ANMELDENIsabella The applause was deafening, a roar of approval from the city's elite that felt like a physical weight pressing against my chest. But beneath the clapping, the whispers started—vicious, sharp, and spreading like wildfire through the ballroom."Wait, I thought he just introduced her as his wife?" one woman hissed just a few feet away, her eyes darting between me and the stage."Probably just a publicity stunt to keep the ex-wife quiet," a man replied with a cruel chuckle. "Look at her. She looks like she’s about to faint. Talk about a public humiliation."I stood rooted to the spot, my face a mask of frozen composure while my world crumbled. Gabriel’s gaze remained locked on mine, but there was a terrifying void in his eyes—a hollow, emotionless stare that I couldn't read. He didn't move. He didn't protest. He just stood there as the "Prince of the Empire," accepting the sentence his father had just passed.Lucas stepped back, gesturing for Emily to take the microphone. She fl
Isabella The air behind the velvet curtain felt stifling, the distant sound of the orchestra's upbeat tempo clashing violently with the panic rising in my chest. Mia was pacing in a tight circle, her face flushed with a mixture of shock and pure rage. I had just finished whispering the rest of it—the missing funds, the 40% loss, the USB drive, and the way Lucas was using Gabriel’s own future as leverage."That absolute bastard!" Mia hissed, her hands clenched into fists. "Isabella, you can't just stand here and let this happen! He’s literally selling Gab to that obsessed bitch Emily just to cover his own tracks. You have to fight! You have the files, you have the truth—protect him!""It’s not that simple, Mia!" I snapped back, my voice trembling. "I’m not afraid of Lucas. I don’t care if he buries my company or turns me into a pariah. I can live with that. But Gabriel..."I looked through a gap in the curtains, watching Gabriel. He was standing tall, looking every bit the prince of t
Isabella "Isabella," he said, his voice a smooth, dangerous rasp. "I was wondering when you’d stop hiding behind my son and come find me. You look... radiant tonight. Though I imagine that dress was quite expensive. I hope my son’s newfound generosity isn't becoming a habit."I walked forward until I was standing just a few feet away from him, the cool night air hitting my face. "Gabriel’s generosity is the least of your concerns tonight, Lucas. I heard there’s an announcement. A 'double celebration'?"Lucas chuckled, a dry, hollow sound. "News travels fast in this room. Yes, tonight is a turning point. For the company, for Gabriel... and for the entire Thorne legacy.""Is that what you call it?" I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a sharp whisper. "A turning point? Or is it an exit strategy? I know what you're doing, Lucas. I know about the losses, and I know exactly what you’ve been hiding behind my infrastructure project."The smile on Lucas’s face didn't falter, but his eyes t
Isabella The Thorne estate was transformed into a sea of flashing lights and shimmering glass. As Gabriel pulled the car into the circular driveway, the sheer scale of the event became clear. Dozens of luxury cars lined the entrance, and the red carpet was swarming with media crews, high-end CEOs, and business owners whose names dominated the financial news. The air hummed with the sound of camera shutters and the low murmur of the city's elite.Just as we stepped out, Elias’s car pulled up right behind us. He stepped out and offered a hand to Mia, who looked like she was born for the spotlight, radiating confidence.The four of us moved toward the entrance together. The moment Gabriel stepped onto the carpet with me on his arm, a hush seemed to ripple through the crowd, followed by a frantic wave of camera flashes. The sight of Gabriel Thorne—the heir of the Thorne empire—coming in with me was clearly the headline they had all been waiting for."Stay close," Gabriel whispered, his h
Isabella The morning light of the gala felt different—heavy, with a silent urgency that made every tick of the clock feel like a countdown. As I watched the emerald gown hanging by the window, I felt a sharp chill that had nothing to do with the morning breeze."Isabella! Are you even listening? I said we need the extra-hold hairspray!" Mia’s voice cut through my thoughts. She was at the vanity, wrestling with a stubborn curl while looking radiant in her own right.I forced a smile, pulling myself back to the room. "Sorry, Mia. Just pre-gala jitters."Right on cue, my phone vibrated. A text from Gabriel.I’ll be there in an hour. Be ready to be the most beautiful woman in that ballroom. I can’t wait to see you."Ooh! Is that the birthday boy?" Mia teased, leaning over to catch a glimpse of the screen. "One hour, girl! We better move before that man's heart stops when he sees you at the door.""Relax, Mia. We're almost done," I laughed, starting on my makeup. "But speaking of... Elias
IsabellaThe city lights below seemed to blur as the kiss deepened, the sweetness of the birthday greeting shifting into something hungrier and more desperate. Gabriel’s hand moved from my waist to the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me closer, his breath hitching against my lips. He broke the kiss just for a second, his forehead resting against mine, his chest heaving."Isabella," he groaned, a low, rough sound that vibrated through me. "If we don’t stop now...""Don't stop," I whispered, my hands sliding up his chest to grip the lapels of his jacket. I needed this. I needed to feel him, to know that despite the lies Lucas had spun, this—the heat between us—was real.He didn't need another word. Gabriel moved with a sudden, fluid urgency, guiding me off the hood and opening the back door of the car. The leather was cool against my skin as he ushered me inside, but the temperature in the cramped space rose instantly as he followed me in, the door clicking
Isabella We don’t know how long we stay like that.At some point, the crying stops.Not because the pain disappears—but because we’ve both run out of tears.Gabriel pulls back first.Slowly.Carefully.Like he’s afraid any sudden movement will shatter whatever fragile peace settled between us.He
Isabella By the time I get home, the silence feels heavier than the conversation.I don’t remember the drive.I don’t remember walking past Mia’s door.I only remember closing mine.The click of the lock sounds louder than it should.I lean my back against the door and slide down slowly until I’m
Isabella I watch the words land on him.Your family got exactly what they wanted.I lost everything.Gabriel doesn’t defend himself immediately. He doesn’t reach for me. He just stands there like a man who finally understands the shape of the wound.“I didn’t know they moved on the vineyard that f
Isabella I didn’t answer him right away.I just looked at him.The quiet desperation in his eyes made something twist inside my chest, and I hated that it still had that effect on me. I hated that even now, after everything, I could still see the man I loved underneath the mistakes.My fingers tig







