Lucas Harrington I scrolled aimlessly on my laptop, trying to focus on work but mostly just waiting for the Roosevelts to leave. The tension of their presence weighed heavily on the house. I couldn’t stand them—for everything they represented and for all the ways they’d managed to harm my family’s name and legacy. But Isabella’s mother was different. From what I’d observed over the years, she was a softer presence, someone who didn’t carry the same prejudice or superiority complex as the rest of them. It almost made me feel bad for putting her through all this… but then again, she had willingly married a monster.A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up, and there stood Isabella, just like she had for the past five years. She stood in that familiar, quiet way, the way she always had when she was my assistant, waiting patiently with that steady, almost soothing presence. I’d always had a soft spot for her—a certain kindness I afforded her that I gave to no one else,
Isabella RooseveltI heard loud, rhythmic thuds coming from downstairs, each one vibrating through the walls and jerking me out of my book. It was around 7 pm; my mother had left a few hours ago, and I hadn’t dared face Lucas since.Whatever he and my mom had discussed, I knew he wouldn’t be pleased. I could sense the tension building ever since I’d begged him to meet her. Thankfully, he’d caved, though the rare moment of kindness had left me more unsettled than relieved.I got up from my bed and cautiously followed the thudding sounds. My mind was racing.What in the world is he doing down there? Is he some kind of billionaire psychopath? Why do all hot men have to turn out to be-I froze as I reached the basement and saw the source of the noise. It was a gym, spacious and filled with high-end equipment, but my attention was immediately drawn to Lucas. My throat went dry.He stood in the center of the room, shirtless, hammering his fists into a punching bag with powerful, brutal forc
Isabella RooseveltI paced back and forth in my room, wracking my brain for some kind of excuse to approach Lucas. The last thing I wanted was to come off like a desperate, lovesick fool who couldn’t resist his allure after a single, intense encounter. But the truth was, every time I tried to think of something casual, my mind went blank.What’s wrong with me?I wasn’t the type to lose my composure over a guy, let alone one like Lucas Harrington. I didn’t even think I had a crush on him. This wasn’t some silly infatuation—at least, that’s what I told myself.But ever since our last encounter, my body felt different, like it was tuned to him in a way I couldn’t explain. My skin still tingled where his gaze had lingered, where his hand had brushed against me. I couldn’t shake the feeling, and now I was restless, desperate to be near him, just to feel that same thrill again.With a frustrated huff, I gave myself one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs, praying I’d run into
Isabella RooseveltLucas, Lucas, Lucas...I groaned, burying my face deeper into my pillow as my alarm blared. The clock read 8:00 a.m., but my mind was still stuck on last night. I’d been replaying every second of our encounter in my head, analyzing every touch, every look, every word he’d said.Why couldn’t I just get over him?Dragging myself up, I showered, spending way too much time on my hair, reapplying makeup until I looked polished to perfection. I chose a black pencil skirt and a low-cut white blouse, pairing it with my favorite pumps. Okay, so maybe I was dressing a little... strategically, I thought as I checked my reflection one last time. Would he notice?My heart fluttered at the thought. I really need to get over this— the man trying to ruin my life and my family.Do I have Stockholm syndrome? I sighed, mentally scolding myself.Determined to brush it off, I wandered around the house, searching for any sign of him. But the more I looked, the more I realized he wasn’t t
Isabella Roosevelt“Hey, listen,” Lucas’s voice startled me from my thoughts. I turned around quickly, my heart pounding as I saw him standing near my desk, his eyes glued to his phone, his usual look of focus evident.“Yes?” I replied, grateful for the chance to admire him while he was distracted. With his sharp jawline, the subtle strength of his cheekbones, and those piercing dark eyes that could switch from soft to intimidating in an instant, Lucas was distractingly beautiful.His lips were a perfect blend of firm and soft, framed by a faint stubble that gave him an effortlessly rugged edge. Every line and angle of his face looked like it had been meticulously crafted, and even now, engrossed in his phone, he radiated a kind of quiet intensity.“My brother’s throwing a Christmas party,” he said nonchalantly, his tone all business. “And apparently, I’ll need to take my ‘fiancée’ with me.”“On the 25th?” I asked, feeling a pang of nervousness. I knew where this conversation was head
Isabella Roosevelt“Lucas Harrington? Why? Isabella, what the hell is happening?” Walsh’s brows knit together as we strolled side by side, coffee cups warming our hands against the crisp morning air. The buzz of the city carried on around us, but his question hung heavily between us, demanding an answer.I took a careful sip of my coffee, stalling for time. How could I explain the unexplainable? Walsh and I had shared nearly every part of our lives—he was my Christmas tradition, my closest friend, my confidant. But the engagement that had made headlines? The fact that I was marrying Lucas Harrington, my family’s oldest rival, and the man I could barely understand myself? That was a secret I couldn’t fully share, and it gnawed at me.“I know, Walsh.” I forced a smile, trying to mask the uncertainty beneath it. “It’s… complicated.”He chuckled, but I could hear the strain beneath it. “Complicated doesn’t cover it, Isabella. This is Lucas Harrington. You always called him trouble. He’s f
