ISABELLA’S POVI dragged in a deep breath as my fingers trembled coldly. I was sitting in one of the offices that the red haired secretary had directed me to, just two days after i got to Florida. My heart couldn't stop beating so fast as I awaited them to get here. I meant the CEO of DeluxeArts, said to be in a meeting. I was dressed in a wine-colored cooperate gown that stopped a little above my knees, paired with a white heel and bag. Mireille picked them out. I took in the sight of the office as the large glass windows flooded the room with light, while overlooking the buzzing street. The office was separated by glass walls that made her feel almost seen and each calling painted in matte black. In front of land laid a sophisticated piece of wooden furniture with a monitor and keyboard on it. There were books, and paintings hanging and neatly arranged on the shelves. Everywhere smelt so intoxicating.The glass door pushed open and I watched a middle aged man walk into the room, dr
ISABELLA’S POVBeing back in Alabama sent my nerves on a spiral mode. Not much has changed, except a little bit of color upgrading from most buildings. Mireille had tried talking me out of coming but I couldn’t bring myself to turn down the company, later she had begged to come along and protect me, but I wasn’t selfish enough to let her when I knew how much it would affect her work. However, the company had prepared a hotel room for me and a car. But I still had heavy eyes that ached terribly from the lack of sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about how Alaric was just an hour drive from the hotel. Standing in the hall as I watched the hired staffs carry out their duties made me feel a little at ease. This was the biggest art auction I was holding with prominent people coming to watch and my heart swelled with immense pride. I did it. I had a name for myself. Built a life for myself. A smile caressed my lips and I dragged in the flowery scent that flooded the air. As much as I
ALARIC’S POVIt was a shock when I returned from my work trip from Columbus and found the house empty. There was no sign of her or her things. Even after pacing the house and calling her number, I still couldn’t reach her. At first, some of me believed she was playing hard to get. She wanted me to chase her and give her the attention she sought, but I couldn’t. I had told her from the very start that I would never learn to love her if she took my father’s offer to wed me to protect the family’s reputation. Growing up, I despised being seen as a tool, just a means to keep something together or in place, just like my parents did. Father was only with Mother cause she had me. After all, his family cared too much about reputations, and they would risk anything to keep the Wolfe’s name untainted. I never saw Isabella as desperate until she agreed to their offer without caring about how I felt or what I thought was right.It was funny how the nerdy girl who made my heart flutter with her b
ISABELLA’S POVI let the door shut behind me before I gave in and cradled my legs, sobbing softly. I was safe in the office, away from him and their glaring eyes and from his hold, memories, and irresistible smell. As pain exploded through my chest, my eyes caught the small frame sitting on my table, the scan of my baby, and a scream pierced my throat while I clutched onto my stomach. Even though it had been months, I still couldn’t forget about Bloom, a name I had always wanted to give her. Or him. I was a bad mother. I was unworthy to be called one. I was at fault for not choosing my child first and not leaving when I could. I apologize for not heading elsewhere after I got the pregnancy news. Then maybe, just maybe, my baby would still be here.My eyes were aching terribly, and my head too, yet more tears streamed down. After what seemed like an eternity, I dragged myself from the floor, wiping off my messy makeup with shaky hands while I tried to steady my breath. ‘I didn’t figh
ALARIC’S POVI froze the second the words slipped past her lips. I could hear the pain in her voice. I could see traces of the tears she tried to hold back, making my heart ache. I realised how selfish I had been. How self-centred I was. “Isa…” My voice trailed off. She was slightly trembling now. Images of her walking into the house days after the miscarriage flooded my mind, and all I had done was accuse her. I had ignored her on the day of the accident. I had let her go through the pain of losing our child alone. I had….“Please, just let me go, Alaric. There is nothing to make up for because I will never forgive you.” Her voice quivered slightly, and my arms weakened as it fell beside me.“I will die trying if I have to.” I let out, my voice sounding weak. I was in pain. Yet it was nothing compared to what she had faced. She sighed and breathed, still trying to hold back her tears. That was what years of loving me had done to her. It had changed her from the soft Isa who would po
