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 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 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
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 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 POVThe call came through just as I finished reviewing some critical files. My subordinate’s urgent tone pierced the calm. “Sir, the hospital is under attack. Isabel’s in danger.”My heart stopped. I had stationed him there precisely to prevent something like this, yet here we were. Without hesitation, I grabbed my gear and called in reinforcements from my trusted network—men who owed me favors or believed in my cause. Risky as it was to show my face, I couldn’t sit idle when Isabel’s life was on the line.The scene outside the hospital was chaotic. Sirens blared, people screamed, and armed assailants surged through the area. My team and I pushed through the crowd. I barked orders, ensuring civilians were evacuated. The air smelled of smoke and fear, every second stretching as I thought about Isabel.We fought our way through the halls, clearing pockets of resistance. The hospital's sterile white walls were now smeared with destruction. Patients were being wheeled