After being drugged, Isabella wakes up in strange bed with a man—Dominic Russo, a wealthy and notorious billionaire. Shocked and ashamed, she discovers she’s been betrayed by her step-sisters, and the fact that she slept with a man who’s already engaged to be married to someone made her feel ashamed even more. Returning home, she faces her family’s harsh judgement. Feeling unloved and unwelcome, Isabella decides to leave her family behind. With no clear plan and a broken heart, she steps into an uncertain future, determined to rebuild her own life and find her own path to happiness. But it seems the world is playing tricks on her, because a few days after tirelessly looking for a job, she finally landed on one, but coincidentally it is being the assistant to the man who she least expected to ever see again. Dominic. With fate playing its games, and Dominic’s persistence of not letting her go, will she ever break free from his world, or will she be forced to play her role as the other woman in his life?
View MoreThe sun was dipping lower, casting golden hues over the clearing when Hayden finally found us. I was mid-sentence, trying to explain something to Blake when Lianna spoke again, her voice insistent.“Will you really not be joining us? I’m sure Cassian will be happy if Blake is there.” she said, smiling while looking at our sons playing. “It’s just close friends, and I’m quite sure that Dominic won’t show up. He always come with us but always skips the celebration.” Before I could respond, Hayden’s voice cut through the air. “What celebration?”I turned to see him walking toward us, his sharp gaze flickering between Lianna and me. His presence shifted the energy between us, making the atmosphere a little tenser. Lianna’s expression wavered briefly before she regained her composure.Hayden upon getting closer, chuckled, as his gaze flickered to Lianna, who stood a little straighter. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”Lianna’s expression remai
After weeks of endless meetings, Hayden and I decided it was time to take a break. A real one. And I for one believe that we deserve this!The resort we chose was nestled on a secluded island, surrounded by nothing but the endless blue ocean and swaying palm trees. It was a place meant for relaxation, far away from the bustling city and its unrelenting chaos. And for the first time in a while, I could finally breathe.Sigh. This is the life.Blake, of course, was beyond excited. He practically bounced in his seat on the flight over, barely able to contain his excitement. And to make the trip even better, we had invited Aiden and Asher to join us. The moment we arrived, we were greeted with refreshing drinks and a warm island breeze. The resort was breathtaking—white sandy beaches stretched endlessly, crystal-clear waters lapped gently at the shore, and the villas were perched perfectly to give us a full view of the horizon. It was exactly what we
The morning started earlier than usual. I walked into my office. Hayden had reassured me that I’d do fine, that I just needed time to adjust, but time wasn’t something I had the luxury of wasting. The company was in a fragile state, and I needed to prove—both to myself and everyone else—that I was more than just my father’s daughter.If I won’t be able to show my worth, then everyone would turn against me. So I have one goal in my mind right now, and that is to gain everybody’s respect. As I settled behind my desk, flipping through documents, my door swung open. I sighed, already anticipating an interruption.“What is it?” I asked, not looking up. “You seem stressed,” a familiar deep voice greeted, laced with amusement.I tilted my head up to see Dominic standing there. He was dressed impeccably as always, a dark suit fitted to perfection, his piercing gaze locked on me as if I were some puzzle he was determined to solve.“What
Dinner at home was always something I always looked forward to, especially now that we were back in the country. Despite the uncertainty that loomed over our return, sitting at the table with Hayden and Blake made me feel happy, even if it is just for a while.Blake, as usual, was the liveliest at the table, swinging his legs back and forth on his booster seat while poking at his food with fascination. “Mama,” he said, looking up at me with those big, inquisitive eyes. “Why does uncle always look at you like that?”I blinked, glancing at Hayden, who raised an amused brow. “And how exactly does he look at me, honey?”Blake pursed his lips and squinted his eyes dramatically. “Like this!” He tilted his head slightly, furrowed his brows, and puffed his cheeks, trying to mimic Hayden’s usual expression when he gazed at me.Hayden let out a soft chuckle, reaching over to ruffle Blake’s hair. “Is that so? And what do you think that look means, buddy?”
