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
Isabella’s POVIt was the last day of my period, and over the past few days, I had only been teasing Ezekiel. He handled it with such grace and care, taking care of me as though I was his girlfriend. He made sure I had everything I needed, and his attention to detail warmed my heart.But nights were different. Ezekiel tried to avoid sleeping beside me, probably to maintain boundaries, but I had already made him my bad habit. Without his arms around me, sleep felt impossible. Every night, I called him to come to bed. He’d always say, “Sleep first. I’ll be late.”At first, I thought he wouldn’t come. Yet, at nights, at some point in the darkness, I’d wake to feel his strong arms wrapped around me, his warmth pulling me into a peaceful slumber. He always came, even if he thought I wouldn’t notice.Thinking of these moments made me smile. I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the reflection staring back at me. I wore a new red lingerie set, the lace highlighting the curves of my bosom.
Ezekiel's and my gazes remained locked, a silent intensity passing between us. My hands instinctively covered my chest and lower body, trying to shield myself from his eyes, though deep down, I wanted him to see me. My bosom rose and fell heavily, betraying my nervous excitement.He sat between my legs, his expression unreadable but undeniably captivated. I felt both embarrassed and exhilarated under his gaze.To tease him—or maybe to tempt myself—I shifted, covering my chest with one hand and letting the other linger lower. His eyes darkened slightly as they followed my movements.He reached out, his touch gentle as his hand cupped my cheek.“Do you really need to do that?”His voice was soft but firm, coaxing me to drop my barriers.I bit my lower lip, hesitating before nodding slightly, my body betraying the shyness I felt under his scrutinizing gaze.“Don’t,” he whispered, his voice soft yet commanding. His hand slowly traced my trembling arms, easing them away from my body. The d
“Ezekiel…” I moaned his name loudly, unable to hold back. His pace was fast and deep, each thrust filling me completely. Before I could register what was happening, he flipped me over and took the lead. It all happened so quickly, leaving me breathless. The intensity was overwhelming—tightening, squeezing, and a slippery heat filled my core.His movements were rougher than usual, deeper, more demanding. His hands cupped my breasts firmly, the warmth of his palms sending sparks through my body. It was bliss. Pure bliss.“Ah…” A deep, satisfied groan escaped him as he buried his face in my neck. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close, my body trembling with satisfaction. My breath was heavy, my heart pounding. A small embarrassed thought crossed my mind—I think I might have peed a little.I bit my lower lip, my fingers running through his hair as I traced slow, calming lines across his scalp. His warmth surrounded me, his presence grounding me.“I cum inside you, Isabella,” he
I wrapped my arms around Ezekiel’s neck, pulling him closer until our faces were just inches apart.“I would love to do it again,” I whispered, my lips brushing his ear as I spoke.“But aren’t you hungry?” Ezekiel murmured back, his voice low and teasing as his lips grazed my ear. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver through me. I sighed, my body reacting to his closeness.“Yes,” I admitted, biting my lip.Ezekiel smiled, his eyes dancing with amusement before he stepped away. He opened the fridge, the cool air escaping as he rummaged through it.I sat on the table, my legs swinging lightly as I watched him. The sight of him, so relaxed and comfortable, made my chest swell with something warm. He finally pulled out a perfectly grilled chicken and set it on the table.I slid off the table and stepped behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. Pressing my body against his back, I whispered, “I want you.”Ezekiel froze for a moment, then took a deep breath. He didn’t turn immediate
Ezekiel's POV.I woke early, the faint light of dawn spilling into the room. Isabella was nestled in my arms, her head resting against my chest. A sleepy smile tugged at my lips as I ran my fingers gently through her hair.Isabella, I thought, why are you so tempting?My fingertips brushed her soft lips, and I felt the familiar stir of desire rise within me. I clenched my teeth, trying to push it down, but the urge to kiss her was overwhelming. She had a way of pulling me in, and no matter how much I tried to resist, I always ended up surrendering to her.I sighed quietly, my gaze lingering on her peaceful face. Falling for Isabella had been unexpected, but it was happening, whether I wanted it to or not. She had a hold on me that I couldn’t deny.But then, like a sharp slap, reality hit.Kathrine.The name hung in my mind like a storm cloud.Kathrine had walked away, leaving me in the chaos of my emotions. And now, here I was—wrapped up in something far more complicated. I’d messed u
Isabella's POV.I walked toward Mom, trying to keep my expression neutral.“Surprise!” she said brightly, her arms outstretched. I forced a small smile and let her hug me tightly. Inside, however, my emotions were in turmoil.“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Mom added, her voice warm and full of affection.“Thank you,” I murmured softly, keeping my tone steady.I could feel Ezekiel’s gaze on me like a weight, but I didn’t dare meet his eyes. I wasn’t sure if I’d find guilt or resolve myself there—and I wasn’t ready to confront him either.As Mom pulled away from the hug, she cupped my face in her hands. “How could I be far from you, love? It’s your birthday. I had to come back, no matter what,” she said, her tone brimming with love.I nodded, forcing myself to match her enthusiasm.“You should take a rest, Mom,” I said, stepping aside slightly, trying to regain some control of the situation.“Mr. Ezekiel and I will cook something for you.”The moment I said Mr. Ezekiel, his brows furrowe
"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