BLURB In a world where power, wealth and betrayal intertwine, Isabel reclaims her place among the elite after years of being hidden in the shadows. The very people who thought they’d rid themselves of Isabel, are in for the shock of their lives when she steps back into their world. Now, as the long-lost daughter of the prestigious Montgomery family, she’s ready to face her enemies—starting with her ex-husband, Alexander. The man who discarded her after an affair with her best friend. As old wounds reopen and dangerous secrets come to light, the question remains—will Isabel’s heart betray her thirst for vengeance? Or will she finally bring down those who sought to destroy her once and for all? The final act of this twisted game will be one no one sees coming.
View MoreIsabel’s POV
“Change that dress, you look awful in it.” Alexander said in a commanding tone.
The dress, a red revealing short gown, which hugged my curves, featuring a daring plunging neckline.
Glancing through myself and looking back at the mirror, I asked, “what’s wrong with my dress, not like it’s the first time am wearing it.”
“I don’t have to give you any explanation or talk further on this, just change it like I said!” He retorted.
His tone is cold, but still handsome as ever.
He stood at an imposing 6’3”, his height adding to his commanding presence.
Alexander used to love me. I want to believe so.
He used to be a loving and doting husband. Even though there’s a side of him that I’m yet to understand. He’s sometimes aggressive, tends to be controlling and commanding.
I’ve tried to talk to him, but it always ends in arguments, never accepting the fact that he has an issue.
It has just been messy.
My once loving husband has turned to a stranger.
I couldn't even break the news of my pregnancy with him.
He’s hardly ever around, barely shows interest or ever listens.
I don’t even know who to confide in about what’s going on.
His mom, Sabbrina, the bossy and authoritative Chairwoman of the King’s Empire, makes matters worse.
She hates that an ordinary girl like me is married to her billionaire son.
Her son, Alexander King is the CEO and heir to the King’s Empire. The billion dollar company that has their branch spread across Los Angeles.
It’s crazy.
I sometimes ask myself, “Is he still the same man I fell in love with and married?”
“Am I leaving with an entirely different person?”
At times, I feel like I didn’t know Alexander well enough to marry him.
Today, I can’t seem to understand the display of attitude over my dress.
After several careful thoughts, I decided to ask, looking directly into his cute blue eyes. “Alexander, do you still love me? trying to find a console in his reply.
But was torn aback by his reply.
He glares at me for a moment longer, placing his hand at the back of his neck, as if trying to find a way out, before finally saying, “You don’t need to ask me such a question.” I have a meeting to attend to, I’m leaving.
Of course, as the CEO of a billion dollar company, he’d definitely choose that over me anytime!
He always chooses work over me, like I meant nothing to him.
The tension in the room is icy, and I don’t know how long I would hold up before I break down.
And just like that, Alexander left, leaving me with my unanswered questions.
“Could it be that he’s fed up, and he’s already tired of me?” Tears rolls down my eyes uncontrollably.
I sit by the window, staring blankly at the rain-soaked cityscape. My eyes, feeling the weight of sadness and betrayal.
Every morning, I wake up hoping for a change, only to be met with the same icy demeanor.
For the past year of our marriage, my husband’s possessiveness had grown stifling, his need to control every aspect of my life left me feeling trapped and suffocated.
The lack of love was palpable; his touch, once gentle and reassuring, now felt like a shackle.
My heart keeps aching for the man I had once known, for the love that had promised to stand the test of time. I felt invisible, my needs and desires are completely overshadowed by his incessant need for dominance. The home that once echoed with laughter and joy now felt like a prison, each room a silent witness to my despair.
I sometimes trace the lines of our wedding photo, lingering my fingers on our faces who now seem like strangers. I longed for the days when his love felt like a safe harbor, not the storm that it now is.
As the rain poured outside, it mirrored my tears which I no longer had the strength to cry, each drop could speak of my broken heart and our love that seemed irreparably lost.
I turned to my phone, wanting to dial my mother. But on a second thought, I wouldn’t want to make her worry over this.
