Isabel’s POVReturning to Emerson’s villa with my son should have brought me a semblance of peace. But tonight, unease clung to me like a heavy shadow. Even with Liam’s warm weight cradled in my arms, the bad feeling wouldn’t fade. I tried to focus on his soft breaths, his tiny fingers clutching at my sleeve. But the knot in my chest only tightened.“You look exhausted,” Caleb said, his voice gentle but firm as he stood by the doorway. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll keep an eye on Liam.”I forced a small smile, appreciating his concern but unable to shake the growing sense of dread. “I’ll be fine. I just need a moment.”Before Caleb could argue further, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught both our attention. A moment later, the doorbell echoed through the house. Caleb frowned, glancing at the clock. “Who could that be at this hour?”I followed him to the door, my unease deepening as it swung open to reveal a familiar figure: Emerson
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating. However, I refused to let Mrs. Williams crush me under the weight of her accusations. None of this was my doing. I had tried to get away from Emerson countless times. He was the one controlling me and forcing me to stay with him.My heart pounded as I clutched my mother’s ruby necklace, drawing strength from the gentle strength and grace she had always exuded. Mrs. Williams’ piercing gaze was meant to intimidate. But I met it head-on, refusing to bow.“I never asked him to do any of that,” I said, my voice soft but steady, each word deliberate. “If Emerson made those choices, he did so on his own. You can’t hold me responsible for his actions.”Mrs. Williams scoffed, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer. She rose from her seat with the kind of elegance that only masked the underlying venom. “You may not have asked, but you’ve certainly benefited,” she said coldly. “Don’t think for a second that I’ll stand by while you drag my
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s sudden entrance startled us all. His commanding presence seemed to shift the atmosphere in the room, heavy with tension and unresolved truths. I glanced at him, searching his face for a clue to how he felt about the turmoil swirling around us. His eyes quickly scanned the scene, landing on the DNA test report still clutched in his mother’s trembling hands.Estelle turned toward her son, her normally composed features twisted in disbelief. Her voice quavered as she spoke. “Emerson… is this true? Is what she said about the child true?”Emerson hesitated. His confusion gave way to clarity as he pieced everything together. He met his mother’s questioning gaze, his jaw tightening. “Yes, it’s true,” Emerson said, his tone steady and unyielding, each word a firm declaration. His gaze met his mother’s, daring her to challenge him. “Liam is Isabel’s son. Our son,” he added, his voice softening ever so slightly.As he spoke, he turned toward me. A faint, almost impercep
Isabel’s POVI stood frozen, my mind reeling from Emerson’s explosive declaration. Alistair Montrose, the invincible patriarch, had abandoned Lilith—just like that. It felt surreal, almost too convenient to be true. My thoughts swirled with questions I dared not voice aloud. What did this mean for Lilith? For us? Was she truly out of the picture, or was this just the calm before another storm?But I knew better than to let my thoughts show. Estelle's gaze was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade searching for a weakness to exploit.Caleb must have noticed the tension tightening in my shoulders because he stepped forward. His expression was neutral but his voice was calm.“Maybe it’s best if Isabel takes some time to rest,” Caleb suggested smoothly, gesturing toward the door. “She’s had a long day.”I felt a rush of gratitude for his attempt to pull me out of the room, away from this powder keg of emotions. But before I could move, Emerson’s voice cut through the air. He stopp
Isabel’s POVThe air in the room felt heavy, thick with the unspoken tension that seemed to follow every revelation tonight. Emerson stood near the window, his posture tense and his gaze fixed on something far beyond the glass. His unease was palpable, and a knot of anxiety began to form in my chest.“What is it?” Estelle asked impatiently.Emerson sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. He turned to face us, his expression serious. “Lilith escaped.”For a moment, his words didn’t register. Then, a chill ran through me. I tightened my arms instinctively around myself. “Escaped?”“She had help,” Emerson explained, his voice clipped. “Someone tipped her off about my meeting with Alistair. By the time I got to her location, she was already gone.”The room spun as his words sank in. Lilith, the woman who had caused so much pain and destruction, was still out there. Free. Unchecked.“How?” My voice was sharper than I intended, a mix of fear and frustration. “How does someone like her keep
Isabel’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest as my thoughts spiraled out of control. The image of that swift figure disappearing over the wall in an instant replayed in my mind. The mysterious note left in the hospital window still felt like a riddle I hadn’t solved. Was it him? Could it have been Sebastian? His military training would explain his quick disappearances, his ability to blend into the shadows with ease. The idea sent a shiver down my spine.“Isa, what’re you thinking about?” Emerson’s voice, low and concerned, pulled me back to the present moment. I glanced up at him, his eyes searching mine. I quickly pushed the thoughts away.“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a small, fleeting smile. “I’m going to check on Liam.”He looked at me for a moment longer, suspicion flickering in his gaze. But, to my surprise, he nodded silently. A flicker of resignation settled on his face. Maybe he sensed that I wasn’t going to share whatever tumultuous thoughts were swirling in my head.I took a s
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
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 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
Isabel’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest as my thoughts spiraled out of control. The image of that swift figure disappearing over the wall in an instant replayed in my mind. The mysterious note left in the hospital window still felt like a riddle I hadn’t solved. Was it him? Could it have been Sebastian? His military training would explain his quick disappearances, his ability to blend into the shadows with ease. The idea sent a shiver down my spine.“Isa, what’re you thinking about?” Emerson’s voice, low and concerned, pulled me back to the present moment. I glanced up at him, his eyes searching mine. I quickly pushed the thoughts away.“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a small, fleeting smile. “I’m going to check on Liam.”He looked at me for a moment longer, suspicion flickering in his gaze. But, to my surprise, he nodded silently. A flicker of resignation settled on his face. Maybe he sensed that I wasn’t going to share whatever tumultuous thoughts were swirling in my head.I took a s
Isabel’s POVThe air in the room felt heavy, thick with the unspoken tension that seemed to follow every revelation tonight. Emerson stood near the window, his posture tense and his gaze fixed on something far beyond the glass. His unease was palpable, and a knot of anxiety began to form in my chest.“What is it?” Estelle asked impatiently.Emerson sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. He turned to face us, his expression serious. “Lilith escaped.”For a moment, his words didn’t register. Then, a chill ran through me. I tightened my arms instinctively around myself. “Escaped?”“She had help,” Emerson explained, his voice clipped. “Someone tipped her off about my meeting with Alistair. By the time I got to her location, she was already gone.”The room spun as his words sank in. Lilith, the woman who had caused so much pain and destruction, was still out there. Free. Unchecked.“How?” My voice was sharper than I intended, a mix of fear and frustration. “How does someone like her keep
Isabel’s POVI stood frozen, my mind reeling from Emerson’s explosive declaration. Alistair Montrose, the invincible patriarch, had abandoned Lilith—just like that. It felt surreal, almost too convenient to be true. My thoughts swirled with questions I dared not voice aloud. What did this mean for Lilith? For us? Was she truly out of the picture, or was this just the calm before another storm?But I knew better than to let my thoughts show. Estelle's gaze was sharp, cutting through the room like a blade searching for a weakness to exploit.Caleb must have noticed the tension tightening in my shoulders because he stepped forward. His expression was neutral but his voice was calm.“Maybe it’s best if Isabel takes some time to rest,” Caleb suggested smoothly, gesturing toward the door. “She’s had a long day.”I felt a rush of gratitude for his attempt to pull me out of the room, away from this powder keg of emotions. But before I could move, Emerson’s voice cut through the air. He stopp