I exhaled, picking up my phone. No messages from Katherine. She hadn’t called or even sent a simple text. Was she deliberately keeping her distance? Or was there something she was hiding from me? I didn’t know anymore. All I knew was that whatever we had seemed to be slipping through my fingers, and I was exhausted trying to hold it all together.I tossed the phone onto the bed and turned toward the window, letting the cold air settle my thoughts. If Katherine didn’t care enough to reach out, why should I be the one trying so hard? There’s only so much patience a person can have before it runs out.Restless, I rubbed my forehead, then found myself on my feet, quietly moving through the hallway toward Isabella’s room. My footsteps felt strangely deliberate, as if drawn there by something I didn’t fully understand. I cracked the door open gently, and there she was, lying peacefully in bed, her face soft in sleep.Seeing her like that made something tighten in my chest. She was beautiful
D*mn. In those glasses, he looked so effortlessly attractive. My knees nearly buckled just from seeing him up there, all composed and professional. But I knew the side of him that was far from professional, and I had to suppress a smirk at the memory.Our eyes met for a brief second, just long enough for a spark to pass between us.As I sat back down, Ezekiel wasted no time jumping into his lecture. But as hard as I tried to pay attention, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, admiring the way he looked up there—so composed, with that deep, calm voice filling the entire room. We kept catching each other’s gaze, quick glances here and there. I even brought my pen up to my lips, lost in my own thoughts about him.Just as I was daydreaming, a voice broke through my thoughts.“Miss Isabella, would you mind explaining what I’m discussing?”I snapped out of it to see Ezekiel watching me, one eyebrow raised, his book set on the table and the microphone pushed aside. I pressed my lips toget
I raised my brows, not really in the mood to answer her prying questions. She’d clearly been watching us closely. I took a deep breath, forcing a polite smile."I'm new here, and he’s a friend of my mom’s," I replied, keeping my voice neutral.“Oh!” Mira raised her eyebrows in surprise, then smiled back, as if the whole thing wasn’t worth any more curiosity."Well, just so you know," she added, casually shifting the conversation, "if you need anything around here, you can come to me."I nodded, not really feeling the need to reply."I think I should get going," I said, eager to make my exit."Nice talking to you," Mira said with a bright smile, clearly unfazed by my coolness.I gave her a nod, turning on my heel and leaving the classroom. Walking briskly, I made my way across campus to the administration building. Once inside, I kept my head down, weaving through the crowd of busy employees. I stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the fifth floor and waited as it rose, eac
He pulled back for a moment, just enough to shift my position, turning me around so my back pressed against him. His hands moved up, fingers grazing my skin as he gently opened the buttons of my shirt. His lips began tracing down my spine, sending a current through me that left me breathless.Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to be completely at the moment, absorbing every sensation as his kisses traveled over my skin. The realization hit me, lingering in the back of my mind, of how deeply he’d affected me. I was falling hard for this man—his touch, his voice, his quiet intensity. But where did I stand?In the last few weeks, my feelings for him had deepened quickly, almost too quickly. But did he feel the same, or was I just an escape for him?Was I just part of my mom that he couldn’t let go? Or was there something here—something real—that we both felt but hadn’t spoken?I turned back, my mind racing with conflicted thoughts. Yet, here he was, and all those questions seemed to melt
“So, you don’t have a name? Or do you need permission from your friends to speak?” I said, letting my voice drip with mock curiosity.She blinked, visibly flustered. “I… I’m Poppy,” she managed to say, her voice a bit shaky.“Good,” I replied, taking a calm breath.“So, Poppy, if I decide to go out with Dimitri, that’ll be because I chose to go with him. Got it?”Poppy just nodded, clearly surprised by my bluntness, and I shifted my gaze to Mira, who was trying to mask her annoyance behind a forced smile.“I’m heading home,” I said coolly, meeting her gaze. “Maybe next time.”Without giving them a chance to respond, I turned and walked away, leaving them standing there, hopefully realizing I wasn’t as easily swayed or intimidated as they’d assumed.**“She’s got a lot of nerve to show you an attitude like that, Mira,” Athena muttered, shaking her head.Mira rolled her eyes, keeping her voice cool. “Really?”Poppy crossed her arms, fuming. “She acted like she didn’t know us—like she di
"Alright," my mom replied after a pause, though her voice carried a subtle trace of doubt."Yeah, you should focus on college now," she added, her tone shifting to something more neutral.I pressed my lips together, feeling a flicker of unease. What if she found out? What would she even do? Before I could dwell too much, she spoke again, her words catching me off guard.“I think that’s why Ezekiel has stopped calling me.”My brows shot up in surprise. He’s stopped calling her? The realization brought a small, hidden smile to my lips. That was better news than I expected. But I quickly adjusted my tone to keep up appearances.“Maybe, Mom. Don’t call him right now, though. Just… give him a surprise.”She didn’t answer immediately, and I only heard a faint “Hmm” from her end.I glanced at the wall clock, realizing I didn’t have much time if I wanted to surprise Ezekiel myself.“Mom, I need to take a shower—and I’m starving,” I said, steering the conversation toward an exit.“Oh, yes, of
He stretched his arm along the back of the couch, his fingers almost grazing my hair. I pressed my lips together, struggling to think of something to say, before blurting out, “I ordered dinner.”Ezekiel smiled, exuding effortless composure.“I appreciate that,” he said with a soft chuckle.“Though I’ve been thinking... maybe I should hire a maid.”“What?” I snapped, my voice sharp with surprise. I turned to him, my nervousness briefly replaced by indignation.“Why a maid?”“It’s just that I come home late, and you’re here all alone,” he murmured.I narrowed my eyes slightly, cutting him off. “It’s not a problem,” I said firmly. “I’m not bored, and if you’re worried about safety, the guards are here.”“But—” he began, his tone laced with hesitation.Before he could continue, I leaned forward, closing the small gap between us. My lips curved into a soft smile as I said, “Please, don’t ruin our privacy. I like it when it’s just you and me in this house.”My hand rested on his chest, fee
Ezekiel's POVThe dim glow of the candles still lingered faintly as I lay in bed with Isabella. Her arms were wrapped tightly around me, her head nestled against my chest. Her breathing was soft and steady, her warmth enveloping me like a cocoon. My fingers absentmindedly traced through her hair, the silky strands slipping between them effortlessly.It felt so good. Too good.My heart was racing, a relentless rhythm I couldn’t control whenever she was near. Every glance she threw my way, every casual touch, every word she spoke seemed to light a fire within me. She had a way of making me feel things I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in years—things I wasn’t supposed to feel. Not for her.I liked her. There was no denying it now. I liked her far more than I should. And that truth gnawed at me, pulling me into a confusing mix of guilt and desire. Her presence made me restless, agitated in a way that both excited and terrified me.Images of her—smiling, laughing, leaning close, her lips gr
"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