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 POVThe morning sun streamed through the hospital room’s blinds, casting a warm, hopeful glow. I woke up from another restless night on the couch.For the first time in days, Liam’s breathing was steady. His color had returned. His condition had stabilized.I cradled his tiny hand, my heart aching with a mix of fear and hope. Today was the day—the day I’d finally learn the truth.Emerson stood silently at the edge of the room, his presence as solid and unyielding as ever. His face was drawn, his jaw set in a tight line. But his eyes betrayed his emotions—anticipation, worry, and something deeper.The nurse entered with a clipboard, followed closely by the doctor. “Miss White, Mr. Williams,” the doctor said, glancing between us. “We’re ready to proceed with the maternity test. Are you?”I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. Emerson answered for both of us. “Yes. Let’s get this done.”The process was clinical and brief. A simple blood draw from me, a cheek swab for Liam. Yet e
Emerson’s POVThe words hung in the air, sharp and unrelenting. Isabel’s condition had been painful to hear, but I knew it was the last chance I had to keep her close. For now.The weight of her ultimatum pressed on my chest like an iron chain. Reluctant as I was, I nodded.“If that’s what you want, I’ll honor it.”Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face. I could tell she hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. But she didn’t know the war raging inside me. This wasn’t compliance born of submission—it was strategy. A makeshift solution to buy time and perhaps save what little hope remained.In my heart, though, I knew the stakes. Alistair Montrose was a man with no boundaries, no conscience. The combination of his power with that of General Woods loomed large, stretching far beyond anything most could fathom. And I had dared to challenge Alistair in ways I couldn’t take back. Confronting him directly could very well seal my fate.But that was a risk I had alread
Isabel’s POVFrom the moment I stepped foot on the island, I knew I had made the right decision. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of salt and hibiscus. The sound of waves lapping gently against the shore soothed the raw edges of my nerves. It was a paradise unlike anything I had ever known. The ocean stretched endlessly before me—a shimmering expanse of turquoise that met the sky at an indistinct line. A local fisherman greeted me warmly as I stepped onto the pristine shore. His weathered face broke into a kind smile as he motioned toward a path leading up the beach. “This way, miss,” he said, his voice rough from years spent at sea.He led me to a charming beach house, nestled among a grove of palm trees swaying gently in the ocean breeze. The house was modest in size but modern in design.Its whitewashed walls glowed softly in the afternoon light. Large windows reflected the surrounding dunes and the endless stretch of turquoise sea just steps away.The porch was shaded b
Isabel’s POVSince Elias left, restlessness had wrapped around me like a second skin. I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease that clawed at my chest. Each tick of the clock only amplified my fears. What did Emerson want? Why had he gone to such lengths to meet Elias? Was it a ploy to find me, or was it something else entirely?I paced the room, my thoughts spiraling. Images of Emerson flooded my mind—his intense gaze, the quiet storm that always brewed in his presence. Would he storm in here, demanding answers, or was he plotting something far more calculated?Hours dragged by, each one heavier than the last. Finally, the phone rang, shattering the silence. I lunged for it, my pulse quickening.“It’s me,” Elias’s voice came through, steady and composed as always. “He didn’t discover you.”Relief coursed through me, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Then why was he here?”“He proposed a partnership,” Elias said, his tone measured. “He wants us to work together to o
Sebastian/Elias’ POV“He’s found me, hasn’t he?” Isabel’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet the panic in her tone was unmistakable. Her eyes darted around the room as if expecting Emerson to burst through the door at any moment. “I knew it would happen sooner or later. I knew I couldn’t stay hidden forever. He’s too smart, too determined. I should’ve insisted we move somewhere even more remote. Maybe changed my appearance... maybe—”She began pacing the room, her movements rapid and restless, her hands repeatedly tugging at the hem of her shirt as though trying to ground herself. Her bare feet made soft but hurried sounds against the wooden floor, each step amplifying the tension in the small space.Her eyes turned to me, searching for answers. “Do you think he’s angry? That’s why he’s here, isn’t it? To confront me? To tell me how much I’ve hurt him? Maybe to...” Her voice faltered, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “Maybe to take me back—by force, if he has to.”
