Nicholas opened the door for Isabella and let her sit beside him. A small smile appeared on his face as he gently fastened her seatbelt for her.Isabella looked at Nicholas, feeling a different kind of warmth inside her. She never expected Nicholas to treat her so sweetly, as if she were the center of his world.Her heart raced, not just from their intense kiss earlier, but from the small, thoughtful gestures Nicholas gave her.“Thank you,” Isabella whispered, smiling warmly.“Don’t worry, we’ll get through this together,” Nicholas replied, softly stroking Isabella’s cheek, giving her a sense of calm she had never felt before.They continued their journey. Along the way, Isabella started singing softly with Nicholas. Old songs played on the car radio, bringing them together in a simple yet joyful moment. Isabella laughed at herself, realizing how comfortable she was next to Nicholas, even after all the confusion and chaos that had just unfolded.When they finally arrived at the 24-hou
Sophia covered her mouth in shock, but moments later, she burst into satisfied laughter. The anonymous article she had just read on her phone gave her the long-awaited reason she needed: a reason to force Felix to divorce Irene—or at least the woman she believed to be Irene.In truth, that woman was actually Isabella, Irene’s twin sister. But Sophia had never realized the enormous secret.Quickly, she grabbed one of her beloved GUCCI bags and started getting ready. Her face reflected satisfaction, filled with enthusiasm to execute the plan she had kept in her mind for so long. This was the perfect moment to remove the woman she deemed unworthy of Felix.In Sophia's mind, only one woman was fit to be with her son: Sarah, the girl from a prestigious family whom she hoped would guide Felix to a brighter future.Michael, Sophia’s husband, was sitting in the reading room when he heard the commotion from their bedroom. Curious, he walked over to see Sophia enthusiastically getting dressed.
After Felix entered the house, the tension grew heavier. Sophia couldn’t ignore the turmoil in her mind.She had always tried to maintain control, but now she felt like she was losing her footing. She needed time to plan her next move, but first, there was a matter to resolve. She had to talk to Sarah.After changing into fresh clothes, Sarah returned to the living room. With her hair neatly styled and dressed in casual wear, she sat calmly, though the tension on her face was evident.Sophia approached her with a sharp gaze. She had thought about this for hours, and now it was time to get some clarity.“Sarah, I need to know what’s really going on between you and Louis,” Sophia asked bluntly, getting straight to the point.Her unreadable expression lingered on Sarah as she tried to gauge what the young woman in front of her was thinking.Sarah lowered her head for a moment, taking a deep breath before speaking. “I… I’ll be divorcing Louis soon. Our relationship hasn’t worked for a lon
This time, she would ensure that Felix made the right decision. The issue with Irene—or Isabella, whoever she was—needed to be resolved quickly. Felix couldn’t let this scandal drag on, especially with Nicholas caught in the middle of it.When they arrived at the office, Sophia stepped out of the car without hesitation. The sharp clicks of her high heels echoed against the marble floor as she strode into the building. Every staff member who saw her immediately bowed their heads respectfully.The name Sophia carried weight at Alpha Company—she was the wife of the founder and the mother of Felix, the company’s CEO, and her influence was felt throughout the office.Without delay, the staff allowed her direct access to Felix’s office. No one dared to stand in her way. They knew Sophia had urgent business, and nobody wanted to obstruct her path.When the door to Felix’s office opened, Felix looked up from his desk. He didn’t seem surprised to see his mother. Though Sophia often appeared un
Nicholas stepped into the office building with mixed emotions. Ever since the scandal involving him and Isabella had spread across social media, every move he made felt scrutinized. The stares from the employees pierced his back, leaving him uneasy.As usual, Nicholas tried to remain calm and indifferent. He always pretended not to care about what others thought of him. But today felt different. They weren’t just looking—they were observing him with unsettling intensity.When Nicholas entered the elevator, a few employees joined him, visibly tense, as if afraid to be near him. Whispers started circulating, adding to Nicholas’s discomfort. The scandal had shattered his reputation, and now even his colleagues seemed reluctant to associate with him. Nicholas exhaled deeply, trying to compose himself.When the elevator stopped at his floor and the doors opened, Nicholas was startled to see Felix standing there, his expression colder than usual. It was the last encounter Nicholas had hoped
Nicholas walked out of the office, the lingering tension still palpable in the air. His latest encounter with Felix had only confirmed that whatever happened, their battle was far from over. However, Nicholas wasn’t the type to dwell on things for too long. There were plenty of tasks ahead, including an important meeting with his client that afternoon.Arriving at the upscale restaurant where the meeting was scheduled, Nicholas took his seat at the prepared table. The restaurant, located in the heart of the city, exuded elegance with its calm atmosphere and impeccable service. Every time he came here, Nicholas felt like he was stepping into a different world—a brief escape from the increasing chaos of his life.Mr. David Scott, the client he was meeting, arrived a few minutes later. David was a successful businessman with a solid reputation in the real estate industry. Nicholas respected him, and so far, their business relationship had been smooth. They began their lunch with casual c
