I blinked slowly, letting the weight of the moment settle before speaking with a firm tone, “I will wait for you.”Ezekiel smiled faintly, the corners of his lips curling up in an almost imperceptible way. He nodded and turned to leave.As the door closed behind him, I exhaled deeply, a sense of triumph washing over me. I ran my fingers over the smooth fabric of my bed, a victorious smile tugging at my lips. It felt as though I had won.Fixing my messy hair, I let my thoughts swirl around the day, savoring every detail.By the evening, I was eagerly awaiting Ezekiel’s return. But to my dismay, Mom arrived earlier than I anticipated.Seated in the drawing room, I heard the sound of the door opening and her familiar footsteps. Our eyes met as she entered, her expression unreadable. Annoyed, I rolled my eyes and got up, intending to retreat to my room on the second floor.“Where are you going?” Mom’s voice rang out, sharp and clear.I halted mid-step, turning back to face her. “To my ro
We were having dinner together, but the atmosphere was heavy and tense. Neither Mom nor Ezekiel said much, their silence louder than any words they could have spoken.I glanced between them, wondering if Mom had said something to Ezekiel earlier when she went into her room. Did they really have an unspoken storm brewing in their minds?The thought lingered as I took a small bite of my meal, chewing slowly.I decided it was best to stay quiet for now. Speaking up might stir something unnecessary, and the last thing I wanted was to ruin whatever small advantage I might have gained. The atmosphere felt delicate, as though one wrong move could shatter it entirely.When we finally finished dinner, we left the restaurant and climbed into the car to head home. Mom sat in the passenger seat next to Ezekiel, and I slid into the back seat behind them.The ride was quiet, save for the faint hum of the car engine.For a brief moment, Ezekiel’s eyes met mine in the rear-view mirror.It was a fleet
Ezekiel smiled, his eyes meeting mine warmly."You should stop saying thank you. You’re acting too formal with me," he teased gently.I pressed my lips together slightly, then tilted my head as I asked, "Then how can I show my gratitude to you?"Ezekiel took a deep breath, pausing for a moment before replying, "Keep smiling."I blinked, surprised."I like to see you smile every time," he added, his tone soft and sincere.I hadn’t expected that. In my mind, I thought he would ask for something more intimate, something that could draw us closer—maybe a kiss or a tender moment. But he only asked for my smiles.I exhaled deeply, looking at him, my thoughts churning.I thought to myself, I always treated you as my trump card—a card I planned to use and discard once it served its purpose. But now...My chest tightened. You’re forcing me to change how I think, making me feel weak for you in ways I never intended.As I gazed at him, his expression so open and unguarded, I felt something shift
Isabella's POV.I smirked as I glanced at the screen. Ezekiel had seen my message—his signature silence confirmed it. He was waiting. Anticipating. The thought sent a warm rush through me, igniting a heat that settled just beneath my skin.Sitting upright on my bed, I felt a spark of nervous excitement, my heart pounding in sync with the quiet hum of the room. I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I reached for the tripod and set up the camera. One click, and the red light blinked on.My chest rose and fell heavily, betraying my growing anticipation. Pushing my hair over one shoulder, I let my fingers trail lightly down my neck, brushing against my collarbone. My movements were slow, deliberate, designed for the gaze I knew was watching—or soon would be.Kneeling on the bed, I leaned forward slightly, biting my lower lip in a teasing smile as I began unbuttoning my shirt.One button.Then another.I left it draped over me, just enough to keep myself revealed. The delicate lace of
The piercing ring of my phone jolted me awake. I groggily grabbed it, careful not to wake Kathrine. She stirred slightly, her hand slipping off me before she turned over to face the other side, her breathing evening out again.I answered the call in a low tone.“Dude!”The voice on the other end was familiar—my childhood friend.I sat up a bit, nodding as he spoke.“Okay, I’ll come,” I replied before hanging up with a sigh.He had arrived in Italy to meet me, and I’d promised to catch up. But for now, my eyes felt heavy again, and I lay back, closing them momentarily.A minute passed before curiosity got the better of me. I reached for my phone again, scrolling to see if Isabella had replied to my last message.She hadn’t. She’d seen it but left me to read.I arched my brow, a mix of amusement and irritation crossing my face.“Playing hard to get?” I muttered under my breath before placing the phone back on the nightstand.Then, an idea struck me, and a sly smile curled on my lips. Wi
Dinner was silent—too silent. Mom and I sat across from each other, chewing, cutting, and sipping without a word being exchanged. Neither of us even bothered to ask about each other’s day. Wasn’t that strange?Yes, it was.But the truth was, I didn’t care anymore. I was fed up with her attitude—her selfishness, her constant “me, me, me” way of thinking. Everything revolved around her and what mattered to her.I pushed my last bite into my mouth, set my fork down, and closed the book I’d been pretending to read as a distraction. I stood up, ready to head to the kitchen, but mom’s voice stopped me.“How is your college going?” she asked, breaking the silence.I sighed softly.“Good,” I said, the single word coming out flat and unenthusiastic.Mom looked at me, her expression blank but her tone firm.“I hope you’ll do your best in your exams.”I pressed my lips together, holding back the sting of irritation bubbling up inside me.“Maybe. I don’t know,” I answered casually, brushing her e
