ISLA’S POVThe moment my eyes met Victor’s, a strange feeling hit me—guilt. I had no reason to feel this way, but something about his expression made me uneasy. His sharp gaze held a mix of anger, disappointment, and something else I couldn’t quite place. It was as if he had walked in expecting one thing and found something entirely different.Across from me, Daniel looked confused, like he was trying to piece together what was happening. I could feel the tension crackling between the three of us, thick and suffocating.Daniel, always the gentleman, stood up and greeted Victor. “Victor, I didn’t expect to see you here. Isla and I are just having dinner. If you don’t mind, you can join us,” he said casually, his voice calm.I winced. That only made things worse. Victor’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkened, and without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the restaurant.My heart dropped. He misunderstood. He thoughtPanic surged through me. I couldn’t let him walk away like th
ISLA’S POVI stormed out of the restaurant without a proper goodbye to Daniel.I had seen the confusion in his eyes—the silent question he didn’t get the chance to ask. I knew I owed him an explanation, but right now, my mind was spinning too fast to form the right words.Still, a part of me believed he would eventually piece things together. And when he did, he would probably hate me, just like Victor seemed to at the moment.The moment I stepped out into the cold night, reality hit me. I had gotten myself tangled in something messy, and now I had to face the consequences.Victor’s expression—the betrayal in his eyes—kept replaying in my mind like a bad movie. The way he looked at me, the way he left without giving me a chance to explain… it hurt more than I expected.I had to fix this.The Silence That FollowedDays passed, and Victor was ignoring me.At first, I thought he was just cooling off. Maybe he needed time to process everything. But as the days stretched on, I realized it
VICTOR’S POVThe night I saw Isla with Daniel at the restaurant, I wasn’t angry just because they were together. Maybe I was a little. And maybe, deep down, jealousy had crept into my chest before I could push it away.But that wasn’t the real reason I was furious.The true source of my anger was the crushing loss I had suffered just hours, sitting at that same restaurant.A deal that should have been locked in, one that had taken months of careful planning and negotiations, had been ripped away from me in an instant.And not just by any company—but by an unknown, faceless entity that no one could seem to trace.Losing a business deal wasn’t new to me. It happened in the corporate world—contracts slipped away, competitors outbid each other, companies found better offers. That was just business.But this? This didn’t feel like business.It felt personal.I had spent years building Sterling Corporation into what it was today. I had worked harder than anyone else, made the right connectio
VICTOR’S POVThe soft knock on my office door pulled me from my thoughts. I had been poring over documents, trying to find even the smallest thread that could lead me to the people threatening my company. I didn’t look up immediately, my mind still tangled in strategy and calculations."Good morning," a familiar voice said.I glanced up. Isla stood at the entrance, her expression composed yet guarded."Morning," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.Things were still strained between us. The air between us carried the weight of unspoken words, the hesitation of two people unsure of where they stood. I knew I had to fix it—had to make things right between us. But not yet. Not now. Not until I figured out who I was dealing with.She stepped inside, setting a file on my desk. "I couldn’t find anything on the unknown company," she admitted, her frustration barely masked.I leaned back, my gaze steady on her. I could see the effort she had put in, the way she had thrown herself into the task
VICTOR POV The moment I ended the call, I knew the battle was just beginning. Stratos Corporation wasn’t a company that played fair, and they were coming for everything we had built. It wasn’t just about business—it was war. A war that could shake the very foundation of my company if I didn’t act swiftly. I needed a plan. I needed control. Without hesitation, I called for an urgent board meeting. Every major shareholder, department head, and executive was summoned. I refused to let panic set in. We needed to act, and we needed to act now. The conference room was already buzzing with murmurs when I arrived. Some board members were tense, while others tried to mask their worry with unreadable expressions. Isla was seated near the front, her posture straight and composed, though I could tell she was on edge. I took my seat at the head of the table and steeled my voice as I spoke. “We have a problem,” I announced, my tone sharp and unwavering. “Stratos Corporation popularly know as
ISLA’S POVI stormed out of Victor’s office, my vision blurred with unshed tears. My heart pounded violently in my chest as Emma’s words replayed in my mind over and over again.She’s pregnant…I could still hear Emma’s voice, calm yet laced with something sinister, as if she enjoyed watching my world crumble. “I just thought you should know… I’m carrying Victor’s child.”A sharp pain sliced through my chest. How could this be happening? How was this even possible?A million thoughts swirled in my mind, colliding like a raging storm. Victor had told me he had feelings for me. He had pursued me, made me believe I was special to him. And yet, he had been sleeping with Emma—Emma, of all people! The same woman who had bullied me at work, who made my life miserable every chance she got.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought the overwhelming wave of emotions crashing over me. Disappointment. Anger. Betrayal. How could he do this? How could he lie so easily while ma