As an only child. My mother, Celyn, doesn't joke with me. She gets too worked up and worries a lot with anything concerning me. If I get her involved, she’s ready to appear here immediately just to make sure I’m fine. I definitely will not want her worrying.
“I will just wait for Alexander to be home, just maybe he wasn’t in a good mood then.” I said aloud trying to mask my pain.
Suddenly my phone rings, breaking the silence. I glanced at my screen and saw Cynthia’s name flashing on the screen.
Cynthia, my best friend, has been a part of me ever since knowing her from the university.
I literally share everything with her. Every of my sorrow, pain and joy.
But seeing her call come in at this time, I hesitated.
I have always been reluctant about sharing my marital issues with anyone, even with my closest friend.
Though, I recently told her about how Alexander has been acting up, but I still find it difficult opening up entirely.
I tilted my head, Thinking. “What would Cynthia think of me? What would she say? What will she think of Alexander?”
Again my phone rings for the second time.
Tried hesitating, but another part of me, desperately in need for some relief and understanding, made a quick think “maybe talking to Cynthia about it all would lighten the heavy burden I carry.” Just maybe.
With a deep breath, I pick up the call. “Hey, Cynthia.” My voice seeming low, like one trying to hide something.
“Hey, Bella! As she fondly calls me. How are you?
You don’t sound like you. Is everything alright?”
Cynthia’s cheerful voice brought a bittersweet smile to my face.
I hesitated for a moment, words catching in my throat.
But then, like a dam breaking, I poured it all out, letting the tears I have been holding back flow freely.
“Oh Bella, that’s a lot, it’s heartbreaking,” she said, her tone laced with concern, but there’s an edge there.
Keeping a moment of silence, Cynthia continued, her voice taking on a slightly different note. “Why not step out for some fresh air? It will help clear your mind, you know.”
With my hands trembling, I quickly wiped my tears, trying to steady my thoughts and keep my emotions in check.
“I guess that might help.” I replied giving Cynthia’s suggestion a thought.
“Great!” Cynthia said with an overwhelming voice. “Why don’t you come over to the hotel? It’s lovely here, you will like the view. And we can get to talk more in person too. It’s just exactly what you need right now.”
I hesitated, feeling a strange mix of comfort and unease. “Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience.”
“Absolutely,” Cynthia insisted. “I’m here for you, Bella. We’ll take it up from there once we meet. It’s going to do you good to get out and have a change of scenery.”
With a deep sigh, I replied “alright, I’ll be there soon.” Feeling a flicker of hope and an excuse to relieve myself from some thoughts.
“Perfect,” Cynthia replied, giving a sly chuckle. “See you soon, Bella.”
Isabel’s POVThe sound of my heels clicking against the polished marble of the foyer is sharp, commanding, and confident—exactly how I need to appear today. The day’s light floods the lobby, casting soft reflections off the marble floors and glass-paneled walls, catching on the chandeliers we’d once envisioned down to the finest crystal.It still amazes me sometimes—how this place came alive just months ago, born from sketches, contracts, and long meetings with the King’s Empire. Now, it’s everything we hoped for. Maybe more.Today, I’m here for a meeting with a high-profile investor. One whose name has been whispered across boardrooms for weeks now. But the moment I step inside, all eyes turn to me.“Congratulations, ma’am.”“Such a stunning ring.”“Ma’am, I just saw the announcement—so happy for you.”Left. Right. Center. The praises hit me like waves on a sun-drenched shore, and I do what’s expected—smile. Politely. Graciously.Of course they’d congratulate me.The glittering diamo
Cynthia’s POVI stand there, frozen, as silence hangs thick between us.There’s something about the way she looks at me—still, too still. Her eyes don’t match her mouth, and her hesitation coils around the room like smoke I can’t quite see but can feel.The desperation in me is burning, rising fast. I don’t want to question anything. Not now. I just want my daughter.But she speaks before I can take another step.She shakes her head. “You know that’s not possible.”My chest tightens. “Isn’t that why you helped me? Why you saved me from the police? So I could be with my daughter?”“Yes,” she says, almost reluctantly. “But not now. You can’t just walk out. It’s too dangerous. If you leave, you’ll be caught.”“I don’t care about my safety!” I yell. “I just want to know how my child is doing!”She steps forward, eyes pleading. “You have to listen to me. You’ll be safe as long as you do what I say.”I shake my head desperately. “Then let me talk to Dad. He’ll help me. I know he will. He’ll
