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 POVMy husband Emerson hadn't come home for a whole week. I stayed in our huge villa all alone, waiting. The grand mansion with marble floors and chandeliers felt empty and cold without him.I placed a hand on my big belly and hoped he'd come back soon. I’ve been having strange, severe headaches lately. At 7 months pregnant, that wasn’t normal. We had to go for a pregnancy check-up.Where was he? My heart ached with worry and fear. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.Our life together had always seemed perfect. Emerson, a successful businessman, had swept me off my feet. We had everything—wealth, status, a beautiful home and a baby on the way.But recently, things changed. He seemed distant. I tried to ignore the signs. But the longer he stayed away, the harder it became to believe everything was fine.I tried to keep myself busy. I rearranged the nursery, folding tiny clothes and organizing baby toys. Each little onesie and stuffed animal made me
Isabel’s POVWhen I woke up, the room was dimly lit. The low hum of medical machines noticed that I was in the hospital bed again. The difference was that I had a throbbing headache and intense stomach cramps that were worse than the last time. Where was I? What had happened?The soft hum of medical machines surrounded me. I had a throbbing headache and intense stomach cramps. Where was I? What happened?I suddenly remembered Lilith’s evil smile and hard push, then the painful fall down the staircase. I had ended up on the floor, flat on my belly with Lilith’s weight on top of me. Oh no… I gasped and jolted upright, causing another contraction in my womb. “My baby!”The doctor noticed I was awake and walked over to me. He stood by my bedside, his expression somber. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Williams," he said gently. "Your baby didn't survive the fall."His words pierced my heart like a dagger. I felt an overwhelming wave of grief wash over me. My hand instinctively moved to my now empty bell
Isabel’s POVFacing the fear of death for the first time, I found myself clinging to the hope that my husband could be my anchor. I remembered our early days together. The joy and love that had filled our lives. Emerson had been my everything. My knight in shining armor. The memories now felt like distant dreams. He wasn’t here for me in my darkest moments. I spent a few more days in the hospital, under the watchful eye of a team of doctors and nurses. When they finally told me I could leave, I took a long shower in the sterile bathroom. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself.My once bright blue eyes were now dull and tired, shadowed by sleepless nights and endless tears. My long blonde hair hung lifelessly around my face, lacking its usual shine.I glanced down at my belly, still a bit swollen from the baby I once carried. The slight curve was a painful reminder of the life that had been growing inside me. A life that was now gone. I gently touched my stomach, feeli
Isabel’s POVThe hospital corridors seemed endless as I hurried towards my father's room. My heart pounded in my chest. My thoughts were racing. I had to be strong. I had to be there for him. As I reached the ICU, a nurse stopped me."Ms. White, your father's condition has deteriorated. He's at risk of brain death," she said gently.Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt my knees weaken. But I couldn't afford to fall apart now. I needed to know more."What do we do now?" I asked, my voice trembling."The medical account balance is insufficient for further treatment. We need to make a decision soon," the nurse replied, her eyes filled with sympathy.Panic surged through me. My father's life was on the line, and I had no idea how to save him. Just then, my phone rang. It was Emerson."Where are you, Isabel?" he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation."I'm at the hospital. My father's condition has worsened," I explained, holding back a sob."You're just making excuses to avoid
Isabel’s POVThe jewelry shop’s overhead light glinted off the bracelet in my hand. The little gemstones casted tiny reflections around the room. The bracelet had been a gift from Emerson. A symbol of a love that now felt like a cruel joke.“Wow, that's a beautiful bracelet!” Lilith’s voice broke through my thoughts, dripping with feigned admiration.She turned to Emerson, her brown eyes wide with innocent concern. “Isabel must be short of money if she's selling her jewelry. Should we help her?”Emerson’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. He snapped, saying how this behavior humiliates him, and his family. His voice was low and menacing.I bristled at his accusation. “Humiliate you? You’re the one who insisted I give up my job to raise our child. I had no income and never asked you for extra money.” “I do need money, but not for myself,” I continued, my voice shaking with anger and desperation. “I need it to help my father. Since you refuse to help him, I ha
Isabel’s POV"Excuse me? Is this yours?" A voice stopped me in my tracks just as I was about to make the biggest—and last—decision of my life. I turned around and saw a hand holding my purse. Relief and confusion washed over me. The money wasn’t lost. A sliver of hope returned to my heart. Maybe it wasn’t my time yet. But that meant facing all the pain of living.The whirlwind of emotions became too much. My stomach churned, and a sharp headache surged through my skull. My legs gave way beneath me. I started to fall backward, off the edge of the pavement, toward the rushing cars. I held my breath as I felt myself slipping out of consciousness. Was this the end?But then, just in time, the figure’s arms caught me. He held me tightly as my world faded to black.The world slowly came back into focus as I vaguely heard someone talking. The voices were low and concerned. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw two doctors communicating with another man. The man noticed I was awake first. He rushed
Emerson’s POVThe day I promised to customize a necklace for Lilith as a birthday present, was the next time I saw Isabel. We decided to go to the jewelry store together to choose the perfect design. Lilith was in her element, gliding through the shopping street with an air of practiced elegance. I trailed behind her, my mind somewhere else entirely. As we entered the jewelry shop, I was only half-listening to her chatter about the latest trends.That’s when I saw her.Isabel stood at the counter. Her back was slightly hunched, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. Her hair, once vibrant and full of life, looked dull. Her face was shadowed with fatigue. She was holding something in her hand—a bracelet. My bracelet. The one I had given her on our first anniversary.A sharp pang of anger shot through me. How dare she try to sell it? That bracelet was a symbol of our marriage. A bond that should have meant something to her. Even though I proposed divorce, I felt a bitte
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