. My hands trembled ever so slightly as I stood protectively near Liam’s bed.My eyes were locked onto Lilith’s unyielding gaze. She stood there, a vision of icy calculation. Her eyes were gleaming with that cold, ruthless confidence that sent chills down my spine.She didn’t answer my question. Not a word. She just stood there, a specter of calculated coldness staring into my eyes. Her silence was unsettling, more menacing than any answer she could have given. My heart pounded against my ribs as a knot of unease coiled in my stomach. Why was she here? What was she really doing?Earlier, when Liam’s life had been hanging by a thread, she hadn’t appeared. So why now? It made no sense. My instincts told me something was off. Something wasn’t adding up.“Why now, Lilith?” I finally managed to ask, my voice trembling but not wavering. “Why are you only coming here after L
Isabel’s POVLilith stood by Liam’s bed. Her hand rested on his small shoulder as if she had every right to be there. Her gaze locked on me, cold and venomous, with a triumphant glint that made my stomach churn. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as she spoke, her words dripping with malice.“You’ve always been a thorn in my side, Isabel,” she hissed, her voice low but filled with fury. “If it weren’t for you, I’d already be married to Emerson. You’d be out of our lives for good, forgotten. Instead, you cling to him, always ruining my plans, always meddling.”I swallowed hard, willing myself not to show the fear creeping through me. Her words stung, but they weren’t what left me shaken—it was the hatred in her tone. This wasn’t just about Liam or Emerson. This was personal.Lilith’s fingers tightened on Liam’s shoulder as she continued, her eyes narrowing. “But now, I have the ultimate bargaining chip. Emerson won’t dare turn his back on me. Not when I have his precious son.”My hea
Isabel’s POV"Margot… She's gone blind? No, it can't be..." I whispered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. My voice sounded small, fragile—unlike me. I sat frozen in the sterile chemo room. The faint hum of the IV machine was the only sound filling the silence.Dr. Vargas’s calm expression didn’t waver, but I could see the weight of his words reflected in the lines of his face. “I’m afraid it’s true.”It felt like a punch to my chest. Margot. Strong, fierce Margot. The woman who once shielded me when I couldn’t stand on my own. Gone blind. The thought sent my mind spinning. My body stiffened against the recliner’s cold leather. My pulse thudded in my ears. I could barely hear my own voice when I croaked out the next question.“Why? How? What… what happened to her?”Dr. Vargas shifted slightly, his demeanor remaining professional but gentler now. “When Sebastian and Margot escaped from the barracks, they ran into pursuers. The men didn’t recognize them, but they assume
Isabel’s POV“Good night, Isa,” Emerson murmured softly, his voice barely audible against the hum of the hospital room.His arm was draped heavily across me, a tangible reminder of his presence—of the way he had suddenly taken root in my life, like an unmovable fixture. I stared at the ceiling, every muscle in my body stiff with tension. Emerson’s breathing deepened, slipping into the steady rhythm of sleep. For him, the night offered rest, an escape from the heaviness of reality. For me, it brought nothing but suffocating silence and a restless mind that refused to slow.I shifted carefully, desperate not to wake him as his arm slid off me. My thoughts began to swirl, looping endlessly over the events of the past few days. The false report. The sudden intervention. The mysterious way the treatment was unfolding. None of it added up.It must’ve been Elias’ doing..I closed my eyes, a small spark of clarity lighting up my confusion. The false report, the sudden involvement of the ho
Isabel’s POVThe days that followed blurred into one long, stifling vigil. Emerson was by my side almost constantly, hovering over me like I was made of delicate glass. His anxiety was palpable in every move he made, every glance he threw my way. It was suffocating. I woke up to find him perched on the edge of a chair, his brows furrowed as he scanned my face for signs of discomfort. At night, I felt his shadow in the room as he got up repeatedly, leaning over me to ensure I was still breathing.At first, I tried to tell myself that his actions came from a place of care. But soon his obsession began to wear on me. Every time he touched my hand or straightened my blanket, I felt a wave of frustration rise within me. This was exactly why I hadn’t wanted him to know about my condition. This endless vigilance and control—this reminder of my fragility—was more than I could handle.One afternoon, after yet another restless nap interrupted by Emerson’s incessant fussing, I snapped. “Emerso
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s lingering presence in the room was suffocating. His imposing figure loomed near the window, arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on the horizon as though seeking answers out there. His bossy attitude frustrated me, but I bit my tongue. Now’s not the time, Isabel. You need him—for Liam.I sank into the chair near the bedside, the unopened report heavy in my hands. The weight of it seemed disproportionate, as though it carried more than just words on paper. It held my future, my son's future, and perhaps even Emerson’s—whether he realized it or not.I glanced at him. His jaw was set, and his lips pressed into a thin line. The tension was rolling off him in waves. It was a rare moment where his cold exterior cracked, replaced by something I dared to call concern. I let out a slow breath, steadying myself.Maybe it’s not a bad thing if he knows, I thought. If the truth forced him to see the gravity of the situation, maybe—just maybe—he’d step up, not for me but for L
