Isabel’s POVI barely registered the auctioneer’s words as the auction officially began. The room was filled with the hum of people bidding, their voices rising and falling with each item presented. But to me, it was all just noise, distant and meaningless. The expensive artifacts, the glittering jewels, the rare art pieces—they were nothing more than props in a show I had no interest in.I let my eyes wander across the room. The opulent displays of wealth were all blurring together. It was as if I were watching a movie, completely detached from the scene unfolding before me. I was just a spectator, a ghost among the living. My thoughts began to drift. I got carried away by the memories that still lingered like shadows in the back of my mind.I remembered the first year of my marriage to Emerson. He had taken me to events like this one—grand auctions where the rich and powerful gathered to flaunt their wealth."Isabel," he had said as we entered one of those glittering venues, his ha
Isabel’s POV“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer began, drawing out the suspense, “this exquisite ruby necklace dates back to the early 19th century. Crafted by a master jeweler, its deep red stones symbolize both passion and power.”His gaze swept over the crowd as he continued. “These rubies are some of the finest you’ll ever see—untouched, unblemished, and set in a custom-designed gold frame. A true collector’s piece.”The room hummed with quiet admiration as he went on. “This necklace is not only a symbol of elegance but a testament to history. A one-of-a-kind treasure, ladies and gentlemen.”But I didn’t need to hear the details. I knew them by heart. The ruby necklace had once belonged to my mother. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was her, in a way. A link to the love she’d given me, to the memories that now felt like they were slipping away. I could still picture it around her neck. The way those rubies sparkled against her skin. The way her deep blue eyes shimmered wi
Isabel’s POVThe tension in the room was suffocating. No one was bidding anymore. My heart raced. This was my last chance. I needed to stop Emerson. My eyes darted to his hand, his paddle ready. Intense panic surged through me. What could I do? He had taken everything. How could I stop him from taking this from me too?Frantically, I grabbed my phone and started typing, my fingers trembling."Emerson, please, don't do this. It’s the last thing my mother left me. You know how significant it is for me. Please, as long as you give it to me, I promise that I will never appear in your life again. Even if you want my life, I can give it to you."I hit send, praying he’d read it. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat loud in my ears. My gaze flickered to him as he glanced at his phone, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I feared he would ignore me. That he would raise his hand again and bid, snatching away the necklace that meant everything to me. But then, he hesitated. He paused.
Isabel’s POVI stood outside the auction hall, the evening air biting against my skin. The cold, harsh wind whipped around me. I didn't need to turn around to know who had come to taunt me. The voice was all too familiar.Emerson always seemed to show up at the worst moments. As if he had a radar for my most humiliating situations. It was as if he was waiting, lurking in the shadows. Ready to catch me at my weakest just to watch me break.The sound of his leather shoes clicking against the floor echoed closer. Each step felt like a hammer to my fragile composure. I could feel his presence closing in. And with it, a wave of panic was rising in my chest. I couldn't bear it any longer.I spun around, my voice trembling with a fury that had been simmering for months. “Why should I have regrets? Regrets about what? For not seeing your true face sooner? For not giving up the position of Mrs. Williams earlier so you could parade Lilith around?”Emerson’s eyes widened, caught off guard by my o
Isabel’s POVEmerson suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Take it back, Isabel,” he repeated through gritted teeth. His grip on my wrist tightened. His desperation was clear in the way his fingers dug into my skin. The pain shot up my arm, forcing a sharp gasp from my lips.“Emerson, let go,” I demanded, my voice strained. The ache in my wrist was unbearable, but there was something more—something deeper—unraveling within me. His hold wasn’t just physical; it was a reminder of the control he had always sought to wield over me. “You’re hurting me!” I added in a desperate tone.He hesitated, his eyes flickering with something almost like regret, before his grip loosened. “Sorry...” he muttered, his voice low, barely audible over the wind. But then he added, more firmly, “But don’t ever say things like that. You won’t die. I won’t allow it.”I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips. His words, though seemingly filled with concern, only highlighted the cold, controlling nature of h
Isabel’s POVThe brooch was the only thing of value I had left. The delicate emerald piece had been passed down through Emerson's family. It was never meant to leave my possession, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Emerson’s grandmother had once owned the brooch. She was a proud and elegant lady, embodying a grace that few could match, even in her later years. When I met her, she was already advanced in age. Her silver hair was styled immaculately, and her blue eyes sharp with a lifetime of wisdom. The emerald brooch was pinned on her cashmere blouse. The piece had been a gift from her husband’s grandmother. The ancient brooch had been in the family for countless generations.“Hello, dear,” she had said, taking my hands in hers. “It’s good to finally meet a woman worthy of Emerson’s love.” I blushed at the compliment. Despite her frailty, she held herself with a dignity that made you forget her age.She passed away just a few weeks before our wedding. Her death left
Emerson’s POVI had told Isabel that Lilith wanted the necklace because I wanted to get a reaction out of her. It was a little game I played. A way to see if she still cared. But the truth was, I never told Lilith about the auction. Maybe it was out of some twisted selfishness; I didn’t want anyone, not even Lilith, to compete with Isabel for the necklace. It was the final reason she might still need me.I thought Isabel would reach out, ask for my help, make a move that would bring us back into each other's lives. But she didn’t.The day of the auction crept closer, and still, I hadn’t heard a word from her. It baffled me. Was she really going to let go of something so precious without a fight? Isabel, the woman who had once fought so fiercely for everything she held dear, was suddenly silent. I didn’t understand any of it.On the day of the auction, I made a last-minute decision to take Lilith with me. If Isabel wasn’t going to ask for my help, I might as well taunt her a little.