The morning sunlight peeked through my window, brushing against my skin. I slowly opened my eyes, feeling unusually tired yet oddly satisfied. Blinking, I stared at the ceiling for a moment, my mind hazy from sleep.“Um…” I murmured softly, stretching my arms. But as the memories of last night crept in, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips.I shifted beneath the blanket, sitting up slowly. My gaze fell on the mirror across the room, and I froze for a second. My reflection stared back at me—hair messy, one sleeve of my nightdress hanging loosely off my shoulder, and no panties.My cheeks flushed slightly, but instead of embarrassment, I tilted my head and smirked.I look… different. Almost as though something about me had changed.Chuckling to myself, I whispered in the mirror, “Like seriously, what’s going on with me?”I ran my fingers through my hair, my smile widening as I murmured, “This much craving for him? Are my hormones releasing too much for him or what?”Another small la
Isabella's POV:Ezekiel and I exchanged naughty glances at each other from the moment we were alone. Mom was with us as we arrived at college, and with so many students around, it was impossible to talk freely. We could only steal moments, checking each other from a distance.Finally, after a long class, we got some privacy—Ezekiel was driving home, and he parked the car in a quiet spot. As soon as we were alone, he pulled me close and started kissing the sensitive part of my bosom. My shirt was half-open, and my bra was just up enough to uncover my bosom, yet Ezekiel didn’t push further, and neither did I.With a shiver running through me, I brushed his hair back from his forehead, letting my fingers linger there. He paused, lifting his gaze at me. His long lashes framed those deep, captivating eyes.“You’re okay with this, right?” Ezekiel asked softly, his lips brushing against mine as he leaned in closer.I nodded, resting my head back against the seat. “Yes.”“And you?”Ezekie
"Dimitri, you are not in my place, so you won’t understand what I’ve been through," I finally spoke, my voice firm yet weary.He remained silent, listening."Ezekiel and I… our relationship happened unexpectedly. Neither of us saw it coming," I admitted. "But there’s something deeper—something tied to my family. That’s why I couldn’t speak about it openly."Dimitri arched a brow, his curiosity piqued.I offered a small, bitter smile. "At least you asked about it. That’s more than I can say for others."He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I had a feeling something was going on between you two. Especially that night—the way Professor Ezekiel stepped in to protect you.""But I took it lightly," he admitted.There was a pause before he added, "Isabella, I’m not here to judge you. But you need to understand… you're going to face a lot. People won’t be kind."I crossed my arms. "I know."The tension in the room was thick, but before either of us could say more, the noise from outside
Dad parked the car beside the university. As soon as I looked outside, my heart started pounding—media reporters crowded the entrance, cameras flashing, microphones ready.I swallowed hard. I knew they weren’t just here for Ezekiel. They wanted answers about my mom too.Dad exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel. “See what you’ve done?” he muttered.I pressed my lips together, holding back my frustration."Dad, I know what I’ve done, but can you please stop reminding me every single time?" I finally said.He shot me a look, then turned his gaze toward the street."You can’t even handle my words. What will you do when you face your classmates?" he asked coldly. "I told you not to come, but you’re too stubborn to listen."I remained silent. There was no point in arguing with him now.Dad honked the horn, trying to clear a path through the crowd. After a few minutes of struggling, he finally managed to drive through the university gates.The moment the car stopped, I wasted no time
"Isabella, you don’t know my dad," Ezekiel said with a deep breath, his voice heavy with something I couldn’t quite place.I sighed, unsure of what to say. I didn’t know what had happened between them, but at least his father had managed to get him out of prison. That was something.I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, looking at him with empathy. "Okay, we’ll talk about it later."I lightly pushed him toward the bed and said, "Just sit here.""I’ll bring you some food. You haven’t eaten anything, have you?"Ezekiel shook his head, his voice softer now. "I don’t want to eat anything. I just need to sleep in your arms, Isabella." He pulled my hand gently, his grip pleading.I patted his hand reassuringly. "I know what you're going through, Ezekiel. But I believe in you. The truth will come out. The real culprit will be caught soon."He closed his eyes, a heavy silence filled the room for a moment. I could feel the weight of his thoughts, the turmoil inside him. Then, he spoke again,
