“Isabella Morgan’s marriage to Xavier Thompson was meant to be a dream come true, but she quickly learns she’s merely a pawn in a game of betrayal and ambition. After a devastating divorce and a rise to legal prominence, Isabella finds herself defending Xavier in a murder trial. As secrets unravel and their past resurfaces, can they turn their broken love into a story of redemption and hope?”
Lihat lebih banyakIsabella~
"Isabella, where’s Xavier? Call him to the party hall. All the guests are waiting for the cake-cutting ceremony." Mr. Donald Thompson, my father-in-law, requested that I find my spouse. With trepidation, I nodded and spun around to search for Xavier in the massive party hall. At this grand party, seeing him felt like an impossible task. All the important guests, clutching their wine glasses, enjoyed the evening in the beautifully designed hall, its floral arrangements, and colorful lights creating a breathtaking display. The wealth of the Thompson family was evident in every detail of the decor, which reflected the Thompson family's wealth, leaving everyone in awe. They were America's richest family, not just the town's richest. Holding the shimmering folds of my heavy gown, I navigated through the crowd like a lost puppy, trying to spot my husband, Xavier Thompson. This was only the second time I’d attended such an extravagant event. The first had been my wedding reception, and now, a year later, I was back at an even larger celebration—this time for our anniversary. But today wasn’t just about us. On the day of my wedding, my father-in-law had announced his upcoming retirement as chief lawyer of the Thompson firm. Everyone in attendance today was eagerly awaiting the big moment—the announcement of the new heir to his prestigious position, which was set to take place after the cake-cutting ceremony. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t see the man in front of me until I accidentally bumped into him, spilling wine across his pristine white coat. "Isabella, where are you wandering?" Victor, Xavier's younger brother, inquired as he looked down at the stain. His expression was perplexed but not angry. "Oh, Victor! I’m so sorry," I said quickly, fumbling to wipe the wine from his coat. "Relax, Bella. It’s just wine." He smiled warmly, his tone soft. "You don’t have to be so nervous around me. I’m your friend, not your husband, who reprimands you without reason every chance he gets." His words were light, but they held a bitter truth. He blinked, offering me a small nod of reassurance, but the guilt gnawed at me for ruining his party attire. "Let me help you clean up," I insisted, leading him inside the house. Victor followed, and once we were away from the noise of the party, he spoke again. "Where’s Big Brother? Shouldn’t he be by your side on your anniversary?" He inquired, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I don’t know," I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "Dad asked me to look for him." Victor shook his head, frustration flashing in his eyes. "How could he do this to you? He should be here—at least today of all days! He also needs to hear Dad's announcement." "Don’t be angry," I muttered. "He’s probably running late because of some important work." I opened Victor’s wardrobe and pulled out a tuxedo for him to change into. "Why are you presenting me with all of these options when you are aware that I will simply wear whatever you choose?" Victor chuckled and stepped into the bathroom to change. I smiled faintly as I glanced at the coat he’d left behind. When he emerged a few minutes later, I couldn’t help but admire how the tuxedo fit him perfectly. "Hmm... you look good, but something’s missing." I placed a hand on my chin, studying him. He looked strikingly like his elder brother, Xavier. He possessed an irresistible charm and a sharp jawline that captivated women. So many longed for a glimpse of Xavier, but I was the one lucky enough to call him my husband. "Bella, what are you smiling at?" Victor waved his hand in front of my eyes, pulling me from my thoughts. "Wait here," I said with a quick grin. "I’ll be back in a second." I hurried to my room to fetch a brooch for Victor’s coat. As I approached, I heard Xavier’s voice from inside, his tone low and familiar. My footsteps slowed at the door. When had he arrived? Did he get dressed for the party? I reached for the knob but froze when I heard a woman’s voice—a voice I knew all too well. "When will you divorce her, darling?" Alicia’s words hit me like a slap. "I can’t stand being apart any longer." No. It can’t be her. My hands trembled as I stood there, rooted in place. I had to imagine it. Xavier’s voice cut through the air, low and cruel. "Just wait a little longer. After Dad announces the new heir, I’ll file for divorce. Only I know how I managed to survive this year living under the same roof with that uneducated, low-class woman." His words pierced through me, leaving me breathless. The tears came before I could stop them, hot and fast, blurring my vision. What was I hearing? Did he not love me? Why had he married me at all? My mind raced back through the moments we’d shared over the past year, each