ISLA'S POVI sat at the café, staring blankly at the drink in front of me. I had ordered something light—nothing too strong, but just enough to keep my hands occupied. The midday sun poured through the windows, casting warm patterns on the table, but I barely noticed. My mind was elsewhere, tangled in a web of emotions I couldn’t quite sort through.Everything felt like a mess.I thought back to Jason—how he had deceived me, how I had trusted him only to realize he had never truly valued me. I wouldn’t say Victor was the same, but the feeling of betrayal was eerily familiar. The bottom line remained: they both hurt me.I clenched my hands around the cup, frustration bubbling in my chest. I wasn’t with Victor when he slept with Emma, so technically, it wasn’t cheating. But knowing he had been with her, knowing he had been intimate with someone who had made my life miserable—it stung in a way I couldn’t explain. He claimed to have feelings for me, but how could I believe that now?I sig
VICTOR’S POVI had only been with Emma once—maybe twice—but never frequently. It wasn’t supposed to mean anything, and it never did for me. But ever since I started having feelings for Isla, I had put an end to it. I kept my distance, no longer allowing Emma the closeness she used to have.It wasn’t easy, though. Emma never stopped trying. She would visit my house unexpectedly, bringing excuses like needing to discuss work or just wanting company. In the office, she’d always find a way to lean too close, touch my arm, or give me looks that made it obvious what she wanted. But I refused.I made it clear to her."I’m sorry, Emma. I can’t love you the way you want me to. My heart belongs to someone else."She never liked hearing it, but I hoped she understood. I had only been intimate with her in a moment of weakness—a moment I never intended to repeat.But then Isla came into my life. From the first day I met her, I knew she was different. There was something about her that made me want
NATHAN’S POVI wasn’t planning to see Sienna that day.She’d called earlier in the morning asking if I still had the spare keys to my old apartment. Apparently, a few of her belongings were still tucked away in the hallway closet—left behind from the chapter of our lives I preferred to leave unread. I told her I’d be at the restaurant all day and she could swing by to pick the key up there.The Yard was already buzzing with energy when she arrived, her signature scent trailing in ahead of her. She had always been composed—polished like fine silver—but today there was something lighter in her steps. Maybe it was the sun or the scent of rosemary in the air, but even I couldn’t deny how easily she still blended into places like this.“Still my favorite spot,” she smiled as she slid into a booth near the corner.I nodded, handing her the key across the counter. “Figured you’d show up before lunch. Still remember your usual?”Sienna glanced at the chalkboard menu and laughed softly. “You h
ISLA'S POV The lights inside the gallery shimmered like stars caught in motion, casting warmth over sleek canvases, glass sculptures, and colorfully dressed guests weaving in and out of conversations. The event was going smoothly—Tasha’s idea to merge creative exhibitions with culinary excellence had turned out to be brilliant. Nathan’s corner had drawn a crowd, as expected. People weren’t just eating—they were savoring. Even the art enthusiasts lingered around his table longer than necessary, sampling delicate bites and engaging him in cheerful banter. Isla watched him, a soft smile playing at her lips. He moved with grace and humility, laughing modestly when someone complimented his smoked truffle crostini or lavender lemon tart. “This is a hit,” Tasha whispered beside her, sipping a glass of Prosecco. “You were right about him. Everyone’s raving.” “I’m glad,” Isla replied. “He deserves this. He’s been hiding too long.” “Is he always this humble?” Tasha asked, raising an eyebro
ISLA'S POV The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow across my apartment. I sat at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in hand, my thoughts swirling like the steam rising from the mug. The events of the past few days played in my mind—Nathan's unexpected kiss, the lingering tension between us, and the invitation from Tasha. It all felt like a whirlwind, and I was caught in the middle, unsure of where I stood.I glanced at my phone, noting the time. I had a meeting with Tasha later today to discuss the upcoming event at her gallery. She had mentioned it briefly when we met, but now it seemed more significant. The idea of merging corporate events with creative showcases was intriguing, and I couldn't help but wonder how Nathan would fit into this world.As I sipped my coffee, I thought about Nathan. He had been distant lately, his usual warmth replaced with an air of mystery. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something, something important. But wha
