It was around 8 o'clock, and Ezekiel still hadn’t returned home. I couldn’t focus anymore. Closing the book, I glanced at the main door, hoping to hear the sound of it opening.Mom was in her room, and my frustration gnawed at me. With a heavy sigh, I placed the novel on the table and decided to check on her.I climbed the stairs and approached her room. The door was ajar, and I pushed it open gently.She was sitting on the bed, wearing her glasses and holding a book in her hand. Her posture was calm, too calm, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.Hearing the creak of the door, Mom looked up from the book.“Isabella!”I leaned against the door-frame, crossing my arms. “What are you doing?”She raised her brows briefly before returning her gaze to the book. “Just spending my time,” she replied, her tone indifferent.A deep sigh escaped my lips. “Your boyfriend hasn’t returned. Can’t you see?” I asked, my words laced with an edge I couldn’t hide.Still looking at the book, she ans
We sat together at the dinner table, and though I wore a mask of calmness, my insides churned with turmoil. Every smile, every word they exchanged, felt like a needle pricking my skin.In the middle of our meal, Mom suddenly broke the silence. “Honey! Try this,” she said cheerfully, offering Ezekiel some salad.I glanced at him, expecting him to dismiss her. Instead, he smiled.He actually smiled.I narrowed my eyes but quickly looked down at my plate. I didn’t want to react, didn’t want to let them see how much it bothered me.“You try it too, Kathrine,” Ezekiel said, his tone softer than I’d expected. He served her a portion of the salad, and she laughed lightly, accepting it with a playful nudge.I was stunned. Ezekiel had been angry with her, distant even, and now this? How could he suddenly treat her as if nothing had happened?I poked at my food, gripping the spoon so tightly that my knuckles turned white. They started chatting—casual, light, their words and laughter filling the
The next morning, I was standing outside by the car, leaning against it, waiting. For once, I’d gotten ready before Ezekiel. The air was brisk, and the quiet gave me time to think—or maybe overthink. Ezekiel and Mom would probably come out together. The thought gnawed at me, but I shook it off.When I finally saw them step outside—together—I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Of course.Mom noticed me first and came forward with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Isabella, how are you feeling now?" she asked in a sugary tone.I took a slow, deep breath, trying not to let my annoyance show. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Last night, she hadn’t bothered to check on me, not even once. Yet here she was, playing the concerned mother."Thank you for your kindness in asking," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’m okay now."Her expression hardened immediately, her narrowed eyes slicing through me. "Watch your tone, Isabella," she snapped. "Day by day, you become more impudent."
Ezekiel kept his gaze on the road, gripping the wheel tightly. "Kathrine, you’re overreacting," he said, his voice steady but firm. "I didn’t say anything to hurt your ego."Kathrine turned to him, her expression tense, as she unlocked the door. "Ezekiel," she began, her voice clipped, "just go to work. I’m not in the mood to discuss this."She stepped one foot out of the car, pausing only to add, "Isabella always makes my life hard. This isn’t new to me. You don’t know her the way I do."Ezekiel arched his brow but didn’t respond. He knew pushing her further wouldn’t get them anywhere. He stayed silent, watching as she got out of the car and slammed the door shut with a thud.He tightened his lips, his frustration mounting, but he didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he sat there, his hands gripping the steering wheel, watching her through the rear-view mirror.Kathrine stood on the sidewalk, pulling out her phone and making a call. She didn’t seem in a rush, her posture almost defian
Ezekiel's POV.I leaned against my car, arms crossed, eyes scanning the steady stream of students spilling out of the college. Isabella usually came out early, always easy to spot in the crowd. But today, there was no sign of her.Minutes passed, and my patience thinned. Where was she?Frowning, I pushed myself out of the car and started walking toward her department. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the courtyard as I made my way through the halls.When I reached her classroom, it was empty.I stepped inside, looking around, but there was no trace of Isabella.I narrowed my eyes, my thoughts racing. Where could she have gone?Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed her number. The line rang, but there was no answer.I tapped my fingers impatiently on the phone’s edge and called again. The same result."Where is she?" I muttered under my breath, pacing the empty hallway. My unease was growing with each passing second.It was getting close to evening now, the sky shifting
The music pulsed through my body as I moved to the beat, but my mind was elsewhere. It wasn’t just the rhythm carrying me; it was the storm inside me. My mom’s harsh words replayed over and over, and Ezekiel’s face kept coming to my thoughts.I wished I could scream it all out—tell my mother everything about what her boyfriend and I had done. Watch her flawless composure crack.But I couldn’t.I smiled while thinking.I opened my eyes and blinked, trying to ground myself, but something was wrong. The room wasn’t steady anymore—it was tilting. No, not just the room. Everyone around me seemed to sway, their movements exaggerated, surreal.No. It was me. I was tilting.I stumbled slightly, my legs feeling heavy, and my head spun as the edges of my vision blurred. My abdomen clenched suddenly, sharp.A bitter taste rose in my throat, and I felt panic surge. My eyes snapped at Dimitri, who was still moving to the beat.“Isabella?” he leaned closer.I opened my mouth to speak, but the words
