Isabelle -
Dear Diary,
Tomorrow is my mother’s wedding. Mum’s always loved grand events—the bigger, the better. And while I want to be happy for her, truly, sometimes it’s hard not to feel like a visitor in her world. But for once, tomorrow isn’t about that. It’s about her happiness, her fresh start, and I can respect that. She deserves it.
But then… there’s Logan.
I still remember the first time I saw him in high school: tall, effortless, and extremely handsome. He was the epitome of everything I wasn’t—popular, confident, and arrogant beyond reason. And God, did he make it his mission to remind me of that?
But tomorrow... he’s going to be family, and soon my boss. But I am not that meek girl anymore. I’ve worked hard to become someone I respect. I’ve built myself up from every bruise he left on my confidence and from every cruel joke that made me feel invisible. If Logan Sinclair thinks he can waltz back into my life and keep tormenting me, he has another thing coming.
I’ll be civil, sure. But if he thinks he can get under my skin, he’s in for a shock. I’m not the girl he remembers. I’m stronger now, and if he tries to bring me down, I’ll show him exactly what I’ve learned in these past years.
So here’s to tomorrow: a day for Mum’s happiness... and for me to prove that I’m no longer the girl he can bully.
I fished my diary entry and looked out of the window of my apartment. Some people might regard writing a diary as an old fashioned juvenile activity. But for me, it's a way to process my thoughts and emotions. I used to write a diary in school, but I lost it on the day of graduation. In a way, it was good; I was able to start fresh in my adult life without the weight of my past entries. I slipped into my bed and closed my eyes. Tomorrow was a big day.
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Logan -
I took a long sip of coffee, staring out the window at the sun creeping over the treetops. The house was quiet—too quiet, considering the circus that would unfold here in a few hours.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, loud and irritated. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. My older sister, Clarissa, was here from France, freshly landed and already launching into her usual state of disapproval.
"Good morning to you too, Clarissa," I said, not bothering to look up from my coffee.
She dropped into the chair across from me with a dramatic huff. “Well, somebody’s not nervous about this wedding,” she grumbled. “I mean, don’t you care that Dad’s getting married to some gold-digging socialite?”
I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly where this was headed. “You do remember that our parents divorced about a decade ago, right?”
“Yes, Logan, but still!” She shot back, her voice laden with the kind of indignation that only a Sinclair could muster at 8:00 AM. “Dad seems to fall for these golddiggers like clockwork."
I bit back a laugh. “Clarissa, it’s not like he’s getting married to a Bond villain. Besides, he seems happy.”
She scowled at me, clearly unimpressed by my lack of concern. “And you? You don’t care at all? Not even a little suspicious of her motives?”
“Look, I’m just here for the vows—a slice of cake. I have more pressing things on my mind, like not spilling coffee on my suit.”
She leant back, crossing her arms in classic disapproval mode. “Unbelievable. Sometimes I wonder if we’re even related.”
“Me too,” I smirked, unable to resist. “Maybe you and I should’ve been switched at birth.”
“Very funny,” she retorted.
She sighed, her fingers drumming on the table.
“Who is that ?" She said.
I followed her gaze and nearly choked on my coffee when I saw Isabelle Munroe pulling up in a cab. She stepped out, adjusting the strap of her small luggage case over her shoulder, her other hand smoothing down the fabric of a light, flowery dress that made her look like she’d just stepped out of a summer postcard.
“That’s Isabelle Munroe,” I said, keeping my voice as casual as possible, though my gaze couldn’t quite break from her. “Amy’s daughter. "
Clarissa’s jaw dropped, her gaze moving from Isabelle to me, then back again. “Wait, wait, she’s going to be our stepsister? This… hot looking girl?”
“She’s not my sister, Clarissa,” I muttered, half-hoping it would help make this whole situation less real.
I stole a glance at Clarissa, whose eyes were still wide. "So, have you two, like, met before?” she asked, suspicion lacing her voice.
“You could say that,” I mumbled.
Clarissa turned to me, her brow raised. “How much not on friendly terms are we talking? You’re looking at her like she’s some kind of ghost.”
I shook my head, avoiding Clarissa’s stare. “We were in the same school. But that was a long time ago. We’re both different people now.”
My sister narrowed her eyes at me, clearly unconvinced, but thankfully decided to let it go. “If you say so. But you’d better pull yourself together before she catches you gawking at her like that.”
Clarissa wasn’t wrong. I gave myself a little shake, downed the rest of my coffee, and willed myself to stop acting like some clueless high school kid. Whatever had happened between Isabelle and me back then, it was in the past, and it was staying there. All I had to do now was keep things cordial, civil, and professional.
