MasukISABELLE’S POV. FIVE YEARS LATER“Ariaaaaaa!” I yelled, my fingers pressed hard against my temples as Aria yanked the dining tablecloth down.Plates and dishes came crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.She stood there, hazel eyes bright and wide, staring back at me like she couldn’t understand what she had just done.I moved toward her, but she turned and ran around the table, her little feet pattering across the tiles, stepping over broken pieces as if nothing happened.“Oh goodness,” I heard the chef mutter behind me as I chased after her.Aria darted into the living room. I followed quickly, but even with my longer legs, I could barely keep up. She was so small, yet full of energy—too much like her father.I stopped abruptly as she bumped into Anthony, nearly knocking into Alexander as she pushed past them.“Aria, come back here and apologize!” I shouted.But she only giggled, running toward the stairs like it was a game.“Mum, Aria hurt me again,” Alexander complained, frow
ADRIAN’S POV.One month later.I fixed my tie, my hands clenched into fists as I glared at the two traitors. I really wish Isabelle were here to watch these bastards get the lesson of their lives.But she needed rest. She was always overthinking, getting dizzy, and her blood pressure spiked all the time. My jaw tightened harder at the thought—these two fuckers were the reason she was in that condition.The courtroom was silent in a way that felt heavy, almost suffocating—for them, not for me. For me, it was satisfying. Too satisfying to watch the dead look on their faces.Helena stood in the dock, hands clenched in front of her. Beside her, Daniel stared forward blankly, jaw tight, refusing to look at anyone.The judge adjusted his glasses and looked down at the file in front of him.“This court has heard extensive evidence regarding the actions of the accused,” the judge began. My gaze stayed fixed on him.He paused, letting the silence stretch.“Helena Blake and Daniel Reed have bee
ISABELLE’S POV.I opened my mouth to speak, but stopped as the tension in the air shifted. She stepped closer again, leaning her face toward mine.“I had to kill your miserable mother to take her out of the picture,” she sneered.My jaw dropped, my eyes widening slightly as my gaze hardened into a glare. “How dare you, Helen?!” I screamed, trying to lunge at her, but the ropes around my wrists pulled me back, cutting my movement short.She flinched, stepping back in fear, and Jack came up behind me, pressing his hands hard on my shoulders. His grip dug into my skin, holding me in place. My chest rose and fell sharply with rage as I stared at her, like I was trying to burn through her with my eyes.Then a sob broke out of me.I couldn’t hold it in.“Why… why would you do that to her?!” I stuttered, my voice cracking through my tears.“Oh, please. Stop with those crocodile tears,” Helen smirked, looking down at me.My chest felt like it was being crushed. “She did nothing to you, Helen…
ISABELLE’S POV.I came down from the taxi. My legs felt too weak, and I still felt sore from the operation, but I took a deep breath, my eyes darting over the deserted area. I looked at the grey building Helena had described, pushing my legs forward into it.I didn’t give myself a second chance to think about the decision I just made. I just knew I would do everything possible to protect my kids.I paused in front of the door that looked dusty.I wondered how long it had been abandoned. I knocked twice, but there was no response.I huffed out a frustrated breath, thinking maybe Helena had played me. She was very smart.My thoughts cut off as I heard a loud thud from inside the building. I exhaled sharply and pushed the door open.A dry cough escaped my throat because of the amount of dust inside.It was dimly lit, with only a lantern providing light in the room. My breath caught as I saw a shadow pass behind me.I snapped my head back.“Helena?!” I muttered, rubbing my stomach as my l
ADRIAN’S POV.“He’s in the waiting room,” Steve said as he spotted me.I nodded my head, but my legs refused to move. I had promised Isabelle I would get these fuckers and every betrayal out of our lives and our children’s lives.But shit, it feels like a horrible dream—having to show that stupid ex-friend how bad my rage and anger can be. He did all those shits to me, and I took him like a brother.“How is Isabelle?!” Steve asked, cutting through my thoughts.“Fine. I have Mira, her friend, with her.” I replied, my eyes still locked on the direction I was supposed to move, but my legs felt frozen against the floor. I had assigned my best security member to the ICU with my kids. I had the hospital arrange a private ICU for them, where their long-time and most trusted nurses would attend to my children.Hell, I still can’t believe Daniel would go to these lengths just to see me down. But jokes on him—I’m Adrian Blake, and I can never be brought down by anybody.He fooled me. I would ap
ISABELLE’S POVAfter a few hours, the nurses came to change my drip, and one of them was removing the IV from my wrist. I still hadn’t seen Adrian since he left, and I also hadn’t seen my children yet.The nurses said I was still too weak to move around the hospital, and they were right. I felt dizzy and weak against the bed, but that didn’t stop my thoughts from drifting back to my children and Adrian.I worried deeply about them.I wondered how long it would take Helena to strike again… and what if she actually harmed one of my children this time?My chest twisted painfully at the thought. I shook my head immediately.No.I won’t allow that to happen. Not even a single hair on their heads would be touched.The door suddenly creaked open.Both the nurse and I turned toward it, but all my thoughts disappeared the moment I spotted Mira’s head peeking into the room, her eyes lighting up as they locked with mine.“Oh my God, Isabelle.” She exclaimed, walking fully into the room and shutt







