LOGINISABELLE'S POV:I stood near the tall archway window overlooking the terrace, holding a glass of juice and watching the lovely scene unfold before me. Elara stepped over to join me, linking her arm comfortably through mine as we looked out at the guests."I am so glad to see you this peaceful," she mentioned softly. "It feels like just yesterday we were young girls playing outside at the family manor.""It really does feel like a long time ago," I agreed, taking a sip from my glass."It does, but look at us now," Elara said with a tender smile. "All settled, all happy, and surrounded by so much care."I turned to look at my cousin, feeling a deep sense of appreciation for our bond."Are you truly content with everything in your life?" I asked her gently. "With Alistair, the children, and your work?"Her smile broadened, filled with total sincerity."I am happier than I have ever been," she shared softly. "Alistair is an amazing partner, our kids bring so much joy into our days
ISABELLE'S POV:The celebration was held at Damon's estate, and the entire venue looked absolutely magnificent.It was a grand occasion, which was of joyful gathering that people would be speaking about for many weeks to come. The spacious residence was completely transformed for the evening.And the guests were wonderful. Every important person in our lives had arrived to share in our happiness.My grandparents were the very first to walk through the doors. August and Isabelle Valancourt looked so dignified and proud, their faces instantly lighting up with pure joy the moment they saw us. My grandmother wrapped her arms around me in a warm, long hug, her eyes glistening with happy tears. My grandfather walked over to Damon, shook his hand firmly, and told him with a wide smile that he was a truly fortunate man.Celestine and Lysander arrived right after them. My aunt and uncle, the solid leaders who had built the Ashcroft family standing through years of dedication, walked in
ISABELLE'S POV:I could not stop staring down at my left hand.The ring rested comfortably on my finger, catching the warm overhead light every time I shifted my wrist even a tiny bit. The clear stone sat in a simple, classic setting that looked completely timeless and elegant. It was beautiful, simple, and absolutely perfect in every single way.I was officially engaged. I was going to marry Damon Varek.He was the same sweet boy who had made a bold promise to marry me when we were only six years old in the yard. He was the man who had kept my well-being in his heart through every distance, every misunderstanding, and every year we spent apart. He had become my complete home and my whole world.I could genuinely say I had never felt this level of complete happiness in my entire life.The very first person I dialed was my mother.She picked up the line on the second chime, her voice carrying a hint of maternal worry right away. "Isabelle? Is everything alright over there? It i
DAMON'S POV: I did not give her an immediate answer. I simply held her hand gently and guided her toward the edge of the terrace where the railing offered a clear view of the city below. We stood together for a few moments in the quiet night, taking in the peaceful scene while the soft golden lights reflected in her eyes. "It is so beautiful," she murmured softly. "This is easily one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen." "It is not the most beautiful thing in my sight," I replied gently. She turned her head to look up at me, her brow furrowing slightly in playful confusion. "What do you mean?" I looked down at her face, taking in every detail. I looked at her soft hair falling loosely across her shoulders, her warm brown eyes filled with affection, and the sweet smile I had grown to love more than anything else in this world. "You are," I told her plainly. "You are the most wonderful sight in my life." A soft blush colored her cheeks. Even after all t
A Few Weeks Later…DAMON'S POV:The thought came to me in the middle of a peaceful night.I woke up around three in the morning, my pulse moving a bit fast, my mind completely clear, and the lingering traces of a quiet dream slowly fading away. I turned my head on the pillow, expecting to see Isabelle resting beside me. However, she was not in the room. She was over in her designated workspace down the hall, the room she had set up when she first stayed over, where she liked to gather her thoughts and work on her stories whenever inspiration struck.I lay there for a long time, looking up at the ceiling, thinking about everything we had been through together. I thought about the easy way she laughed when she was relaxed. I thought about the soft, gentle way she looked over at me when she thought I was busy with something else. I thought about the incredible courage she showed back at the cabin, standing her ground without hesitation to make sure I stayed safe.My mind kept going
MAXWELL'S POV:She sat up straight, giving me her full attention. "Who is the gentleman?""Damon Varek."She stared at me in surprise, her expression shifting through several thoughts at once as the name registered in her mind."The groundskeeper's son," she whispered, a small smile appearing on her lips. "The young boy who used to make her laugh so easily. The one who promised to take care of her when they grew up.""The very same man."She stayed quiet for a few moments, processing the news, before standing up and walking over to sit beside me. She reached out and took both of my hands in hers."We need to go visit him, Maxwell," she said softly.I looked at my wife, slightly surprised by her quick response. "You are not upset or concerned about this?""Concerned?" She offered a warm, comforting laugh that filled the quiet room. "Maxwell, we have watched our daughter spend years attending polite dinners with men who never truly understood her. We watched her smile politely,
KIER'S POV:I pour myself a drink and I sit in the dark and I wait for her to come back.She always comes back.But she does not come back.A week passes. Then another. The penthouse stays empty. My calls go straight to voicemail. My texts go unanswered. I send messages through her email, through s
She watched from the window as her father walked out to greet him.August Valancourt shook Lysander's hand with both of his, the way he did with people he truly respected, and he said something that made Lysander nod solemnly. Then her mother appeared, and Isabelle kissed Lysander on both cheeks, t
Celestine started cooking at three in the afternoon, flour on her hands, music playing low from her phone and the smell of tomatoes and garlic filling the whole penthouse.She made the sauce from scratch, the way her grandmother taught her when she was maybe ten years old. She rolled out the pasta
The first time Kier met Sable Morwenna was at a charity gala about six months after his father died.He was standing by the bar, looking miserable, drinking too much and wishing he could leave. And then this woman just appeared next to him, like she had materialized out of thin air."You look like