ISLA’S POVThe memory of seeing Sienna in Nathan’s apartment still burned at the edges of my thoughts. I wasn’t angry—at least, not in the way I had expected. But I was confused. It felt like pieces of a puzzle I didn’t know I was solving were being scattered again. Nathan had explained it all: she needed help, it was temporary, she was moving out soon. But that didn’t make it easier. Knowing Sienna had been in his space, the same space I’d come to feel safe in, twisted something in my chest.Still, I pushed through my day at the office, handling back-to-back meetings and trying to focus on my work. Judith must have sensed something off because she nudged my arm during a break and whispered, “You sure you’re okay? You’re staring at your coffee like it said something offensive.”I laughed softly. “I’m fine. Just tired.”“You sure it’s not ‘Nathan’s-ex-roommate-is-hot-and-still-kinda-there’ tired?” Judith grinned, clearly trying to lift my mood.I gave her a look. “Not funny.”“Okay, ok
ISLA'S POV I should’ve known the calm wouldn’t last long. Something about the way Nathan held my hand as we walked out of the restaurant made my heart race, but that peace was fleeting. The night had gone perfectly—until now.It just a night, and I hadn’t stopped smiling since that dinner. Nathan had kissed me gently after driving me home, and it wasn’t just a kiss—it was a promise. But promises have a way of being tested.I had no idea that stepping into Nathan's apartment would shake me up the way it did. After the incredible dinner we shared last night, I had a strange urge to surprise him—just a casual drop-in to bring him break fast, maybe a slice of my favorite pie from that little corner bakery I knew he liked too. Something light. Something romantic. I guess I just wanted to see his smile again.Not in that awkward “Hi, I’m meeting you for the first time” kind of way. No. We had met before.She was the woman Nathan hugged warmly. I’d known there was a history between them. Na
ISLA’S POVNathan and I were already seated at the restaurant. The food had just arrived, and we had started eating. I couldn’t help but smile at how peaceful and natural it felt. We talked about our favorite meals, and Nathan kept making me laugh with silly food jokes. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed this – laughing freely, feeling seen, and just… happy.Nathan looked up at me with a boyish grin. “This is nice, right?”I nodded, my heart fluttering a little. “Yeah. It is.”We continued eating, sharing bites from each other’s plates and laughing over how I liked my pasta creamier while he preferred his spicy. We had barely made it halfway through our meal when something shifted.A voice. A familiar one.My fork paused mid-air.I knew that voice.“Isla?”I turned my head slowly, my stomach tightening as my eyes met his. Victor.He stood just a few steps away from our table, dressed in a crisp dark suit, looking just as surprised as I was.“Victor?” I said, stunned. “Wow… it’s been
NATHAN'S POVAfter I complimented Isla’s dress and told her how beautiful she looked, her smile lit up like the night sky. I offered her my arm, and she gently held onto it as we headed to the car. I walked to the passenger side, opened the door like a gentleman, and she stepped in with a playful smile.“Thank you, sir,” she teased.“Only the best treatment for the prettiest girl in the city,” I replied, grinning as I closed the door behind her and moved to the driver’s seat.It wasn’t a long drive, but I took my time. I wanted the night to go slow, to take it all in—her presence, her smile, and the chance to show her how I truly felt. I had been planning this night for days. I’d checked everything twice, from the wine list to the table view. I wanted it to be perfect, something she would remember.When we got to the restaurant, it was glowing with soft golden lights. Everything looked perfect from the outside. I parked the car and quickly walked around to open Isla’s door again. She
NATHAN'S POVAfter my long and heartfelt conversation with Sienna, I realized something. Life was unpredictable, and sometimes we needed to take bold steps to go after what we truly wanted. That night, while lying awake and staring at my ceiling, all I could think about was Isla. Her laugh, the way she looked at me with both curiosity and warmth, and the way she made everything around me feel lighter. I had made up my mind.The next day, after making sure everything was in order at the restaurant, I pulled out my phone and called her. It was early afternoon, the sun pouring in through the windows of my office."Hello?" Isla answered, her voice soft and familiar."Hey, I have a surprise for you," I said with a smile.There was a pause, followed by her excited voice, "Really? A surprise? This sounds interesting. Does this mean you've finally decided what you actually want?"I could almost hear her smiling through the phone."I've always been clear about what I want," I said, my voice a
NATHAN'S POV Sienna and I had been spending a lot of time together lately, more than I expected when she first walked into my restaurant after five years of silence. It was as though time had folded in on itself, bringing us back to those days when we were inseparable. But it wasn’t the same. Something had shifted in both of us. We laughed a lot. About the old days. The way I used to try and impress her with overcooked pasta and how she pretended it was the best thing she’d ever eaten. She reminded me of the time I attempted to surprise her with breakfast in bed, only to spill orange juice all over her military documents. I hadn’t heard her laugh like that since she got back, and it made something in my chest loosen. One evening, after closing the restaurant, we sat on the back patio sharing a late dinner. "Have you found a place yet?" I asked casually, sipping my wine. She hesitated before answering. "No. I’m still looking. Been staying at a hotel for now. The place I liked fell