Isabel’s POVMy hands trembled as I stared at the television screen, my breath catching in my throat. Alistair Montrose’s sharp, confident eyes bore into the camera as he vehemently denied the accusations. His words were laced with defiance, his arrogance unwavering. How dare he? How dare he act so righteous after tearing my family apart, after ruining lives without a shred of remorse?I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. “How can he stand there and say those things after all he’s done?” My voice wavered with anger.Elias leaned back in his chair. His expression was unreadable but his tone was calm and deliberate. “That’s who he is. Alistair doesn’t bow to pressure. But don’t let that calm exterior fool you, Isabel. He’s cornered, and Emerson made sure of it.”“Emerson?” I asked, startled.Elias nodded. “Over the past three months, he’s been relentless. Retaliating. Gathering evidence. It’s no coincidence Alistair’s empire is crumbling. If Alistair can’t navigate his way
Isabel’s POVThe sight of Margot standing in the doorway stole my breath. Her hair, usually flawless, was a windswept mess, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Before I could find my voice, she rushed toward me, her arms wrapping around me tightly.“You’re awake!” she sobbed, her body trembling against mine. “I thought… I thought I’d never see you again.”Her vulnerability tugged at something deep within me. I held her close, my own emotions threatening to spill over. “Margot… What are you doing here?”As she pulled back, wiping her tears, a thought clawed its way into my mind. If Margot was here, did it mean Caleb might know where I was? My chest tightened. The fewer people who knew about me being alive, the safer everyone would be.Before I could ask, Margot seemed to read my mind. “No, Caleb doesn’t know,” she admitted, her tone quieter now. “He’ll never find out.”The weight of her words made me falter. “What do you mean? Aren’t you two… together?”She shook her head, forcing
Isabel’s POVThe weight of Elias’s words settled over me like a suffocating blanket, each revelation cutting deeper than the last. I stared at him, my heart hammering in disbelief. Alistair and Raoul—names that now carried the full weight of betrayal and hatred. And my dad... or rather, my adoptive father, as he had admitted in his dying moments. The man who raised me, who taught me strength and resilience, was gone. And with his death came the unrelenting sting of truths I was not ready to confront.“I still can’t believe it,” I murmured, my voice trembling. “All these years, he hid the truth from me. He wasn’t my biological father.” I paused, swallowing hard. “But that doesn’t change how much I loved him. Or how much it hurts knowing I’ll never see him again.”Elias’s face softened. “He loved you, Isabel. Whatever the truth of your bloodline may be, he raised you as his own daughter. I’m sure his greatest regret was not telling you sooner.”I wanted to believe him, but the ache in
Isabel’s POVI woke up in a strange place, disoriented. As though I had been tossed around by the violent tides of life. For a moment, I thought I had been returned to that terrible mental hospital. But then, I noticed the difference—the absence of restraints. I wasn’t bound this time. My body was free, laid out on the bed, my limbs able to move at will. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could breathe easily.I slowly felt my head, wincing at the tenderness. A thick bandage was wrapped around it. Then it hit me. I must’ve had brain surgery! I had made it. I was alive. My heart raced in a mix of relief and confusion, and I immediately tried to make sense of the situation. Where was everyone? Why was I here?Where was… Emerson?I believed I knew him well enough by now to know that, under normal circumstances, he would be right here by my side. He wouldn’t leave my side for even a second. But instead, I was alone. The emptiness of the room seemed to stretch endlessly arou
Emerson’s POVThe heavy wooden doors of the church creaked open as I stumbled inside. The scent of lilies mixed with burning candles overwhelmed me, but not nearly as much as the sight before me. Rows of somber faces turned toward me, expressions shifting from shock to pity. My disheveled appearance—bandaged and pale—spoke volumes about my state of mind.The priest’s voice echoed through the sanctuary, steady and calm. “Today, we gather to mourn the loss of Isabel. A woman of strength, compassion, and grace. She touched lives in ways few could, and her memory will forever remain a beacon of light to those who knew her.”His words washed over me like daggers. Each syllable felt like a nail in the coffin of my soul. My legs trembled as I walked down the aisle, ignoring the whispers that followed me. My heart thundered, every beat a reminder of her absence.Robert stood near the altar, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a sorrow that weighed on his shoulders. His eyes were red, his
Emerson’s POV“Isabel! No!”I bolted upright, drenched in cold sweat, my chest heaving like I’d been submerged in icy water. The nightmare’s gruesome images clung to me.Isabel’s pale face, her lifeless body slipping through my fingers as blood pooled around her. My throat felt raw from the scream that had wrenched itself free.Normally, waking up from a nightmare brought relief. The kind of solace that came with realizing the horrors were merely figments of a restless mind. But not today. Today, waking up felt like stepping deeper into a nightmare that refused to end.Reality settled over me with a suffocating weight. The haunting image of Isabel’s lifeless body lingered in my mind, vivid and unrelenting. Her pale face, so serene it was almost cruel, was the last thing I’d seen before darkness claimed me.It wasn’t just a memory—it was a living torment, replaying over and over in grotesque detail. I could still feel the cold air of the operating room, smell the sharp tang of antisept