Isabelle’s Point of View:“You know that he’s not gonna let this go even after two weeks,” He looked at me, “Go find this man. He will make you a fake ID. Leave the country.”I scoffed. “Do you think I am gonna follow your instructions after what you did?”“After what you believe I did? No, but even if you think I did, I know you know that dad is never gonna let you go. I will not know where you go, Bella and neither will anyone else. Leave when you have time.”“How do I know this is not another game of yours?”He kept a hand on my cheek. I tried to pull back but his intense gaze held me.“I don’t know how you could believe it all to be fake, Bella, but when I go back to that night— all I see is pleasure, happiness and love. If you felt any of those emotions that night, go and set yourself free.”I stepped back and looked down. “I will think about it.”“I hope you do,” He said before walking out, “And if this is the last time we’re seeing each other, I hope you forgive me.”I couldn’t
Achilles’ Point of View“I hate you. I hate you for everything you’ve done to me, to us and how you used me. I hate you Achilles and you’re unlovable.”I read the message on my phone and a deep breath left my mouth. I breathed heavily as I kept my phone down.Her words echoed in my mind. “You’re unlovable,” I whispered to myself, believing it with my heart. “Of course, I am.”I felt like I had a tear in my eyes—I didn’t know I could even cry. I hadn’t cried in a very long time and there was no reason to cry now.It was so much better, she was out of this hellhole. She was going to lead a good life and so was someone else—that’s all that I could’ve ever wanted.I wiped my tears and covered myself with the bed sheets. It was all going to be over, this sadness and her words—I knew it. I deserved everything she said to me, I deserved it all and even if it hurt—hate came naturally to others around me.…The sunlight hit my face early in the morning the next day. I hadn’t slept, but I knew
Achilles’ Point of ViewI looked over at Camila who entered my cabin. She had a sad smile on her face. I stood up as she hugged me."I heard about your father. It's so sad, to lose your mother again…""Nah," I pulled back and said with a smile, "I didn't lose her. We're good. Even better if that makes sense to you.""That's good!" She grinned. "I was thinking, do you wanna go to the bar later?""Sure," I said as I looked at my wrist watch. "I just have to complete some of my work. At 7?""Sure. I'll just be down at the reception."I nodded and she left. I exhaled.It has been three days since mom left. I missed Isabella—a lot more than I thought I would.I engrossed myself in work again. I came back to the headquarters in Kansas the same day because I knew than an empty mind was home to imperviously stupid thoughts.…Isabella's Point of View"No, of course you won't," I sighed. "I've told you so many times, Cole. That's not how you do this."He sighed. "And I've tried my best, Nicole
Isabella (Nicole)’s Point of View: “Yes, I will drink and I will get it myself,” I said to one of the guys who was trying to get me a drink in the bar. I turned around and looked at Cole and his friends sitting at a table at a distance. I had just excused myself a few seconds before to get my drink when this guy walked up to me, offering a drink—with some hidden terms, for sure. He shrugged and left me alone. I exhaled and went to take my drink before heading back to the table. As I was just about to reach back, I noticed someone sitting at the farthest table. He was looking at me continuously, his eyes focused without even blinking. I looked back at the person in a similar way. Even if I couldn’t see him well because of the distance, he seemed to be familiar. The man looked away as soon as I stared back and I looked down. Maybe I was just being paranoid for no reason. I shook my head and was about to check on the person, just in case, but Charlie suddenly called me: “Hey, Nico
