Isabel’s POVWhen I woke up again, the first thing I felt was the tight pressure of the restraint belts pinning my wrists and ankles to the bed. My head was throbbing. My body felt weak, drained of any strength.I groaned, turning my head to the side. I winced at the sharp pull from the IV drip embedded in the back of my hand. A thin tube snaked from the needle into a bag of clear liquid hanging beside me. Nutrient solution, maybe—but who knew what they were feeding into my system? Poison? Drugs? Something to keep me weak and docile?The thought sent a chill down my spine. My heart was thudding in my chest like a trapped bird, desperate to escape. I pulled weakly against the restraints, but they held firm. I was tied down like a lab rat waiting to be experimented on. My mouth felt dry. My lips were chapped from whatever sedative they'd forced into me earlier.What did they want from me? Why was I here? I hadn’t even had a chance to figure it out before they drugged me again. But I wa
Isabel’s POVThe nurse approached me with unnerving calm. Her blonde hair was meticulously styled beneath her cap, not a single strand out of place. Her face was almost unnaturally symmetrical—high cheekbones, a straight nose, and full lips. On the surface, she was beautiful. In a way that seemed too perfect, too calculated. But there was an eerie stillness to her movements. A cold precision in the way she glided across the room that made my skin crawl. Her pale blue eyes, though framed by soft lashes, lacked any warmth. They didn’t seem to see me as a person, but as an object to be controlled. A chill ran down my spine as I realized there was something deeply off about her. Every instinct screamed at me to be cautious, to watch her every move. Her beauty, so flawlessly constructed, felt more like a mask. Hiding whatever lay beneath. Whatever it was, I knew I had to tread carefully. She wasn’t just a nurse. She was something far more dangerous.Her hands were steady as she held out
Isabel’s POVMargot’s attempts to distract or stop the nurse had failed. The panic was rising in my chest. I lay there, shivering in my hospital gown. It offered no protection from the cold, steel room. I felt more exposed, vulnerable and frightened than I ever had.How did it come to this? Who got me into this place, and why?I thought losing my baby was the worst thing that ever happened to me. But now, I wasn’t so sure. This was the most unsafe and terrifying environment I had ever found myself in.The nurse’s footsteps echoed in the small room as she came closer. Each step made my heart pound faster. There was nowhere to run. I was tied to the bed, my wrists bound tightly. Even the room itself was sealed shut. My claustrophobia came up like never before. “Somebody, help me,” I prayed silently, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment. “Please… I can’t do this alone…”The nurse had reached my bedside. “Alright, let’s finally get this over with,” she sighed, casting an angry glance at Ma
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t risk getting Margot into trouble, so I quickly averted my gaze. I pretended to focus on the ceiling as if nothing had happened. Thankfully, the nurse was too absorbed in her task to notice our brief exchange. She loomed over me, her cold eyes inspecting every movement I made. "Swallow it," she repeated in that same flat, detached voice.My body trembled as I nodded weakly, pretending to obey. I knew I had to play along, to make it look convincing. I made a small gulping sound."Show me," she demanded, her voice dropping an octave. I could see the suspicion in her eyes. I opened my mouth wide. My heart pounded as her eyes examined me, scrutinizing every corner of my mouth for evidence of deceit.After a few long, torturous seconds, she seemed satisfied. She released her grip on my face, and that eerie smile stretched across her lips again. "Good girl," she whispered, her tone disturbingly tender. She leaned down to kiss my forehead. The gesture sent chills dow
Isabel’s POVWhat Margot revealed was beyond anything I could’ve expected. A human trafficking ring? I knew this place was dark, but not like this. Not this vile.My thoughts drifted to Emerson. Had he woken up from his coma yet? If so, was he wondering where I’d gone? Could Michael, his secretary, have pieced together what happened after our phone call was abruptly cut off? I prayed he was looking for me. Maybe he’d be the one to discover the truth. And what about Emma and Robert? I was sure they must’ve thought my time had come. Maybe they assumed the tumor had finally claimed me, and I was just another tragic story.A wave of helplessness washed over me. If they thought I was dead, who would bother searching for me? But maybe, just maybe, Emerson would feel that something was wrong. If he woke up, he’d know something wasn’t right. He always said he could feel my presence, like a sixth sense. Somehow, he had always known when I was in severe trouble. The fire, the claustrophobia
Isabel’s POV“Guest? You mean…” I hesitated, unable to finish my sentence. A cold wave of dread washed over me as the implication of her words sunk in. The thought alone was unbearable.I couldn’t begin to imagine the trauma she had endured in this forsaken place. My heart ached for her. But fear clawed at my insides as well.Margot’s eyes darkened, filled with resentment and a bitterness that spoke of untold horrors. “It’s a group of perverted men,” she said, her voice low but laced with anger. “They like to collect young girls who are like dolls—pure, beautiful, but without souls. Obedient and quiet, just the way those monsters like them.”I couldn’t speak. My stomach twisted painfully at the thought of innocent girls, trapped here. Their lives were stolen from them. “Does that mean… many innocent girls have been victims?”She nodded, her expression grim. “Yes. Most of the girls in this mental hospital didn’t come here because they were sick. They were forced. The hospital made a de
