VICTOR'S POVEver since Damian walked into my office and threatened me, I had been extra careful. I could sense the danger in the air, lingering like a shadow. Strange vehicles had been tailing me. Sometimes it was a black SUV parked across the street from my company, other times, headlights followed me for too long before disappearing. I told Daniel about it, and he took my concerns seriously. He assigned two undercover cops to follow me discreetly, ensuring my safety. I considered hiring private security, but I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention. I had to play smart.That evening, I was driving back from a meeting with a high-profile investor at one of the city’s luxury hotels. The meeting had gone well, but my mind was elsewhere. Damian’s threats had been echoing in my head, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. As I drove through the quiet road leading back to my penthouse, I noticed a black SUV in my rearview mirror. It had been behind me for
VICTOR'S POVPain. That was the first thing I felt. A deep, throbbing ache radiated through my body, making every breath a struggle. My face was swollen, my ribs felt like they had been cracked, and my arms were too weak to push myself up from the cold concrete floor.Damian had let me go after the brutal beating, but not before making sure I understood the message. He had ordered his men to clean up the mess—the two dead cops who had been assigned to protect me. “No body, no case,” he had said casually, as if disposing of two lives was just another part of his daily routine.I had underestimated him. I thought he was just another power-hungry businessman, someone who played within the boundaries of the law when necessary. But I had been wrong. Damian was ruthless, precise, and terrifyingly efficient. He didn’t just send messages—he erased obstacles.I tried to move, but my limbs refused to cooperate. The warehouse was eerily silent now, the only sound was my own ragged breathing. Eve
ISLA’S POVI had been receiving a lot of text messages from Damian lately. If he wasn’t texting, he was calling, and when we talked, the conversations lasted longer than I expected. At first, I thought it was just friendly interest, but the more we spoke, the more I realized how fascinated he was with me. It wasn’t just casual curiosity—he seemed determined to know everything about me, from my childhood to my job, my habits, my dreams, and even the intricate details of the company I worked for.Sometimes, I brushed it off as harmless. Maybe he was just intrigued because of his love for haute couture and luxury goods—after all, fashion and jewelry were part of his business world. But at other times, something about his curiosity felt… off. It was flattering, yes, but also unsettling. There were moments when his interest in my job and the inner workings of the company felt too intense, almost calculated. Still, I convinced myself it was just my paranoia.We started meeting more frequent
VICTOR’S POV It had been days since I last showed up at work, and I hated it. Lying in a hospital bed, feeling helpless, was never something I could tolerate. The moment I opened my eyes that morning, I knew I had to leave. The longer I stayed, the more questions people would ask. I didn’t want to create unnecessary attention, and I definitely didn’t want anyone—especially my employees—to know what had actually happened to me. The last thing I needed was to cause panic or make myself look vulnerable. I tried to sit up, ignoring the sharp pain shooting through my ribs. With a deep breath, I started removing the IV from my arm and peeling off the monitors the nurse had placed on my body. My fingers trembled slightly, but I pushed through the discomfort. I needed to get out of here. Just as I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the door burst open. “Going somewhere?” I looked up to see Dr. Harrison, our family doctor, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. He didn’t
VICTOR'S POVIsla had suspected my "accident" was a lie. She hadn't said it outright, but I could see it in her eyes, in the way she looked at me—too searching, too knowing. She was smart, and I had no doubt she would eventually piece things together. But I couldn’t confirm her suspicions, nor could I tell her the truth.Because if I did, she would learn that I was in this situation because of my grandfather. That I was fighting to get him out of prison because he had been wrongfully accused of a crime that turned her world upside down. Isla’s father’s murder had shattered her life, and even though my grandfather was framed, she wouldn’t care about that—not at first. Justice was justice. And if she knew there was a break in the case, she would want the truth to come out, no matter what.That was the problem.I had hired Isla for a reason—to keep her close, to watch her reactions, to keep control over how much she knew. If she found out the truth, things could spiral out of control, an