Lucas HarringtonI paced around my office, still unsettled by the brief encounter with Walsh Raymond. I should have expected this—everyone knew that the Roosevelts and Raymonds were close, practically joined at the hip in our world of old-money alliances. But it was something else seeing him here, knowing he’d once been a fixture in Isabella’s life.In university, Walsh had been surprisingly grounded for a guy with his pedigree. I could easily see why Isabella might have had a thing for him; he had that quiet, reliable charm that a girl like her would be drawn to.But the thought of it grated on me, of Isabella once being in love with someone else. It didn’t make sense. This wasn’t a marriage of love—nothing about it was supposed to feel remotely romantic, and Isabella didn’t exactly have a choice in the matter either. And yet, the idea of my future wife having feelings for another man didn’t sit well with me.She hadn’t told me she was meeting Walsh, though I had a feeling something
Isabella RooseveltI stood in the corner of the room, taking in the scene before me. I was at the Christmas party, and Lucas’s younger brother, Cole, had decided to go all out this year. Dressed as Santa, complete with a red suit, white beard, and a jolly laugh that could fool anyone, Cole looked every bit the part. The room was filled with children, their excited chatter filling the air as they waited for presents and candy. But it was Lucas, not Cole, who had all my attention.Lucas was holding his niece, Arabella, in his arms, gently bouncing her to soothe her as she clung to him. Her big eyes, a little red from crying, darted between her “Santa” dad, uncle and the crowd of rowdy children around her. ‘Lucas, sensing her discomfort, murmured something softly into her ear, and the little girl’s face slowly relaxed. His hand brushed tenderly over her back, his voice low and comforting, like he had all the time in the world just for her.I watched, spellbound, as he patiently coaxed h
Isabella RooseveltLucas walked into the house, his tie slightly loosened and his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked as effortlessly commanding as ever, which only irritated me more after the day I’d had.“We’re going to Cole and Nicola’s tonight,” he announced casually, barely sparing me a glance as he dropped his briefcase onto the console table.“What?” I blinked, caught off guard.“Dinner. Small, intimate. Just family.” His tone was clipped, as though this was a formality he didn’t particularly care for.I frowned. “Thanks for the heads-up,” I muttered, already walking toward my room to change.I didn’t bother dressing up much—just a simple floral dress that fell just above my knees. Nothing fancy. If Lucas wasn’t going to put in the effort to tell me in advance, I wasn’t going to break my back to impress anyone.As we drove to Cole and Nicola’s house, Lucas barely said a word. He was distant, his focus fixed on the road. It was maddening. Every time I glanced at him
Isabella RooseveltThe café was a pastel paradise, its walls painted in soft blush pink with accents of cream and mint green. Fairy lights dangled from the ceiling, casting a warm glow, while potted plants and hanging ivy framed the windows, creating an inviting charm. The tables were small and round, each adorned with a tiny vase holding a single fresh daisy. Behind the counter, the barista worked with precision, her movements almost hypnotic as she crafted beautiful lattes with intricate foam art.I stood at the counter, waiting for my Americano, my gaze drifting to the dessert display filled with macarons, cupcakes, and dainty slices of pastel-colored cakes. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of vanilla and sugar, wrapping around me like a comforting hug.“Wooohooo, Isabella!”I snapped out of my daze, turning toward the sound. Nicola was waving enthusiastically from a corner table, a wide grin on her face. I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before I sm
Lucas HarringtonI woke up to a weight on my chest, the soft sound of snoring filling the otherwise quiet room. Blinking against the faint morning light seeping through the curtains, I glanced down—and froze.Isabella.She was sprawled across me, her cheek pressed to my chest, her lips slightly parted as she breathed deeply in her sleep. One arm was flung over my torso, and her fingers clutched my bicep with surprising strength, like she was afraid I’d disappear.Oh.Wow.Alright.Not the worst way to wake up.I wasn’t exactly a cuddler—far from it. I valued my personal space and avoided situations like this. But this? This wasn’t bad at all. Her warmth seeped into me, her small frame fitting against mine in a way that felt… annoyingly natural.I swallowed, trying to ignore how soft her skin looked or how her hair smelled faintly of vanilla.NO, Lucas.I knew I needed to move her. Lying here like this was dangerous—for my sanity, if nothing else. But as I shifted slightly, her face sc