Isabel’s POVThe room was dim, lit only by a single lamp casting long shadows on the walls. Margot sat next to my bed. Her hands were trembling slightly, as if the weight of her words was already too much to bear. I hadn’t anticipated the moment when she would finally open up about what had happened to her. But now, it was here. I could see the pain etched into every line of her face. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear it, but I knew she needed to speak.When I asked her what had happened, it was as if a dam had broken. Her eyes filled with tears, and before I could even react, she began sobbing uncontrollably. The sound of her despair cut through me like a knife. I wanted to reach for her hand, but the restraints wouldn’t let me."You don’t have to force yourself," I whispered, gently squeezing her hand. "You can take your time."Margot shook her head, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "No," she managed to say between shaky breaths. "I need to tell someone. I’ve been hol
Isabel’s POVMargot's words echoed in my mind, sending shivers down my spine. These people—the nurses, the doctors—weren’t just cold and calculating. They were real madmen.They were puppeteers pulling strings, with lives as their playthings. I wanted to shake off the chill, but it clung to me like a second skin.Margot suddenly raised a finger to her lips and motioned for me to lie back. Her expression shifted, transforming into the vacant, idiot-like look she had worn when I first met her. Someone must be coming.I followed her lead, making my body go limp as I closed my eyes. It was harder than I thought—forcing myself into stillness when every fiber of me was screaming to fight back.The door creaked open. The clicking of high heels entered the room. I could feel the nurse’s presence looming over us. I resisted the urge to peek, knowing that one wrong move could destroy everything. She hovered for a moment, inspecting me."Good girl," she muttered with cold satisfaction. "Finally l
Isabel’s POVCarter first sent a team of soldiers to probe the enemy’s defenses. The plan was simple: test the waters, gauge their numbers, and avoid unnecessary bloodshed before reinforcements arrived. But what they found was far worse than expected.“These are not just Alistair’s usual lackeys,” Carter murmured, lowering his binoculars. “The numbers far exceed our expectations. And what’s worse: these men are seasoned fighters. Most of them have appeared on international wanted lists… multiple times.”Emerson, standing beside him, clenched his fists. “That bastard really went all in.”I narrowed my eyes, straining to make out the details from our vantage point on the rocky hillside. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the rugged terrain. The distant compound was a maze of dilapidated buildings, high fences, and scattered patrols. From here, it was impossible to tell how many men were stationed inside. But it was clear we were up against more than just a handful
Sebastian/Elias’s POVI stood there, rooted to the spot, watching the scene unfold before me. The sterile, cold walls of the laboratory pressed in around me.Alistair’s voice broke the silence, a hint of pride echoing through his words. “This is my proudest work! Thanks to your potions, Scarlet.” His tone was a mix of admiration and satisfaction, as if he had just achieved the culmination of a long and arduous project.Scarlet’s gaze flickered to me, her sharp eyes assessing the situation with cold precision. There was no mistaking it: she was shocked I hadn’t escaped yet. She must be wondering if her antidote had failed.Then, without warning, she lunged forward, grabbing Alistair by the collar with a force that was both unexpected and dangerous. Her voice was low, a warning laced with venom. “I’m telling you, don’t touch my nephew! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never stand again!” Her words were like a promise, a threat wrapped in maternal protection. But there was something more
Emerson’s POVI sat in the car, fingers drumming absently against the steering wheel as my mind churned through everything that had happened. The weight of it all pressed down on my shoulders like an iron grip. Lilith’s confessions, Elias’s predicament, the looming confrontation with Alistair—it was a tangled mess of threats and uncertainties. Every second that passed only heightened the tension coiling in my chest.A sharp knock on the window pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Carter standing outside, his sharp gaze scanning the area. I rolled the window down, and he wasted no time.“I heard you caught a woman? How is she involved in this?” he asked, his voice even but laced with curiosity.I exhaled and nodded, stepping out of the vehicle. My eyes swept the surroundings instinctively, old habits keeping me cautious even in relatively safe zones. Carter caught on immediately.“Margot’s with Isabel back at the base,” he assured me. “We can talk there.”I gave him a curt nod,