Cynthia’s POVMy mother’s smile lingers in the dim light, soft but sinister, like a cat toying with a bird. I watch her closely, that gleam in her eyes far too familiar—like she’s savoring a memory soaked in mischief.There’s something about the way she smiles when she talks about Victoria Montgomery. Something sharp. Personal. The hatred in her voice runs deep, but I still don’t fully understand why. I thought this was all about Dad… about Isabel.Especially since my test confirmed it—Isabel isn’t his biological child. That truth should’ve been enough to end this obsession, yet here she is, still obsessed with destroying her.There’s something else she isn’t saying.I clear my throat and look her squarely in the eyes. “But what’s your connection with Victoria Montgomery?” My voice comes out firm, more curious than accusing. “How did you and Dad even know her? And Isabel… she isn’t his biological daughter, so why are you still after her?”She chuckles softly, folding her arms, that wi
Cynthia’s POVThe sharp click of heels on tile draws my gaze toward the door. My breath catches.She steps in.Her posture is stiff, regal—shoulders square, chin raised. Her face is tight, unreadable. Not a single tremor, not even in her hands. She walks like she belongs here, like nothing is broken inside her. Like she hasn’t been locked up for years in that cold, sterile mental asylum.I don’t get it.How… how is she appearing normal?She shouldn’t be. That’s not how I remember her.A million questions flood my mind, but one word stumbles out of me before I can stop it—raw, unfiltered.“Mom?”She flicks her fingers in the air.The men beside her bow slightly and step out, wordless, obedient. The door closes behind them with a click, leaving only us.My feet feel like lead, dragging across the floor until I stand before her. “Mom… is this really you?”She scoffs, almost amused. “Ah, no, I mean… how?” My voice cracks. “How are you able to— You were at the hospital.”She chuckles softl
Cynthia’s POVI scream as the men drag me down the corridor. “Leave me! Who the hell are you people, huh?” My voice is raw, full of panic and fury. “Do you know who I am? I said leave me!”My legs thrash, but they don’t stop. The grip around my arms tightens, and with one swift move, I’m shoved—no, tossed—into a room. James stumbles in beside me, hitting the ground with a grunt before the heavy door slams shut. The sound of the lock clicks loud and final.“No! No, no, no!” I rush at the door, fists slamming against the metal. “What the heck is this?! How dare you try to kidnap me?! Who sent you? Who’s your boss?!”Nothing. No voice. No footsteps. Just silence on the other side. That’s when it hits me—and I scoff, furious.“This is you, isn’t it, Isabel?” I say through clenched teeth, chest heaving. “Of course it is. You must have paid the police to stage that raid and make it look like some noble attack, right?” My voice rises, strained and breathless. “But why? Why the hell are you d
Alexander’s POVI sit slumped in the stiff hospital chair, the cold metal biting through the fabric of my shirt, but I barely feel it. My elbows rest on my knees, shoulders hunched, as I stare blankly at the floor tiles, the doctor’s words echoing in my head like a never-ending loop.“The surgery was successful, but her condition remains critical. We’ve stabilized her for now, but she’s in a fragile state. We’ll keep her under intensive care and monitor her vitals closely. The next 24 hours are crucial. Let’s hope for the best.”Hope. That damn word. So light on the tongue, yet so heavy on the heart.In my hands, I grip the small stuffed bunny Sophia always carried—the one she had clutched tightly when she slipped and fell down those stairs. The fur is matted in some places, worn from all the times we played with it. I remember the day I bought it for her, the way her eyes had lit up, her smile full of wonder and joy. We spent that whole afternoon pretending it could talk, taking turn
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