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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Isabel’s POVMargot and I froze. We pressed our bodies tightly against a rough piece of jutted wall. The patrolman’s footsteps grew louder. I covered my mouth, feeling my heart race in my chest like it was trying to escape. My entire body tensed. Each thud of the man’s boots made it clear that we were moments from being caught. The darkness around us seemed to close in, amplifying every sound.Margot crouched beside me, clutching the sack of supplies she had so bravely gathered. She held her breath, eyes wide in the dim light.We both stared at the beam of the flashlight growing brighter as it neared. The patrolman was muttering something under his breath, his tone irritated.I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to will myself invisible as the flashlight swept perilously close to our hiding spot. Suddenly, the stillness of the night shattered.“CRACK!”A huge branch fell on the already-crumbling wall. The commotion startled a flock of birds nearby. They flew off in a noisy rush. The sound
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