DAMIAN’S POVI was never supposed to be my father’s successor. At least, not in his eyes. Jack Lannister never believed I had what it took to run the empire he built. To him, I was soft, weak—an outsider in my own family. It didn’t matter that I was his only son. He always looked at me like I was a disappointment. A wasted potential.That was why, from a young age, I learned not to rely on his approval. I knew I had to be better, to be smarter, to prove to him that I was more than the weakling he believed me to be. Unlike him, I didn’t crave bloodshed to show my dominance. I didn’t believe in brute force as the only solution. No, I was different. I was strategic, calculated, and efficient.Instead of blindly following his ways, I carved my own path. I studied at MIT, earning a degree in Technology and Business Strategy, not because I wanted to impress him but because I wanted to understand power from a different perspective. I wanted to control industries, not just people. While my fa
VICTOR’S POVThe moment I stepped back into the office, I was greeted by a large "Welcome Back" banner hanging across the main hallway. My employees had gone out of their way to show their support, and I could see the genuine smiles on their faces. Isla was there too, standing near the entrance with a soft expression. For a moment, I let myself feel the warmth of their concern.I nodded in appreciation, acknowledging their efforts, but I didn’t linger. There was work to do.As soon as I stepped into my office, I shut the door behind me, the smile fading from my face. My mind wasn’t on celebrations or kind gestures—I was focused on one thing. Revenge.Damian had underestimated me. That was his mistake.I wasn’t just going to sit back and let him get away with everything he had done. The attack on me was personal, but what he did to those cops, what he had done to so many others, was unforgivable. If he thought he could silence me with intimidation, he was dead wrong.I had already begu
ISLA’S POVFor days now, I had been watching Victor closely, and I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t just a minor issue—it was something big, something heavy enough to shift the energy around him. The Victor I knew was always full of life. He was the kind of man who could walk into a room and brighten the atmosphere with his mere presence. He was sharp, confident, and had a way of motivating the people around him. But now, that light was dimmed.It wasn’t just his mood that had changed; it was his entire presence. There was a weight on his shoulders, something pressing down on him so hard that he barely looked like the same man I used to admire. His smiles were forced, his posture stiff, and sometimes, he would space out, lost in thought, as if his mind was elsewhere.I tried to brush it off at first. Maybe it was work stress. Maybe he was dealing with something personal. But the more I observed, the more I realized this was beyond a stressful workload. Something was bothering him d
SIENNA’S POVI should have known Victor had something else up his sleeve.We had barely gotten through planning our fake dating act when he called me late that night, his voice low but urgent.“There’s a gala tomorrow night,” he said. “Nathan’s going to be there.”I stiffened where I sat, curling my fingers around the throw blanket.Nathan.It was always Nathan.Always the name that made my chest hurt and my heart speed up.“I’m not invited,” I said before I could stop myself.I heard the words come out, too sharp, too defensive.Victor chuckled, soft and patient.“You are now.”I frowned. “Vic—”“Sienna,” he cut me off gently, “I was invited. And now I’m inviting you.”I hesitated, the words twisting inside me.Nathan had mentioned the gala once.Casually.Almost like it didn’t matter.And he hadn’t invited me.What was I supposed to think?Victor must have heard the hesitation in my silence.“He’s an idiot if he thinks you don’t belong there,” he said quietly. “Come with me. Let’s s
VICTOR'S POVIt was strange how easy it became to talk to Sienna after that night at Nathan’s restaurant.What started with a simple exchange of numbers turned into casual chats every other day.Nothing serious at first — just random conversations about life, work, memories from our different paths.But tonight, something shifted.We found ourselves sitting outside a small coffee shop, two cups of coffee warming our hands while the cool evening breeze brushed past us.Sienna was watching the busy street, a faint smile on her lips, looking like she was somewhere else entirely.I took a sip of my coffee, then said, “You know, I noticed something the other day.”She turned to me, one brow raised, curious. “Oh yeah? What's that?”“The way you look at Nathan,” I said, keeping my voice casual but steady. “It’s... different.”For a second, she froze — just a small flicker across her face before she hid it with a laugh.But I caught it.I saw through the smile she tried to wear like armor.“Y
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