Isabel’s POVMy secretary’s words left me staring at the receiver for several moments, my thoughts an unruly mess. Emerson. At work. The very idea of dealing with him in a professional capacity churned my stomach. He’d always been controlling, always found a way to worm himself into parts of my life I’d hoped to keep separate. And now, even my sanctuary at work wasn’t immune. I sighed heavily. “Miss?” my secretary’s voice broke through my haze.“Who agreed to cooperate with Mr. Williams?” I asked, my voice tight with irritation.“Mr. Eric Sullivan signed the contract, ma’am. It seemed like an excellent opportunity, and the terms were favorable,” she explained, her tone professional but slightly wary.Of course, Uncle Eric didn’t know the details about Emerson and me. He had no reason to suspect there might be underlying issues. And if I refused this cooperation, I’d likely have to explain more than I wanted to. My initial instinct was to shut it down immediately. But then the secret
Isabel’s POVThe next morning, I rose before dawn, my sleep fitful and plagued with thoughts of Emerson and Liam. By the time I reached my office, I was determined to stay focused. No distractions, no emotions—just the work ahead of me.On my desk, a pristine folder awaited, marked with my lawyer's logo. Its neat presentation did nothing to soften the weight I felt when I opened it. Legal jargon filled the pages, alongside detailed notes and evidence painstakingly collected. It was my arsenal in the battle for Liam’s custody. And yet, it all seemed so... daunting.My phone buzzed as I leafed through the pages.“Miss Sullivan, I assume you’ve received the files,” my lawyer began, her voice calm but firm. “I have to be honest with you—it won’t be easy to get custody of your son.”I gripped the phone tighter. My eyes were scanning a section about parental stability. My stomach twisted.“It doesn’t matter how hard it is,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’m not giving up. Emerson
Isabel’s POVI straightened my spine, forcing a calmness I didn’t feel as I met Emerson’s gaze. “That’ll be unnecessary. I can take care of both children perfectly well on my own.”His lips curved into a faint smile, but the glint in his eyes was anything but benign. “I’m sure you can,” he said, his tone laced with faux admiration. “But Liam’s safety is my priority.”The solemn expression he wore, as if he were some selfless protector, nearly made me laugh. Emerson was as cunning as ever, playing his cards so skillfully that it was hard not to be infuriated. But Liam’s hopeful eyes pinned me in place. The thought of disappointing him stung more than I wanted to admit.Taking a deep breath, I straightened further, masking my irritation with composure. “Fine,” I said finally. “We can have lunch at my home.”As I moved past Emerson, I let my shoulder brush his deliberately, leaning in just enough to whisper, “You’d better behave yourself.”He didn’t flinch. Instead, he tilted his head, w
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t say no to Emerson’s request to meet. Not after he mentioned Elias. The mere mention of his name made my chest tighten. Elias had been struggling since uncovering the truth about his grandfather’s death—a truth that had shaken his foundation. He had been my rock during my darkest times, and now it was my turn to repay him. If Emerson truly had information that could help Elias, I needed to listen.I agreed to the meeting, but I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my gut. Emerson always had a way of complicating even the simplest of interactions.We returned to the living room where Liam and Elena were playing together. Their laughter filled the space, and I paused in the doorway, watching them. Liam had his father’s dark hair, a striking contrast to Elena’s blonde curls. Yet they looked perfectly in sync. Like siblings who had known each other forever.For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to imagine a different life. A life where this was normal—where Emer
Isabel’s POVThe audacity of his request left me speechless. I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and admit it was a joke. He didn’t.“Are you serious?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.He nodded. “Liam misses you. He deserves to have both of his parents in his life, under one roof. This isn’t about us, Isabel. It’s about him.”I clenched my jaw, my mind racing. His words sounded noble, but I knew better. Emerson never did anything without an ulterior motive.“You think I’m going to fall for that?” I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. “You’re using Liam as an excuse to manipulate me.”He didn’t deny it. Instead, he leaned forward, his gaze steady. “I’m offering you a chance to give Liam what he needs. A stable family. Isn’t that what you want?”I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw his roses across the room and storm out. But I couldn’t. Not with Elias’s future hanging in the balance.I stared at him, half in disbelief, half in frustration. He was leaning casua
Isabel’s POV"Hi, Mommy!" Elena's voice rang out like a bright bell as I stepped into the house. Her small arms wrapped tightly around me in a hug, and I found myself clinging to her warmth more than I intended.She started chatting away about her day, her words a comforting melody that briefly masked my inner turmoil. But Elena, as perceptive as always, soon paused and tilted her head. Her big eyes scanned me with concern. "Mommy, are you okay? Did something happen?"I forced a smile, brushing her blonde curls from her face. "I’m okay, sweetheart. Mommy's just tired. It’s been a long day at work."Her worried gaze didn’t waver. I knelt down, taking her tiny hands in mine. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something. How would you feel about staying with Liam… for a little while? Maybe a month?”Elena’s face lit up. “With Liam? Really? Yes! That would be so fun! Will Mister Em—Emson be there too?" Elena asked, her little head tilting to the side as she stumbled over Emerson’s name.Despi
