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 POVRobert offered to pay for my cancer treatment. I was stunned. His words left me speechless, and I didn’t know how to process the overwhelming kindness he was showing me.“Robert, I can’t accept that. It’s too much,” I replied, my voice shaking. “We haven’t seen each other in years. Why would you do so much for me?”He took a deep breath, his gaze softening. “You were my only friend in school, Isabel. You cared about me when I was bullied. You sat with me when no one else would. You have no idea how much that means to a lonely, insecure little boy. Now, I’m finally in a position to repay you. Please, let me help you.”His words left me with a strange mixture of gratitude and unease. His kindness and the offer to be my support touched me deeply. But wasn’t it a bit much for something I did all those years ago? I didn’t know what to say to his offer.Before I could gather my thoughts, my phone rang. It was Emerson’s assistant. What was this about? I picked up the phone.“Hel
Isabel’s POV“I didn’t come back to Rivermont to steal other women’s men, Victoria,” I said sharply, my patience wearing thin. “I have better things to do.”Victoria studied me, her expression unreadable. For a long moment, she said nothing, simply watching me with the kind of quiet intensity that made my skin prickle. Finally, she exhaled, as if coming to some internal conclusion.“I understand,” she said. But there was something cautious in her voice, as if she wasn’t quite sure whether she believed me.She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly. “I didn’t know about you at first,” she admitted. “Robert had never mentioned you. Not once. But then, one day, I found a box of photos at his place. Pictures of you.”A strange tightness settled in my chest. “I see.”She gave a small, dry laugh. “I thought maybe you were an ex, someone from his past who had simply drifted away. But there was something in the way he looked at those pictures—something different.”I swallowed ha
Isabel’s POVI forced myself to act naturally. To keep my expression calm even as the air between us crackled with unspoken tension.Victoria studied me with sharp, assessing eyes. Her perfectly poised demeanor was a stark contrast to the discomfort tightening in my chest.I chose my words carefully. “Robert and I have always been close,” I said, keeping my tone even. “But not in the way he might have wished. If that’s what you’re getting at.”Victoria’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Oh, I know. But it’s fascinating, isn’t it? How some people leave such an imprint on others.”There was something calculated in her words. A test hidden beneath the guise of casual conversation. I met her gaze without wavering.“I’d like to think we all shape the lives of those we care about,” I said simply, my voice firmer than I felt.Her fingers tapped idly against the desk. “Perhaps. But some more than others.”I resisted the urge to sigh. “Victoria, if you’re asking whether Robert and I had unres
Isabel’s POV“I am... Do I know you?” I asked, my voice careful, measured. I was certain I had never met this woman before. Yet the way she looked at me, as if we had some kind of unspoken history, unsettled me.She smiled—a polished, professional kind of smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “My name is Victoria Jacobs,” she said, extending a perfectly manicured hand. “Pediatrician. And also... Robert’s girlfriend.”The words struck me harder than I expected. I blinked, momentarily at a loss. Robert’s girlfriend. I had never given much thought to who Robert might be with now, but hearing it out loud felt strangely jarring.“Oh, how lovely. Nice to meet you,” I said finally, shaking her hand. “Robert mentioned he was seeing somebody. I’m happy for both of you.”“Oh, thanks,” she said lightly. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Isabel. Robert used to talk about you often.”At that, my gaze flickered toward Emerson. He had been quiet until now. But I could see the slight tightening of his ja
Isabel’s POVThe fire crackled softly, its warm glow dancing on our faces. I cradled Elena in my lap, wrapping the blanket tighter around her small frame. Her shivers were less frequent now, but I could feel the lingering fear in her tight grip on my hand. Liam sat close to Emerson, looking subdued, a rare stillness settling over his usually lively demeanor.I needed answers.“Elena, sweetheart,” I said gently, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. “Can you tell me what happened? How did you end up in the water?”Her big eyes, still glossy with unshed tears, blinked up at me. She hesitated, glancing toward Liam before speaking. “We were playing hide-and-seek,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.“I was counting,” Liam added, his tone defensive, as if he already anticipated blame. “I swear I didn’t know she went near the lake, Mom. I didn’t see her leave!”“I know, Liam,” I assured him, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “Just tell me everything you remember.”Elena no
