Isabel’s POVLila took a small step back, bowing her head slightly. "I’m sorry, Miss. I heard you scream. I was worried, that’s all."I clenched my jaw, forcing my breath to steady. My pulse still pounded in my ears, the remnants of my nightmare clinging to me like a shadow. I didn’t want Lila to see me like this—vulnerable, shaken. I already didn’t trust her, and the last thing I needed was to give her more reason to think I was weak."I’m fine. Just a nightmare," I said flatly, willing her to leave. But she remained rooted in place, her wide eyes watching me too closely. The sight of her standing in my room, uninvited, made my skin crawl. "Is there anything else you needed to tell me?" I asked, breaking the awkward silence."Yes, Miss." Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Mr. Williams was called out for an emergency. It seemed to be serious trouble."I frowned, my mind quickly shifting from my own unease to Emerson. "I see. I trust he’ll handle it." But something about the way sh
Isabel’s POVThe crisp autumn air slipped through the barely open door, sending a chill under my robe and up my spine. I folded my arms tightly around myself, standing in the doorway, facing the psychiatrist.I hesitated. Letting a stranger into my home—especially one I hadn’t asked for—felt intrusive. But standing here, shivering in the cold, wasn’t exactly productive either."Alright, well... come in," I finally said, stepping aside. "I just need a moment to get more... presentable."Dr. Hensley gave a small nod, stepping inside. "Of course, Miss Sullivan. Take your time."I closed the door behind him and walked upstairs, my thoughts racing. Emerson had sent this doctor without telling me. Did he really think I needed professional help? Was I unraveling so much that he didn’t trust me to handle things on my own?I took my time changing, pressing my hands against my temples in an attempt to clear my mind. The last thing I needed was to seem defensive or unstable in front of a psychia
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
Isabel’s POVThe crisp autumn air slipped through the barely open door, sending a chill under my robe and up my spine. I folded my arms tightly around myself, standing in the doorway, facing the psychiatrist.I hesitated. Letting a stranger into my home—especially one I hadn’t asked for—felt intrusive. But standing here, shivering in the cold, wasn’t exactly productive either."Alright, well... come in," I finally said, stepping aside. "I just need a moment to get more... presentable."Dr. Hensley gave a small nod, stepping inside. "Of course, Miss Sullivan. Take your time."I closed the door behind him and walked upstairs, my thoughts racing. Emerson had sent this doctor without telling me. Did he really think I needed professional help? Was I unraveling so much that he didn’t trust me to handle things on my own?I took my time changing, pressing my hands against my temples in an attempt to clear my mind. The last thing I needed was to seem defensive or unstable in front of a psychia
Isabel’s POVLila took a small step back, bowing her head slightly. "I’m sorry, Miss. I heard you scream. I was worried, that’s all."I clenched my jaw, forcing my breath to steady. My pulse still pounded in my ears, the remnants of my nightmare clinging to me like a shadow. I didn’t want Lila to see me like this—vulnerable, shaken. I already didn’t trust her, and the last thing I needed was to give her more reason to think I was weak."I’m fine. Just a nightmare," I said flatly, willing her to leave. But she remained rooted in place, her wide eyes watching me too closely. The sight of her standing in my room, uninvited, made my skin crawl. "Is there anything else you needed to tell me?" I asked, breaking the awkward silence."Yes, Miss." Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Mr. Williams was called out for an emergency. It seemed to be serious trouble."I frowned, my mind quickly shifting from my own unease to Emerson. "I see. I trust he’ll handle it." But something about the way sh
Isabel’s POVThe little girl stood frozen . Her lower lip trembled, eyes glossy with unshed tears as she stared up at me. I could see the way my expression—sharp, unfiltered irritation—frightened her. But instead of softening, I felt an inexplicable surge of frustration bubbling inside me, hot and irrational. Why? It was just ice cream, just a dress. Why did it feel like something had snapped inside of me?Before I could figure out how to undo the damage, her parents rushed over. They took in the scene quickly—the vivid pink stain on my cream-colored satin dress, their daughter's terrified face—and instantly started apologizing."We're so sorry! She didn’t mean to, she was just excited and—"“We’ll cover the cleaning cost,” her father added quickly. “Or if the stain doesn’t come out, we’ll replace the dress.”Their politeness made me feel even worse. I finally realized just how out of line my reaction had been. My throat tightened with shame, and I forced my features to relax, though
