Isabel’s POVI didn't expect to meet Robert here. He told me that his family had recently started a commercial cooperation with Andrew Williams, so he received an invitation. It felt surreal to bump into him again. But our friendly atmosphere was soon broken by Emerson.Seeing Emerson’s fierce expression, Robert whispered, “Do you need help, Isabel?” I appreciated his kindness but didn’t want him to get involved in our conflicts.“Don't worry, Robert. This is not your battle to fight,” I responded.Emerson paced over to us, his posture tense and menacing. He looked very handsome in his tailored suit. His sapphire blue tie matched the color of my dress perfectly. In the past, we would have laughed together about the coincidence, a private joke between us. But not today. His blue eyes were filled with nothing but rage.“Who is he?” Emerson demanded, his voice icy.I tried to explain, but Robert was faster. He introduced himself with a calm confidence that only seemed to infuriate Emerson
Isabel’s POVEmerson let go of my shoulders and hurried downstairs. He left me in the storage room. I stood there for several minutes, trying to compose myself before following him.I was confused about my own feelings. Why did Emerson care so much about Robert? He had a new family now. And why did I still feel attracted to him after all he had done to me? I took a deep breath to clear my mind, then walked out.I walked through the corridor filled with pictures of Emerson's forefathers. They looked down on me with stern and serious expressions as I walked by. It was as if they were silently judging me.“I know I no longer belong here…” I murmured. “I'll be gone from the Williams family soon enough.”Although I knew it was the right decision, the thought of divorcing Emerson still hurt. I had loved him so much. A future without him felt terrifying. Especially with my medical condition, and my father's uncertain future…When I finally came downstairs, I saw a crowd gathered around Lilith
Isabel’s POVRobert overheard the phone call and noticed my despair. He gently placed a hand on my shoulder.“Are you okay, Isabel?” He asked, concern evident in his eyes.“I uh… My father is in trouble. He’s being summoned to court. But he’s unable to take their calls, since he’s in the hospital,” I explained.Robert overheard the phone call and noticed my despair. He immediately offered to drive me to the courthouse. "Let me help, Isabel. You shouldn't go through this alone," he insisted. We hurried to court, my heart pounding with anxiety.When we arrived, the staff informed me that if my father couldn’t pay off his debt, his house would be subject to foreclosure. The thought of losing my childhood home was unbearable. It was a large old farmhouse in the woods, filled with beautiful memories. My father had renovated it himself. Pouring blood, sweat and tears into the project. "This can't be happening," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I grew up in that house. It holds so many memo
Emerson's POVI felt a surge of anger when I saw Isabel smile at a strange man. How dare she flirt with someone else at my family banquet? How could she smile at another man so easily, but always show me a cold face?My anger intensified when I recognized him. He was the man who had carried Isabel to the car. He introduced himself as Robert Evans, the son of a prominent medical enterprise. How dare he try to steal my wife? When I confronted them, I never expected Robert to provoke me. He acted protective over her, as if he were Isabel’s husband.Turning away from Robert, I took Isabel by the arm and led her to a storage room. I pressed her shoulders against the wall, glaring at her. "What were you thinking, smiling at him like that?""We were just talking, Emerson," Isabel replied, her voice shaking. "Why are you so upset?""Upset?" I spat. "You’re still my wife, Isabel. You shouldn't be talking to other men.""We're about to finalize the divorce," she shot back. "And besides, you’re
Emerson’s POVSeveral years ago, I met Lilith during a volunteering activity at a local community center. I was drawn to her unique, exotic beauty. She was tall and slender, sticking out above the people around her. Her raven hair and green eyes stood out amongst the crowd. She had an elegance and grace about her that I hadn’t seen before.We got talking. She told me about her life. She didn’t have it easy. She was juggling multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. But her real passion was music - she was a pianist. Despite her tough life, she never complained.Her strong will and optimistic attitude were what initially drew me to her. We exchanged numbers. From then on, I often invited her to lunches and dinners. I couldn’t stay away from her. As we spent more time together, our bond deepened. I found myself increasingly captivated by her.During one of our conversations, Lilith mentioned receiving assistance from a businessman because of her outstanding grades and musical talent. Sh
Emerson’s POVLilith’s departure left a void in my life that I couldn't quite comprehend. I wasn't sure if my feelings for her were love or something else. It sure felt like love… Perhaps it was the shared moments, the mutual interests, and the resilience she displayed that endeared her to me. I considered that marrying Lilith wouldn't have been a bad choice. Although my family would prefer a higher social class marriage. Spending the rest of my life with someone with the same interests would be much nicer for me. But it was too late now. All because of Mr. White.One day, I received an unexpected invitation from Isabel White. I listened to her voicemail. “Hi, Emerson, how are you?” she started, sounding quite nervous. “It’s been a while. I uh… I’d like to go watch a movie with you. And… I have something important to discuss. Are you available tonight? I’ve emailed you the details.” Curious, I searched for information about the movie online. It turned out to be a romantic film. It wa