Isabel’s POV“Miss Isabel, Mr. Williams is here to see you.”The maid’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I rubbed my temples, pushing away the lingering unease from my restless night. Right. Today was the day. Moving day.I forced myself into action, heading to my dressing room to change into something presentable. As I descended the stairs, Emerson stood waiting in the foyer, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He greeted me with a broad smile that only added to my irritation. He looked happier than I’d seen him in ages. As if he’d won the lottery.In stark contrast, the dark circles under my eyes must’ve been glaringly obvious. His smile faltered as his gaze lingered on my face. “You didn’t sleep well, did you?” he asked, his tone soft but perceptive.“That’s none of your concern,” I snapped, brushing past him.Unfazed, he followed me. “Is everything packed?”“No,” I replied curtly. “You’re early.”He tilted his head, his expression almost smug. “I’ve already take
Isabel’s POVIt had been years since I’d seen the villa where I once used to live. Even when Emerson forced me back into his life before my "death," it had been at another of his properties. This place—this grand estate with its sprawling gardens and elegant façade—was a world I had barely touched since I was pregnant with Liam and the daughter I never got to meet.Now, as the car turned into the long driveway, my chest tightened. My heart pounded as my eyes took in the pristine hedges, the white marble columns, the grand entrance. Memories flooded back, a tangled web of joy and sorrow.The last time I had truly lived here, I was full of life—literally and figuratively. Pregnant with hope, with love, with dreams of the perfect family. But those dreams had shattered, leaving jagged edges I was still careful not to touch.I had missed this place, though I hated admitting it. Despite the bad memories, there had been so many beautiful ones too.The car had barely rolled to a stop before
Isabel’s POVIt had been years since I’d seen the villa where I once used to live. Even when Emerson forced me back into his life before my "death," it had been at another of his properties. This place—this grand estate with its sprawling gardens and elegant façade—was a world I had barely touched since I was pregnant with Liam and the daughter I never got to meet.Now, as the car turned into the long driveway, my chest tightened. My heart pounded as my eyes took in the pristine hedges, the white marble columns, the grand entrance. Memories flooded back, a tangled web of joy and sorrow.The last time I had truly lived here, I was full of life—literally and figuratively. Pregnant with hope, with love, with dreams of the perfect family. But those dreams had shattered, leaving jagged edges I was still careful not to touch.I had missed this place, though I hated admitting it. Despite the bad memories, there had been so many beautiful ones too.The car had barely rolled to a stop before
Isabel’s POV“Miss Isabel, Mr. Williams is here to see you.”The maid’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I rubbed my temples, pushing away the lingering unease from my restless night. Right. Today was the day. Moving day.I forced myself into action, heading to my dressing room to change into something presentable. As I descended the stairs, Emerson stood waiting in the foyer, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He greeted me with a broad smile that only added to my irritation. He looked happier than I’d seen him in ages. As if he’d won the lottery.In stark contrast, the dark circles under my eyes must’ve been glaringly obvious. His smile faltered as his gaze lingered on my face. “You didn’t sleep well, did you?” he asked, his tone soft but perceptive.“That’s none of your concern,” I snapped, brushing past him.Unfazed, he followed me. “Is everything packed?”“No,” I replied curtly. “You’re early.”He tilted his head, his expression almost smug. “I’ve already take
Isabel’s POV"Hi, Mommy!" Elena's voice rang out like a bright bell as I stepped into the house. Her small arms wrapped tightly around me in a hug, and I found myself clinging to her warmth more than I intended.She started chatting away about her day, her words a comforting melody that briefly masked my inner turmoil. But Elena, as perceptive as always, soon paused and tilted her head. Her big eyes scanned me with concern. "Mommy, are you okay? Did something happen?"I forced a smile, brushing her blonde curls from her face. "I’m okay, sweetheart. Mommy's just tired. It’s been a long day at work."Her worried gaze didn’t waver. I knelt down, taking her tiny hands in mine. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something. How would you feel about staying with Liam… for a little while? Maybe a month?”Elena’s face lit up. “With Liam? Really? Yes! That would be so fun! Will Mister Em—Emson be there too?" Elena asked, her little head tilting to the side as she stumbled over Emerson’s name.Despi