Felix arrived at Ben and Rose’s house, carrying a bouquet of roses and a box of baby clothes. He knocked lightly on the door and leaned against the doorframe. Before long, Ben opened the door, staring at him with a puzzled expression."Felix? You're here? What’s going on?" Ben asked, looking a bit surprised.Felix gave a small smile, lifting the bouquet and the box in his hands.“Nothing much, I just wanted to see your baby and also talk to Isabella. She’s here, right?”Ben let out a long sigh and stepped forward, slightly closing the door to keep their voices from being heard inside. Felix immediately sensed something was wrong."Isabella doesn’t live here anymore, Felix," Ben said softly.Felix straightened up, raising his eyebrows. “What do you mean? She left? Why didn’t she tell me?”Ben shook his head with a sympathetic look. "I don’t know the details, but she said she needed space. I think she found an apartment downtown."Felix stood silent for a moment, processing the news. Ho
"This is truly the worst pie I've ever eaten," he joked, still chuckling. "But somehow, I enjoyed it."Isabella snorted in amusement, folding her arms across her chest. "Maybe it’s because you’re too kind to me," she said, a little awkwardly.Nicholas shrugged with a smile, then stood up and offered his hand. "Come on, let’s leave the kitchen. We need something safer than this apple pie experiment."Isabella accepted his hand, and the two of them walked into the living room. They picked an old comedy movie and snuggled under a cozy blanket on the sofa. The rain outside the apartment added to the calm atmosphere. Nicholas wrapped his arms around Isabella tightly, and together, they immersed themselves in the light humor of the film on the screen.Time seemed to slow down when they were together, as if no troubles from the outside world could reach them. But as the movie drew to an end, Isabella could no longer hold back her thoughts about the reality waiting for them. She looked at Nic
Isabella and Nicholas’s wedding unfolded just as they had envisioned—intimate and serene. The bright blue sky and soft breeze created the perfect atmosphere for their celebration of love.Under the shade of tall trees and surrounded by wildflowers, guests enjoyed food, music, and moments filled with warmth.Isabella stood beside Nicholas, wearing her simple yet elegant wedding gown. From where she stood, she could see their closest friends and family, their smiles lighting up the small garden. Her heart swelled with warmth when her gaze fell on someone she never expected to see.Felix Kingston entered the garden, holding Sarah’s hand tightly. They walked side by side, and a warm smile spread across Felix’s face—a smile unlike any Isabella had seen before.Though Sarah still appeared somewhat fragile, her face showed newfound hope and happiness, as if they had left the darkness of their past behind.Isabella smiled softly as Felix and Sarah waved at her from afar. Seeing Felix truly ha
"She’s growing up so fast. It feels like just yesterday she learned how to roll over." Ben chuckled from his rocking chair, watching Selena with pride. "She’s brought us a joy we never expected. Irene would be so happy to see us all together like this."Isabella fell silent for a moment, reflecting on Irene with mixed emotions. Though the pain of her loss lingered, she felt that life was slowly returning to normal. They had been through so much, and now it was time to move forward.As the room filled with warmth and light-hearted conversation, the sound of a car pulling up in the front yard caught Isabella’s attention. Curious, she stood and peeked out the window. A smile spread across her face—it was Nicholas.Nicholas stepped out of the car, carrying a large box."Hey," he greeted cheerfully as he made his way to the door. "I brought something for Selena."Isabella opened the door and welcomed him with a warm smile. "You really can’t visit without bringing gifts, can you?" she tease
Felix drove with a heavy heart after leaving his office. His brief encounter with Isabella had given him relief and a renewed sense of hope. But there was still something he needed to resolve before he could truly move forward.He knew that Sarah, the woman from his past, needed him more than ever. Instead of heading to a café, Felix stopped in front of a run-down apartment on the outskirts of the city. According to Kevin, his informant, this was where Louis—the man who had ruined Sarah’s life—was hiding.Felix clenched his jaw as he stood at the door. Without hesitation, he knocked hard, gathering all the anger and regret he had held inside for so long.The door opened, and Louis appeared with a smug expression. "Felix," he said mockingly. "What do you—"Before Louis could finish his sentence, Felix’s fist collided with his face. Felix struck him repeatedly, his punches fueled by rage. Louis tried to fight back, but Felix’s vengeful strength left him powerless. With one final blow, L
