Isabel’s POV“Thanks, Sebastian… for everything,” Emerson said quietly, his voice unusually humble. He ended the call and stared at his phone, his brow furrowed.His pensive silence unnerved me. “What is it?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.“How did Woods get through to my phone?” Emerson muttered. He tapped the screen as if searching for an answer. “It’s highly secured.”A chill swept through me. If Victor—or whoever was behind the masked man—had the means to bypass Emerson’s sophisticated security, then we weren’t just dealing with petty criminals. This was something bigger. Something darker.I crossed my arms, trying to mask the unease settling in my stomach. “Maybe they’re watching us more closely than we think.”He glanced up at me, his expression hardening. “That’s what worries me.”We didn’t speak much on the drive back to the hospital. My mind churned with questions, fears, and the nagging sense that our luck was running out. Could we evade this shad
Isabel’s POV“Give me the phone, Emerson,” I said, reaching for it as he stepped out of my grasp. My voice was firm, but I knew it was laced with desperation.He turned away, his jaw set, and continued to speak with my father anyway. “Mr. White, it’s Emerson,” he began, ignoring my protests. My pulse raced as I tried again to snatch the phone. But he was faster, moving just out of reach.“Emerson!” I hissed. “Don’t do this. He’s barely recovered. It’s not fair to put him in this position.”He glanced at me, his expression torn but resolute. “Isa, I know how much this antidote means. I’ve already spoken with Robert. Your father’s recovery has been remarkable, and the test wouldn’t harm him. He’s strong enough to handle it, and this could save your life.”I froze, his words hitting me harder than I’d anticipated. A flicker of understanding tried to seep in, but my anger and fear burned too brightly. “You can’t make that decision for him—or for me!”Emerson didn’t respond to my protests,
Isabel’s POVRobert led me through the quiet hallways to the doctor's office. My heart was steady, though I could hear the rapid rhythm of his footsteps beside me. The clinical smell of disinfectant grew stronger as we approached. When a nurse opened the door and greeted us, the room felt colder, as if the air itself knew the risk I was walking into.Before I could step inside, Emerson’s voice echoed down the corridor. "Wait! Isabel!"I turned to see him sprinting toward us, his face pale and his eyes frantic. He came to a halt, slightly out of breath, and grabbed my arm gently. "I need to be here. I’m not letting you do this alone," he said, his voice firm but laced with vulnerability.I studied him for a moment. His determination softened the sharp edges of my own stubbornness. "Fine," I murmured, turning back to the room.The doctor was waiting, seated behind a steel tray filled with syringes and vials. The antidote rested in a small glass tube, glinting under the harsh fluorescen
Isabel’s POVA strange calm settled over me. As if the chaos and pain had been stripped away, leaving only weightless tranquility. The agony in my chest, the suffocating tightness, was gone. I floated in mid-air, untethered, watching the frantic scene unfold below.Doctors crowded around my body, their hands working with urgency. Machines blared in a cacophony of alarms. Emerson stood just beyond them, shouting at someone, his face a portrait of desperation.When my gaze fell on the figure lying on the bed—my own lifeless form—it sent a jolt of fear through me. Is that really me?Before panic could overtake me, a wave of warmth rolled through, soft and enveloping, like a mother’s embrace. It was soothing, reassuring. It pulled me toward a soft, golden light blooming in the distance.From within the light, a figure emerged—familiar and achingly dear.“Mom?” My voice trembled as I stepped forward, the tears falling freely down my face. She looked just as I remembered her, radiant and ge
Isabel’s POVSince surviving the ordeal with the poison, I found myself appreciating life with a new intensity. Every breath felt sharper, every color brighter, as if the world had been turned up a notch. Even the simplest things—the softness of my sheets, the warmth of the sun streaming through the hospital window—seemed precious in a way I’d never fully appreciated before.Emerson, however, had taken my near-death experience as an excuse to wrap me in bubble wrap.“Do you need another blanket? The room feels drafty,” he asked for the third time that morning, pacing like a mother hen.I gave him a wry smile. “Emerson, I’m recovering, not turning into porcelain.”He frowned, ignoring my jab. “You need to stay warm. I’ll get you—”“Don’t you dare,” I said, holding up a hand. “If you bring me one more pillow, I’ll start throwing them at you.”A reluctant grin tugged at the corner of his lips, though he tried to mask it with a serious expression. “Fine, but I’m keeping an eye on you.”He
Isabel’s POVThe drive to the address Michael had given us felt like a blur. Emerson gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his jaw was set in grim determination. My chest tightened with each passing moment, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Michael’s words echoed in my head: “He’s not well.” What did that even mean? Was he hurt? Was it something worse?We arrived at a grand hotel. The scene before us was complete chaos. Police cars lined the front entrance, their lights casting a sickly red and blue glow across the building. Onlookers crowded the area, their murmurs blending into a cacophony that made my heart pound harder. My eyes darted upward, catching sight of the roofline where a section of the guardrail had been broken. A chill shot down my spine.“Stay close,” Emerson said, his voice taut. But I couldn’t wait. My legs carried me forward, pushing through the throng of people.“Isa, wait!” Emerson called after me. But I was already los