[THIRD PERSON POV] The boardroom was filled with an air of tension so thick it was suffocating. Isabella sat at the head of the long mahogany table, her back straight, her expression unreadable. Hayden sat beside her, his presence a silent show of support. “This is ridiculous,” Gerald scoffed. “We all know she’s unfit to lead. She left the country for two years, abandoned her responsibilities, and now she expects to just waltz back in and take control?” He laughed bitterly. “What kind of company allows such recklessness?” Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, but before Isabella could respond, Dominic spoke, his voice calm yet laced with an authoritative edge. “I believe the real question is whether she has the capability to lead, not whether she took time away for personal reasons.” Dominic’s sharp gaze met Theordore’s, a silent warning behind his words. “And from what I’ve seen, Isabella has potential to surpass even her father, and mostly you, Theodore.” Hayden nodded.
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The moment Hayden and I stepped inside my father’s company, I could feel the weight of judgment pressing down on me. The disapproving stares, the hushed whispers, and the way uncle sat at the head of the table with an air of self-importance made my blood boil. My father had entrusted me with this company, and yet, here they were, treating me like an incompetent outsider. “Finally, you decided to show up," my uncle, Theodore,, sneered as he leaned back in his chair. His sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe as if I were some impostor daring to enter sacred grounds. "I suppose you've had your fill of playing house and decided to actually take responsibility.” Hayden’s fingers tightened around mine. I had been expecting this. "What are you implying, Uncle?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral, though my insides burned. "What I’m implying, my dear niece, is that you have been absent from the company for two years, yet you waltz back in and
The next day, I decided to meet up with my friends. It had been years since I last saw them, and after everything that happened yesterday, I needed to be around people who made me feel safe, just to get over this scary feeling I’m having. Hayden encouraged me to go, offering to watch over Blake for the day, but I insisted on bringing him along. My friends had never met him before, and deep down, I wanted them to see the little piece of my life that had kept me going these past years. We agreed to meet at a cozy café downtown, the one we used to frequent during our university days. As I stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The warm scent of coffee, the low hum of conversation, the familiar laughter that once filled my days. It’s funny, really. I’ve only been in college with them for almost two months yet I feel closer to them as if I’ve known them my whole life. It’s not like I didn’t make friends on my school before going to their school, but the kind of friends I made th
The moment we stepped off the plane and breathed in the fresh air once again, a mixture of emotions surged through me. Nostalgia, fear, and anticipation were all tangled up in my chest, making it hard to focus. The last time I was here, I left behind a life that I thought I could never return to. And now, two years later, I was back—with my son. Blake held tightly onto my hand, his big, curious eyes scanning the bustling airport. "Mama, it's so big!" he gasped, his small fingers gripping me tighter. I smiled down at him, ruffling his soft brown hair. "It is, honey. It's where I grew up." Hayden walked beside us, pushing our luggage cart. "You two okay?" he asked, glancing between me and Blake. I nodded, though my fingers trembled slightly. "Yeah. It just... it feels surreal." I red, my ice fading as I travelled my eyes around. Hayden placed a reassuring hand on my back. "We’ll take it slow. There’s no rush." I smiled at him, nodding. My phone vibrated, and my friends, not to m
In a blink of an eye. Two years have already passed after we left the country and settled in a small town where Hayden’s mother grew up.Hayden had to do his job at home since he doesn’t want to leave us alone. However, there are occasional trips where he had to go back for some important meetings and negotiations. You might think I left on impulse, but no. We didn’t leave immediately that night. I stayed home, and fulfilled my promise not my father to take care of him till the end. Thankfully he passed away without experiencing any pain. One night, while he was sleeping, he didn’t wake up. All that’s left was a letter in his nightstand. It seems he had already prepared everything. It’s as if he knew what was going to happen that night. He was clutching a frame in his chest that showed an image of him and my mom when they were younger. He had on a bright smile, and she was looking at him with so much affection. When I stumbled into his room, I could only silently cry, but the pai
In a dimly lit room, a woman's breath was resonating so loudly as she panted for air, seemingly uncomfortable as she arched her back, clawing at the sheets beneath her body, her face and neck red, completely intoxicated, her eyes looking left and right as if searching for something. The door suddenly creaked open, allowing the light from outside to enter. Isabella saw this and her eyes darted in the direction of the door. She saw a figure coming in and her body trembled even more. “What do we have here,” A dark voice penetrates her ears and for some reason, the heaviness she felt in her body subsided upon hearing the man's dark yet alluring voice. “Tsk! It seems Alfred is taking my joke too seriously, actually bringing a woman into my room,” Isabella can feel the mattress shift down as the man sat beside her. The man reeked of alcohol, probably drunk. In the dark, she could see his faint appearance. The light of the moon perfectly casted on the man's face. “Did you purp...
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