Nicholas met Isabella at the park. She was wearing a white, knee-length dress with open shoulders, making her look elegant yet simple. She smiled as she saw Nicholas approaching, holding two cups of iced coffee. The soft afternoon sun cast a golden glow on the falling maple leaves, making them shimmer."For you," Isabella said, handing Nicholas one of the iced coffees. "I figured you’d need this after such a long day."Nicholas smiled as he took the coffee and sat down next to her on the bench. "Thanks. You’re right, it’s been a tiring day," he replied with a relieved tone.They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquility of the park. Isabella sipped her coffee, then broke the silence with heartfelt sincerity. "I really want to thank you, Nicholas. Without you, I don’t think Rudolf would have received the punishment he deserved."Nicholas nodded slowly, then, with a serious tone, said, "Actually, I can’t take all the credit."Isabella looked at him, puzzled. "Wha
Nicholas successfully ordered his men to capture Rudolf based on information from Felix and his informant, Kevin. The arrest went smoothly, with little resistance, and Rudolf was soon taken to the police station under tight security.The next morning, the long-awaited trial began. In the courtroom, the atmosphere was heavy. Bright lights cast shadows on the walls, and the gallery was filled with faces showing hope, anger, and anxiety. At the prosecution table, Nicholas sat with a calm yet focused expression. As the lawyer handling the case, he knew that even the smallest mistake could jeopardize his argument.Rudolf sat in the defendant’s chair, handcuffed, his face blank and without remorse. He seemed indifferent, as if the charges against him were nothing more than a game. However, Nicholas knew the truth—behind that calm demeanor was a dangerous and manipulative man, someone who had destroyed many lives.As the judge opened the session, Nicholas stood and began firmly."Your Honor,
Isabella was visiting her parents' house and saw Selena, her little niece, cradled in the arms of Ben, her father and Irene’s. She embraced Ben warmly, feeling the unique comfort that only family could provide. Then, she handed over a box of formula she had brought especially for Selena.Ben smiled as he took the box. "Always so thoughtful, aren’t you?" he said warmly.Isabella smiled softly. "Always, for Selena." She looked at the tiny baby, sleeping soundly in Ben’s arms. "I just want to make sure she never lacks anything."They sat together in the living room, where a peaceful atmosphere surrounded them, even though the world outside was in turmoil with scandals and gossip. Isabella could feel Ben’s attentive gaze on her."So, it’s really over?" Ben asked cautiously, as if ensuring that his daughter had made the right decision. "I read about you and Nicholas on social media..."Isabella took a deep breath, feeling ready to answer. "Yes, the scandal got out of hand," she said calmly
The atmosphere in Felix’s office was more tense than usual after he and Nicholas successfully located and captured Rudolf the previous day. Their professional relationship kept bringing them together, forcing them into awkward encounters. Nicholas entered and stood before Felix."I know you want to resign from the office," Felix finally said, breaking the silence with a calm tone. "But you don’t have to do that."Nicholas leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"Felix looked directly at Nicholas, without hesitation. "I’m going to London. There’s business I need to take care of there. And more than that, I’ve decided to end my pursuit of Isabella’s love."Nicholas paused, surprised. "You’re just giving up?"Felix let out a long sigh, as if releasing a burden he had carried for a long time. "It’s not about giving up. It’s about accepting reality." He lowered his gaze briefly before continuing, "Isabella chose you, Nicholas. I have to learn to accept that."Nicho
As he reached the intersection, Felix noticed a black car parked by the roadside. Inside, a man in a leather jacket sat waiting, his expression unreadable. It was Kevin, the informant who had been helping Felix gather information about Rudolf. Felix turned off his engine and stepped out. The cold air immediately stung his skin, but he ignored it. Under the light drizzle, Kevin also exited his car, and they faced each other at the side of the road."Felix," Kevin greeted briefly, pulling up the collar of his jacket against the chilly wind. "I have news."Felix gave a sharp nod. "Tell me."Kevin slid a hand into his jacket pocket, retrieving his phone, and showed Felix a message. "We’ve found Rudolf. We tracked him to the outskirts of town, hiding in an old motel. He’s planning to flee the city tonight."Felix narrowed his eyes, his body tense. "What is he carrying?""Evidence," Kevin replied with a serious expression. "Documents and photos linking him to Irene’s murder. It seems he’s t
"Have you taken him back?" Nicholas asked, his voice low but firm.Isabella shook her head, a faint yet certain smile on her face. "No. It’s all over."Nicholas exhaled deeply, as if a heavy burden on his heart had lifted in an instant. Without saying a word, he clasped Isabella’s hand, finding peace in their shared silence. The engine purred softly, and the car rolled away from Felix’s house, leaving that chapter behind.The next day, Felix walked down the hallway of his family home, preparing himself for a confrontation with his parents. Tension hung in the air, and he knew what awaited him behind the door. As he entered the elegant living room, his mother, Sophia, stood with a furious expression on her face. In the corner of the room, his father, Michael, sat silently, observing with sharp but unreadable eyes."Felix!" Sophia shouted angrily. "You’ve been lying about your marriage to Irene all this time. You’ve brought disgrace to our family!"Felix held his breath for a moment, no