Isabella Roosevelt“Can I get my pillow and blanket?” I asked, standing awkwardly at the edge of the bed, my fingers twisting nervously as I avoided looking directly at Lucas. The very idea of sleeping next to him—shirtless him—was enough to make my head spin.How on earth was I supposed to fall asleep with my massive crush lying a few feet away? Lucas glanced up from where he was casually leaning against the headboard, his phone in hand, and raised a brow. “Alright, I’ll get it,” he said, pushing off the bed with an effortless grace that had no right being so attractive. I swallowed hard, my gaze following him as he walked out of the room. His broad, muscular back flexed with each step, his bare shoulders rolling in a way that made it impossible to look away. The man was built like a Greek god, and the low-slung sweat pants hanging off his hips didn’t help matters. I need some holy water. Help me, God.As soon as he left, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I stare
Isabella RooseveltI stared at the clock on the bedside table: 2:03 a.m. The faint glow of the numbers illuminated the dark room, a constant reminder that I was wide awake while the rest of the world slept. My mind replayed every moment of the client dinner earlier that evening, each detail clawing at me with relentless intensity. I hated it. Hated how much I wanted Lucas, how every glance, every fleeting touch set my skin ablaze. And hated even more the bitter truth that I could never have him. "This might just be Stockholm syndrome," I muttered to myself, trying to make light of the storm swirling inside me. But the humor fell flat. My chest felt tight, my emotions too overwhelming to ignore. I needed to get out of here—out of this house, out of his house. Without allowing myself time to second-guess the impulse, I threw off the covers and grabbed my wallet and phone. My fingers found a soft shawl hanging on the back of a chair, and I draped it over my shoulders, realizing too la
Isabella Roosevelt We both stood up as an older man entered the restaurant, his steps steady but carrying the weight of experience and authority. He smiled when he saw Lucas—a small, reserved smile—but when his gaze shifted to me, it softened, warming considerably. “Ah, so you’re the one who finally saddled this man,” he said, his tone begrudging but laced with subtle amusement. “Now maybe he can keep his paws off my daughter.” The comment caught me completely off guard. My eyes widened as I glanced at Lucas, but he remained unfazed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t do anything with her,” Lucas said, his tone calm but tinged with mild annoyance. “Yeah, sure,” Mr. Nagasaki replied bitterly, his eyes narrowing. “My daughter came onto you, because you’re such a Casanova.” Lucas exhaled softly, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he quickly replaced it with a more serious expression. “I’m sorry for everything, Mr. Nagasaki,” he said, his voice u
Isabella RooseveltAfter what felt like the most agonizingly slow drive of my life, we finally pulled up to the fanciest restaurant I could imagine. The glowing lights, valet attendants, and the steady stream of well-dressed patrons all screamed sophistication. Lucas parked the car, his movements as calm and deliberate as ever, and walked around to open my door.I wanted to roll my eyes at the gesture.Now he’s going to be nice? After ignoring me all day, after acting like nothing had happened between us, he was suddenly playing the perfect gentleman? My irritation simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to bubble over.The second he offered his hand to help me out of the car, I ignored it, stepping out on my own and walking briskly ahead. My heels clicked against the pavement, each step fueled by my growing annoyance at the infuriating man behind me."Isabella, we need to—" His voice, deep and steady, stopped mid-sentence, the words trailing off into silence.I slowed my pace
Isabella RooseveltI hate Lucas. I hate him for the way he’s been ignoring me ever since the kiss. He hasn’t looked at me, hasn’t spoken to me, hasn’t even acknowledged me. The silence is unbearable, gnawing away at me with every passing second.I wish I hadn’t kissed him. I wish I hadn’t drunk so much wine. I wish I didn’t exist at all, just to escape the ache twisting in my chest. Having a crush is exhausting. It’s gut-wrenching, embarrassing, and it makes you feel like an idiot every single second of the day.And worst of all? I don’t even know what I want from him. Do I want him to like me? Yes. Do I want him to make me feel special? Definitely. But what does that even mean? What does “special” even look like coming from someone like Lucas?I sighed, my gaze drifting toward his office door, the very thought of him pulling at something deep inside me. Should I talk to him? Ask him something about the schedule? Anything to break this unbearable tension? I couldn’t tell if my questio
Isabella Roosevelt“Lucas,” I growled, my voice thick with frustration, anger, and an undeniable, overwhelming need. My gaze bore into his, my eyes heavy with desire.“Okay, you need to stand straight,” he said, his tone a mix of command and restraint, his large, warm hands settling firmly on my waist. His grip was steady, the strength in his hands sending a flutter of anticipation through me as I glanced up at his gorgeous, chiseled face.The moonlight cast shadows along his jawline, highlighting every sharp angle, making his intense gaze even more captivating. I had to press my thighs together just to control the overwhelming need his presence stirred within me.He drew in a sharp breath, his voice taut with tension. “Isabella, you need to—”But I didn’t care to listen. “No. I’ll tell you what I need,” I whispered, the words spilling out as desire overtook me. Grabbing his tie, I pulled him down to my level, pressing my lips to his in a fierce, demanding kiss, silencing any protest