Isabel’s POVThe moment Emerson’s words had left his lips, a cold sensation spread through me, crawling down my spine like ice water. I helped him pick out that tie? This morning? My mind scrambled to pull up any recollection. But all I found was a frustrating blankness where the memory should have been.Emerson’s eyes darkened as he observed my reaction. He placed a firm yet gentle hand on my arm. “Isa, you’re pale. Sit down for a moment.”I shook my head, resisting the panic threatening to rise in my chest. “I’m fine,” I said, though my voice wavered. “I just… don’t understand. I don’t forget things like this.”He exhaled slowly, as if choosing his next words carefully. “Maybe it’s stress. You’ve been through a lot, Isabel.” His thumb absently traced small circles on my wrist, grounding me. “It wouldn’t be surprising if your mind needed a break.”“But I don’t feel like I need a break, Emerson,” I said sharply, yanking my hand away. “I feel like something is slipping. Like I’m losin
Isabel’s POVThe crisp scent of fresh bread and brewed coffee filled the air as I took a slow sip from my cup. I felt better this morning—lighter, more like myself. The grogginess from last night had faded, and I chalked it up to exhaustion. Maybe I had just been pushing myself too hard lately.Across from me, Liam and Elena sat unusually quiet. Their small hands were resting on the table. Something about their solemn expressions made me uneasy. I set down my coffee cup and studied them."What is it?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "Why are you two staring at me like that?"Liam pouted, glancing at Elena as if urging her to speak first. Elena let out a small sigh and tilted her head. "Mommy... don’t you remember?"My brows knitted together. "Remember what?"Elena’s shoulders slumped as she exchanged a crestfallen look with Liam. "You promised us.""Promised you what?"Liam crossed his arms, frustration flickering in his eyes. "You said you’d take us to the playground today!" he blurted,
Isabel’s POVI rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness in my head. “I’m fine. Maybe it’s just grogginess from sleeping too long.”Emerson nodded, but kept studying me as if he wasn’t convinced. I decided to change the subject, if only to get his scrutinizing gaze off me. “The new scented candles are nice. Where did you buy them?" I asked, looking at Marianne.Her face lit up at the compliment. "Oh, I’m so glad you like them! They're handmade by my family. We’ve been making them for years, mostly for gifts and home use. But if you enjoy them, I could have them send more."I glanced at her in mild surprise. "Really? Handmade? That’s impressive. They smell so calming. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so soundly in a long time."Marianne beamed. "That’s wonderful to hear! Though, to be honest, we never made them with any sleep-inducing properties. Just natural ingredients and essential oils. But maybe I just spotted a new business opportunity!" she added with a playful
Isabel’s POVI stood frozen, my gaze still fixed on the doorway where Lila had disappeared. The weight of her words clung to me, an invisible force pressing against my chest."What did she mean by that?" My voice was sharper than I intended. "Is she implying that I have a delusional disorder? That I’m imagining things?"Emerson stepped closer, his hands resting gently on my shoulders, his thumbs brushing against my collarbones. "Isa, don’t let her get under your skin. She’s twisting things. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. You really need to rest."I shrugged off his hands with a jerk of my shoulder. "Don’t touch me," I snapped, my irritation flaring unexpectedly. I wasn’t even sure if it was directed at him or at the tangled mess of thoughts in my mind. Lila. The gardener. Elena’s watch. Nothing made sense, and I hated it.Emerson sighed but didn’t press the issue. "Fine. But at least try to get some sleep."I didn’t reply. Instead, I turned sharply and strode toward my
Isabel’s POVEmerson and I stepped back into the villa. The tension between us was almost palpable. My mind was still racing, trying to make sense of everything. The gardener had stolen Elena’s smartwatch—yes—but that didn’t mean the deeper mystery was solved. There was something else at play, something that still eluded me.Marianne was the first to notice our discomfort. She stood by the grand staircase, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took in our expressions. “What happened?” she asked, a note of concern lacing her voice.Emerson and I exchanged a glance. We had no intention of explaining everything in detail—not yet—but telling her the bare minimum wouldn’t hurt.“The gardener,” Emerson said, his voice clipped, “he was caught trying to bury Elena’s watch. He… stole it.”Marianne’s hand flew to her mouth. “What? But—he’s been working here for years. He seemed so… honest.”That same thought had crossed my mind, but experience had taught me that appearances were deceiving.“He claim
Isabel’s POVThe crisp autumn air carried the scent of damp earth and the last lingering sweetness of summer flowers. The sun, pale but warm, cast long dappled shadows over the stone pathways where Emerson and I walked side by side.Golden leaves fluttered down from the towering oaks that lined the villa’s garden. Their rustling whispers fill the quiet morning.I inhaled deeply, trying to shake off the frustration knotting in my chest. Emerson had done everything possible to uncover Lila’s real identity, yet the answers we received only deepened the mystery. If the DNA test confirmed her story, why did something still feel… off?“I appreciate everything you’ve done, Emerson,” I said, running my fingers along the ivy creeping up the garden wall. “But I can’t help feeling like we’re missing something.”He glanced at me, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. “I know what you mean. The pieces don’t quite fit together.”Before I could respond, a sudden movement in the distance cau