Emerson’s POVThe chaos outside the hospital was unlike anything I had ever seen. Smoke billowed from burning vehicles, and the air was thick with the acrid tang of gunpowder. The echo of gunfire and shouting ricocheted through the streets, mingling with the cries of the wounded. My men and I, battered and bloodied, pressed forward with unrelenting determination. Every step was a fight against the tide of Raoul’s hired mercenaries.Behind the barricade of overturned gurneys, I wiped the blood from my brow, glancing toward the hospital. Isabel.She was the reason I pushed through the pain. The sole force driving me to keep moving despite my injured body’s protests. I couldn’t fail her—not again.Was she okay? Could I trust Sebastian and his men to keep the operating room safe? It was a gamble—a risk. But I had no other choice. I was needed here, to take care of Raoul myself."Push forward!" I barked, my voice hoarse but commanding. My men surged with renewed vigor, a mix of loyalty an
Sebastian/ Elias’s POVIt was time. The plan I had meticulously crafted over months was finally falling into place. Every piece was set, every contingency accounted for. Isabel had been transferred to safety, miles away from this chaos. Mateo had just handed me Isabel’s “death certificate,” a grim document that served as a lynchpin for my deception. I studied it one last time. The weight of the lies it represented settled on my shoulders.Nearby, the undertaker was putting the finishing touches on the wax figure meant to pass as Isabel’s body. The likeness was uncanny—the same gentle curve of her lips, the familiar softness of her features. Her hair had been styled exactly as she’d worn it in the hospital, and I couldn't help but marvel at the grotesque artistry of it all.“Perfect,” I murmured to the undertaker, my voice low and controlled. “She has to be perfect.”When the battle outside quieted, I knew the moment had arrived. I walked out, ready to start the deception. Emerson w
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
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
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
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 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 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 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