Emerson’s POVThe scene played on a loop in my mind, each detail sharper and more painful than the last. Mr. White’s lifeless body on the stretcher. The blood staining Isabel’s trembling hands. And, worst of all, his final words—a pointed, damning accusation: “It’s you… It’s all because of you.”His voice echoed in my ears, as sharp as a blade carving into my chest. I stood there, frozen, as if rooted to the spot by shame and guilt. What did he mean? Did he refer to the headlines in the papers? Somehow, it felt deeper than that. But what else could it be? I didn’t know. But Isabel’s hollow eyes and trembling lips as she glared at me said everything. She believed him—or at least part of her did.As they carried Mr. White’s body away, I moved closer, desperate to reach her. “Isabel—”“Don’t!” Her voice cut through the air like a whip.She turned on me, fury blazing in her tear-soaked eyes. “This is your fault! You pushed, you meddled, and now he’s gone!”“I didn’t—” My throat tighten
Emerson’s POVMy hands trembled violently as I clutched my phone. The cryptic message was glaring back at me like an open wound. It couldn’t possibly be… him. Or could it?I could feel the rage boiling beneath my skin, threatening to erupt. My jaw clenched so tightly it ached, and my breaths came in uneven bursts.“Emerson.” Caleb’s voice broke through the haze. He stepped closer, concern etched into his face as he glanced at the phone in my hand. “What’s wrong? Who messaged you?”I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to keep the message to myself. But the weight of it was too much to bear alone. Without a word, I turned the screen toward him.Caleb’s expression shifted instantly. “Who...?” he started, but his voice trailed off. His brows furrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line as he read the message. Then, as if struck by a revelation, his eyes widened. With a mix of anger and disbelief, he exclaimed, “Could it be him? Could it be Raoul?”The name sent a jolt through me, d
Isabel’s POVCarter first sent a team of soldiers to probe the enemy’s defenses. The plan was simple: test the waters, gauge their numbers, and avoid unnecessary bloodshed before reinforcements arrived. But what they found was far worse than expected.“These are not just Alistair’s usual lackeys,” Carter murmured, lowering his binoculars. “The numbers far exceed our expectations. And what’s worse: these men are seasoned fighters. Most of them have appeared on international wanted lists… multiple times.”Emerson, standing beside him, clenched his fists. “That bastard really went all in.”I narrowed my eyes, straining to make out the details from our vantage point on the rocky hillside. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged terrain. The distant compound was a maze of dilapidated buildings, high fences, and scattered patrols. From here, it was impossible to tell how many men were stationed inside. But it was clear we were up against more than just a handful
Sebastian/Elias’s POVI stood there, rooted to the spot, watching the scene unfold before me. The sterile, cold walls of the laboratory pressed in around me.Alistair’s voice broke the silence, a hint of pride echoing through his words. “This is my proudest work! Thanks to your potions, Scarlet.” His tone was a mix of admiration and satisfaction, as if he had just achieved the culmination of a long and arduous project.Scarlet’s gaze flickered to me, her sharp eyes assessing the situation with cold precision. There was no mistaking it: she was shocked I hadn’t escaped yet. She must be wondering if her antidote had failed.Then, without warning, she lunged forward, grabbing Alistair by the collar with a force that was both unexpected and dangerous. Her voice was low, a warning laced with venom. “I’m telling you, don’t touch my nephew! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never stand again!” Her words were like a promise, a threat wrapped in maternal protection. But there was something more
Emerson’s POVI sat in the car, fingers drumming absently against the steering wheel as my mind churned through everything that had happened. The weight of it all pressed down on my shoulders like an iron grip. Lilith’s confessions, Elias’s predicament, the looming confrontation with Alistair—it was a tangled mess of threats and uncertainties. Every second that passed only heightened the tension coiling in my chest.A sharp knock on the window pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Carter standing outside, his sharp gaze scanning the area. I rolled the window down, and he wasted no time.“I heard you caught a woman? How is she involved in this?” he asked, his voice even but laced with curiosity.I exhaled and nodded, stepping out of the vehicle. My eyes swept the surroundings instinctively, old habits keeping me cautious even in relatively safe zones. Carter caught on immediately.“Margot’s with Isabel back at the base,” he assured me. “We can talk there.”I gave him a curt nod,
