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Chapter 84 - Pretty Commodities
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His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 85 - A Dark Confession
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 86 - Secret Alliance
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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 87 - Legacy of Lies
Isabel’s POVMargot sat beside me. Her eyes were distant. Filled with memories that had been buried deep within her for too long. I could see the weight she carried. I knew that what she was about to share had shaped her entire existence. As she began to speak, her voice was quiet but steady.“I was born into what seemed like the perfect family,” Margot started, her gaze unfocused, as if she was seeing something far away. “My father, Houston Woods, was an officer in the military. A man of honor, respected by his peers. My mother was a politician—sharp, dedicated, always fighting for what she believed was right. And then there was my brother, my protector… He was a major in the army, following in our father’s footsteps.”There was a brief pause as her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.“We were happy,” she said, almost to herself. “A family full of ambition, full of hope.” Her voice wavered. “But everything changed the day my uncle stepped into our lives.”Her words hung in
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 88 - Echoes of a Broken Life
Isabel’s POV"I was tortured day after day in this hospital, Isabel. At first, I resisted, but that only made things worse. Eventually, the drugs got to me. I became numb, like a dol. Preparing for what they wanted me to be."Margot’s words clung to the air like a bitter fog, wrapping themselves around me. I tried to imagine her, once strong and vibrant. But now, she was crumbling under the weight of cruelty and betrayal. The thought of someone—let alone a family member—intentionally breaking a human soul like that made my stomach churn."But then," Margot continued, her voice wavering, "one day, the new nurse came. She was careless, didn’t follow protocol like the others. For the first time, I saw a crack in their perfect system of control."Her gaze shifted to me, searching my face for something—hope, maybe? Understanding? I wasn't sure what she saw. But I reached out, squeezing her hand.“You’re so brave, Margot. What they did to you—what they’re still doing—no one should have to
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 89 - Awakened in Turmoil
Emerson’s POVWhen I woke up, the pain in my head was blinding. The dull throb seemed to pulse through my entire body. I tried to focus, tried to remember what had happened. How long had I been out for? But my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps."Mr. Emerson, you're awake! How are you feeling?" The voice was concerned, almost panicked. A servant I barely recognized rushed over to help me sit up."I’m fine," I muttered, even though the ache in my skull suggested otherwise. "How long have I been unconscious?""Almost two weeks, sir. But I wasn’t the one taking care of you the first week.""Who was that?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended. The thought of anyone other than my close staff taking care of me made my skin crawl.The servant hesitated, his eyes darting nervously before answering, "It was Miss Isabel, but..." He trailed off, his expression uncertain, as if he feared saying more.A strange warmth spread through my chest. Isabel had been taking care of me
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 90 - A Plan Shattered by Pain
Isabel’s POVMargot stared at me with those wide, haunted eyes. Her usual mask of detachment was beginning to crack. Something about my words had gotten through. I could feel it. In a place like this, hope was elusive. A distant dream buried under fear and despair. But her life, I could tell, was never meant to be wasted in this cold, brutal place."You don’t belong here, Margot. You know that, right?" I said, trying to coax her past her doubts. "Your story isn’t over."She hesitated. Her lips trembled as if she wanted to speak but was still unsure whether to trust me or her fear. Her fingers absentmindedly twisted the fabric of her tattered dress."Are you familiar with the terrain?" I asked, my voice soft but insistent. We needed to think practically. I didn’t even know where we were. "If we’re going to escape, I need to know how to get out."Her eyes flickered with something—memory, or maybe fear. "I... I know some of it," she whispered. "Once, when I pretended to lose my mind, I r
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 91 - Whispers of Freedom
Isabel’s POVSince the doctor’s terrifying words, the fear gnawed at me, relentless and suffocating. My only chance to avoid the guest was to speed up the escape plan with Margot. Every day we spent here was a day closer to the inevitable. We couldn’t wait much longer. The painkiller they'd given me worked. It numbed the throbbing pain in my head just enough for me to think clearly. To focus on the one thing keeping me sane—freedom.Since my headache, the new nurse had stopped slacking. Whether out of fear or guilt, she diligently came by with those pills every morning. Her hands were always cold, her face always emotionless, as she shoved those bitter pills into my mouth. But then, one day, an idea sparked in my mind—risky, but maybe it could work. When she approached with her usual bored expression, I clutched my head, feigning a more severe headache.As she put the pills in my mouth, I seized the opportunity. I bit down hard on her finger. “Ow!” She yelped in pain and slapped me a
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 92 - Edge of Escape