ISABELLA’S POV“What do you mean he refuses to let you go?” Mireille let out on the other side of the phone. I could hear her feet as she paced up and down, and I could tell that she was pissed. “Why is he suddenly refusing a divorce? I’m coming over tomorrow. I need to put that asshole in his place.” She was breathing so hard.“No, no, Mireille. Hummm, you have work, and besides I don’t need that drama. My lawyer said he would handle it, so let’s give him time.” My heart was beating fast. There was a weird feeling accompanying it, too. For so many years, I had prayed that Alaric would show me this side of him, the side of him that wanted me so badly and would fight for me. But he never did. So why now?“I think it is because you are famous now. You are rich and…”“The last thing Alaric is will be a gold digger. That I know.” I ran my fingers through my newly washed hair. I was still dressed in my blue bathrobe and sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Because even after sitting in the
ISABELLA’S POVEven though the incident happened the night before, I still couldn't get my mind off it as I sat in the office. It was the second auction, and I tried to think straight. After this, I had three more to go, and then I would return to France. The term for this auction was love. Drawings that reflected love. Trust me, I had stayed on a painting for about a week, yet I still felt it wasn't conveying enough. Maybe because I had no idea what love felt like anymore. However, I was glad many paintings were present, drawn by artists wide and near. Everyone was busy with the setup, and my boss wouldn't stop calling to ask how it was going. Soon, the message was in the back of my mind.Not until I saw him sitting in the auction room, too. Alaric. His eyes caught mine for a second, and I uncomfortably looked away. To think I had believed he wouldn't come back. I had thought the first time we met had to be an accident. I tried to pay full attention as each painting was called and
ALARIC’S POV“This doesn't seem like a smart money move, Sir,” Henry informed as he ridiculously stared at the painting. “We are going broke and…”“Henry!”“But sir, we need this money.”“And we are talking about my wife here. Drive.” I ordered, clenching my teeth. He looked at me from the rearview mirror but knew better than to push the matter. Even if we go bankrupt, I will spend my last cash supporting her. This was the only one to atone for letting her do this all alone when she had spent years supporting my dreams. Most of the ideas she gave me in high school, worked and earned me a lot of cash. Isabella might not be all that, but she was smart and intelligent. She was quick to analyse loss and profit and always knew how I could avoid the loss or lessen it. She helped me a lot after Father informed me that I was taking over the business when I was twenty-eight. I tapped my feet against the floorboard as nervousness coursed through me. Elena had said my Mother fell off the stair
ISABELLA’S POVI knew asking Kelvin to stay was a tricky move, but it was for the best. My heart was too soft to turn him down, not after knowing his story. I would be like the monsters he feared if I did. Besides, he was there for me on days when no one was willing to show up. Just like Mireille, he was my best friend now, a part of my family, too.But boy, oh boy.Alaric’s face was scrunched in a frown as he sat opposite me, his spoon clinking against the plate. He was barely eating anything, just staring at the food.I knew I shouldn't notice. Nor care because it was seemingly for the best. We needed to keep our sexual urges out of our field of decision-making. I needed to be sure that forgiving and letting him back in was right. The best thing to do. If his mother meant every word or this was just an attempt to get me back in, only to torment me some more. I needed to be sure if what I felt for him was sex-related or if our love was more profound than that.With Kelvin around, no
ALARIC’S POVIsabella walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hand with a napkin while a smile curled the tips of her lips.“You didn’t tell me you were coming.” She pointed out while he closed the gap between them, placed his palm on her shoulder, and then trailed it down to hold her palm. Something glistened in his eyes, and it only came on when he saw her.“I heard about the incident.” He started. “Are you okay?” The news carried it? How come I didn’t know that? I had ordered Henry to keep it low, but I could see that was impossible given how the criminal was a dangerous one. The police had said that it would unravel a long chain of crime and we might have to lay low for a while, although I didn’t tell Isabella about that yet cause I didn’t want to scare her or let it affect the competence of her job. Besides, I had lived and breathed danger all my life; I was almost immune to it at this point, so nothing fazed me. Nothing except losing her, so all I needed to do was keep her safe.