Isabel’s POVThe air was thick, suffocating. As though the room itself held its breath. I stood motionless, my mind racing as Emerson's piercing gaze locked on me. His brow was furrowed, his expression a calculated mix of curiosity and suspicion.“A man?” Emerson’s voice cut through the tension, cold and deliberate. His eyebrow arched slightly. But his eyes betrayed nothing.I shifted on my feet, unable to meet his gaze directly. My hands felt clammy. I clasped them together to keep them from shaking.“Yes, sir,” the repairman piped up, oblivious to the storm brewing in the room. “Maybe he was looking for someone. Although the security system here is excellent…” He trailed off, his cheerful tone faltering as he seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. “Uh, did I say something wrong?”Emerson waved a hand dismissively. “Go on,” he said, his voice calm, almost too calm. He leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes flickering between the repairman and me. “What did this man look like?”I sw
Isabel’s POV“Isa, what are you doing?” Emerson’s voice broke through the tense silence as he stepped into the room. His sharp gaze landed on me, standing awkwardly in front of the bathroom door. I was painfully aware that my posture was far too rigid to appear casual.My heart raced, hammering against my ribs. Emerson’s brow furrowed as his eyes flickered between me and the door behind me.“Why are you standing there like that?” he asked, suspicion lacing his tone.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to take a steadying breath. “It’s nothing,” I replied, too quickly, too flatly. I winced internally, knowing how unconvincing I sounded.Emerson tilted his head, scrutinizing me with the sharpness of a man who had spent his life mastering observation. “Nothing?” he repeated, taking a slow step closer.I tried to regain control, plastering a strained smile onto my face. “The toilet’s broken,” I said, gesturing vaguely toward the bathroom door behind me. “It’s just… acting up. That’s all.”Hi
Isabel’s POVA grin spread across his face, wide and self-assured. He placed a hand over his heart and gave a slight bow, his voice playful but tinged with sincerity.“Elias Woods, at your service.”The name hit me like a thunderclap, my breath catching in my chest. Woods.“It’s really you!” I exclaimed, my voice a mix of astonishment and relief. A smile broke through my initial nervousness, an unexpected balm to the tension that had taken root in my chest.Elias’s grin softened, his eyes gleaming with warmth. “It’s me.”I felt a strange mixture of emotions—gratitude, disbelief, and an undeniable sense of connection to the man who had once saved my life. But beneath all that, there was still unease. His sudden appearance couldn’t just be a coincidence.“I’m so glad you’re safe,” I murmured, my voice thick with sincerity. Memories of the chaos that had brought us together, of Margot’s terrified eyes and Sebastian/Elias’s calm resolve, surged through me.He nodded, his grin fading into
Isabel’s POVI sat on the edge of the hospital bed, my mind racing. My hands gripped the thin blanket, knuckles white. Emerson’s questions from earlier still echoed in my head.Do I tell him the truth?The thought churned my stomach. Maybe this was the right time. Maybe I had pushed it off long enough. But how? How could I look him in the eye and admit that I’d been keeping something so monumental from him? That I had been living with an expiration date and hadn’t told him?I closed my eyes, taking a shaky breath. My fingers trembled as I ran them through my hair. Emerson’s reaction was the unknown I feared the most. My heart felt like a trapped bird beating against its cage.The door clicked softly. I opened my eyes as the doctor stepped in, holding a tablet. He gave me a small, professional smile before turning to Emerson.“Mr. Williams, can I have a word in my office?”Emerson looked at me, hesitating for a moment, before standing. “I’ll be right back,” he said, his voice low, a
Isabel’s POVWhen I awoke, the first thing that hit me was the sharp, sterile smell of disinfectant. The faint beeping of machines and the distant hum of voices told me I wasn’t at the villa anymore. Blinking against the harsh fluorescent light, I slowly opened my eyes.The room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor. The walls were stark white, broken only by the green glow of a clock on the far wall. My body felt heavy, my limbs weighed down by an exhaustion that went bone-deep. And then I saw him.Emerson was slumped in a chair by my bedside, his head tilted to the side. He was fast asleep. His usually impeccable appearance was gone—his shirt was wrinkled, the top button undone, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. His face was pale, etched with worry even in sleep.For a long moment, I simply watched him. His chest rose and fell in steady breaths. His hair was slightly disheveled. I had rarely seen him look so… human. So vulnerable.My hand moved to my