Right. Simple enough…
IsabellaDragging my overstuffed suitcase through the marble-floored hallway, I felt every ounce of its weight as it clattered over the polished surface. The grandeur of the Sinclair mansion was overwhelming, and I’d barely scratched the surface. Towering ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers, walls lined with expensive artwork that screamed “old money,” and a staircase so grand it looked like it belonged in a period drama—it was all too much. I knew the Sinclairs were rich, but this mansion was the kind of place that made you realize there was rich, and then there was loaded.The guest room assigned to me was nothing short of spectacular. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in soft light, and the view of the perfectly manicured gardens outside made me feel like I’d stepped into a painting. A massive canopy bed, dressed in plush linens and too many pillows, stood in the center. Gilded furniture and a faint lavender scent gave the room a sense of effortless luxury.I hoved th
Logan -I watched as she stopped near one of the floral displays, her fingers brushing the edge of her gown as if she wasn’t sure what to do with them. It was a small gesture, almost imperceptible, but it made her seem... human. Like maybe, under all that poise, she was just as overwhelmed by this whole scene as I was."So why is she here?" Trent asked."She, my dad, is marrying her mom," I explained."Holy sh*t! She is your new stepsister!" Trent's eyes widened in surprise as he processed the information."Well, this just got a lot more interesting," he remarked with a mischievous grin."She is not my sister." I clarified, feeling a mix of amusement and annoyance at Trent's reaction. "But yeah, this whole situation just got a lot more complicated."“Are you going to say hi, or are you just going to stand here gawking?” Trent teased, elbowing me.I blinked, snapping out of my trance. “I’m not gawking.”“You so are,” he said with a smirk.Before I could retort, she turned slightly, her
IsabellaI let out a breath of relief as I walked off the dance floor. Thank God that was over. The spotlight, the forced smile, the awkward yet strangely pleasant dance with Logan—it was all behind me now. I headed straight for the bar, desperate for a moment to myself and something to steady my nerves.“Champagne, please,” I said, and the bartender quickly handed me a flute.The cool bubbles fizzed against my lips, and I allowed myself a moment to savor the taste. For the first time all evening, I felt a flicker of calm. That flicker lasted about ten seconds.“Well, if it isn’t Cinderella herself,” a saccharine voice drawled behind me.I turned to see Clarissa, my new stepsister, looking me up and down with an expression that screamed condescension. She was dressed to the nines, of course, in a figure-hugging red gown that practically screamed for attention.“Clarissa,” I greeted, my voice flat.She tilted her head, her smile cold and calculating. “You know, I wasn’t sure how you’d
Isabella“Not Misha,” I managed to say, my voice a mixture of disbelief and mortification.He smirked, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in that infuriating way of his. “Not Misha,” he confirmed, his voice low and amused.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, stepping back and crossing my arms over my chest, as if that could somehow shield me from the sheer awkwardness of the situation.“I came to check on you,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe like he hadn’t just zipped me into a dress. “I saw what Clarissa did."“Well, you’ve checked. I’m fine. You can go now.”He didn’t move. Instead, his gaze flicked over me, lingering just a second too long on the dress. “The blue suits you,” he said, his tone oddly sincere.Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away, pretending to adjust the skirt. “Thanks,” I muttered.There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, he said, “Clarissa doesn’t speak for all of us.”That caught me off guard. I glanced up at him, searc
IsabellaThe hum of fluorescent lights in the office felt different today, a little heavier, a little final. My desk, once cluttered with sticky notes, pens, and the occasional candy wrapper, now looked bare. My last day at work had arrived, and as much as I tried to convince my mom not to drag us into the Sinclair orbit, she wouldn’t budge. So here I was, saying goodbye to a place I’d grown comfortable in, to people who had become a steady part of my life.A small group of my colleagues gathered around my desk, their smiles a mix of encouragement and sadness. “We’re going to miss you, Isabella,” one of them said, handing me a card filled with scribbled well-wishes and good luck messages.“I’ll miss you all too,” I replied, my voice catching slightly.As the group began to disperse back to their tasks, I spotted Carlson making his way toward me. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did when I saw him. Even after a year of dating, the sight of his easy smile still had that effect on m
IsabellaI was still mid-conversation with Margaret when the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air seemed to grow heavier, the background hum of voices dulling as though the room itself were holding its breath.I turned instinctively, and there he was.Logan Sinclair entered with the kind of presence that demanded attention without trying. His tailored suit hugged him perfectly, the deep navy fabric catching the light just enough to hint at its luxurious quality. Beside him stood a man I didn’t recognize, a wiry figure with a sharp gaze.My stomach tightened as Logan’s eyes landed on me. They were just as I remembered—gray and cold, with an intensity that always made me feel like he could see right through me. For a moment, his gaze locked on mine, and time seemed to stretch impossibly long. I stiffened, every muscle in my body screaming to hold my composure.Margaret, oblivious to the silent storm brewing, smiled brightly and waved him over. “Mt Sinclair! Perfect timing.”I wanted
