Isabella RooseveltI arrived at the Harrington manor at precisely 6 p.m., the air around me thick with anticipation. The sprawling mansion loomed before me, every bit as intimidating as the man I was about to face. As I stepped inside, I found Lucas waiting for me in the living room. He stood by the fireplace, hands casually in his pockets, his presence commanding the space effortlessly. His eyes met mine, and I instinctively sucked in a harsh breath. No words were exchanged, but the air crackled with unspoken tension.Without breaking eye contact, Lucas stepped toward me, his movements slow and deliberate. He placed a hand on the small of my back, the contact searing against my skin, even through the fabric of my dress. The touch sent a jolt through me, and I stiffened, not from fear but from the sudden awareness of his proximity. The warmth of his palm lingered far longer than it should have as he guided me upstairs toward his room, his grip firm and possessive.I could smell his d
Isabella RooseveltMy eyes drifted to Lucas, searching for some form of reaction, and I caught sight of the satisfied smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.He rolled his eyes, as if my father’s collapse was nothing more than an inconvenience—‘theatrics,’ he seemed to think. The callousness in his expression sent a chill down my spine, but at the same time, something deep inside me stirred. Lucas’s complete lack of sympathy, his ease at brushing off such a dramatic moment, unsettled me. But it also cemented the truth I had always suspected—he was as ruthless as he was calculated."Isn’t this convenient?" Lucas whispered low in my ear, his tone dripping with amusement, the warmth of his breath sending an unwelcome shiver down my back. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned, and as the room erupted into chaos around us, his hand remained firmly at my waist, keeping me tethered to him. His grip was tight, possessive, as if I was already his and the rest of the world had simply yet to
Isabella RooseveltAs I settled into the room Lucas had assigned me—a temporary arrangement, he’d said—my phone buzzed again. For what felt like the thousandth time, my family was calling. My mother, my brother. Every single one of them, their names flashing across the screen in relentless persistence. It was ironic, really; the four years I spent working undercover, my family barely reached out. Now, they suddenly acknowledged my existence, as if I’d been gone for decades.I let the phone buzz a few more times before finally putting it aside, sighing in frustration. Pulling out my small suitcase, I reached for my usual work outfit. Simple slacks, a fitted blouse—nothing that would draw attention. After all, that’s what I’d spent years perfecting. Blending in, hiding behind the mask of a modest assistant. But here, in the imposing grandeur of Lucas Harrington’s mansion, it all felt out of place. Everything in this room, dark and cold with shades of black and gray, made it impossible t
Isabella RooseveltLucas walked into the office with his hand firmly on my lower back, fingers dangerously close to my ass, as we passed through rows of cubicles. Heads turned, and the office buzzed with whispers, murmurs floating through the air.My colleagues—my friends—were staring at us, their expressions ranging from shock to open disdain. Some were stunned, some wide-eyed with disbelief, but most wore thinly veiled scowls, judging me silently. They knew now.They knew I was a Roosevelt.The infamous Roosevelt-Harrington feud was practically legendary, a longstanding battle played out across business columns and news broadcasts.Every week, it seemed, there was a new twist, a fresh angle, or some scandal to exploit. People picked sides like they were rooting for rival sports teams. And, unsurprisingly, most of them chose the Harringtons. My family, wealthy and haughty, didn’t exactly earn much sympathy among the working class. My father’s superiority complex had a way of pushing
Isabella Roosevelt“Hey! That’s my favourite top!” I yelled as Lucas rummaged through my wardrobe, tossing out things he deemed unworthy of his standards as we packed my belongings. We were getting ready for my move into his house—a process he seemed to take as an opportunity to micromanage every detail of my life.Lucas turned, holding up my old, well-worn One Direction t-shirt with a look of pure disgust. “This?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you, of all people, would have a more… sophisticated taste in clothing.” His eyes scanned the shirt like it was a contagious disease he’d rather not catch.I crossed my arms, glaring. “Wow, judgmental much? Are you planning on changing every little thing about me? You know you have OCD, right?” It was a conclusion I’d come to pretty quickly back when I’d first started working for this ridiculously controlling jerk.“Yes, I know,” he replied flatly, barely sparing me a glance as he continued tossing out clothes. My frayed jeans, my ov
Isabella RooseveltMy phone buzzed relentlessly, lighting up for what had to be the sixtieth time today. I glanced at the screen, seeing “Mom” flash repeatedly. She’d been calling nonstop, her persistence growing by the minute. The guilt settled heavy in my chest, and finally, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Taking a deep breath, I swiped to answer.“Mom,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The lump in my throat made it hard to speak, my emotions catching me off guard.“My baby!” she cried, her voice breaking with relief. “Why haven’t you been answering? I’ve been so worried. You’re not alone, are you? Why aren’t you answering my calls?” She sounded frantic, each question hitting me like a wave of guilt.I exhaled, trying to steady my voice. “He… he took away my phone, Mom,” I murmured, not really knowing how else to explain it. It wasn’t true, I hadn’t had the heart to reach out sooner. Saying it like this felt easier than explaining everything else that was going on. Also did wa
Isabella RooseveltBy the time I was dressed, the outfit had transformed me. The elegant lines, the way it fit every curve—it wasn’t me, but it was someone powerful, confident. A woman who could go toe-to-toe with a man like Lucas Harrington and not blink.But I didn’t feel like myself, something if feel Lucas wanted to show my family.At exactly two o’clock, I heard the knock at the door. My heart pounded as I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs, where Lucas waited for me, every bit as composed as ever. He met my gaze, his eyes flicking over me with a hint of approval, and then moved to open the door.My mom stepped in first, looking visibly relieved to see me. Her eyes scanned over me, her expression shifting from relief to worry as she took in the sleek, almost severe look of the outfit. Gregory followed, his gaze tense and wary as he looked between me and Lucas.“Baby,” my mom whispered, pulling me into a tight embrace. I let myself melt into her arms, feeling a familiar
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,
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
Isabella RooseveltFor the first time that evening, I finally felt like I was bonding with someone. Nicola had been warm, welcoming, and easy to talk to, a rare presence in a sea of intimidating faces and conversations that felt entirely foreign. With her beside me, I didn’t feel like the odd one out. But, as my luck would have it, she was called away mid-conversation by her husband, Cole.As soon as she left, a sense of isolation washed over me. Everyone else was gathered in tight-knit groups, laughter and murmured words filling the space around me, yet none of them felt welcoming. My anxiety rose, the noise, the lights, the scent of expensive cologne and perfumes—all of it began to close in on me. And without a “conventional” fiancé I could easily tag along with, I was left adrift, wondering if I’d made a mistake by coming at all.In an attempt to calm my nerves, I headed to the in-house bar, tucked in one of Cole’s many lavish rooms. Cole’s home had the unmistakable warmth of someo
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