I adjusted Isabella’s seat-belt and leaned back in my seat, exhaling deeply. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I stared at the empty road ahead, but my mind wasn’t focused on driving.I turned my head slightly, my gaze falling on Isabella. She was fast asleep, her features soft under the dim light filtering in through the windows.Without thinking, I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against her cheek. Her skin was warm and delicate, and I found myself tracing the curve of her face with my fingertips.What am I doing?The thought crossed my mind, but I dismissed it. At that moment, I wasn’t listening to logic. I was listening to the ache in my chest, the pull I couldn’t ignore.I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, my hand lingering. My eyes roamed her peaceful face, and before I could stop myself, I leaned forward.My lips met hers in a light, fleeting kiss. The faint taste of alcohol lingered, but her presence overwhelmed me. Her steady breathing was the o
Mom’s words landed like sharp arrows, piercing through my composure."Ah... I know it’s not your first time," she said with a scornful smirk, her tone calm yet cutting. "But do you realize that now you’re living with us?"I grazed my tongue on my lips as I carefully placed my fork on the plate."No one has the time to clean up your mess," she added, her voice dripping with disdain.Her words made me glance at Ezekiel instinctively. My heart sank. He was the one with me last night—he took care of me.Ezekiel’s gaze met mine briefly before he turned to Mom, his jaw tightening.“Kathrine,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “if I hadn’t had the time, I wouldn’t have done it.”His tone was laced with a quiet warning, but Mom ignored it completely, locking her sharp gaze on him.“But what about me?” she asked pointedly.“Don’t you think you should come to me first?”I blinked, realizing I must have disrupted whatever plans Mom had for Ezekiel. The thought only fueled my growing frustration.
Ezekiel arched his brow and answered calmly, "Mr. Robert, if there was something wrong with her car, how exactly am I involved?"Dad’s jaw tightened, his voice sharp. "Mr. Ezekiel, you have plenty of reasons to do it.""Dad, please..." I interrupted, my voice shaking. I couldn't take it anymore.I understood what my father was implying—he was accusing Ezekiel of being involved in Mom’s accident."Dad, I know you have grudges against him, but that doesn’t mean you can just put the blame on him," I said, my frustration spilling out.Dad cursed under his breath, his voice rising. "Damn it, Isabella! Are you out of your mind? Can't you see what’s happening?"He took a step closer, his eyes burning with anger. "Or are you so blind to everything?""Dad, stop it..." I snapped, my tone laced with annoyance.The tension in the room was suffocating.Ezekiel, however, remained composed. He looked at the officer and asked, "What exactly do you want to interrogate me about?"The officer let out a
"What?" My voice trembled with shock.I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My mind refused to process it."Ezekiel!" I turned to him, my heart pounding. "What are you saying?"Ezekiel stepped closer, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders. His grip was warm, steady—but the look in his eyes sent a chill through me."Isabella, listen," he said gently.He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly, but I remained frozen. My thoughts were a mess. This couldn't be real."What happened? Is she okay?" My voice cracked as I forced the words out.Ezekiel hesitated, his silence making my stomach twist. I searched his face for an answer."Ezekiel!" I called his name again, my hands gripping his arms.Before he could speak, the officer stepped forward, his expression grave. "Ms. Isabella," he said cautiously, "your mother, Mrs. Katherine, had an accident last night. Her car went off the bridge."I felt my breath hitch. My body went cold."What do you mean?" My voice was barely above a whi
I rose slightly and picked up the clamps, letting them dangle for a moment. Isabella’s gaze locked onto mine, her lips slightly parted, her breath shallow.But instead of using them, I tossed them aside with a smirk. “My teeth will do just fine,” I murmured.Leaning down, I held her left bud in my mouth, biting just hard enough to send a jolt of sensation through her body.“Ezekiel...” she moaned, her voice trembling with pleasure.While my mouth worked on one bud, my fingers pinched and teased the other. Her body arched beneath me, her movements a testament to the pleasure coursing through her.The lingering cold from earlier, combined with the heat of my bites, created an intoxicating mix of sensations for her.Isabella’s POVI never imagined this. The way he touched me, bit me, and played with me—it felt like he was pouring every ounce of his desire into me. His bites sent shivers through my entire body, making me tremble under his control.It wasn’t just the physical pleasure; it