Logan -I leaned back in my chair, watching Isabella leave my office. She held a notebook in one hand, a pen in the other, her expression focused as she reviewed the notes she’d just taken. It had only been her first week, but it was already clear—Isabella wasn’t the type to waste time or ask unnecessary questions. She was sharp, efficient, and professional to a fault.As the door clicked shut behind her, Derek leaned casually against the frame of my desk, a skeptical look on his face.“She’s quick,” he said, crossing his arms. “But aren’t you expecting a lot from someone who just started? You threw her straight into the deep end, Logan.”I smirked, tilting my chair back slightly. “She’ll handle it.”Derek raised an eyebrow, his expression unconvinced. “Confident, aren’t we? What makes you so sure?”I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.“If you’d come to my father’s wedding,” I said, my tone casual but laced with meaning, “you’d already know why.”Derek’s brow furrowed, his
Logan -Clubs were never my scene. The loud music, the flashing lights, the shallow conversations—it all grated on me. But Derek and a few others had insisted we meet here tonight, promising it would be a “refreshing change.” So there I was, nursing a whiskey neat and trying to appear interested as a blonde with overly dramatic gestures talked at me.I’d already forgotten her name.I nodded at her words, pretending to listen, but my attention drifted. My eyes scanned the room, half-hoping for something, anything, to break the monotony. And that’s when I saw her.Isabella.She stood near a corner booth, her smile radiant as she leaned in toward a man I didn’t recognize. A flicker of something stirred within me. Annoyance? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it tightened my jaw as I watched her laugh at something he said.The man—tall, polished, the kind who looked like he was used to getting what he wanted—was close to her. Too close. Not that it was any of my business.I shifted my gaze back
IsabellaFridays had always been my favorite day of the week, but today felt special. My mind buzzed with excitement as I thought about the weekend ahead. Carlson and I had planned a getaway to his lake house, and I couldn’t wait to escape the endless grind of work, even if only for a couple of days. The day had started well enough, but my bubble burst mid-morning when Logan called me into his cabin.“Isabella,” he barked, holding a printed stack of papers in his hand, “what is this?”I blinked, startled. “The quarterly report you asked for?”“This isn’t a quarterly report,” he snapped. “It’s a mess. The format is all wrong, the data is incomplete, and worst of all, it’s not even your job to make this report! It’s the responsibility of the data analytics team.”I felt a chill creep up my spine. “I... I thought—”“Where did you get the data?” he interrupted, his tone sharp.I swallowed hard, fumbling for words. “Amy told me the files were in the shared drive under ‘Q2 Summary.’ I used
Isabella“So, Isabella,” Amy said, leaning just slightly toward me with her wine glass poised elegantly in hand. “What’s your story?"I hesitated, trying to muster a polite response. “It’s nothing too exciting,” I said, brushing it off.But Amy wasn’t letting go. “Oh, come on! You’re young, beautiful, and clearly a catch. Spill the beans!”I glanced at Logan, who sat across the table, swirling the wine in his glass with a casual ease. His eyes flicked to me, sharp and amused, as if he were enjoying watching me squirm.Amy’s expectant smile was impossible to ignore, so I finally relented. “Well, if you must know... I was seeing someone from my previous office.”Amy’s eyes lit up with interest. “Really? Tell me more!”I sighed inwardly, resigned to giving her just enough to satisfy her curiosity. “His name is Carlson. He was a colleague, and we’d known each other for about a year before we started dating. It’s been... six months now.”Amy tilted her head, her smile unwavering but her ey
LoganThe moment Isabella walked out of my office, I smacked my forehead with the heel of my hand. What the hell was I thinking?It wasn’t like me to lose my cool—or my focus—but there I was, sitting at my desk, replaying the moment like a bad movie.Do you have a boyfriend?I wasn’t even sure why I’d asked. The question had slipped out before I could stop it.Now, she probably thought I was some kind of creep. Fantastic. Just what I needed on top of an already chaotic day.I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly, trying to shake off the discomfort. It wasn’t like me to fumble, especially not around someone like Isabella. Derek walked in, carrying a folder. He placed it on my desk with a decisive thud, oblivious to my inner turmoil.“We need to finalize the influencers for the next advertising campaign,” he began, launching into a rundown of the options. “These are the top contenders based on reach and engagement metrics. I think we should—”“Hmm,” I said absently, my eyes drifting
