Isabella The silence in the car was deafening. Logan’s words still hung in the air, heavy with meaning and impossible to ignore. He loved me. He loved me. And for a brief, heart-stopping moment, I wanted to believe that we could make it work, that the world outside this car didn’t matter.But then reality came crashing back, as it always did.I pulled my hand from his, the warmth of his touch lingering even as I turned to face him. My heart was pounding, but I steadied myself, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Logan," I began, "we’ve been through this before. We can’t have a relationship."His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "Why are you so determined to fight this, Isabella?""Because it’s not just about us," I said, gesturing vaguely at the world outside the car. "If we do this, it won’t just affect us, Logan. It’ll affect everything."He shook his head, his gaze never leaving mine. "I don
IsabellaI froze, staring at the worn leather cover with my name scrawled on it in silver ink. It was unmistakable. The corners were frayed from years of use, and the faint stain of spilled ink near the edge was exactly where I remembered it.What was this doing here?Slowly, as if compelled by an unseen force, I flipped it open.The familiar loops of my teenage handwriting stared back at me, messy and unrefined, but undeniably mine."January 12th. I saw Logan today in the hallway. The moment he looked at me, my heart felt as though it was about to burst. He appeared to be so serious. He’ll never notice me like that, though. He’s Patty’s boyfriend, and she’s perfect. Ugh, why am I even writing this?"My throat tightened, and I flipped further. Page after page, it was all there—my secrets, my insecurities, my dreams. The crush I thought I’d hidden so well.A lump formed in my throat as I pieced together the impossible truth. Logan had this diary. For how long? And why?My chest heaved
Logan -I sat at my desk, staring at the clock on the wall. The hands seemed frozen, mocking me with their refusal to move. Isabella wasn’t at the office today. I’d expected that much after last night. Hell, I probably would’ve done the same if I were in her shoes.The memory of her walking out still stung. Her tears, her anger, the slap—I deserved all of it. I’d screwed up. I knew it the moment I saw the diary in her hands. There was no way to explain, no excuse good enough to justify what I’d done.I rubbed my temples, willing the tension in my head to subside, but it clung to me like a shadow. I needed to fix this, but first, I had to give her space. Isabella wasn’t the kind of person you could pressure into a conversation. She’d come back when she was ready—if she ever wanted to hear me out at all.Just as I was about to dive into the mountain of emails piling up in my inbox, Derek walked in, holding his phone with a grim expression."You’ve got to see this," he said, sliding the
Logan Paris’s apartment was as opulent as ever, with its pristine white walls, expansive glass windows, and a sweeping view of the ocean.She greeted me at the door, her expression bright and deceptively warm. "Logan," she purred, leaning in for an air kiss. "To what do I owe this surprise? You never drop by unannounced."I brushed past her into the living room, my jaw tight. "We need to talk."Her perfectly arched eyebrows lifted, but she didn’t miss a beat. She closed the door behind me and sauntered over to a plush armchair, gesturing for me to sit as if this were a casual visit."I’m all ears," she said, crossing her legs and giving me a practiced smile.I remained standing. "Did you get that article printed?"Her smile didn’t falter, but something flickered in her eyes—amusement, maybe. "Why would you think that?""Cut the act, Paris," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. "You’ve been stirring the pot ever since Isabella started working at my company. Don’t think I haven
Unfinished BusinessIsabella -A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth before I could stop it. “Good for her,” I said, turning back toward the stairs.“Isabella, wait,” he called out, his voice sharper now.I ignored him, taking a step forward. But then I felt his hand on my arm, gripping it tightly.“Why did you tell her?” he demanded, his voice thick with accusation.I spun around, yanking my arm free. “Tell her what?”“Don’t play dumb,” he snapped. “You told her everything. About me, about us.”I laughed dryly, crossing my arms. “You mean about you cheating on me? And her? Please, Carl. Grace deserved to know the truth. You have no one to blame but yourself.”His face twisted with anger, his eyes narrowing. “You ruined my life,” he hissed, stepping closer.I glared at him, refusing to back down. “You ruined your own life. Maybe you should have thought about that before sleeping with both of us.”His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might back off. But then his
IsabellaThe adrenaline was fading, leaving me shaky and light-headed. My knees buckled, and before I hit the ground, Logan caught me. His strong arms wrapped around me, holding me upright as I clung to him, my breath shallow.“Isabella, you’re bleeding,” he said, his voice filled with alarm.I touched my forehead, feeling a warm, sticky wetness. Pulling my hand back, I saw red smeared across my fingers. The sight made my stomach churn, but I shook my head.“I’m fine,” I managed, though my voice wavered.“Fine?” Logan repeated incredulously, his jaw tightening. “You’re bleeding, and you can barely stand. We’re going to the hospital.”“No,” I protested weakly. “It’s just a scratch. I don’t need a hospital.”Logan ignored me, his concerned gaze scanning my face. “You’re in shock. Let me—”“I said I’m fine,” I interrupted, my voice firmer this time. I straightened myself, though the effort made my head spin. “It’s nothing serious. Just... help me home.”Logan looked unconvinced, his lips
