Ezekiel's POV.I realized I had taken Isabella’s words too seriously, which I shouldn’t have. She was always so straightforward, never hesitating to speak her mind, and I admired that about her. But in my own confusion, I had overthought things, and avoiding her earlier didn’t feel right. I actually enjoyed spending time with her. So when she mentioned not feeling up for college and having the weekend free, I saw an opportunity and suggested a trip to Amalfi. It had been a long time since I’d visited, and it felt like the perfect escape.Her face lit up when I mentioned it, and that made me feel good. I turned the car around, heading back to the mansion so we could pack our bags. Isabella was still bubbling with excitement as we prepared, and I found myself relaxing more, the awkwardness from earlier fading into the background.By noon, we were at the airport, and within five hours, we landed in Amalfi. The familiar sea breeze and the sight of the colorful cliffs brought back memories,
Isabella's POV.I lay on the bed when I told Ezekiel I was scared. Truthfully, I just didn’t want to sleep alone in this unfamiliar place. When I peeked, I saw him still standing by the bed, hesitant. My sleepiness weighed on me, so I tapped the empty space beside me and called softly, "Come here.""You sleep, I’m here," he responded from a distance, and that ruined my mood.With my eyes closed, I arched my brows in mild annoyance. Determined, I crawled toward him in a sleepy daze, grabbed his hand, and tugged him down onto the bed. "You talk too much," I mumbled, pulling him close.He finally plopped down beside me, and I smiled, placing my head on his arm before drifting off to sleep again.When I woke up, the sky outside was still dim, hinting at early morning. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized I was clutching Ezekiel’s arm. He was fast asleep next to me. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I stared at him, peaceful in slumber. I nuzzled my nose against his arm, breath
[At present]Ezekiel opened the bedroom door, our lips still locked in a deep kiss. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me effortlessly, one of his hands supporting my weight while the other held me close. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, desperate not to let the moment break. The mansion was eerily quiet, just the two of us, completely alone.As we stumbled inside, he broke the kiss, gently lowering me onto the edge of the bed. Propping myself up on my elbows, I reached for him again, trying to reclaim the kiss, needing to feel him close.Ezekiel leaned down, teasingly brushing his lips against mine, pulling away just as quickly, a hot breath touched my face. His fingers traced slowly over my exposed skin beneath my loose shirt, sending a trail of heat wherever he touched. He tugged the white shirt off my shoulders, leaving me in nothing but my black bikini.I bit down on my lower lip, frustration building as he paused, his hands hovering just above my s
I bit my lip in pleasure, my body trembling with his relentless pace. My hand gripped the edge of the bed for stability while the other held tightly onto his arm, seeking some sense of control amidst the overwhelming sensations. My chest rose and fell in rhythm with his movements, and my voice escaped me in breathless moans, "Ezekiel…"I held his shoulders, the firmness of his physique was driving me insane. I wanted him to treat me harder and harder.I asked for more, wanting nothing but to lose myself at that moment with him.His strength showed as he lifted my waist effortlessly with one hand, gripping my leg with the other. The cool air from the AC couldn’t keep up with the heat building between us, beads of sweat forming on my skin. Without warning, Ezekiel picked me up and placed me on his lap. I gasped, breathless from the mix of exhaustion and the dizzying pleasure that coursed through me.Resting my chin on his shoulder, I clung to him, barely able to hold myself upright. My
Isabella's POV.I slowly cracked open my eyes, my eyelids still heavy with sleep. The first thing I did was search for Ezekiel, glancing around the room. But the bed beside me was empty. I frowned slightly, reaching up to touch my head, my fingers tracing through my messy hair. A faint smile crept onto my lips as the scent of him hung around on my skin, a reminder of last night.His smell... it was still there, and the thought made me bite my lower lip lightly.I slowly sat up, pulling the blanket over my body as a sudden wave of soreness hit me. My back and lower half ached—evidence of the intensity from the night before. My body had been through more than I expected, but the memory of how passionate everything was made me blush.I glanced toward the door, noticing it was closed. A small part of me wondered if Ezekiel had been there when I fell asleep or if he'd left after everything. My mind raced, playing over the events of last night. Did he stay with me, holding me close, or had
"Oh," I paused for a moment, unsure of what to say next, then asked, "Did you find what you were looking for?"Ezekiel hesitated but nodded. "Um... yes, I got it," he said as he walked past me, carrying a box. As he brushed by, I caught his familiar scent—warm, comforting, and intoxicating. There was something about it that made my heart skip a beat. But I noticed how he avoided meeting my eyes, like he was deliberately trying to keep some distance between us.He placed the box on the ground with a light smile. "Okay," he said, but there was a certain tension behind his words.Our eyes met briefly, and at that moment, my heart started racing. But just as quickly as our gazes locked, he looked away, leaving me unsure of what he was feeling. I wanted to ask, but the words didn’t come."So, I’ll take a quick shower and join you," he added quickly, as if to fill the silence."Today I ordered breakfast."I nodded back before he walked out of the room. My eyes followed him until he disappea
Ezekiel's POV.I was trying to explain myself, feeling the weight of shame from last night. I had just spent an intimate night with my lover's daughter, and the enormity of that reality crashed over me like a wave. But before I could articulate my thoughts, Isabella surprised me in the most unexpected way.She kissed me.My eyes widened in disbelief as her soft lips pressed against mine, her eyes fluttering shut. The scent of her hair wrapped around me, intoxicating and familiar. I found myself frozen, caught between instinct and reason, unable to push her away.Isabella brushed her lips against mine, a delicate caress that sent shivers down my spine. Her fingers tangled in my hair, drawing me closer. I could feel her warmth radiating, and my resolve began to waver.My hands moved instinctively, one cradling her head, the other resting on her slim waist, pulling her even closer.Was it the primal urge to satisfy my needs, or was it something deeper? Desire flickered in my chest, battl
We looked at each other, still breathless, our bodies still connected. His ears were flushed a deep red, and the sight made me smile softly. Without saying a word, I reached up and gently touched his ears, feeling the heat beneath my fingertips.I knew it was the perfect moment to clear the air, to say what I had been holding back. My hand gently touched Ezekiel's cheek, and I spoke softly, "I don’t mind if we’re like this."“Ezekiel,” I repeated his name, wanting to be sure he was listening. “If you ever feel like you need me, just ignore everything else and enjoy being with me.”He lowered his gaze slowly, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. It wasn’t easy for him—I understood that. But I also knew that once he learned the truth about my mom, his world would fall apart.But if he accepted me, that wouldn’t seem like a betrayal. It wouldn’t hurt him as much once he saw my mom’s true colors.Ezekiel didn’t respond right away. He seemed to be searching for the right words, or may
"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