Emerson’s POVI had imagined countless ways Isabel might appear today. Would she come in quiet defiance, her eyes burning with resolve? Or perhaps she would be nervous, desperate for me to notice her struggle? But nothing could have prepared me for how beautiful she looked tonight.When Isabel walked in, time seemed to slow. She looked stunning, radiant even, reminding me of the woman she was when we first married. The same grace, the same fire in her eyes. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in immaculate golden curls. Her deep blue gown hugged her figure in all the right ways. She looked like a queen among the crowd. Her presence commanded attention, yet she moved with a subtle grace that only someone like her could possess.My breath caught in my throat, and I hated myself for it. I also hated the way every man in the room seemed to notice her. Their eyes lingered on her as she moved. Their gazes were filled with something that made my blood boil—a mix of admiration and desire th
Isabel’s POVThe judge’s gavel struck with finality, reverberating through the courtroom. “Victor Woods is hereby convicted on all charges,” the judge declared. A sense of justice filled the air, but it was laced with bitterness. Victor’s self-inflicted demise had robbed the survivors of a complete reckoning.The room was heavy with tension. Each attendee was digesting the events that had just unfolded. Victor had escaped his ultimate punishment, leaving behind unanswered questions and a fresh wound for those who had longed to see him truly held accountable.Elias stood at the front as Victor’s body was taken away. His face was pale, his usually steadfast demeanor cracked. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were clouded with frustration and anger. I wanted to reach out to him, to thank him for all he had done. But the weight of everything that had just happened made the words stick in my throat.As the courtroom began to empty, I stepped forward, determined to speak with Elias. But befo
Isabel’s POVThe courtroom erupted into a storm of murmurs and gasps as I stood there. My real family’s name—Sullivan—sliced through the air like a thunderclap. Some whispered about my identity, others speculated about the scandal unfolding before their eyes.“Order in the court!” the judge barked, her gavel striking down hard. The noise subsided into a tense silence. But curiosity lingered in every corner of the room. The judge leaned forward, her expression stern but intrigued. “Approach the stand,” she commanded, her voice sharp.I held my head high, letting the weight of every eye in the room settle on me. My heels clicked against the polished floor as I walked with measured, deliberate steps toward the witness stand. Years of pain, silence and waiting coiled within me. But outwardly, I was calm—poised.Victor’s lawyer shot to his feet, his veneer of professionalism cracking. “Your Honor, this is highly irregular. This witness—”“Sit down,” the judge cut him off, her glare slicin
Isabel’s POVThe courthouse room was small, almost claustrophobic. With its plain beige walls and a single monitor broadcasting the trial. I sat at a wooden table, my gaze locked on the screen. Victor Woods, the man who had ruined so many lives, sat at the defendant's table. His expression was calm, almost smug. He denied every charge with unwavering confidence. His lawyer was weaving a defense so skillful it seemed to turn lies into the truth.My fists clenched tightly in my lap, nails biting into my palms. The rage simmering beneath my skin threatened to boil over. But I forced myself to remain composed. I had waited years for this. Justice was so close. And yet, Victor’s smug defiance made it feel miles away.“Miss, here are your medical records, the injury assessment, and the recording,” my secretary said softly, placing a stack of documents on the table. Her voice was gentle but hesitant, as though she feared what my next move might bring. “Are you sure you want to do this?”I
Emerson’s POV“Daddy, where are you going?”I paused mid-step, turning to see Liam standing in the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His hair was a tousled mess, and his favorite blanket hung limply from his small hand. Despite the early hour, his innocent gaze pierced through me like sunlight through storm clouds.“You’re awake so early, my son,” I said, scooping him up into my arms. His warmth was comforting, grounding me in a way little else could.Liam tilted his head, curiosity shining in his eyes. “Are you going to see Mommy?”His words froze me in place. My grip on him tightened slightly, and I shot a questioning glance at the nanny standing just behind him. She shifted uncomfortably.“I… I think it’s because of your sleep talk, sir,” she admitted hesitantly. “Back when you went to visit Isabel’s grave every day, you, uh... Every time you returned, you’d call her name in your dreams.”“Oh… I see,” I muttered, my shoulders slumping slightly.The maid’s gaze softened as she c