Logan’s POV, 2016The air in the library was heavy with the mingling smells of old books and cheap disinfectant. The dim overhead lights gave everything a muted glow, the perfect cover for fooling around. Patty giggled as I pulled her closer, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders."Logan," she whispered, glancing around nervously, though her smile betrayed her excitement. Her skirt was hitched up and wrapped around my waist."Relax," I said with a smirk, leaning in to kiss her again.We were tucked away in the far corner, hidden behind rows of rarely borrowed encyclopedias. It was supposed to be a quiet, uneventful afternoon until I heard it—a soft shuffle, like someone had accidentally walked in on us. Patty stiffened, her head whipping around."Who’s there?" She demanded, her voice sharp and grating.From behind a shelf, a familiar face emerged—Isabella. She looked startled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she clutched her books tightly against her chest."I’m sorry," s
Isabella"I found your diary by accident," he continued. "Back in high school, the day in the library. You dropped it when... well, when Patty and I were being idiots."I flinched at the memory, my fingers digging into my arms."At first, I didn’t think much of it. I thought I’d give it back to you the next day. But you weren’t at school."I looked up sharply, and he met my eyes."I didn’t know what happened," he said softly. "I didn’t see you again after that day. I asked around and found out your grandfather had passed away. And... I don’t know. I guess I just assumed you needed space. Then school ended, and you were gone."His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of things left unsaid."I should’ve found a way to give it back," he admitted, his voice breaking slightly. "But instead, I kept it. And I read it."My heart twisted painfully. Hearing him confess to reading my most private thoughts felt like a violation all over again, but there was something raw and genuine in hi
IsabellaThe city lights shimmered below us, casting a golden glow over the balcony. A gentle breeze carried the distant hum of traffic and the scent of fresh roses from the garden below. It was quiet, peaceful—perfect.I leaned against the railing, watching the world move beneath us, when two strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Logan’s warmth enveloped me, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder.“You’re staring,” I teased, tilting my head to meet his gaze.“I can’t help it,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my neck. “You’re breathtaking.”A blush crept up my cheeks, but I rolled my eyes playfully. “You say that like you haven’t seen me a thousand times before.”Logan turned me around, his hands framing my face as he studied me with that intense, unwavering focus that always made my heart stutter. “I could see you a million times and still not get enough.”I bit my lip to keep from smiling too wide, but it was useless—he always had this effect on me.“Bes
IsabellaI never expected to see Logan at my home. But there he was, walking down the garden path like he belonged here, like he had every right to show up after everything.The evening air was warm, carrying the scent of roses and freshly cut grass, but I felt frozen in place on the patio. My fingers curled around the edge of the wicker chair, my heart hammering a little too hard against my ribs.His gaze found mine, unwavering. “Hi.”I swallowed. “Hi.”An awkward pause stretched between us before I found my voice again. “How did you find me?”Logan shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I begged your mother to tell me.”I raised a brow. “She actually told you?”“She made me swear I wouldn’t make things worse.” His lips twitched like he was trying for a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.I exhaled, glancing at the empty chair across from me. “Sit down.”He hesitated only for a second before stepping forward and lowering himself into the seat.“How are you?” he asked,
LoganParis was screaming.Not the kind of dramatic, crocodile-tear crying she used to do when we were together. No, this was full-blown, red-faced, glass-shattering rage.And honestly? I didn’t give a damn.“You ruined me, Logan!” she shrieked, pacing back and forth in my office like a caged animal.“Do you have any idea how many deals I’ve lost because of your stupid lawsuit?”I leaned back in my chair, completely unfazed. “I don’t know, Paris. Maybe as many as Isabella lost when you spread lies about her?”Her jaw clenched. “Oh, don’t give me that moral high ground bullshit. You never cared about her reputation before.”My eyes darkened. “That’s where you’re wrong.”I had let too many things slide in the past. Let Paris manipulate me, let her get away with her games, let her tear people down just because she could. But not this time. Not when it came to Isabella.Paris scoffed, arms crossing. “Do you really think I’m going to let you do this to me? I’ll fight you in court, Logan. I
