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Chapter 54 - Dawning Light
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 55 - The Sharp Edge of Truth
Isabel’s POVEmerson's words and reactions were unsettling. The way he’d pinpointed my claustrophobia, even tracing it back to when it began, left me bewildered. How had he known? And why did he look so sorrowful? His usually cold blue eyes held an unusual softness as he sat there. His hands were tangled in his hair. He was staring up at me with an expression that almost made me falter.Almost.But I couldn’t let myself be swayed by him. Not again. Emerson had hurt me too deeply. He had cut me in ways that left permanent scars. The look in his eyes might have touched me once. But now, I felt nothing more than a fleeting shadow of what I had once felt for him. I couldn't afford to let down my walls. Not again. Not with the man who had shattered my heart beyond repair.I ignored his question, refusing to give him the satisfaction of prying into my pain. All I wanted was to leave, to put as much distance between us as possible. But as I sat up and started gathering my things, Emerson w
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 56 - The Cost of Memories
Isabel’s POVI stared at Emerson in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest. What did he mean? The ruby necklace my mother had left me—how could it be on the auction list? My mind struggled to process the words that had just come out of his mouth.I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “That can’t be right,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I never sold it… I would never…” My words trailed off as memories of my father’s bankruptcy hit me hard. So many things had been taken, sold off. But not that necklace. It was the only thing I had left of her.I clenched my fists, trying to control the wave of emotions that surged through me. "The break-in at my father's house," I muttered to myself, piecing it together. “It must’ve been stolen then.”Just a few days ago, the police had called me about a break-in. “Ma'am, I’m sorry, the thief ran away, but nothing valuable seemed to have been stolen.” the police said. There wasn’t much left since the bankruptcy. But I totally forgot about
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 57 - No Price Too High
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s words hit me like a hammer. The realization of what he was saying made my heart sink. If I wanted to reclaim my mother’s necklace, I would have to go through bankruptcy all over again.The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety. “I need to think,” I murmured. My voice was barely audible, as if speaking louder would make the situation more real.Emerson nodded, his expression unreadable. “Take your time. But remember, the auction won’t wait forever.”As he left the room, I sank into the chair, feeling the exhaustion wash over me. My mind raced with possibilities. Each one seemed more futile than the last.My mind was a storm of thoughts.
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 58 - Walls of Resilience
Isabel’s POVIt was absurd. Show him weakness? Why would I ever do that again? Emerson's question echoed in my mind, stirring a mix of anger and disbelief. Were my worries about money not enough to satisfy his cruel heart?I had begged him for help before. Each time had only deepened the wounds he’d already inflicted. How could he even ask such a question now? How could he expect me to show weakness, after everything that happened?I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tumult of emotions swirling inside me. I had to keep my walls up. I had to protect myself from his twisted mind games. I couldn’t give him any power over my heart ever again.“I may not be as rich as you,” I began, my voice trembling with the effort to keep
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 59 - Web of Lies
Emerson’s POVI was at the hospital with Isabel, again. Isabel was sitting on the bed. Her eyes were distant. She was clearly lost in thought.I watched her for a moment, the way her fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of the blanket. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of something—guilt? Regret?It was hard to tell these days. My emotions were a tangled mess whenever I was around her.I decided we could both use a cup of coffee, so I stepped outside into the hallway. While I waited at the coffee machine, I reached into my pocket. I pulled out my phone and sighed as I saw the screen light up with missed calls and messages.Most of them were from Lilith. I could almost hear the ange
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 60 - Aching Hearts
Isabel’s POVSeeing Emerson leave so decisively, my heart ached in a way that felt all too familiar. The pain was sharp, as if he had driven a knife deeper into a wound that never seemed to heal.Why did he keep hurting me? Why did I let him?I tried to stand. But as I put weight on my ankle, a sharp pain shot through me. I fell again. I must’ve sprained my ankle.The cold pavement stung against my skin, and the humiliation burned in my chest. I was about to try getting up once more when I heard hurried footsteps approaching."Isabel!" Emma's voice broke through the haze of pain and despair. She knelt beside me, her face etched with worry. "What happened? Are you okay?"