I just wanted to know the truth. No matter what my dad said, I refused to believe Ezekiel was responsible. Deep down, I felt that whatever had happened was a consequence of my mother’s own actions.Maybe she had gotten involved with the wrong person. Maybe she had made mistakes she couldn’t undo. And in the end, she found herself with no way out.I sighed, lost in thought, trying to piece everything together.But Dad’s voice cut through my thoughts. "Isabella, you’re not listening to me."I looked up at him."What if it turns out to be Ezekiel?" he pressed.I exhaled sharply, frustrated. "Oh, come on, Dad. I know him. He couldn’t have done this. In fact, he told Mom about us. If he had anything to hide, why would he do that?"Dad narrowed his eyes but remained silent."Besides," I continued, "Mom was the one who messed up his finances. She took money from his company. She leaked shares. If anything, she had more enemies than just Ezekiel."Dad’s jaw tightened. His expression darkened
Ezekiel was finally released from custody, thanks to the bail his lawyer had secured. However, his expression remained tense as he stepped into the sheriff's office.As he entered, his sharp eyes immediately caught sight of a man sitting with his back to him."Come in, Mr. Ezekiel," Oliver said, motioning him inside.Ezekiel didn’t move at first. He had already guessed who the man was.Slowly, he stepped forward, standing just behind him. "I didn’t think I’d be granted bail tonight," he murmured.Oliver gave a small smirk. "Your father made sure of it. We also ran a thorough check to see if you had any hidden links or evidence against you."The moment Oliver mentioned his father, Ezekiel’s jaw tightened.At that instant, the man in front of him finally turned around.Nathan Carter—the CEO of a multinational corporation, a powerful and influential man, and most importantly, Ezekiel’s father—met his gaze with a neutral expression.Ezekiel sighed, his emotions unreadable.Nathan looked a
Dad straightened his posture, his expression firm. "Officer, Kathrine and I were still friends. There was no reason for her to hesitate if she wanted to speak to me privately."The officer studied him before nodding. "I see. But if you were that close, then why did you file for divorce? Was there a specific reason?"Dad's face stiffened. His jaw clenched slightly, and after a brief pause, he let out a slow breath. "I… I had a girlfriend. And, honestly, I didn’t want to be with Kathrine anymore."The officer raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on the revelation. Instead, he jotted something down in his notepad before saying, "Alright, Mr. Robert. We’ll gather all the necessary information on Mrs. Kathrine, and soon, we should be able to locate her body."Dad nodded slowly, his face unreadable.Then, the officer turned toward me, his expression more neutral. "Miss Isabella."I straightened as he addressed me.He glanced at my father before speaking again. "Would you mind speaking with
"You got involved with your mom's boyfriend?" the officer asked, his tone laced with disbelief.I lowered my gaze, feeling a wave of shame wash over me. "Yes," I admitted softly.The officer let out a sigh, disappointment evident in his expression.I pressed my lips together, unsure why embarrassment was creeping over me. I had already come this far—why did his reaction make me feel so exposed?After a brief silence, he asked again, "Can you tell me how it happened? And your mother… how did she find out? What was her reaction?"I lifted my gaze to meet his. If I had to recount my mother’s reaction, I was sure his expression would shift.It was time to reveal everything.Everything meant everything.The truth about my mother’s real nature.And if I told them the whole story, maybe—just maybe—it would work in Ezekiel’s favor.Taking a deep breath, I began. "Actually, my mom wasn’t like most mothers. She was ambitious—ruthlessly so. Her career and position meant everything to her. She wa
“Yes, Dad,” I said firmly.“And I know the truth. The truth about Mom and her affairs.”Dad’s eyes locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. But I didn’t hesitate. I wasn’t oblivious—I had always known the truth. I had seen everything, heard the whispers, and watched in silence. I simply chose not to say anything.I lived my life without interfering in theirs.At first, it hurt. When I was younger, I despised it. But over time, I realized nothing I did would change my parents’ choices. So, I stopped thinking about it. I stopped caring.“And I also know that Mom gave you money to keep your mouth shut, Dad.”Dad’s face darkened. “Isabella!” he shouted.But I remained calm, my voice unwavering. “Dad, don’t shout at me.”“You filed a case against Ezekiel, not because you believe he’s guilty, but because you don’t want me to be with him.”Dad’s jaw clenched, but I continued, my tone steady.“Think about it. He’s an influential man, and you’ve tarnished his reputation. If he proves his i
The police kept Ezekiel in an interrogation room. They didn’t put him in custody—he was a respected man, after all. But he was still trapped, sitting alone with nothing but his thoughts. His phone had been confiscated, leaving him with no way to reach out.After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open. Ezekiel let out a sigh but didn’t bother to look up.“Hello, Mr. Ezekiel,” a familiar voice greeted.Recognizing the voice, Ezekiel finally glanced up and saw Oliver, the officer handling the case.“Can I get my phone back?” Ezekiel asked, his tone calm but edged with frustration.Oliver slid the phone across the table.“Yes,” he said simply.Ezekiel grabbed it, his fingers tightening around the device.“Did you find anything on it?”Oliver exhaled slowly.“No. But, Mr. Ezekiel, that won’t change anything.”Ezekiel narrowed his eyes.“What do you mean?”Oliver leaned forward. “Mr. Robert has strong evidence against you. He claims you had a romantic relationship with Mrs. Kathr