Isabel’s POV
I stared at my phone. Lilith’s taunting voice replayed over and over in my mind. “We had a wonderful night together.” The way she said it left no doubt. I couldn't believe her nerve.
My ex-husband, who once promised me forever, was with his new family while I struggled to pick up the pieces. Why would he toy me around like this, making me feel like I meant something to him, only to dive in bed with his new girlfriend? The humiliation was unbearable.
I tried to shake off the feelings. I had to. Emma and I had plans to go out tonight, and I needed this distraction.
I dressed carefully,
Emerson’s POVSo Isabel had found a new home. She wasn’t starving in the streets like my nightmares. A sense of relief washed over me. But when I saw the photos, my heart shattered. She was with a man. And not just any man…I thanked my assistant for the information and sent him off. I had to prepare for work.I began the familiar routine of getting dressed. Sliding into a tailored suede suit, I felt the soft fabric mold to my frame. As I looked into the mirror, I couldn’t help but admire the sharp contrast of my wavy, dark hair against my striking blue eyes.I looked every bit the successful and accomplished CEO that I was known to be. Yet, despite the polished exterior, a hollow feelin
Isabel’s POVEmerson stood before me, scrolling through his phone. His eyes were unreadable. There was something off about the way he looked at me, as if he was doubting whether I spoke the truth. “I don’t see any record of your call,” he finally said.I wondered if Lilith had hidden it from him. It wouldn't surprise me. She was cunning like that. But that wasn’t what I wanted to discuss. I needed to focus on the real issue."When are we signing the agreement?" I asked directly, my voice colder than I intended. I didn't have the luxury to dance around the subject. I needed that money. My father's life depended on it, and so did my own. I watched as Emerson’s expression shifted slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Isabel’s POVAs Emerson turned to leave, his words cut through the air like a knife. “Move out of this house today,” he commanded in a voice as cold as ice. He tossed a set of keys onto the table between us. “If you don’t want Robert to pay a ‘big price’ because of you.”I stared at the keys, my heart pounding. Emerson’s threats always carried weight, and I had no doubt he meant every word. Robert stood beside me, his face contorted with anger. He opened his mouth to retort. But I quickly reached out and touched his arm, silencing him.“I was planning to move out anyway,” I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady. “I can’t keep burdening you, Robert. I’ll move to the apartment from the
Emerson’s POVThe past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions. Every time I thought of Isabel, my mind spiraled into confusion. Why did she have this effect on me? Why did her presence linger in my thoughts, irritating my nerves and gnawing at my sanity? I had always convinced myself that my feelings for her were nothing more than fleeting remnants of our marriage. But the jealousy and anger that surged within me whenever I saw her with Robert... It made no sense.I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I left Isabel behind in the suburbs, with Robert. Her fragile appearance was burned into my memory. The way she looked at me, as though I were the last person she wanted to see, only fueled my frustration. But beneath that frustration was something deeper—something I refused to acknowledge.The car ride back to the office was tense. My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was Lilith. I hesitated before answering, knowing what was coming."Emerson," she purred, her voice
Isabel’s POVI stared at the test results, my hands trembling as I held the paper. Nervous headache? How could this be? Just a headache? The diagnosis felt like a cruel joke, mocking the pain and fear that had plagued me for so long. My mind raced. Did someone tamper with the results? Who could have done it? Lilith? The thought of her involvement sent a chill down my spine. But before I could voice my suspicions, Emerson’s voice cut through my confusion. “Lilith wasn’t the only victim. Your father was a lot worse than you thought.”His words struck me like a slap in the face. I felt the air leave my lungs. What did he mean by that? I searched Emerson’s face for answers, but he only offered a cold, distant expression.“If you want to know the truth,” he said, his tone as icy as his gaze, “why don’t you investigate it yourself?”And with that, he turned and walked away. He left me standing there, clutching the test results in one hand and the divorce agreement in the other.A flood of
Isabel’s POVI hugged myself tightly, curled up on the cold, hard floor of my father’s study. The night seemed endless, each passing hour filled with the suffocating weight of dread. The images of Lilith from my father’s hidden safe haunted me. And there were photos of other young girls too. I kept asking myself the same question over and over: What had my father done? My heart ached as my mind wandered to the darkest corners of possibility. Could my father, the man who had always been my hero, have committed something so unforgivable? I felt sick just thinking about it.When I finally drifted off, my nightmares mirrored my deepest fears. Lilith's face was there, but younger, more innocent. “Your father has done the unspeakable. The unforgivable,” she said. And then, other girls—so many of them—echoed her words. “Unspeakable. Unforgivable.” They all looked terrified. The images swirled around me, trapping me in a whirlwind of horror until I jolted awake. My heart was pounding. I was
Isabel’s POVJulia’s words offered me a glimmer of hope. But I didn’t know if I would ever find out the truth about my father. My time was running out. I could feel the cancer spreading, sapping my strength day by day. My new apartment, a relic from my divorce, became my sanctuary. It was the only luxury I had left. A reminder of a life that seemed like a distant dream. I found a low intensity online job to pay for my medical bills. The work kept my mind occupied, but my health declined rapidly over the next three months.Chemotherapy took its toll. I lost all my hair. I invested in a wig that looked just like the golden hair I once had. But every time I looked in the mirror, I saw a stranger staring back at me. The wig was a small comfort, a way to hold on to a piece of myself. I bought some new clothes for myself. They weren’t nearly as nice as the ones Emerson had once bought for me, but I had lost everything in the fire. The new outfits felt like trying to paint over cracks in a
Isabel’s POVMaybe out of spite, or the deep well of resentment that had built up inside me, I deliberately said my ex-husband had died. I wanted to erase him from my life. To make it as if he never existed. The words slipped out without much thought. A final attempt to reclaim some dignity. But as soon as I spoke to them, a cold voice echoed through the room."Well, that's a pity, Miss White."The room fell silent. My heart stopped. I turned around, wide-eyed and in shock. Emerson stood there, tall and imposing. His icy blue eyes bore into mine. His wavy dark hair and carefully trimmed short beard outlined his strong jawline. He looked every bit the dashing figure I once fell in love with. But there was no warmth in his gaze. Only cold mockery.Beside him, Lilith clung to his arm. Her presence was as calculated as ever. Her beauty was the kind that only money could buy—artificial yet striking. Thick lashes framed her eyes, which were heavily made up with a smoky shadow. It gave her
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