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 POVThe moment the attack began, the air in the room thickened with panic. "Who?!" Lilith shrieked, her voice slicing through the tense silence. Her eyes darted wildly, trying to pinpoint the source of the sudden chaos. One by one, her men crumpled to the ground, felled by unseen darts. The hiss of air from an anesthesia gun was faint but deliberate, heightening the terror in the room.Then the lights flickered and went out completely. The hum of electricity vanished, plunging the entire ward into suffocating darkness. Only the faint silver light of the moon spilled through the window, casting long, ghostly shadows that danced on the walls."Stay close!" Lilith barked at her remaining men. They huddled around her protectively, their own fear palpable in the dim light. She clutched Liam tightly at first. But the infant’s cries grew louder, jarring her nerves."Shut him up!" she snarled, her hands trembling. When Liam’s cries didn’t subside, she muttered a curse. She set him
Isabel’s POVThe adrenaline still buzzed in my veins, but my body was betraying me. My legs felt like they were made of lead, and my arms trembled as I clung to Liam. Emerson rushed over, his eyes sweeping me and Liam with a frantic intensity. "Isa, are you hurt? Are you okay?"I shook my head weakly. "Just… tired. I don’t think I can stand much longer." My voice was barely above a whisper."Let me help you," he said, his tone softer now. He slid an arm around my waist, steadying me as I fought against the wave of dizziness threatening to consume me.As he guided me to a nearby chair, I asked, "Was it you? Were you the one who helped me just now?"Emerson’s brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"Micheal, who had followed Emerson into the room, crouched by one of the unconscious men sprawled across the floor. "These guys were hit by tranquilizer darts," he observed, holding up one of the small syringes embedded in the man’s neck.Emerson's expression shifted, his con
Isabel’s POVI stared out the window, my heart racing as I clutched the cryptic note. The strange words felt like they were burning into my hand. Who could have dropped it here so stealthily?The silence outside was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Whoever had left the message was gone. Their presence was erased like footprints swept away by the tide. I scanned the moonlit grounds for any sign of movement, but there was nothing. Just shadows stretching long and silent under the pale glow.Was it the same person who had saved me earlier? If so, why hadn’t they shown themselves? And why the secrecy?“Isa, what are you doing?”I jumped, nearly dropping the note. Emerson stood in the doorway. His expression was a mix of concern and confusion. His sudden appearance felt like a bucket of cold water poured over my nerves.“I—nothing.” I quickly folded the note and tucked it into my pocket, hoping he hadn’t seen it. My heart pounded, but I forced mysel
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
Isabel’s POVDarkness crept at the edges of my vision, but I clung to consciousness as if it were a lifeline. On the cold floor of Emerson’s study, the thud of my fall still echoed faintly in my ears. The world was already slipping away. The last thing I felt before giving in was the warmth of his arms wrapping around me.“Isa!” Emerson’s voice cracked, raw with panic. His hold was tight, almost crushing. As though his sheer will could tether me to him, to this moment.I managed to keep my eyes half-open, though my limbs felt like lead. Through the haze, I could see his face above mine, pale with fear. His lips moved, frantic, as he barked an order over his shoulder.“Marianne! Call the family doctor! Now!”The pounding of feet, the sound of something falling in the distance—all of it blurred together in my mind. Emerson’s voice came back, softer, trembling as he murmured against my hair. “You’ll be okay, Isa. Hold on. Please… don’t scare me like this.”I wanted to answer him, to tel
Isabel’s POVThe air between us felt heavy, laden with the weight of unspoken fears. Emerson sat across from me, his brow furrowed in discomfort. His initial reaction to my plea had been resistance, but I wasn’t about to back down. My chest ached with the need to protect my son—to secure his future. Even if it meant pleading with the one man I swore I’d never rely on again."I need your promise, Emerson," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me."If anything happens to me, you'll take care of Liam. You'll protect him at all costs."His brows furrowed in resistance. "Isabel, why are you even talking like this? Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it."I crossed my arms, the weight of my secret pressing harder than ever. The surgery had been delayed time and time again. And even though it was coming soon, there was a chance I wouldn’t survive. But I could never tell Emerson that. He would freak out and control me even more than he already did."You don’t k
Isabel’s POV“Sure. Come on in,” he said gently. I followed Emerson into his study with a resolute heart. My breath was steady despite the pounding in my chest. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the crisp rustle of papers. I was a little startled to find another presence in the room. Behind Emerson, standing silently against the desk, was Caleb. His gaze flicked up, a hint of unease in his eyes. It was evident he had been in the middle of a serious conversation with Emerson. My sudden arrival had clearly thrown off whatever plans they were discussing.“Am I interrupting something?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“Don’t worry. We’ll catch up later,” Caleb said with a half-smirk before silently slipping out of the room, leaving just Emerson and me. The door clicked shut, and the tension in the room thickened in an instant. My heart pounded as I met Emerson’s gaze. I took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of everything I was about to say sink d