Isabella -After a long moment, we finally pulled apart. My mother wiped her eyes quickly, as if embarrassed by her own vulnerability. I let out a shaky breath, still trying to process everything, when she suddenly said, “I’m divorcing Robert.”I blinked. “Wait… what?”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “It was never a real marriage, Isabella. It was always an agreement.” She looked at me, her expression softer now. “And I don’t want to stand in the way of you and Logan.”I stared at her, completely caught off guard. “You don’t have to do that. I mean… I know things between you and Robert were never perfect, but still—”She let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Sweetheart, this isn’t a sacrifice. Trust me, it’s the opposite. I want this.”I frowned. “But why now?”She smiled. “I want to spend some time with myself, maybe even figure out who I am outside of all this. And I want to take care of your grandmother. She’s not getting any younger, and after everything, I think she deserves to ha
IsabellaI felt a lump rise in my throat, but I didn’t interrupt. I needed to hear this, no matter how painful it was.“We fought all the time,” she continued, her voice growing harder. “He would yell, and I would yell back. He accused me of trapping him, of ruining his life. And I… I hated him for it. I hated him for making me feel like I was nothing, like I was a burden. But I stayed because I didn’t know what else to do. I had you, and I thought… I thought I could make it work.”She stopped again, her hands trembling as she wiped at her eyes. “And then he died. It was a car accident—drunk driving. Everyone thought it was so tragic. They pitied me, the young widow with a baby. They called us the perfect couple, the high school sweethearts who never got their happy ending. But they didn’t know the truth. They didn’t know how much I hated him, how much I resented him for everything he put me through.”Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I took a step back, struggling to proc
IsabellaI froze, my breath catching in my throat. My mother, too, seemed startled. She leaned forward, her perfectly manicured hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Yes, Mom,” she said, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “I’m here.”My grandmother’s eyes searched her face, as if trying to place her in a world that had long since slipped away. “Where’s Matthew?” she asked, her tone almost childlike in its innocence. “Is he coming?”My mother’s expression faltered, just for a second, before she smoothed it over with a practiced smile. “He’s away for work,” she said gently. “But he’ll be back soon.”My grandmother nodded, seemingly satisfied, and closed her eyes again, her grip on my hand loosening as she drifted back into sleep. I stared at my mother, my mind racing. Matthew? Who was Matthew?My grandmother had said it with such familiarity, as if it were a name she had spoken a thousand times.The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the sound of my grandmother’s steady bre
Isabella -The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I walked up the familiar path to my grandparents’ house. The air smelled of pine and damp earth, a comforting scent that carried me back to summers spent running through the fields, carefree and untouched by the weight of the world. But now, the house stood as a quiet sentinel, its white paint chipped and its shutters slightly askew, as if it too had aged alongside me. I paused at the front steps, my hand resting on the weathered railing, and took a deep breath. This was my refuge now, the only place where I could escape the chaos that had become my life.The key turned with a soft click, and I pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit foyer. Dust motes danced in the slivers of sunlight that filtered through the curtains, and the air was thick with the scent of old wood and forgotten memories. I dropped my bag by the door and let my fingers trail along the wall as I walked further inside. The house was exactly as I remembered i
Logan You could practically hear the tension crackling in the air.Amanda froze, her wine glass hanging in mid-air like she had just witnessed a murder. My father’s expression darkened so fast, I thought he might actually explode.My mom, however, looked downright delighted. “Oh, this just keeps getting better,” she mused, looking between them with the kind of joy only found in well-aged revenge.Dad, jaw clenched, exhaled through his nose before muttering, “Logan, this is not the time—”“Oh, I think it is,” I cut in. “You’re really going to sit there and act like you have the moral high ground? After everything?”Dad stood, his eyes locked onto mine, but before he could unleash whatever dramatic speech he had prepared, Mom clapped her hands together again. “Alright, that’s enough of that. Robert, listen to me, and listen well. I do not have the energy to deal with your nonsense. Approve this relationship. Let my son be happy.”Dad didn’t budge. Amanda, who still looked like she regr
Logan’s POVI skimmed through the annual report. Sinclair Industries was vast—far more than just the gaming division I managed. My father oversaw several subsidiaries, and while I generally stayed out of his affairs, I made it a point to review the financials at the end of each fiscal year.But something wasn’t adding up.I frowned as I examined the numbers for one of our European acquisitions. A massive loan—hundreds of millions—was taken from a French bank. I hadn’t been informed of this, and given the sheer size of the investment, I should have been.“What the hell is this?” I muttered, flipping through the pages.Derek, who was standing by the window, turned toward me. “Figured you’d notice that.”I shot him a sharp look. “You knew about this?”He shrugged. “Not all the details. Just that your father took a sizeable loan to buy that European company. It’s been under wraps, probably because he didn’t want questions.”I exhaled slowly, my mind running through the implications. My fa