Isabel’s POVWe delayed our mission. Lilith's intel might be significant and give us clues on how to proceed.In the interrogation room, Lilith sat handcuffed to the chair, her face twisted with a mixture of defiance and resignation. I stood behind the mirrored glass, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to steady my breathing. Emerson and one of his men sat across from her, their expressions unreadable. The tension in the room was thick, palpable."Talk," Emerson commanded, his voice cold.Lilith smirked, leaning back as if the shackles meant nothing to her. "Where do I begin?" she mused, tilting her head. "Maybe with the fact that I was Lila all along?"My stomach dropped. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay rooted to the spot. I knew it. But I’d never expected to hear her say it aloud. My mind reeled as Lilith continued."Alistair took me after you thought I’d died," she said, her tone shifting into something bitter. "He changed me—physically, mentally. His damned
Isabel’s POVCarter and Emerson bent over the map, their voices low but intense as they laid out the plan. The dimly lit tent smelled of sweat, gun oil, and the anticipation of an impending fight. My fingers tightened into fists at my sides. I refused to be left behind.“We move in small teams,” Carter was saying. “Margot and I will take a group to circle around and cover you. The reinforcements are still a few hours out, so we’ll have to be careful.”Emerson nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’ll lead a team ahead to scout their positions.”“I’m going with you.” The words left my mouth before I could second-guess them.Emerson’s head snapped toward me, his brows furrowing. “No. It’s too dangerous.”I squared my shoulders. “I didn’t train for years on that island just to sit in the shadows while you go off to fight. I’m stronger than ever now, and you know it.”He exhaled through his nose, his fingers flexing at his sides as if fighting the urge to grab my arm and shake some sense i
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the image of Eric’s disappointed eyes from my mind. The way he had looked at me—like I was making the worst mistake of my life—had been haunting me ever since I rejected his offer.Although returning home with him and bringing the twins sounded like a dream, I couldn’t risk any danger following us.“Isabel, do you even hear yourself?” Eric had asked, his voice thick with disbelief. He gestured at Emerson. “Haven’t you learned your lesson with him?”I had known this conversation would be difficult, but seeing the pain on his face still cut deeper than I had expected. To him, my decision wasn’t just reckless—it was a betrayal. He had spent so much time trying to protect me, trying to give me an escape, only for me to walk right back into the fire.“This isn’t about Emerson,” I had explained, forcing my voice to remain steady. “It’s about unfinished business, Eric. I can’t leave Rivermont. Not yet.”He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Isabel, I’m begging
Sebastian/Elias’s POVScarlet’s voice was razor-sharp, slicing through the tension-laden air. “I never meant for my nephew to be dragged into your web of danger, Alistair.” Her eyes burned with a fury I hadn’t seen before. Yet there was something else lurking beneath it—regret. Guilt.Alistair, as always, was unimpressed. He gave a dismissive wave, his mouth curling into an infuriating smirk. “Spare me the theatrics, Scarlet. He dragged himself into this when he started meddling with my operation. You want to play the remorseful aunt now? Too late.” His gaze turned to me, and his voice took on a condescending edge. “You should be thanking her, Elias. She’s the one who made those delightful little concoctions running through your veins.”Scarlet stiffened, but she didn’t deny it. “I never gave you permission to use them on my family members.“And since when do I ask for permission?” Alistair sighed, as if the conversation bored him. “Since you’re so concerned, why don’t you give him
Sebastian/Elias's POVThe basement was the same as ever—cold, damp, and stinking of rust and decay. Dust swirled in the dim light from the single flickering bulb, casting erratic shadows on the cracked stone walls. But this time, I wasn’t the one in chains.“Kill him.” Alistair’s voice was sharp and commanding, his outstretched hand pointing at a young man kneeling a few feet away. He couldn’t have been much older than nineteen, his face drawn and gaunt from fear. His chains rattled as he tried to inch backward, but there was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.I didn’t hesitate.I lunged forward, my foot connecting with his chest before he could react. He crumpled to the ground with a strangled gasp. Without missing a beat, I dropped to one knee, my hands locking around his throat. His pulse fluttered beneath my fingers, his breath hitching as I tightened my grip.He struggled—weakly at first, then more desperately, his fingers clawing at my wrists. But I was stronger. Faster. Bette
Lilith’s POV"What? You want to change back to your old face?"The woman in front of me didn't even look up as she spoke, her voice laced with contempt and utter boredom. She was in her fifties, yet not a single wrinkle marred her flawless skin. Her body, toned and striking, was a testament to her wealth and vanity. She sat elegantly on the edge of a metal counter, her fingers idly playing with a small vial of serum. The dim, sterile light of the underground lab reflected off the glass, casting eerie patterns across the walls.I clenched my fists. Of course, she wouldn’t take me seriously—not at first. But I was done playing games."I’ve completed the task my father gave me," I said, my voice steady, though my stomach twisted with unease. "I no longer want to bear this disgusting face."That got her attention. Scarlet finally turned to face me, a slow, amused smirk curling her lips. She tilted her head slightly, as if studying me for the first time."Completed?" she repeated mockingl