Nicole (Isabella)’s Point of View: Cole joined our lips in a passionate kiss. My hands went up in his hair as I pulled him closer. He grabbed me by my neck and continued kissing for a good thirty seconds. “Cole…” I whispered. He pulled back and looked into my eyes. His brown eyes were vivid, more intense than anything I’ve ever seen. To think I had never noticed them before was stupidly weird. He breathed heavily as he looked at my lips. “Say something.” I bit my lower lip in confusion and he chuckled. “What you tryna do, Nicole?” I looked up at him and took a deep breath. “N—nothing, I…”“Are you—do you like someone else?” He asked with a worried face. “I—” I looked down. It was a difficult question, considering the circumstances. Achilles—someone who has never left my mind for the last days, was sure as hell a complicated person in my life. But I didn’t like him, not after what he did. And how could I let him stop me from living my life? Wasn’t the entire purpose of coming
Nicole's POV:After taking a refreshing bath, I headed to work. When I arrived, Cole was already busy working, and his face lit up with a smile as soon as he saw me. I made my way to the serving counter and started assisting the customers. Cole came up behind me."You look really beautiful, Nic," he complimented.I blushed and glanced down. "You're not so bad yourself."He shook his head and chuckled before going off to serve the food. Meanwhile, I took a deep breath, feeling like I was almost mentally cheating on him.What was wrong with me? The dream I had last night was incredibly sinful, and despite knowing it was wrong in so many ways, the worst part was that it actually fe
Isabelle’s point of View:“Is—Isabelle Roman?” I heard him say with shock in his voice.I froze too, not knowing how to react. I didn’t know my past would catch up with me so fast.“I—”“Wow,” He interrupted my slow murmur and chuckled. “I genuinely feel so stupid right now, Ni—Isabelle. I mean, uh…” He got up and I did too, trying to stop if he was leaving as he continued, “...you were so convincing.”“I was—there’s a reason, Cole. Just lemme explain, please.”
Isabella’s Point of View:I reached the airport early in the morning the next day. It was still an hour before the flight time, so I was in long lines to pass the security and airline ticket check. My mind was already so polluted by thoughts on where and how I would find my mother — if I would be able to.And then came the worst part: I really wanted to avoid Achilles at all costs. My trip to Kansas was horrible with Chloe, Matt and him.Suddenly my phone rang and I was shocked to find the name “Stefan”. Seriously? He didn’t call me the last two weeks and now he suddenly remembered me when I was leaving?At 6 in the morning!?I picked it up.
Achilles’ Point of View:I went back to my apartment as I made an anonymous tip to the police that somehow the rich billionaire had died. It was already over two hours, and Isabelle was probably waiting for me, so I didn’t want to waste any more time trying to clear up the mess at the mansion. My people had already managed the security tapes and the fingerprints.As soon as I reached my place and went inside, Isabelle ran up to me and hugged me. “Achilles.”“Hey,” I smiled at her. “Everything’s gonna be fine now.”She was confused at my words. I didn’t really know how she would react to this. I mean, she knew I was no saint and I had killed hundreds while working as a mafia leader, but right now I had murdered my own father and without any Mafia influence.But I couldn’t hide it. No more secrets. I had to tell her if I wanted her to trust me.“I killed my father.” Those words rolled out of my tongue, leaving her stunned.Her eyes widened. “What?”“Yes.”She took a few minutes as she st
Achilles’ Point of View:“She didn’t cheat on you, Achilles!” Lucy shouted and my eyes snapped in her direction.“What are you saying?” I asked, my mind fogged by the words she was speaking. I didn’t want to talk about her, or the topic she was speaking on—let alone made me question the reality.“She told me. She told me that Mr. Roman had forced her to say that to you. And I know that I wasn’t supposed to tell you this, but I couldn’t bear to know the truth and still go home to my husband while you didn’t get to go home to your wife. She told me that she had to do it because your father said that if she didn’t, he’d kill you.” She said in one breath as she looked at me.