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s texts were relentless. He kept on warning me to reconsider the consequences of my actions. But I stood firm. I knew what I wanted. I deserved better than a man who didn’t want me with all his heart.I wasn’t going to let his threats sway me. Maybe he was worried about his family’s reputation or didn’t want Lilith to suffer from public scrutiny. But eventually, he realized I wouldn’t change my mind. He agreed to the divorce. We finalized it the same day. As I signed the papers, a heavy sigh of relief escaped me. Our marriage was over.As I left the courthouse, Emerson’s scornful voice called out after me: "You are as shameless as your father. You never deserved to be loved!" His harsh words stung. I turned back to him, shocked. "What are you talking about, Emerson? What happened between you and my father?" I demanded. “It’s time to tell me the truth, right now.”Emerson’s eyes flashed with anger. "Ask him what the hell he did to Lilith!" With that, he stormed of
Isabel’s POVEmma and Robert were my constant support during my chemotherapy. They made the unbearable bearable. Their friendship was like a comforting balm. Emma, ever the optimist, often suggested I start a new relationship. Her own new crush seemed to have reignited her belief in love.One evening, as we sat together, her phone buzzed incessantly. Annoyance flashed across her face as she checked the messages.“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing her frown.“Alex invited me to a party. He wants me to meet his friends. But I don’t want to go. We’re not even dating,” she replied, sounding frustrated.“Why don’t you give it a try? You might have fun,” I encouraged her, though I wasn’t feeling very social myself.Emma’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Isabel! Let’s go together!”“Me? I’m not used to these kinds of occasions,” I protested.“Come on! Just accompany me. You don’t want your friend to be lonely, do you?”Reluctantly, I agreed. Her excitement was infectious. She dragged me to her spac
Isabel’s POVCaleb’s casual words sent a jolt through me. My heart raced, and I felt the blood drain from my face. A blind girl in the area—what were the chances? Could it be?I forced myself to act natural, masking my growing unease. "A blind girl?" I asked lightly. "What was she like?"He tilted his head, trying to recall. "She had this serene presence, you know? Like she’d figured something out about life the rest of us haven’t. She was wearing big sunglasses and a hat—kept her face pretty covered—but she had a radiant smile. Oh, and her voice… it was kind of unforgettable. Gentle but strong. She seemed so at peace."His words struck a chord deep inside me. It had to be her. Caleb was oblivious to my inner turmoil and continued, "Oh, wait, I think I have a picture.""A picture?" My voice cracked slightly, but Caleb didn’t notice."Yeah, it’s funny, actually. I took a selfie in the flower shop—don’t ask, I was bored—and she accidentally ended up in the background. That’s how I notic
Isabel’s POV"Doctor, you can't be serious. Surgery?" Emerson's voice cracked slightly as his gaze darted between me and Dr. Vargas. He looked more terrified than I had ever seen him. As though the word itself could unravel him.Dr. Vargas cleared his throat, his professional demeanor steady. “Surgery is one option, but only if the tumor progresses to a stage where it becomes necessary. For now, we focus on non-invasive methods and assess as we go.”Before Emerson could spiral any further, I placed a hand on his arm. “Emerson, stop. It’s not as dire as you’re making it out to be.”He turned to me, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Not dire? Isa, this is brain surgery we’re talking about!”I sighed, pulling his hand away from his temples where he had been rubbing in frustration. “Tumors often require removal. It’s standard, not catastrophic. I’m just preparing for all possibilities. That doesn’t mean you need to overreact.”Emerson looked at the report in his hand, his brow furrowed deeply
Isabel’s POVThe idea had planted itself in my mind and taken root: if I didn’t make it, at least parts of me could still be used to help the people I loved. My eyes, for example. Thinking I might be able to help Margot see again was a small consolation. But it gave me a sliver of peace amidst the chaos of everything else.Dr. Vargas noticed my hesitation as I stared at the clipboard in his hands. He set his pen down, folding his hands in front of him with a small, regretful smile.“I’m afraid not, Miss White.”Confusion flickered across my face. “What do you mean?”His gaze softened, as though he were breaking unwelcome news. “Sebastian specifically instructed me to reject any notions of… self-sacrifice on your part. He made it very clear.”The corners of my mouth twitched into a weak smile as I leaned back in the chair. My arm came up to cover my watery eyes. “Of course, he did. He’s always so thoughtful. Too thoughtful.”Guilt crept in, knotting my stomach. I couldn’t even do this
