Isla’s POVAfter a busy first hour, I settled into my office, sipping on my morning coffee and attempting to focus on my tasks. My mind kept wandering back to the car ride with Mr. Shaw. There was something about him that felt really familiar, and no matter how many times I brushed it off, the feeling persisted.After a few minutes of distraction, I decided I couldn’t let it go. I rummaged through my drawer, pulling out a newspaper I’d kept from a few months ago with an article about Mr. Shaw. There, in crisp black-and-white, was a photo of him, his profile half-obscured, his expression as serious and enigmatic as ever. Next, I dug out the side-profile photo of Ethan from the donor profile Zoey had given me—one of the few clear photos I had of him.Placing the two images side by side, I squinted, comparing the sharp jawlines, the shape of their brows, the angle of their noses. It’s uncanny, I thought, feeling my heartbeat quicken. But I didn’t trust my own eyes, not with my face blind
Isla’s POV“Perhaps it’s those assumptions that keep us at a distance when, in reality, we might have more in common than we think.”I met his gaze, feeling a strange familiarity as if this wasn’t Mr. Shaw, the untouchable billionaire, but someone else entirely. The thought tugged at me, the hovering suspicion I’d tried to ignore resurfacing. As we continued the drive, I noticed that Mr. Shaw seemed unusually attentive, going out of his way to make sure I was comfortable. When the car pulled up in front of a charming, upscale restaurant, my eyebrows shot up in surprise. I knew this place was nearly impossible to book on short notice, yet here we were.“Uh, why are we stopping here?” I asked, glancing up at the restaurant's soft, inviting lights. “Well, you must be hungry,” he said casually. “I certainly am.”“But…” My voice trailed off, and I felt like there was no point arguing with him. Besides, I was very curious about him. I need to know if it’s really possible that he’s… Befor
Isla’s POVAll I want is a baby.That single thought echoed in my mind like a mantra as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, gripping the cold edge of the sink. I’ve just entered my thirties and time wasn’t exactly on my side. The divorce papers were not even finalized yet, but I’d been emotionally checked out long before that.I wanted more than anything to have a child of my own—something real, something mine. And I was done waiting for the "right time" or the "right person." That ship had sailed.Which was why I’d turned to Zoey for help. She knew I wasn't looking for another love story. I didn’t have the energy for that kind of heartbreak again. What I needed now was genetics—strong, healthy, no strings attached.It must be fate that I have a good friend who works at a fertility clinic, I thought ironically. Just perfect.I needed someone I could trust, someone who understood my desire for discretion and had the resources to help me navigate this delicate process.I
Isla’s POV“Why does it feel like I’m trying to cut off my own arm?”I leaned back in my chair, the plush leather creaking softly beneath me as I stared blankly at the wall. Just a few hours ago, I had finished a successful meeting with Mr. Scott, and I should have felt elated. Instead, my thoughts wandered back to the looming divorce. Thank God I have the ability to separate my personal matters from work. Or at least, I like to think so.With sudden determination, I grabbed my phone and dialed Logan’s number without giving it a second thought. The line rang only once before he picked up, his voice smooth but casual.“Isla. What’s going on? Miss me already?”I felt my jaw drop, but chose to ignore his remark and go straight to the point. “Hey, Logan. The divorce papers are almost ready. When can we meet to sign them with the lawyer?”There was a pause, a brief silence that told me everything I needed to know. I could almost hear the gears turning in his mind. Was he actually trying t
Logan’s POV“She’s serious this time, Logan,” my assistant Owen’s voice broke the silence in my office. I glanced up from the sleek marble desk in front of me. My office reflected the success I had built—a blend of modern luxury and understated power, just like the brands I controlled.“Isla always says things she doesn’t mean,” I replied, leaning back in my chair, my fingers tapping the armrest. Isla was emotional, driven by fleeting impulses. She'll come around. She always does. Owen didn’t look convinced. “She might not be bluffing this time, sir.”I let out a sigh, half-exasperated, half-amused. “Owen, relax. Isla’s just upset. She’s just getting better at putting up a front. She’ll eventually cool off.”“Perhaps,” my assistant said, but he didn’t look convinced. I leaned back on my chair thoughtfully, thinking about the past. “She always wanted a family—her grandfather drilled that into her head. Henry’s probably telling her right now how I’m the only one who can give her tha
Isla’s POVI kicked off my heels the moment I stepped inside, feeling the cool touch of the hardwood floor beneath my bare feet. The mansion—a gift from Grandpa Henry—was grand, every corner polished and perfect. Still, for all its beauty, the place felt empty. Lonely.But I brushed that thought away, determined not to dwell on it. This was my space now, and I was free. There was no one here but the house staff, who kept everything pristine but left me with the silence of the rooms echoing in the background. Silence was better than the chaos Logan had brought into my life. I still choose this. Oh, God. I need this. I padded to the bedroom, pulling my hair loose from its messy knot as I went. The cool air hit my neck, and I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror across the room. I paused, tilting my head slightly. I’d always been my worst critic, but tonight… tonight, I looked good. Even I couldn’t deny that.“Not bad, Isla,” I murmured to myself, running a hand through my
Isla’s POVMy heart pounded fast as the question hung in the air, more daring than anything I’d ever said to a stranger before.Ethan blinked, caught off guard. His eyes widened slightly, but after a beat, a slow smile spread across his face. He cleared his throat. “The old-fashioned way?”I held his gaze, unflinching. “Yes. The natural way, with no need for technology.”Surprise reflected on his face, but it didn’t take long for him to recover. His eyes seemed to drill a hole into mine as he stared at me with greater intensity. Then he answered, “If that’s what you want. I’d be honored.”I nodded, my decision solidifying in my mind. “I’ll have my assistant contact you with the details for later. Ethan’s eyes widened. “You mean we’re doing it tonight?”“Yes,” I answered quickly before I could change my mind. “I’ll see you, Ethan. I appreciate your cooperation.”With a curt nod, I turned on my heel and left the café. And in only a moment, doubt began to creep into my mind. What did I
Isla’s POVEthan's playful nibble on my ear sent a shiver down my spine, his breath warm against my skin. “After tonight,” he whispered, his voice laced with a teasing edge, “there's no turning back.”I gasped as I realized he was right. But before I could respond, he drew me into another kiss, deeper this time, as if he wanted to claim every part of me.I kissed him back with equal fervor, but as his lips moved against mine, my mind wandered—uninvited—to Logan. To the cold, empty nights that defined the end of our marriage. To the way he barely touched me, but would spend nights with other women. This moment with Ethan felt like the final severing of that lifeless bond, a bond that had never truly existed beyond a facade. Tonight would wipe it all away, erase any trace of Logan from my body and my heart.Ethan's hoarse voice pulled me back to the present. “You know you’re in my bed, right? What’s got you so lost in thought, beautiful?”His words were like a gentle pull, his deep, hu