ALARIC’S POVEver since she hugged me at the hospital, all I have wanted was to feel her again, her naked body against mine. And heaven knows how hard I tried to get past the hospital days and not fuck her brain out right there with my Doctor nearby. That was what her presence did to me. Every single time I saw her, my brain would fry into toast.So the moment we got to her place, I knew I had to make the first step, and that was why I stepped out half naked, demanding soap; then, when I noticed her control wall breaking, I put the last plan in action. Get too close for comfort and seduce her.I knew she couldn't restrict my body.Until she did.She was standing here laughing aloud as she munched on her pizza while watching a movie I couldn't even make out. She hasn't sent me a glance since she handed me the soap and left me in front of her room.What was I doing wrong?I couldn't help but ask myself.Had I become so undesirable? Was her love confession only because of guilt? Or to
ISABELLA’S POV“Thank you.” Alaric’s mother said as we sat outside the hospital door. Her hands were firmly on her lap.“What for?” She blinked. “For saving my son, " she finally said after a moment of silence, and I only got more confused.“He saved me,” I explained, and then I watched her slowly raise her head, her eyes tender again.“No, Isabella. You saved him from becoming a shadow of himself by taking him back.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and next, her palms found mine. “I’m so sorry about how I treated you all those years. I have no excuse for what I did, but I hope you can forgive me.” Her eyes were glistening with tears now.But it was my choice. I was the one to go through the pain and live with it, so I slowly snatched back my hands.“I can't assure you that.” With that, I stood up and returned to Alaric’s side.Henry and he looked up at me. They had stopped talking.“I’m glad you both are okay,” Henry announced with relief. “We have to leave now. We will come b
THIRD PERSON’S POVThe Doctor told her he had gotten out of danger, but he was yet to wake up, so all she could do was sit beside his bed, holding his hand and weeping and blaming herself for not thinking this through in the first place. Maybe it was ill-fated, just like her stepmother had said. Perhaps that was why her parents had abandoned her. That could be the reason her best friend was dead, too. Maybe she needed to run away from the world and hide somewhere she wouldn’t be able to cause harm to anyone.“You have to wake up, husband. Please.” She sniffed back a tear. “I can't leave without you too.” Her heart clenched tightly as she sobbed. She had lost everyone. He was her last family. And she doubted that she could survive another loss. It was just too hurtful.Her tears drenched his hand, her face against it. It felt cold, so cold that she feared that he was gone. Hours ticked by, yet nothing happened, and even when the doctor told her to head home and come back the next day,
ISABELLA’S POVWhen I confronted him to turn himself in so he could heal from the guilt, I thought my words would touch him and finally give my late best friend some peace. After all, only a man ready to change would go through the stress of clearing his late GF’s lawn. I figured he probably needed a boost.But instead, he held a knife against my throat after I threatened to call the cops myself.“You should have died back then.” His voice was rough and cold. It lacked all forms of humanity.My heart started to beat so fast as I looked around for help. The neighbor rushed out, screaming that she had dialed the cops and they were on their way here, probably hoping to scare him. But it didn’t. Instead, something wet and very hot slipped down my legs.The metallic feel of the knife was still cold against my skin.“You don't know what you just got yourself into, Miss. I advise you to go in there and tell them it is a fucking prank so I kill her!” He yelled, his other arm wrapped around my
ALARIC’S POVIf Isabella had planned to frustrate me, then she had done a good job because I couldn't help but feel so dumb as I stared back at the report Henry had sent two days after. The man from earlier was just a cab man.Fuck!Blame her for toying with me.Now, I couldn't help but wonder why she lied. Was it because she despised me so much? A strange feeling shimmered between my skin as I got dressed, my nerves unsettling because now all I wanted was to confront her and demand an answer. I wanted to apologize for the misunderstanding, too. She probably hated me because she thought I abandoned her. Maybe that was why she was with that guy from the other day, to spite me. I have yet to find out his name, but once I do, I will have everything about him sent to him, and then I will find his most profound weakness and threaten him with that.Anything to get those leeches off the love of my life.Suddenly, my phone rang, and I pulled it out to see her name spread across my screen. Ta
THIRD PERSON’S POVIt was on a Tuesday. Isabella had called Rex to ask if he knew who the company’s CEO was before he recommended him to her, and his response had shocked her to the bone.“He wouldn't stop pestering me. I’m so sorry I didn't give you a heads-up. He showed up at my home for days, standing under the snow and half-freezing, to get me to hear what he had to say. I just had to give in. It was either that or the police come visiting to retrieve his body.” He had paused. “He seems to regret his mistake, Isabel. I think you should give that poor man a chance, too. We all make mistakes, after all.” And that had made her laugh. Alaric wasn't a poor, innocent man. He was a manipulative jerk who knew how to get what he wanted.But never her.Now, it made her wonder if he had chosen about a thirty-minute drive away from the start of Durango for his company on purpose. Had it been in a bid to get close to her?She was sitting at the table, files spread right in front of her, along
THIRD PERSON’S POVMonday drew nearer than she thought it would, and yet she didn’t turn down their offer. Every time she wanted to, she would remember Mireille’s wordsLive for us.So here she was, sitting at the long oak table after spending about an hour choosing the right outfit: a fitted cream blouse tucked into high-waisted navy trousers, her hair swept neatly in a low bun. On her way in, she noticed how boring the building looked, passing across information that it lacked life. The secretary had informed her that the boss would be here soon, so she waited impatiently, and soon, the door opened behind her.“Good day…” Her words slurred the second she turned around and saw Alaric. He was dressed in a tailored black three-piece suit that looked like it was made just for him. The white shirt underneath was crisp, clean, and ironed, and the black tie was knotted to almost perfection.Almost because she had been the one to make his tie previously.“Miss Phoenix. Welcome to Stonebrid