Isabel’s POVWe delayed our mission. Lilith's intel might be significant and give us clues on how to proceed.In the interrogation room, Lilith sat handcuffed to the chair, her face twisted with a mixture of defiance and resignation. I stood behind the mirrored glass, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to steady my breathing. Emerson and one of his men sat across from her, their expressions unreadable. The tension in the room was thick, palpable."Talk," Emerson commanded, his voice cold.Lilith smirked, leaning back as if the shackles meant nothing to her. "Where do I begin?" she mused, tilting her head. "Maybe with the fact that I was Lila all along?"My stomach dropped. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay rooted to the spot. I knew it. But I’d never expected to hear her say it aloud. My mind reeled as Lilith continued."Alistair took me after you thought I’d died," she said, her tone shifting into something bitter. "He changed me—physically, mentally. His damned
Isabel’s POVCarter and Emerson bent over the map, their voices low but intense as they laid out the plan. The dimly lit tent smelled of sweat, gun oil, and the anticipation of an impending fight. My fingers tightened into fists at my sides. I refused to be left behind.“We move in small teams,” Carter was saying. “Margot and I will take a group to circle around and cover you. The reinforcements are still a few hours out, so we’ll have to be careful.”Emerson nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’ll lead a team ahead to scout their positions.”“I’m going with you.” The words left my mouth before I could second-guess them.Emerson’s head snapped toward me, his brows furrowing. “No. It’s too dangerous.”I squared my shoulders. “I didn’t train for years on that island just to sit in the shadows while you go off to fight. I’m stronger than ever now, and you know it.”He exhaled through his nose, his fingers flexing at his sides as if fighting the urge to grab my arm and shake some sense i
Isabel’s POVI couldn’t shake the image of Eric’s disappointed eyes from my mind. The way he had looked at me—like I was making the worst mistake of my life—had been haunting me ever since I rejected his offer.Although returning home with him and bringing the twins sounded like a dream, I couldn’t risk any danger following us.“Isabel, do you even hear yourself?” Eric had asked, his voice thick with disbelief. He gestured at Emerson. “Haven’t you learned your lesson with him?”I had known this conversation would be difficult, but seeing the pain on his face still cut deeper than I had expected. To him, my decision wasn’t just reckless—it was a betrayal. He had spent so much time trying to protect me, trying to give me an escape, only for me to walk right back into the fire.“This isn’t about Emerson,” I had explained, forcing my voice to remain steady. “It’s about unfinished business, Eric. I can’t leave Rivermont. Not yet.”He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Isabel, I’m begging
Sebastian/Elias’s POVScarlet’s voice was razor-sharp, slicing through the tension-laden air. “I never meant for my nephew to be dragged into your web of danger, Alistair.” Her eyes burned with a fury I hadn’t seen before. Yet there was something else lurking beneath it—regret. Guilt.Alistair, as always, was unimpressed. He gave a dismissive wave, his mouth curling into an infuriating smirk. “Spare me the theatrics, Scarlet. He dragged himself into this when he started meddling with my operation. You want to play the remorseful aunt now? Too late.” His gaze turned to me, and his voice took on a condescending edge. “You should be thanking her, Elias. She’s the one who made those delightful little concoctions running through your veins.”Scarlet stiffened, but she didn’t deny it. “I never gave you permission to use them on my family members.“And since when do I ask for permission?” Alistair sighed, as if the conversation bored him. “Since you’re so concerned, why don’t you give him
Sebastian/Elias's POVThe basement was the same as ever—cold, damp, and stinking of rust and decay. Dust swirled in the dim light from the single flickering bulb, casting erratic shadows on the cracked stone walls. But this time, I wasn’t the one in chains.“Kill him.” Alistair’s voice was sharp and commanding, his outstretched hand pointing at a young man kneeling a few feet away. He couldn’t have been much older than nineteen, his face drawn and gaunt from fear. His chains rattled as he tried to inch backward, but there was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.I didn’t hesitate.I lunged forward, my foot connecting with his chest before he could react. He crumpled to the ground with a strangled gasp. Without missing a beat, I dropped to one knee, my hands locking around his throat. His pulse fluttered beneath my fingers, his breath hitching as I tightened my grip.He struggled—weakly at first, then more desperately, his fingers clawing at my wrists. But I was stronger. Faster. Bette
Lilith’s POV"What? You want to change back to your old face?"The woman in front of me didn't even look up as she spoke, her voice laced with contempt and utter boredom. She was in her fifties, yet not a single wrinkle marred her flawless skin. Her body, toned and striking, was a testament to her wealth and vanity. She sat elegantly on the edge of a metal counter, her fingers idly playing with a small vial of serum. The dim, sterile light of the underground lab reflected off the glass, casting eerie patterns across the walls.I clenched my fists. Of course, she wouldn’t take me seriously—not at first. But I was done playing games."I’ve completed the task my father gave me," I said, my voice steady, though my stomach twisted with unease. "I no longer want to bear this disgusting face."That got her attention. Scarlet finally turned to face me, a slow, amused smirk curling her lips. She tilted her head slightly, as if studying me for the first time."Completed?" she repeated mockingl