Sebastian/Elias’ POV“Sir, the trial is about to begin.”Carter’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I nodded curtly, tightening my tie in the reflection of the courthouse window. My heart beat heavily, not with fear but with the weight of a mission that had spanned years. This was the day Victor Woods would finally face the consequences of his actions—a day I had dreamed of since I was a boy.Victor had taken everything from me: my father, my family, and the life I should have had. After Isabel left with the Sullivans, I threw myself fully into my revenge. My promotion following the intel I had provided about the hospital incident gave me the leverage I needed to expose the truth. Emerson's power and influence had been a useful tool. The path to today was carved with blood, sweat, and unrelenting determination.I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. The courthouse doors loomed large before me. But my mind slipped back to a day I will always cherish… The day I had finally shown Victor m
Isabel’s POVThe line was silent for a moment before a confused voice came through. "Sorry, who is this?" Robert asked, the faint sound of papers shuffling in the background.I almost laughed but held it back, savoring the moment. “It’s Isabel,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I’m back in Rivermont.”There was a sharp intake of breath, followed by a stunned, almost disbelieving, “Isabel? Is it really you?”“It sure is,” I confirmed, letting the warmth in my voice convey what words couldn’t.The line went quiet again, but this time I could sense the emotion on the other end. “I—I can’t believe it,” Robert finally stammered. “After all this time…”“Well, believe it,” I replied lightly, though my heart felt heavy with the weight of all the years of silence between us. “I’m here, and I thought we should catch up.”“Yes,” he said immediately, his voice a mix of urgency and relief. “When? Where?”We arranged to meet at a quiet café on the edge of town. It had once been a favorite
Isabel’s POVThe weight of the key in my hand felt symbolic. It was a tangible marker of the new life ahead. As I slid it into the ornate lock of my new villa, a sense of determination settled over me. The door swung open, revealing a sprawling space with high ceilings, marble floors, and expansive windows that offered breathtaking views of the city skyline. Eric had outdone himself in finding us the best place on the market.This wasn’t just a home. It was a declaration of power and potential.Elena’s gasp brought a smile to my face. “This place is huge!” she exclaimed, her wide eyes darting around the opulent foyer.“It is,” I said, squeezing her small hand. “But no matter how big it is, it’s still just a house. We’ll make it a home.”She nodded, her excitement dimming slightly as she turned thoughtful. “Like we did back home, in Sicily?”“Exactly,” I replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Together.”The maid Eric had arranged for us, a cheerful woman named Claire, greet
Isabel’s POVEric’s words stayed with me long after our conversation. The trust he placed in me, the belief that I could bring Liam back, was both empowering and terrifying. I had spent so long building myself up—physically, emotionally, and mentally—but leaving meant stepping into the unknown again.That night, as I began packing my suitcase, the reality of it all hit me. The familiar comfort of my family estate in Sicily would soon be replaced by the harsh world I had left behind. Yet, this time was different. I was different.A soft rustle near the door caught my attention. I turned to find Elena peeking in, her wide eyes glistening with unshed tears.“Elena? What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked gently, setting down the folded dress in my hands.She hesitated, then stepped into the room, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. “Are you… leaving me?”Her words pierced through me like a knife. I knelt down to her level, holding her tiny hands in mine. “Oh, sweetheart, no. I could never
Isabel’s POVThe days in Eric’s villa on the south coast of Sicily unfolded like a slow, beautiful symphony. The house itself was a marvel of understated elegance, perched on a hill with sweeping views of the ocean. The soft sound of waves crashing against the cliffs became the background music to my new life.Eric had spared no effort to make me feel welcome. My room was spacious and airy, its large windows letting in the golden morning light. Elena, the spirited little girl Eric had adopted, often wandered in without knocking. Her giggles filled the space as she clambered onto my bed or rummaged through my things with innocent curiosity.“Isabel, come look!” Elena called one morning, dragging me out of my study. She had found a butterfly in the garden and insisted we follow it. Her laughter was infectious as she darted through the roses, her tiny hands trying to catch the delicate creature without success. She reminded me so much of Liam—her curiosity, her boundless energy, and th