one now tainted by the realization that he had never cared for me. I was so blind. I had mistakenly believed that his affection for me that night meant he had finally come to love me. But now I saw the truth. He had been drinking. I was foolish enough to mistake his weakness for love. But now, even though I knew I wasn’t ready for what awaited me behind that door, I had to face it. With every ounce of courage left, I turned the knob and stepped inside. There they were—Xavier, half-dressed, and Alicia shamelessly naked beneath the duvet. Her face drained of color when she saw me. "Isabella, when did you—" Alicia stammered, clutching the sheets around her. I looked at Xavier, waiting for any sign of guilt, any hint that he cared about what he had done. But there was none. He wrapped his arms around Alicia as if my presence didn't matter at all. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My heart, already fragile, shattered into pieces as I stood there, staring at the man I loved, who didn’t love me back. "Dad’s calling you for the cake-cutting ceremony," I whispered, my voice barely holding steady. Xavier gave me a nod, not even bothering to cover his shame. It was nothing to him. I wiped my tears quickly as I heard Victor approaching. With a forced smile plastered across my face, I stepped back out of the room and shut the door behind me.Xavier~"Please don't give me to the police. I'll tell you everything." That boy held my hand and pleaded with me, desperation dripping from every word."Tell me the truth, or I will report you to the police." I threatened him again. Although I was thankful for him saving my life, my mind was filled with doubts after seeing him living in this deserted place. Because of the unexpected flood, the government had strictly forbidden people from residing close to the river. Those who disobeyed faced severe penalties and fines for violating the regulation."Tell me, what’s your connection with Jordan Lucas?" Seeing his quietness, I threatened him once again."Jordan Lucas?" He gave me a perplexed expression, genuinely confused."Don't lie. I know he sent you here to keep your eye on us." I narrowed my eyes and gave him a doubtful glance, every nerve on edge."Sir, I don't have any idea who you’re talking about. I’m a student doing my research on submarine life." He quickly handed me his iden
Isabella~The cold water felt like an ointment to my burned skin, but soon I found myself flowing with the river's current. My hands felt numb in the chilly water as I attempted to swim against the stream. I had trouble breathing as water began to fill my nose. I looked around in search of Xavier, but I was unable to find him in the violent current.My body was still in shock from witnessing the car blast. I had never been this close to death before—never felt it breathe against my neck the way it did now. I made every attempt to locate the riverbank so that I could escape the current, but I was unable to do so since my hands and feet were not functioning properly.I heard the roar of the rushing water grow louder, and my swimming became more desperate. I was about to plunge into the waterfall ahead if I didn't exit the river's grip. This river would plummet vertically off the edge. If I didn't get out now, I would tumble down the cliff and that would be the end.I fought the river wi
Xavier~“Bella, what did you do? I am now sure he will not show any mercy to us.” Jordan Lucas' threats rattled my body. His eyes blazed with anger and retaliation. The moment he saw us in the court, he was fuming with anger. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' nature. Once he decides something, he will not back out of it, no matter how far he has to go to achieve the desired outcome.“Bella, why did you discuss another case in this court when we already have difficulty handling Victor's murder case?” I looked at her with a complaint-filled gaze. I am well aware that she is not doing anything wrong, but I don't think messing with Jordan Lucas in every situation is a good idea.“Xavier, I didn't have any choice at that time. Can't you see how Andrew argued with us in today’s court session? He is one step ahead of us. He came here well prepared, and we would have lost this case in today's hearing if I hadn't diverted the court's attention to the recent crimes of Jordan Lucas.” She sits on
Isabella~“My lord, Jordan Lucas not only killed Victor Thompson but he also killed two of my staff by burning them alive. He not only took the lives of those two innocent people but he also burned my costly property.” I turned to look at Jordan Lucas with hate-filled eyes. Now he has to pay a high price for his sins. I waited for the perfect opportunity to enter the court so that I could see this fear-filled expression on his face. When I saw Jordan Lucas, I felt retaliation and rage in every cell of my body. How could he burn those two innocent individuals so viciously? I saw no trace of regret in his eyes. His brutality went beyond all bounds.“Objection, my lord, Mrs. Thompson is trying to mislead the case. She is attempting to squander the court's valuable time by involving my client in her latest baseless charges, even though we are here to discuss Victor's case.” Andrew rose from his seat and gave me a furious glare.“Andrew is correct, Mrs. Thompson; your statements seemed un