Isabel’s POVAs soon as Emerson proposed the plan to the kids, there was no way I could back out.Liam’s face lit up like the sun breaking through storm clouds. “Yeah!!! I wanna go camping!”Before I could voice my doubts, Elena joined in, her small hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. “Please, Mommy! Camping will be so fun. We can roast marshmallows, and Liam can tell me scary stories!”It was impossible to say no to their sparkling eyes and contagious excitement. I laughed, relenting. “Alright, alright. Camping it is.”Though I agreed, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the thought of Emerson roughing it in the wilderness. Camping didn’t exactly scream ‘Emerson Williams,’ the man whose wardrobe probably had more three-piece suits than most men owned socks.We left early the next morning. The car was loaded with supplies, snacks, and the kids’ boundless energy. I had to admit, seeing Emerson in a lumberjack-style outfit—a plaid shirt, slim-fit jeans, and hiking boots—wa
Isabel’s POVThe sight before me froze the air in my lungs. Liam was sitting on the floor, clutching his mouth, tears streaming down his face. A small streak of blood glistened at the corner of his lips, and a smashed cupcake lay in pieces around him.“No...” I gasped, the worst scenarios racing through my mind. Elena stood frozen by his side. Her wide, frightened eyes darted between Liam and me.“What happened?” I rushed to Liam, pulling him into my arms as he sobbed against my shoulder. “Lila,” I growled, my voice laced with barely controlled fury. “What have you done to my son?”Lila, standing in the doorway, looked the picture of confusion. Her green eyes widened, her hands clasping the empty dessert tray in front of her like a shield. “I—I didn’t do anything,” she stammered, her tone drenched in innocence.Emerson stepped past her and crouched beside us, his brow furrowed in concern. “Liam, let me see.” He gently reached out. But Liam clung to me, his sobs growing louder.I cradle
Isabel’s POVLila turned slowly, almost too slowly, and her green eyes locked onto mine. That was one of the few differences between her face and mine—instead of blue eyes, hers were a striking shade of green. There was something unnervingly familiar about them. A resemblance I couldn’t place, but one that sent an icy chill skittering down my spine.Her expression was strange, a careful mask of innocence. Yet it failed to hide the underlying tension in her features. “I was just delivering desserts for the little ones… to give them a sweet welcome,” she said, holding up the empty silver tray in her hands as though it were proof of her harmlessness.My eyes darted past her to the children, seated at a small table in the corner of the room. Liam and Elena were happily munching on cupcakes, their laughter filling the space with a warmth I couldn’t let myself fully relax into. The sight of their joy should have reassured me. But it didn’t.Lila’s lips curved into that unnatural smile of
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s lips tightened and his jaw clenched at the edge of my sarcasm. I could see him weighing his response, clearly aware that the tension in the room had grown thick enough to cut. After a long moment, he exhaled deeply, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair—a telltale sign of his discomfort.“Isabel,” he began, his tone low and measured, as if handling a fragile object. “I understand how this might look. And I’ll admit, when I first saw her… I was swayed. Lila’s resemblance to you—it caught me off guard. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But that’s all it is—a resemblance.” He glanced at me, gauging my reaction. “I’ve never felt anything for her. Nothing like what I feel for you. You have to believe me when I say that.”My jaw tightened as his words settled into the room. “Believe you?” I said coolly. “The tabloids told a different story, Emerson. You’ve been photographed with her. You’ve been seen out together.”His shoulders stiffened, and he shook his
Isabel’s POVBefore I could respond, a knock at the door interrupted the charged silence. Grateful for the distraction from the unsettling tension with the maid, I cleared my throat. “Come in,” I called, my voice steadier than I felt.“Oh,” he began, his tone hesitant. “I see you’ve met the new maid.”“How perceptive of you,” I replied, arching an eyebrow. My words dripped with sarcasm, cutting through the silence like a blade. The tension in the room was almost palpable, coiling between us like a living thing.Lila stood quietly by the corner. Her head was bowed just enough to feign modesty, though the faintest hint of a smirk danced at the edge of her lips. Emerson cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably under my scrutiny, but his usual confidence seemed to falter.“Is… something wrong?” he asked. His sharp eyes darted between me and Lila, who stood rigidly by my suitcase.Lila immediately dipped into a respectful bow, her voice calm but deferential. “Nothing, sir. Miss Isabel w