Novel-novel oleh graceamarachi5564

Isabella’s POVFor a second, I thought I’d read it wrong.My eyes moved over the words again, slower this time, as if they might somehow change into something else if I looked hard enough. But the bold black letters stayed exactly the same.HIV Test Consent Form.A strange heat crept up my neck as my fingers tightened around the papers. Slowly, I lifted my head.Damien didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable.He sat behind his desk with one arm resting against the leather chair, calm and unreadable, watching me like my reaction was exactly what he’d expected.“You want me to take an HIV test?” I asked quietly.“Yes,” he said. “And not only that.”My stomach tightened.Not only that?I looked back down at the file, suddenly aware that I’d only read the first page. My fingers hesitated before flipping to the next one. Then to the next. And the next.Every page listed another test. HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia.By the time I reached the bottom of the stack, my chest fel

Isabella's POV I stepped into the hallway and stopped.For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the long stretch of polished floors and cream-colored walls, unsure which direction to go. The house was so large that every corridor seemed to lead somewhere important, and I had no idea where Damien’s office was.The soft click of approaching heels pulled me from my thoughts.Angela appeared from around the corner, carrying a folded blanket in her arms.“Oh Angela,” I said, offering her a small smile. “Sorry. Could you please show me where Damien’s office is?”The moment his name left my mouth, her brows lifted. Not dramatically, but enough for me to notice. I cleared my throat and hurried to correct myself.“I mean… Mr. Blackwood’s office.”A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, like she was trying very hard not to laugh.“Of course,” she said. “Go straight down the hall, turn left, and the first door you see will be his office.”“Thank you.”“You’re welcome.”I continued down

Isabella's POV Immediately he left, the atmosphere shifted.The warmth from moments ago disappeared, replaced with something tense… almost suffocating like the room itself was holding its breath.I looked down at the little girl standing beside me, her tiny fingers still wrapped around mine like she was afraid to let go.“Come on, Mia, it’s time for bed,” Angela said gently from behind the counter.I glanced up at her, and she gave me a soft, knowing nod that said more than words ever could, like she had expected something like this to happen. Just as I was about to turn away, Mia tugged lightly on my hand.“Auntie… please, can you help me get ready for bed?”Her voice was soft, almost careful, like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to ask.I froze for a second. Looking into her innocent eyes, wide and hopeful… how was I supposed to say no?I let out a small breath and crouched down in front of her, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.“Mia, Daddy wants to speak with me,

Isabella's POV My heart flipped hard against my ribs because standing right there… was him, Damien Sinclair. For a moment, my brain refused to catch up with what my eyes were seeing. He looked even more intimidating up close, taller than I remembered, his presence filling the doorway like he owned not just the house, but the air itself. His gaze moved over me slowly, measuring, unreadable, like he was filing me away. “Settling in well?” he asked, his voice calm, but edged with something I still couldn’t name.I swallowed, forcing myself to stand a little straighter. “Yes… sir.”His eyes flickered slightly at that. “You don’t have to call me that.”I almost laughed. Right… like I’d call him anything else.“Okay,” I said carefully, even though I had no intention of suddenly becoming comfortable around him. The silence that followed settled thick and heavy between us. “I came to check if everything is to your liking,” he continued, glancing past me into the room. “Mia tends to get at

When they finally led me to my room, I stopped, completely still, like my body forgot how to move. For a second, I genuinely thought there had been some kind of mistake, like this couldn’t possibly be meant for me. Because this room… it was breathtaking. Soft golden light spilled from a chandelier overhead, warm and deliberate, settling into every corner of the room.The walls were dressed in creamy ivory, smooth and flawless with delicate paneling that made everything feel like a page torn straight out of a luxury magazine. At the center sat a king-sized bed…no, not a bed, a cloud pretending to be one.Pillows were stacked in perfect layers and the duvet, too pristine,like I didn’t belong anywhere near it. A thick rug softened my steps as I moved further in. To my right stood a full-length mirror framed in polished silver, tall enough to reflect everything. Beside it sat a glass-top dressing table with a cushioned chair that looked far too elegant to be used. A vase of fresh flowers

Isabella's POV “Hey… don’t be like that,” I cooed, scooting closer until our shoulders brushed.“I’m not moving to the other side of the world,” I said, slipping my hands into hers.“Why are you acting like I am? I’m literally just a phone call away whenever you need me.”She didn’t say anything, just forced a smile and I saw right through it. It hurt more than I expected, seeing her like that. She’s been there for me since the day we met, and the last thing I wanted was for this change to put even the slightest strain on us. She’s more than my best friend, she's my sister in every way that matters.“Promise?” she asked, lifting her pinky toward me. I hooked mine around hers. “Promise.”The word caught in my throat, but I forced it out anyway.She reached out and wrapped her hands around me, I hugged her back with a smile.“I love you, bess,” I whispered against her shoulder.“I love you more,” she murmured.We stayed like that a moment longer until my stomach betrayed me with a lou