Isabel’s POVMargot’s eyes widened. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. Then, slowly, she nodded. “I’ll do it,” she promised. Her voice was thick with emotion. “I swear I’ll do it, Isabel. But you’re not going to die anytime soon. We’re getting out of here.”I smiled weakly, but the truth hung heavy between us. We both knew the odds weren’t in our favor. Yet, for the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope—however small it was.“Then it’s a deal,” I whispered.In the days that followed, something was off with Margot. I could feel it in the way she moved—sudden and secretive. She was always glancing over her shoulder like she was hiding something. The staff hadn’t been locking our door. Whenever the nurse came in, I feigned to be powerless and limp due to the drugs and my disease. And Margot kept up her crazy act. They thought it no longer necessary to lock us up in the room.For days now, Margot had been sneaking off. She vanished for short periods, then returne
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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
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 188 - His Audacity
Isabel’s POVI turned to Emerson after Caleb left. Exhaustion was weighing on my shoulders like a lead blanket. “I’m really tired, and I have work tomorrow,” I murmured, taking a step toward the stairs. The tension from dinner and everything Caleb had implied was still twisting in my chest. I just wanted to escape. To drift off into blissful ignorance.But before I could get far, Emerson swept me off my feet—literally.“Emerson! What are you doing?!” I protested, squirming against his firm grip as he carried me effortlessly back to the kitchen.Without so much as a word, he placed me on the kitchen table as though I weighed nothing. I struggled to slide off, but his hands settled on either side of me, caging me in.My heart raced, but not entirely from rage. There was something about the way his eyes locked onto mine, unflinching and determined, that threw me completely off balance. I hated how he could do this—how he could ignite a whirlwind of emotions with just a look. How he made
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 187 - Whispers of Suspicion
Isabel’s POVCaleb strolled into the room as if he owned the place. A wide grin was plastered across his face. “Are you two done whispering sweet nothings yet? Or should I come back later with popcorn?”Emerson groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Caleb, do you have a radar for bad timing, or is it just a natural talent?”“I like to think of it as a gift,” Caleb quipped, leaning casually against the doorframe.I stifled a laugh despite the tension, my lips twitching into a small smile. Caleb always had a way of breaking even the heaviest silences with his antics.“Come inside,” Emerson said with an exasperated sigh. “If you’re going to interrupt, you might as well eat with us.”The three of us made our way to the dining room, where a simple but elegant dinner awaited. Caleb, ever the opportunist, immediately dug in. He complimented the meal with exaggerated enthusiasm.“This roast? Perfection. I’ve been abroad for so long, I forgot what a proper home-cooked meal tastes like. Kudo
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 186 - Threads of Distrust
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s hand clamped firmly over Caleb’s mouth. Caleb’s muffled protests only made the moment more absurd. I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “Really, Emerson? This is your grand strategy? Silencing him like a five-year-old?”Emerson shot me a look, his expression a mix of irritation and weary amusement. “You’d be surprised how much trouble this one can cause when left unchecked,” he muttered.Caleb, never one to miss an opportunity, wriggled free with an exaggerated gasp. “Admit it, you missed me,” he said, his grin wide and cheeky.“Missed you?” Emerson arched an eyebrow. “I’m considering sending you back abroad.”Caleb clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. Such gratitude for saving Isabel’s life. You’re lucky I have a forgiving nature.”At the mention of the accident, Emerson’s expression softened. His irritation ebbed, replaced by something quieter, almost regretful. His gaze shifted to me, lingering with a kind of intensity that made my chest tighten.“Are
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 185 - Stirring the Pot
Isabel’s POVI stared at Caleb, my mind still struggling to process what he had just said. A surprise for his lover? Emerson had said nothing about this, not even hinted at it. The idea clawed at me, a cruel whisper of betrayal I didn’t want to entertain.Recently, his long hours and late nights had seemed justified—he was supposed to be focused on finding Sebastian and Margot. He had painted himself as a man weighed down by duty, by the chaos of the military’s reshuffling. But now? Doubt slithered into my thoughts like a cold wind, chilling my resolve. What if he wasn’t just busy with military upheavals? What if he was lying?I bit my lip, trying to dismiss the growing unease. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to believe that Emerson, for all his faults, could betray me in this way. But hadn’t I learned the hard way not to trust him blindly? My heart and mind were locked in a bitter tug-of-war.Caleb leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His expression softened a
His Betrayal, His Regret Chapter 184 - Whispers of Betrayal
Isabel’s POVAs the minutes ticked by in the hospital room, the tension between Caleb and me ebbed into something softer. As we chatted, the atmosphere became more companionable.He sat at the foot of my bed, his posture relaxed. But his gaze was keen, as if he were cataloging every detail of my face.“So,” he began, breaking the silence, “life abroad wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, I learned a lot—business strategies, management, marketing—but the culture there was different. Cold, in a way. You don’t realize how much you miss home until you’re halfway across the world.”I smiled faintly. “And yet, you stayed in Sweden for all these years.”“Well, I had to make it worth it, didn’t I? Prove to myself—and to others—that I could build something meaningful.” He paused, his expression softening. “But I always thought of you, Isabel. I used to wonder how you were doing, what you were up to…”His words hung in the air. I glanced away, suddenly uncomfortable under the weight of his g