Logan -Clubs were never my scene. The loud music, the flashing lights, the shallow conversations—it all grated on me. But Derek and a few others had insisted we meet here tonight, promising it would be a “refreshing change.” So there I was, nursing a whiskey neat and trying to appear interested as a blonde with overly dramatic gestures talked at me.I’d already forgotten her name.I nodded at her words, pretending to listen, but my attention drifted. My eyes scanned the room, half-hoping for something, anything, to break the monotony. And that’s when I saw her.Isabella.She stood near a corner booth, her smile radiant as she leaned in toward a man I didn’t recognize. A flicker of something stirred within me. Annoyance? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it tightened my jaw as I watched her laugh at something he said.The man—tall, polished, the kind who looked like he was used to getting what he wanted—was close to her. Too close. Not that it was any of my business.I shifted my gaze back
Logan -I leaned back in my chair, watching Isabella leave my office. She held a notebook in one hand, a pen in the other, her expression focused as she reviewed the notes she’d just taken. It had only been her first week, but it was already clear—Isabella wasn’t the type to waste time or ask unnecessary questions. She was sharp, efficient, and professional to a fault.As the door clicked shut behind her, Derek leaned casually against the frame of my desk, a skeptical look on his face.“She’s quick,” he said, crossing his arms. “But aren’t you expecting a lot from someone who just started? You threw her straight into the deep end, Logan.”I smirked, tilting my chair back slightly. “She’ll handle it.”Derek raised an eyebrow, his expression unconvinced. “Confident, aren’t we? What makes you so sure?”I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk.“If you’d come to my father’s wedding,” I said, my tone casual but laced with meaning, “you’d already know why.”Derek’s brow furrowed, his
IsabellaI was still mid-conversation with Margaret when the atmosphere in the room shifted. The air seemed to grow heavier, the background hum of voices dulling as though the room itself were holding its breath.I turned instinctively, and there he was.Logan Sinclair entered with the kind of presence that demanded attention without trying. His tailored suit hugged him perfectly, the deep navy fabric catching the light just enough to hint at its luxurious quality. Beside him stood a man I didn’t recognize, a wiry figure with a sharp gaze.My stomach tightened as Logan’s eyes landed on me. They were just as I remembered—gray and cold, with an intensity that always made me feel like he could see right through me. For a moment, his gaze locked on mine, and time seemed to stretch impossibly long. I stiffened, every muscle in my body screaming to hold my composure.Margaret, oblivious to the silent storm brewing, smiled brightly and waved him over. “Mt Sinclair! Perfect timing.”I wanted
IsabellaThe hum of fluorescent lights in the office felt different today, a little heavier, a little final. My desk, once cluttered with sticky notes, pens, and the occasional candy wrapper, now looked bare. My last day at work had arrived, and as much as I tried to convince my mom not to drag us into the Sinclair orbit, she wouldn’t budge. So here I was, saying goodbye to a place I’d grown comfortable in, to people who had become a steady part of my life.A small group of my colleagues gathered around my desk, their smiles a mix of encouragement and sadness. “We’re going to miss you, Isabella,” one of them said, handing me a card filled with scribbled well-wishes and good luck messages.“I’ll miss you all too,” I replied, my voice catching slightly.As the group began to disperse back to their tasks, I spotted Carlson making his way toward me. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did when I saw him. Even after a year of dating, the sight of his easy smile still had that effect on m
Isabella“Not Misha,” I managed to say, my voice a mixture of disbelief and mortification.He smirked, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in that infuriating way of his. “Not Misha,” he confirmed, his voice low and amused.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, stepping back and crossing my arms over my chest, as if that could somehow shield me from the sheer awkwardness of the situation.“I came to check on you,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe like he hadn’t just zipped me into a dress. “I saw what Clarissa did."“Well, you’ve checked. I’m fine. You can go now.”He didn’t move. Instead, his gaze flicked over me, lingering just a second too long on the dress. “The blue suits you,” he said, his tone oddly sincere.Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away, pretending to adjust the skirt. “Thanks,” I muttered.There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, he said, “Clarissa doesn’t speak for all of us.”That caught me off guard. I glanced up at him, searc
IsabellaI let out a breath of relief as I walked off the dance floor. Thank God that was over. The spotlight, the forced smile, the awkward yet strangely pleasant dance with Logan—it was all behind me now. I headed straight for the bar, desperate for a moment to myself and something to steady my nerves.“Champagne, please,” I said, and the bartender quickly handed me a flute.The cool bubbles fizzed against my lips, and I allowed myself a moment to savor the taste. For the first time all evening, I felt a flicker of calm. That flicker lasted about ten seconds.“Well, if it isn’t Cinderella herself,” a saccharine voice drawled behind me.I turned to see Clarissa, my new stepsister, looking me up and down with an expression that screamed condescension. She was dressed to the nines, of course, in a figure-hugging red gown that practically screamed for attention.“Clarissa,” I greeted, my voice flat.She tilted her head, her smile cold and calculating. “You know, I wasn’t sure how you’d