Chapter 84Isla’s POVTen more minutes, the wall clock read. I had been so eager to go home to Dario but time seemed to work against me and the classes had dragged on painfully slow. The bell finally chimed signifying the end of the day's classes.I jumped out of my seat, packed up my books, shoved them into my bag and hurried out of the class into the hallway, where a sea of students like me hurried towards the exit. They could also not wait to leave for home. While I fumbled with the zipper, someone bumped into me, causing me to lose grip of my bag. I instantly dropped to the floor to pack up my stuff, so they do not get stampeded. That was when I noticed the pair on feet planted before me. I let my eyes travel up the slender legs until they rested on a familiar scowl. Crystal. Initially, I had thought this had been an accident. But seeing the person in front of me, I quickly did the maths. Crystal was an obnoxious, calculative manipulator. I had been here long enough to figur
Isla's POV The next day, as expected, had the pack house bustling with activities in preparation for the engagement. I rested on the staircase railings, quietly watching as the even planner ordered the maids, who scrambled around to get the work done. Everyone was so engrossed in their tasks that they had not realized I was standing there. I was unseen and treated like a shadow. Nobody noticed me, especially Dario, whom I had not seen in the last twelve hours. The fact that I had suddenly become invisible served as the perfect opportunity for me to leave. Whether I stayed or left, the engagement would still happen. No one needed me not sorted after my opinion. Moreover, what was the point of staying if it meant watching the man I loved get married to another? Walking back to my room, I locked the door behind me and picked out a tote bag to pack some of my belongings. I would make it simple to avoid raising suspicions. I checked my saving box, and thankfully, I had just the right am
Chapter 86 Isla’s POV Diana and I drove to the cemetery in silence. I felt overwhelmed with emotions as we arrived at the empty cemetery. Diane offered to accompany me to the grave site, but I preferred to go alone. I placed the bouquet of daises I had gotten earlier on my parents' graves. I could not help the surge of emotions that made me weep uncontrollably. I needed to vent, and that was exactly what I did. "Dario is engaged, mum. He is getting married," I said sadly. "Ever since you rejected him, he has not been able to move on. Even on to me, his mate. Why would he not accept me? Why would he not announce me? Why can we not be together? I do not accept this cruel fate. Why did bad things only happen to me?” Why did I still feel the stupid bond? The closest I have ever felt to love was when i got to know Diane. It should have been the times when Dario would kiss and hold me. But now, it felt like he had only taken me to be a naive and gullible plaything. I had honestly tho
Isla’s POVAs the first rays of dawn gently filtered through the curtains, the melodic strains of "Take the World" by Johnny Swim filled the room, coaxing me out of the depths of sleep. With a groggy yawn, I slowly opened my eyes, blinking away the remnants of dreams as I adjusted to the soft, dimly lit ambiance. Rolling out of bed, I stretched languidly before padding over to the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal the world outside just beginning to stir.With a sense of purpose settling over me, I made my way to the bathroom, the warm water of the shower beckoning like a siren's call. Thirty minutes slipped by in a blur of steam and soothing cascades, washing away the last remnants of sleep and leaving me feeling refreshed and invigorated.Emerging from the bathroom, I surveyed the array of clothing in my closet, fingers trailing over fabrics and colors as I pondered my choice for the day ahead. Settling on a knee-high pink satin dress paired with white gladiator boots, I f
Dario's POV.The moon provided a natural disco ball and lightening over the venue where the main event was to be held. Loud music signaled the start of the party as cars lined up on either side of the street, a cloying mix of hair products and strong aftershave tingled the air as I stepped out. Everyone wore a new dress or suit that would be discarded after the night. Greetings were offered along the gravel path, dainty fairy lights offered a surplus amount of color to the parade of footsteps. Brenda stood beside me through the night, not letting me go. "Congratulations alpha on your engagement" someone chimed behind me. "You must be a happy man."Someone else said. Yeah. I have that written all over my face. "Of course, I am.""Dario, you had better suck up and put on a smile." Brenda warned, our arms hooked together. What else did she want after forcing me into this goddamned charade of an engagement? I wondered as I looked down at her. That was when I noticed the dark roots tha
Chapter 89Dario's POVDid she really leave? Or was I overthinking it? She may have only gone out to get some air, the party was indeed suffocating. But if that was so, I would still pick up her scent. My speculation was that it must have been hours since she exited the premises. With a deep breath, I tried to calm myself down. Panicking would not help. I needed to think clearly and act fast. Determined to find Isla, I made my way downstairs, where the festivities were still in full swing. Among the sea of guests, I spotted Diane, Isla's cousin and closest friend. She was chatting animatedly with a group of people, her infectious laughter filling the room. Isla and Diane were close, and that led me to think Diane must know something about the whereabouts of her cousin. I approached Diane with urgency, myheart pounding in my chest. "Diane," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Have you seen Isla?"Diane turned to me, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Isla? No, I have not seen her
Isla's POV The sounds of honking cars and bustling crowds caught my ears as I exited the taxi. The city was alive, and as I gazed out over the city skyline, I couldn't help but marvel at the skyscrapers that seemed to stretch into the clouds. “It is beautiful,” Nima commented, and I smiled widely. Indeed it was, and I couldn’t wait to enjoy my time here. I kept walking farther, absorbing the city's landmarks. As I walked through the city park, I could hear the distant sounds of traffic and the chatter of people in the nearby cafes. My eyes landed on a path that seemed quite familiar. I walked down that lane, and I was directed to a garden that I hadn’t seen in years. I found a corner to sit in, and it was quite quiet until Nima spoke up. “Maybe we should stay here forever and never return.” Nima’s voice bore into my mind. I laughed. “Sounds like an offer I would love to partake in,” “Nice.” Nima said, “It would be good, and you would be able to forget about Dario.” “Like it wa
Isla’s POV “Aren’t you dead?”The manager’s words hit me like bricks. I couldn’t believe he thought that I was dead. Probably, that was what was going around the city after my father’s death; that I was wiped off along with him.I sighed, and then I took one good look at Jarek—who looked like he had seen a ghost. I saw him blink twice, digging his fingertips into his arm. He was quiet, and the only thing that could be heard was the sound of his heavy breathing, which could be heard even with the loud music.“How are you here?” He asked. “It’s impossible!”There was something suspicious about Jarek’s behavior. I knew that he thought I was dead, but then a part of me felt as though he wished I was dead. Just seeing him turn white had made me curious. Then it hit me: Jarek had handled the company after my dad’s passing, and since he assumed I was dead. He did what he wanted with it. Now that I had returned, it meant I would take everything from him.‘This bastard!’ I growled inwardly, a