ISABELLA'S POV I lingered at the threshold of the grand ballroom, my hands anxiously worrying a fold in the silk fabric of my dress. Periodically, guests mingled and chatted below the glittering grandeur above. The senator's son's mother had given her handsome son away and now she was pulling certain guests up onto the stage to share in a special dance with them. My heart sank when my name was called with Maxwell. I kind of expected it, I am his wife, and he is one of the VIPs of the event.A wave of self-consciousness washed over me. It was an exclusive wedding and the elites of high society had turned up for it in droves. Maxwell grasped my arm in a hand whose tremble went unnoticed on his usually composed features. Guess I wasn't the only one who was rattled.“Relax,” Maxwell said, irritated. "We’ll get this over with.”As we stepped onto the stage, I tried my best to smile. Maxwell was not touted for his smooth charm or soothing demeanor, and I kinda doubted he ever danced in thi
ISABELLA'S POV “Time to go, Keiran.” Maxwell said, obviously irritated.Keiran raised hand up in surrender, backing away with a strange grin.Hm.The music played on, and I forced a smile, lightly resting my hand on the table. My stomach had started churning minutes ago, but I kept brushing it off. I thought it was just nerves or maybe the champagne. The lights in the room seemed a bit too bright, and the air too thick, making it harder for me to focus.Maxwell must have noticed my discomfort , because he leaned in, his voice low as he spoke, “You’re quiet tonight. Everything okay?”I blinked, trying to steady my breathing. I couldn’t admit that I felt off. Not here, not now, and definitely not in front of him. “I’m fine,” I replied, trying my best to smile. But as the processions with the wedding continued, the sensation became harder to ignore. What did I eat? What was going on? My stomach twisted sharply, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself composed.I couldn’t shake it a
MAXWELL'S POV My eyes followed Hannah's form as she dashed off. I flicked my gaze back to Kieran, who was standing with his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit. The tension between us was thick, even if no one around us noticed.The steady thrum of music in the background filled the silence. I furrowed my brow slightly, shifting my focus towards him.“So,” Kieran began, his tone a little light. I glared at him. “That went well. Couldn’t keep her out there any longer, huh?”My smirk didn’t reach my eyes. “You think this is funny, Kieran?” My voice was low, controlled. “I don’t have time for jokes. You know that.”Kieran shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not laughing, am I? Just making an observation. That’s what I’m here for, right? Observing… and digging. It doesn't help that you stood me up the other time.” He let the words hang in the air for a moment, gauging my reaction.I clenched my jaw. “ You're still gonna get that match.” And I'll fucking break your teeth.
MAXWELL'S POV One thing Maxwell didn't want was to deal with a drunk Hannah. Yet, here she was, in the passenger seat, singing along to a song that wasn’t even playing.He sighed, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Her cheeks were flushed, and her usually pristine hair was slightly tousled. She leaned her head back, eyes closed, a content smile on her lips.“Maxwell,” she murmured, her voice dreamy and slurred, “do you ever think about what it would be like… to just let go?”Maxwell’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Let go of what, Hannah?”She turned her head to look at him, her expression serious in that exaggerated way only someone intoxicated could manage. “Let go of all the rules. You’re always so… controlled. It’s like you’re afraid to have any fun.”He gave a noncommittal grunt, trying to focus on the road. “Someone has to be in control.”She giggled, a sound that was both charming and dangerous. “But not tonight. Tonight, you should let go… just a little.”
ARTHUR POVThings didn't go as we planned.We waited in the darkness of the garden, watching the taillights of Maxwell and Hannah’s car fade into the distance. Or as I'd like to call her, Isabella.I found it funny how that woman was able to fool Maxwell. Then again, he wasn't as observant as I thought.My muscles tensed, and adrenaline had begun to flow freely in my veins. Why was I feeling like this? I had done numerous heists before, so what the hell? It felt like everything hinged on this moment.A part of me also felt that tonight wasn't gonna go so well.“Let’s go.” Korra whispered, staring at the house with a weird expression.We moved quickly, slipping through the back door and into the kitchen. I must say, this is a very nice place. She led the way, moving like she basically owner the place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a lot she probably knew, and wasn't saying.For the fact that she just decided to help me…No.That was something I'd deal with later.We reach
ISABELLA'S POV My head pounded so hard, as if someone was beating a drum inside. I could still feel the alcohol in my system, and it took all my willpower not to throw up. I groaned, burying my face in the pillows. The light that threatened me through the cracks of the curtains we're not relentless. I sniffed the pillowcase, relishing it's softness. I froze, this didn't smell like my pillow…where is all the lavender?“Oh, God.” Realization smacked me in the face.Fragments of last night pieced themselves together in my brain, and I almost died from mortification.I had tried to seduce Maxwell.Something I could never think of even trying to do in my sober state.It didn't help that each thought sent splinters of pain through my brain. I couldn't remember the last time I was hungover. I could almost hear Maxwell’s deep voice, cutting through the haze of my half-dreams.As if on cue, the door swung open.I stilled my breath, not daring to turn around. I closed my eyes, trying to stay a
MAXWELL'S POV As soon as Hannah left the room, I turned back to my laptop, which was underneath the newspapers. I tossed them aside.Who still reads newspapers?I had tried the daunting task of going through the wedding's camera footage, but I couldn't find anyone who could match the description of “Arthur”.I sighed, groaning.As if he could see through the screen, my phone buzzed with Keiran's message.“How many rounds did you two have? Why are you still in bed?” His text read.Such an asshole.“Get a life, Keiran.” I texted back.“I got one of the best lives any hot 24 year old could ask for. What do you mean man?”I sighed.“I'll be at your house in an hour.”Arsehole.I drove through the spiralling roads that led to Kieran’s secluded estate, contemplating if I could puff a cigarette here or wait until I got to his house. He always had good cigars, and with my status, smoking anywhere was not a good idea. The evening sun cast long shadows across the dense forest that surrounded
ISABELLA'S POV I glanced at my reflection in the hallway mirror and buttoned up my coat. My fingers trembled slightly. It wasn't the alcohol that refused to leave my system, or Maxwell's constant teasing that reminded me of my misbehavior last night. There was a chill feeling deep inside of my bones that no amount of clothing could banish. I felt like it was because I was about to meet Hannah. Her visits never proved good.Why had I agreed to this again? The memory felt murky now, a blur of whispered promises and unspoken threats. The cold air hit my face, stinging my cheeks. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and walked to her car.The drive was a short one, but it felt like an eternity. Her mind raced, replaying all the things she’d learned in the past few days. Maxwell was not the man he pretended to be—she had always known that—but his secrets ran deeper than she’d ever imagined. And Hannah… well, Hannah was another story altogether. What kind of woman asks someone to i