"Now?" Isabella asked, her voice laced with both excitement and anticipation.I traced my palms along the curve of her waist, moving slowly up to her arms. Meeting her gaze, I murmured, "Now, I’ll see just how submissive you really are."With that, I gently grabbed her wrists and secured the handcuffs.Isabella chuckled softly, her confidence unshaken.I guided her to the edge of the bed, pushing her lightly so she sat perched on the edge. As I began inspecting the tools laid out before me, her voice broke the silence. "You won’t be too hard on me, will you?" she teased, her tone playful but curious.I smiled at her, my fingers brushing over the tools. Without looking up, I said, "That depends on what I decide to use first."I finally settled on the leather paddle, gripping it firmly as I turned to her. Isabella raised her cuffed hands slightly, a smirk tugging at her lips.I stepped closer, running the smooth paddle over her shoulder, letting it glide down her exposed skin to her lef
I pulled off my shirt and stepped into the water, the cool waves lapping against my skin. Isabella smiled at me, a teasing glint in her eyes, as she trailed her hands from her neck down to her bosom. I let out a soft sigh, unable to look away.She was breathtaking.I moved closer, closing the distance between us, and wrapped my arms around her waist. She chuckled softly, her laughter like a sweet melody, and draped her hands around my neck.Without hesitation, I leaned in and kissed her. Her lips met mine with the same urgency, the same fire, and I held her tightly, savoring every second. As the kiss deepened, I moved to her neck, planting soft kisses that drew a shiver from her. Then, I paused, pulling back to meet her gaze.She cupped my cheek, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you always stop?”I touched her hand and held her gaze, my voice low. “Because I yearn to see your reaction... to hear your sweet moans.”“The way you flaunt your beauty, the way you respond—it’s into
When the cab stopped in front of the mansion, my heart raced. I immediately noticed Ezekiel’s car driving out, with Mom sitting inside the car. Without hesitation, I got out of the cab and hurried toward the mansion.As I stepped inside, my breath caught. The room was a mess—furniture overturned, shattered glass everywhere. My gaze fell on a smear of blood on the floor, my chest tightening in worry.Then, I saw him."Ezekiel!" I called out, my voice trembling.Ezekiel turned, his expression softening the moment he saw me. "Isabella!" he exclaimed, surprise and relief evident in his voice.I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck. He hugged me tightly, grounding me in his warmth."I left everything," I whispered to him. "I came back for you, Ezekiel."He cupped my face, his eyes searching mine. "I told everything to Kathrine. I don’t think she’ll do anything now."I nodded, glancing around the wreckage. "I can see that. But what’s this blood?" My gaze dropped to the red stains on
Kathrine sighed deeply, turning away from Ezekiel before facing him again. "You’re wrong," she said, her voice laced with tension.Ezekiel leaned forward slightly, his tone unwavering. "Kathrine, I have all the proof. Now think carefully about your next move. But I’d advise you to tread lightly if you’re thinking about interfering with Isabella and me."Kathrine arched a brow, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Are you trying to strike a deal with me?"Ezekiel pressed his lips into a firm line. "If that’s how you want to see it, then yes."Kathrine let out a bitter laugh, stepping closer to him. "Wow. My ex-boyfriend—who slept with me—now wants to stay with my daughter? Do you even hear how disgusting that sounds?"Ezekiel exhaled, steadying himself. "I can’t change what’s already happened, Kathrine. I know this situation is awkward and wrong in so many ways, but it wasn’t planned. It just happened. I’m asking you to try to understand."Kathrine stepped forward, her movements sl
Kathrine was in the middle of a conversation with a client, her tone poised and professional. Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smiled politely at the client. "Excuse me for a moment," she said.The client nodded in understanding.Answering the call, Kathrine’s expression shifted slightly. "Yes, Robert," she said smoothly.But as Robert’s loud, angry voice echoed through the line, Kathrine’s composure began to falter. He was ranting, saying everything she already knew. Her face darkened as she listened.Still holding the phone to her ear, she covered the receiver with her hand and turned back to the client. "Would you mind if I called you later? Something urgent has come up."The client nodded, rising from his chair. "Of course. Let me know when you’re available."Kathrine offered a tight smile and watched him leave before refocusing on the call."What are you saying?" she asked, pretending to sound confused. Her tone was calm, but her brow twitched with irrita
Dad arched his brows, his anger bubbling over as he suddenly lunged toward Ezekiel, grabbing his collar. Shocked, I froze for a moment before rushing forward."Dad!" I cried out, gripping his hand, trying to loosen his hold. "Dad, what are you doing?""Mr. Robert, please calm down," Ezekiel said firmly, his tone controlled, though his gaze darkened.But Dad wasn’t listening. With a furious shove, he pushed Ezekiel back and roared, "Did you sleep with my daughter too?""Mr. Robert, release your hand," Ezekiel said again, his voice steady but stern.Dad ignored him and shoved him again, his fury unwavering."Dad, please!" I pleaded, trembling as I stepped between them. "Listen to him. He hasn’t done anything wrong!"Dad turned to me, his face contorted with rage. "He hasn’t done anything wrong? Are you defending him?"Before I could respond, his hand shot out, slapping me hard across the face. The impact sent me stumbling, and I grabbed the sofa for support, my cheek stinging with pain.