Xavier~"Bella, what are we going to find in this dusty area?" I looked at her with confusion. The house was covered with black dust. A shiver ran down my spine as I saw the state of the house. We would have been buried under the ground by now if we hadn't left this house on time. I am afraid of losing Bella while trying to send Jordan Lucas to jail."Take off your shoes and don't touch anything in the home, Xavier." She handed me the gloves after removing them from her suitcase."What are you saying, Bella? How am I supposed to remove my shoes on this dusty floor?" I gave her a perplexed look."Xavier, do what I am saying."I removed my shoes and shook my head in disappointment when I saw her demanding gaze. "Bella, please stop using the magnifying glass; we are not detectives." She took the magnifying glass out of her bag and then began to look at the burned items available in the house.I don't understand what new hobby she developed as a detective. She carries everything with he
Isabella~"What are you going to do now, Bella?" Xavier's eyes brimmed with curiosity. "I don't know, Xavier; I only have to win Victor's case by hook or crook." I sighed deeply and fixed my gaze on the laptop screen. My attention was drawn to my phone's buzzing sound. "Are you okay, Bella?" I heard James' anxious voice on the call. "Yeah, we are all right, but why did you sound so worried?" I asked him. "I watched the news on TV." After listening to him, I became aware of the impact this news had on my family. They had no idea what was going on here. "Don't worry about us, James; everything is OK." His worry is evident in the weight of his voice. "I feared we lost you both, Bella." I heard him sobbing. "It was part of my plan, James. I am well aware of Jordan Lucas' cruelty. That's why I have already moved out of that house. I don't want any of you to get into problems, so please don't contact me again." I cautioned him once more. "Bella, everyone is concerned about you and
Xavier~"What are you doing here, Bella?" I got up from my bed when I didn't find her in our bedroom. I looked for her in the kitchen but she's not there. Where has she gone on such a late night? I looked in the study room, the hall, the terrace, and the balcony, but she wasn't there. My worry increased about her even more when she did not receive her phone. She is so upset because of Jordan Lucas' case. He destroyed all the evidence of his crime, and the next court hearing is in one week. I am afraid that she didn't take any dangerous steps due to depression. "Xavier, why do you look so tense? Is everything okay?" She put her file inside and looked at me casually as if nothing had happened. Upon seeing her in the old file storage room, I felt a sense of relief. "What are you doing in this room?" I turned my face to look at that dirt-filled room with confusion. "Xavier, we were worried about the evidence, but we forgot that we had the hidden treasure in this house." She got up f
Isabella~"Bella, why are you so silent? You know I'm scared of your silence."Xavier stopped the car in front of our house and looked at me, concern evident in his eyes."I can't live in this house, Xavier. We have to find some other place to live," I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face him.His brows furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong with this house, Bella?""He will attack us at any time to remove us from his path. I don't want to take any risks." My heartbeat was still erratic from the near-fatal accident earlier. The image of the truck speeding toward us replayed in my mind like a nightmare.Xavier let out a frustrated sigh. "Sometimes I don't understand you, Bella. On one hand, you're so brave—boldly challenging Jordan Lucas, standing firm in court—and on the other, you're terrified of him?" He held my hand, searching my eyes for an answer.I tightened my grip on his fingers. "No, Xavier. I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of losing you." My voice cracked with emotion.
Xavier~"Bella, let's go." I held her hand and gestured for her to leave the courtroom."I will kill this man," she seethed, clenching her fist as she locked eyes with Andrew."Calm down. Avoid wasting your time on him." I held her wrist tightly, stopping her from following him."Xavier, you surprised me today. Why didn't you tell me about this proof before?" As we sat in the car, she arched a brow at me, suspicion flickering in her eyes."Bella, I didn't hide anything from you. I was also unaware of this evidence; it was a last-minute idea, and I'm pleased it succeeded." I shrugged my shoulders, watching her reaction."Xavier, what are you saying? How is this possible? I saw your confidence in the courtroom—no one could tell this was last-minute." Her eyes widened in disbelief."Mrs. Thompson, Andrew was the one who inspired me to provide this evidence." A small smirk played on my lips."Andrew? How?" She crossed her arms over her chest, demanding an explanation."My blood was boilin
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