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 61 - Facing The Inevitable
Isabel’s POVI tried to comfort Emma, but my words felt hollow. I told her I was just preparing for the worst, trying to make sense of it all in advance. No one could predict the future, I reminded her. It was a flimsy shield against the gnawing fear that clung to me. I knew she could see through my brave front. But she nodded, her eyes heavy with concern."Isabel, don't talk like that," Emma said, her voice trembling. "You’re not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out together."I forced a smile, though it felt like a thin mask. "I just want to be prepared, Emma. If anything happens to me, I want you to sell the house I got from the divorce. The money should be enough to support my father for the rest of his life."Her face crumpled at my words, but she nodded again. "You know I’ll take care of him. But please, don’t give up. You have to keep fighting."I reached out, squeezing her hand. "I’ll try, Emma. But I need to do this my way."Later, I contacted the auction organizer. My finge
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 62 - Under the Spotlight
Isabel’s POVLilith's irritation was palpable. Her sharp eyes narrowed, her lips twitching as though she was fighting to hold back a retort. Her fingers gripped the edges of her chair. But before she could spit out whatever venomous words she had prepared, the auctioneer’s voice boomed through the hall.“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer announced with a theatrical pause, “Welcome to an evening of rare treasures and timeless pieces. Our collection of items this evening is truly exceptional...”The room grew silent as everyone turned their attention to the stage. Lilith still managed to shoot me one last glare, her gaze like daggers piercing into me. It was a silent accusation, simmering with unspoken threats.As she settled into her seat, I couldn’t shake the feeling of her watching me. Even while pretending to be engaged with the auction, her glances told me otherwise.She wore a stunning evening gown that clung to her curves, the fabric shimmering under the chandelier lights. Her
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 197 - A Featherlight Touch
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. Emerson’s parting words lingered like a shadow. Targeted by whom? And for what? The cryptic warning looped in my mind like a song I couldn’t forget, each repetition pulling me deeper into uncertainty.My mind raced with questions, but before I could ask them, Emerson walked away. His posture was tense, his footsteps deliberate as he retreated to his study. He had closed the door on the conversation as quickly as he’d opened it.“Good night,” he said quietly, though the words carried a note of finality that made it clear the topic was no longer up for discussion.I stood in the dimly lit hallway, staring at the closed study door, debating whether to knock and demand answers. But the image of his stern expression and tightly set jaw earlier stopped me. Emerson wasn’t the type to yield under pressure, especially when his mind was made up.With a heavy sigh, I turned and headed back to my room, my thoughts swirling like leaves caught
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 196 - Fires of Envy
Isabel’s POVI blinked, stunned by Emerson’s question. His words hung in the air like an invisible weight pressing down on me. The intensity in his gaze made my stomach churn, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.“What are you really asking, Emerson?” I finally managed, my voice quieter than I intended.His posture remained rigid, his jaw clenched tight as if holding back something he wasn’t sure he wanted to say. The faintest crease in his brow betrayed an emotion I hadn’t expected—vulnerability. But there was something else, too, simmering just beneath the surface.Jealousy.The realization sent a shiver down my spine. Emerson, the cold and calculating man who rarely let emotions dictate his actions, was jealous. I hadn’t thought him capable of such a feeling, not when he had spent so much time keeping me at arm’s length, guarding his emotions like precious secrets.“Caleb is a nice young man,” I began cautiously, unsure where this conversation was heading. “He’s... a very qualifi
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 195 - Uncomfortable Questions
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the air was suffocating, and I found myself clenching my fists to keep my nerves at bay. Emerson’s sudden question hung heavily between the three of us. I could feel my heart pounding erratically.Caleb’s usual confidence faltered as Emerson’s piercing gaze bore into him. For a moment, Caleb looked genuinely stunned, his mouth opening and closing without sound. The silence stretched uncomfortably. My thoughts, relentless and intrusive, began to spiral. Caleb’s behavior over the past few days replayed in my mind like fragments of an unsolved puzzle.Did he have feelings for me?The question lingered, its weight growing with each passing second. Some of his recent actions hinted at something deeper.His attentiveness, the way his eyes seemed to linger just a moment too long, the subtle protectiveness in his tone when he spoke about me. Could there be more to it?Or was I just being narcissistic?I held my breath, silently praying.Please… let this be nothing.
