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
The grand hotel loomed before me, its marble stairs bathed in the fading amber of the late afternoon sun. I stepped out of the car, smoothing the folds of my elegant silver gown, wishing I could disappear into the pavement. This celebration had nothing to do with me, even though it was my mother’s wedding dinner.I hadn’t seen her in months, not since she’d called to announce she was marrying for the fourth time, this time to a wealthy businessman, Robert Sinclair. I had only agreed to attend because I knew the alternative was worse: weeks of her relentless guilt trips and scathing remarks about my "ungrateful attitude." So, here I was, bracing myself for a night of fake smiles and shallow congratulations.The grand entrance to the hotel shimmered with chandeliers and luxury. As I walked in, a sinking sensation twisted in my stomach. No matter how many times I was pulled into her world of glitz and glamour, I never quite fit in. My mother, once a minor actress who still clung to the r
Isabelle -"WHAT !" I said aloud.I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, fighting the urge to flee. I wanted to scream, to run out of the ballroom, to put as much distance between Logan and me as possible. But my mother’s arm held me in place, her nails gently digging into my skin, a silent reminder that I had to play along. To be the dutiful daughter at her perfect wedding dinner.“And Isabelle,” my mother continued, turning to me, her smile still too wide. “Logan is going to be part of our family now. Isn’t that wonderful? I knew you’d be thrilled.”Thrilled. The word hung in the air like a cruel joke. This wasn’t just about enduring a few awkward moments at a dinner party. Logan Sinclair was going to be my stepsister. The boy who had tormented me for years, the source of so many of my insecurities, was now my family !I forced a tight-lipped smile, though my hands were shaking, clasped together to steady myself. “Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s… wonderf
Isabelle -The party continued to swirl around me, but I was barely aware of it. The alcohol was starting to hum through my veins, numbing the sharp edges of everything—the embarrassment, the anger, the sheer frustration of seeing Logan Sinclair again. I needed to get away from him, from all of it. The clinking of glasses, the murmured conversations, the sparkling chandeliers above—it all felt like a blur as I stood at the bar, staring into the amber liquid in my glass.The peace didn't last for long, as my mother marched over to me with a look that screamed “Time to meet the family!”.She latched onto my arm like she was afraid I might make a break for it at any second.“Come on, darling, let’s introduce you to everyone!” she said.Before I could even protest, she was dragging me across the ballroom, weaving through clusters of fancy-dressed guests, most of whom I’d never seen before and would, hopefully, never have to see again. The faces blurred together: cousins I’d barely met, se
I stood there, frozen, my glass of champagne hovering in midair. I could feel my mother’s eager eyes burning into the side of my face, her grip tightening around my arm as if to say, Smile, be grateful!Perfect? Perfect for what, exactly? Working under Logan Sinclair, the guy who had single-handedly made my teenage years a living hell? And not just any job—his secretary?Oh no. Nope. No way.But before I could protest—before I could even think of a half-decent excuse—my mother chimed in with that sugary, sweet voice she used whenever she was trying to convince people we were a perfect, functional family.“Oh, that’s wonderful, Robert! Isn’t it, Isabelle? What a fantastic opportunity!”Opportunity. That word made me want to scream. But instead, I forced the most unconvincing smile of my life; my mouth stretched so tight I thought my face might crack.“Uh… yeah. Great,” I managed, though my voice sounded strained even to my own ears.Logan, who had been standing a few feet away, must’ve
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Isabella -The music shifted, becoming slower, more seductive. The soft rhythm of the song seemed to weave through the air, urging me to move."I am tired." I said to Trent.He stopped dancing, and I stepped onto the deck. I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes for a second to breathe in the salty air, trying to regain some clarity. But before I could settle into the moment, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.“Leaving the party already?” Trent’s voice broke the silence, and I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his ever-present grin in place.“I just needed a break,” I said, forcing a smile as I adjusted my posture, hoping he wouldn’t push.He didn’t seem to take the hint. Instead, he moved closer, his eyes lingering on me a little too long. “I get it. Sometimes, all this”—he waved a hand toward the house—“can get a bit much, huh?” He stepped closer again, his tone lower now, more intimate. “But I’ve got to say, you look incredible tonight, Isabella.”“Thanks, Tr