Isabel’s POV"Margot… She's gone blind? No, it can't be..." I whispered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. My voice sounded small, fragile—unlike me. I sat frozen in the sterile chemo room. The faint hum of the IV machine was the only sound filling the silence.Dr. Vargas’s calm expression didn’t waver, but I could see the weight of his words reflected in the lines of his face. “I’m afraid it’s true.”It felt like a punch to my chest. Margot. Strong, fierce Margot. The woman who once shielded me when I couldn’t stand on my own. Gone blind. The thought sent my mind spinning. My body stiffened against the recliner’s cold leather. My pulse thudded in my ears. I could barely hear my own voice when I croaked out the next question.“Why? How? What… what happened to her?”Dr. Vargas shifted slightly, his demeanor remaining professional but gentler now. “When Sebastian and Margot escaped from the barracks, they ran into pursuers. The men didn’t recognize them, but they assume
Isabel’s POV“Good night, Isa,” Emerson murmured softly, his voice barely audible against the hum of the hospital room.His arm was draped heavily across me, a tangible reminder of his presence—of the way he had suddenly taken root in my life, like an unmovable fixture. I stared at the ceiling, every muscle in my body stiff with tension. Emerson’s breathing deepened, slipping into the steady rhythm of sleep. For him, the night offered rest, an escape from the heaviness of reality. For me, it brought nothing but suffocating silence and a restless mind that refused to slow.I shifted carefully, desperate not to wake him as his arm slid off me. My thoughts began to swirl, looping endlessly over the events of the past few days. The false report. The sudden intervention. The mysterious way the treatment was unfolding. None of it added up.It must’ve been Elias’ doing..I closed my eyes, a small spark of clarity lighting up my confusion. The false report, the sudden involvement of the ho
Isabel’s POVThe days that followed blurred into one long, stifling vigil. Emerson was by my side almost constantly, hovering over me like I was made of delicate glass. His anxiety was palpable in every move he made, every glance he threw my way. It was suffocating. I woke up to find him perched on the edge of a chair, his brows furrowed as he scanned my face for signs of discomfort. At night, I felt his shadow in the room as he got up repeatedly, leaning over me to ensure I was still breathing.At first, I tried to tell myself that his actions came from a place of care. But soon his obsession began to wear on me. Every time he touched my hand or straightened my blanket, I felt a wave of frustration rise within me. This was exactly why I hadn’t wanted him to know about my condition. This endless vigilance and control—this reminder of my fragility—was more than I could handle.One afternoon, after yet another restless nap interrupted by Emerson’s incessant fussing, I snapped. “Emerso
Isabel’s POVEmerson’s lingering presence in the room was suffocating. His imposing figure loomed near the window, arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on the horizon as though seeking answers out there. His bossy attitude frustrated me, but I bit my tongue. Now’s not the time, Isabel. You need him—for Liam.I sank into the chair near the bedside, the unopened report heavy in my hands. The weight of it seemed disproportionate, as though it carried more than just words on paper. It held my future, my son's future, and perhaps even Emerson’s—whether he realized it or not.I glanced at him. His jaw was set, and his lips pressed into a thin line. The tension was rolling off him in waves. It was a rare moment where his cold exterior cracked, replaced by something I dared to call concern. I let out a slow breath, steadying myself.Maybe it’s not a bad thing if he knows, I thought. If the truth forced him to see the gravity of the situation, maybe—just maybe—he’d step up, not for me but for L
Isabel’s POVThe air was thick, suffocating. As though the room itself held its breath. I stood motionless, my mind racing as Emerson's piercing gaze locked on me. His brow was furrowed, his expression a calculated mix of curiosity and suspicion.“A man?” Emerson’s voice cut through the tension, cold and deliberate. His eyebrow arched slightly. But his eyes betrayed nothing.I shifted on my feet, unable to meet his gaze directly. My hands felt clammy. I clasped them together to keep them from shaking.“Yes, sir,” the repairman piped up, oblivious to the storm brewing in the room. “Maybe he was looking for someone. Although the security system here is excellent…” He trailed off, his cheerful tone faltering as he seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. “Uh, did I say something wrong?”Emerson waved a hand dismissively. “Go on,” he said, his voice calm, almost too calm. He leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes flickering between the repairman and me. “What did this man look like?”I sw
Isabel’s POV“Isa, what are you doing?” Emerson’s voice broke through the tense silence as he stepped into the room. His sharp gaze landed on me, standing awkwardly in front of the bathroom door. I was painfully aware that my posture was far too rigid to appear casual.My heart raced, hammering against my ribs. Emerson’s brow furrowed as his eyes flickered between me and the door behind me.“Why are you standing there like that?” he asked, suspicion lacing his tone.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to take a steadying breath. “It’s nothing,” I replied, too quickly, too flatly. I winced internally, knowing how unconvincing I sounded.Emerson tilted his head, scrutinizing me with the sharpness of a man who had spent his life mastering observation. “Nothing?” he repeated, taking a slow step closer.I tried to regain control, plastering a strained smile onto my face. “The toilet’s broken,” I said, gesturing vaguely toward the bathroom door behind me. “It’s just… acting up. That’s all.”Hi