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 194 - Fractured Loyalties
Isabel’s POVCaleb barely waited for Emerson to approach before launching into his explanation. He was clearly worried about me. His voice carried the clipped confidence of someone both annoyed and defensive.“Look, before you get all moody and controlling,” Caleb began, stepping forward with his hands half-raised in mock surrender, “I took Isabel out because she needed some air. Nothing happened, alright? No harm, no foul.”Emerson didn’t acknowledge him. His sharp, unyielding gaze locked onto me instead, stripping away any sense of ease I had managed to salvage from the day. The intensity in his eyes made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Though I refused to flinch under the weight of his scrutiny.“Emerson,” Caleb pressed, clearly unwilling to let the tension fester, “you don’t have to interrogate her like this. She’s a grown woman. She doesn’t need a chaperone every time she steps out the door.”“Caleb.” Emerson’s voice was clipped and precise, as though he were severing the convers
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 193 - Unexpected Confrontations
Isabel’s POVMy hands clenched at my sides, my initial shock giving way to anger. “What are you doing here, Lilith?”“Oh, just taking a walk,” she said airily. “What a coincidence running into you two. You know how small the world is.”Her eyes glittered with malice, and I knew she wasn’t here by accident. Whatever game she was playing, it was only just beginning.Lilith turned to Caleb, her voice dripping with fake concern. “You should enjoy your time while you can. You wouldn’t want to end up like Sebastian.”Her words sent a chill through me, but before I could respond, Caleb stepped closer to her, his tone low and dangerous. “Leave. Now.”Lilith’s smug smile widened as she waved her smartphone in the air, its screen flashing faintly in the sunlight. “What do you think Emerson would say,” she purred, “if I told him about this little outing?”I clenched my fists, my annoyance bubbling just beneath the surface. “Lilith, enough with the games. This is Emerson’s cousin Caleb you’re try
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 192 - Swept Away
Isabel’s POV“Captivity, huh?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.“Exactly,” he said, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. “While the evil lord of the manor is away, I’m here to whisk you off to freedom.”His words were clearly meant as a joke, but I couldn’t ignore the subtle jab at Emerson. “And where exactly are you planning to whisk me off to?”“You’ll see.” Caleb’s tone turned mysterious. “But it’s somewhere you’ll love, I promise.”I hesitated. Spending time with Caleb felt like a risk. He had always been a wild card, unpredictable and charming in equal measure. And with the complicated web of tension between Emerson and me, getting too close to his cousin felt... inappropriate.“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said. “Besides, there’s Liam to consider. I can’t just leave him here.”As if summoned by my words, the maid came rushing out, taking Liam in her arms. She looked flustered, apologizing profusely for not hearing the doorbell.“It’s all right,” Caleb said with a sunny smi
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 191 - Mirror’s Deception
Isabel’s POVI forced a laugh, trying to brush off her comment. “I think you’re imagining things,” I said lightly, but the words felt hollow.The maid smiled apologetically. “Perhaps. I didn’t mean anything by it, miss.”At first, it felt absurd—laughable even. Liam was Emerson and Lilith’s child; that was an undeniable fact. But as the seconds ticked by, something darker, more insidious, began to creep into my thoughts.“That’s ridiculous,” I said aloud, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.The maid gave me a sheepish smile, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, Miss. It’s just something I noticed. His eyes, maybe? Or his smile? I didn’t mean anything by it.”Her apology only heightened my unease. “It’s fine,” I replied curtly, waving her off.But the seed was planted. My gaze drifted down to Liam, who sat in my lap, staring up at me with a toothy grin. His eyes sparkled with innocence, as if he was oblivious to the storm brewing in my mind.Could it be true?I sh
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 190 - Silent Night
Isabel’s POVThe stillness of the room pressed on me, amplified by the steady rhythm of Emerson’s breathing behind me. He still wasn’t asleep—I could tell by the occasional shift of his weight and the faint sighs escaping him.He had withdrawn his arm when I didn’t answer, but the proximity between us remained charged. Every so often, his body would shift, brushing against mine—a subtle, fleeting contact that sent ripples through my already frayed nerves. Was it accidental? Or deliberate? I couldn’t be sure, and the ambiguity only made it worse.My body, traitorous as ever, reacted in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The heat of his presence seemed to seep into my skin, igniting a tension I had no desire to acknowledge. It wasn’t fair—after everything, after all the anger and betrayal, how could some unintentional touch unravel me like this?I tried to suppress the swirling emotions, willing myself to focus on anything else. But the way my heart raced, the way my breath hitched in those st
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 189 - A Promise in the Dark
Isabel’s POVSitting on the kitchen table, Emerson still looming over me, my mind spiraled with guilt. Sebastian was locked up, possibly suffering, all because of me. He’d been trying to help me, to protect me, and now he was paying the price. I clenched my fists in my lap, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions.“Isabel.”Emerson’s voice broke through the haze. His sharp gaze fixed on me. His head tilted slightly as if studying a puzzle. “You’re quiet. You look… off. Do you know something you’re not telling me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.My heart skipped a beat. Did he suspect? Could he somehow see through me, past the walls I’d painstakingly built?I met his eyes, masking the turmoil within. “No,” I said, forcing a small, almost casual shrug. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”He didn’t seem entirely convinced. His piercing gaze lingered on me longer than I liked. I bit my lip, weighing my options. If Emerson knew the truth about Sebastian’s private investigation and