Isabelle’s Point of View:I looked up and found Lucy standing. She gave me a hand, and helped me stand up. I slowly managed to stand on my feet, still lunging forward like a junkie.“Who—who was the highest bidder? Do you know?” I asked as I was dying to know who I was supposed to be a slave for.She smiled. “No one told me who it was, but whoever it was gave the highest money to the main mafia bank and set you free.”“What?” I thought she was kidding.“Yes,” She smiled again, this time wider. “There was an anonymous message on the table just after the bidding. It was to me, and it said that I should let you know that the highest bidder had
Isabelle’s Point of View:“She gets one wish before fulfilling her punishment, boss,” One of the men pointed out as the guards were dragging me away from the main room, and I saw that it was Romero.I looked over at Achilles who was staring right at me, his face stone cold. “What do you want?” He asked me across the room and I took a deep breath. I didn’t want anything but one thing—and this was probably the last chance I’d get.“I want to talk to Lucy once. In private.”He was confused at my request, but didn’t think about it much. “Let her. I will give you one hour. Her punishment will continue after that,” he looked at his men mid-conversation and then walked out of the room
Isabelle’s Point of View:I was on the ground, barely able to breathe. I didn’t know that hurting him would hurt me so much, I was out of my mind. My heart was shattering with every passing second thinking of the pain I had caused, my tears falling relentlessly.Mr. Roman wouldn’t have asked me to do this without making sure it could be supported by proof. I was sure he did something for that too. Achilles was going to hate me all over again. This time it was going to be even worse. And I… I wouldn’t be able to tell him how much I actually love him and would die for him, and would have to just stand there to take it.God, I had never felt this low in my entire life.It took him three hours—three hours before he knocke
Isabelle’s Point of View:“What’s wrong, Isabelle?” I heard mom say as she came out of the room and caught up with me. I was still in a daze from the conversation with Mr. Roman, cursing his name to the highest degree and replaying the conversation I was supposed to have with Achilles now.“Isabelle?” She called out again, finally getting my attention.“Oh, mom!” I said as my trail of thoughts ended. She looked at me, confused.“Where are you lost? I thought after your talk with Achilles, things would be better, no?” she asked, her voice laced with obvious concern.“Uh…” I exhaled. There was no use telling her what was happenin
Isabelle’s Point of View:After spending three hours of a very… amazing time with Achilles, he told me that he had to go back to the war. This time, it wasn’t as bad as when I heard the first time he left. Obviously, he bid me goodbye in the best way a person can, after meeting with mom and then paying a visit to the basement. It was as if everything was normal again, even though I just sent my husband in one of the most difficult mafia wars.I still couldn’t completely understand what happened. He was suddenly way more angry at me than he normally would be, and then now he was suddenly sorry?I guess I couldn’t judge a man like him against the parameters of a normal person. At the end of the day, I had to admit that I couldn’t be happier that I practically got him back. All my thoughts were killing me, and now it’s been quiet. A silent
Achilles’ Point of View:“Do you want a divorce, Achilles?” Her voice rang in my ears, making my head spin round—and I scoffed.“No! No. What part of ‘I still love you’ screams ‘I want a divorce’ to you?” I said, my breath running out. She opened her eyes and looked at me, her eyes bearing an unreadable expression.“I just—I thought you were letting me down easy. Saying you still—you still loved me but…”“No,” I said and pulled her closer again, holding on to her and trying to reassure her. “God, Isabelle. I love you. No buts. No conditions. No complications.”I could feel her sob against me
Achilles’ Point of View:After thinking for a few minutes, I walked over to Lucy’s room and knocked on her door. She had been here with Isabelle all this time, so she must know her feelings best. I knew I had to apologise to Isabelle, but the more I knew about how she felt, the better it would be.Lucy opened the door, shocked to see me. We barely ever interacted, and if we did, it was to convey a message to someone.“B-boss?” She asked with a little uncertainty and I exhaled.“I need to talk to you about something. Come in my room,” I said as I walked over to my room. I didn’t want to talk to her there because Isabelle might see us but I didn’t wanna barge in her private space either.As we reached my room, it was obvious she was scared and worried about what I wanted to talk about. “Relax. This is about Isabelle.”She nodded slowly, a load of tension leaving her forehead. “Have a seat,” I offered as I sat down on one of the chairs and gestured toward one from across to me.She sat d