Isabel’s POVThe audacity of his request left me speechless. I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and admit it was a joke. He didn’t.“Are you serious?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.He nodded. “Liam misses you. He deserves to have both of his parents in his life, under one roof. This isn’t about us, Isabel. It’s about him.”I clenched my jaw, my mind racing. His words sounded noble, but I knew better. Emerson never did anything without an ulterior motive.“You think I’m going to fall for that?” I asked, my voice laced with disbelief. “You’re using Liam as an excuse to manipulate me.”He didn’t deny it. Instead, he leaned forward, his gaze steady. “I’m offering you a chance to give Liam what he needs. A stable family. Isn’t that what you want?”I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw his roses across the room and storm out. But I couldn’t. Not with Elias’s future hanging in the balance.I stared at him, half in disbelief, half in frustration. He was leaning casua
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t say no to Emerson’s request to meet. Not after he mentioned Elias. The mere mention of his name made my chest tighten. Elias had been struggling since uncovering the truth about his grandfather’s death—a truth that had shaken his foundation. He had been my rock during my darkest times, and now it was my turn to repay him. If Emerson truly had information that could help Elias, I needed to listen.I agreed to the meeting, but I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my gut. Emerson always had a way of complicating even the simplest of interactions.We returned to the living room where Liam and Elena were playing together. Their laughter filled the space, and I paused in the doorway, watching them. Liam had his father’s dark hair, a striking contrast to Elena’s blonde curls. Yet they looked perfectly in sync. Like siblings who had known each other forever.For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to imagine a different life. A life where this was normal—where Emer
Isabel’s POVI straightened my spine, forcing a calmness I didn’t feel as I met Emerson’s gaze. “That’ll be unnecessary. I can take care of both children perfectly well on my own.”His lips curved into a faint smile, but the glint in his eyes was anything but benign. “I’m sure you can,” he said, his tone laced with faux admiration. “But Liam’s safety is my priority.”The solemn expression he wore, as if he were some selfless protector, nearly made me laugh. Emerson was as cunning as ever, playing his cards so skillfully that it was hard not to be infuriated. But Liam’s hopeful eyes pinned me in place. The thought of disappointing him stung more than I wanted to admit.Taking a deep breath, I straightened further, masking my irritation with composure. “Fine,” I said finally. “We can have lunch at my home.”As I moved past Emerson, I let my shoulder brush his deliberately, leaning in just enough to whisper, “You’d better behave yourself.”He didn’t flinch. Instead, he tilted his head, w
Isabel’s POVThe next morning, I rose before dawn, my sleep fitful and plagued with thoughts of Emerson and Liam. By the time I reached my office, I was determined to stay focused. No distractions, no emotions—just the work ahead of me.On my desk, a pristine folder awaited, marked with my lawyer's logo. Its neat presentation did nothing to soften the weight I felt when I opened it. Legal jargon filled the pages, alongside detailed notes and evidence painstakingly collected. It was my arsenal in the battle for Liam’s custody. And yet, it all seemed so... daunting.My phone buzzed as I leafed through the pages.“Miss Sullivan, I assume you’ve received the files,” my lawyer began, her voice calm but firm. “I have to be honest with you—it won’t be easy to get custody of your son.”I gripped the phone tighter. My eyes were scanning a section about parental stability. My stomach twisted.“It doesn’t matter how hard it is,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’m not giving up. Emerson
Isabel’s POVMy secretary’s words left me staring at the receiver for several moments, my thoughts an unruly mess. Emerson. At work. The very idea of dealing with him in a professional capacity churned my stomach. He’d always been controlling, always found a way to worm himself into parts of my life I’d hoped to keep separate. And now, even my sanctuary at work wasn’t immune. I sighed heavily. “Miss?” my secretary’s voice broke through my haze.“Who agreed to cooperate with Mr. Williams?” I asked, my voice tight with irritation.“Mr. Eric Sullivan signed the contract, ma’am. It seemed like an excellent opportunity, and the terms were favorable,” she explained, her tone professional but slightly wary.Of course, Uncle Eric didn’t know the details about Emerson and me. He had no reason to suspect there might be underlying issues. And if I refused this cooperation, I’d likely have to explain more than I wanted to. My initial instinct was to shut it down immediately. But then the secret
Isabel’s POVThe drive home was mercifully uneventful. After the chaos of the hospital and the emotional whirlwind with Emerson and Liam, I was grateful for the quiet hum of the car engine. Beside me, Elena sat in her booster seat, her cheeks still a little flushed from her fever but her energy visibly returning.“Mommy,” she piped up, her voice small but steady. “Is Liam really going to live with us?”I smiled, trying to focus on the road while keeping my tone light. “That’s the plan, sweetheart. Would you like that?”She nodded so enthusiastically her curls bounced. “Yes! He’s so funny, and he said he’d protect me forever! Do you think he likes to color? Or maybe play dress-up? What about dinosaurs? Oh! And is his daddy going to come too?”Her stream of questions made my chest tighten. I wanted to protect her innocence, shield her from the tangled web of adult conflicts. But how could I explain Emerson in a way that made sense to a child?“Well,” I began carefully, “Liam’s daddy has