Isabel’s POVSoon, Roy pulled the car into the driveway. I look at the familiar sight of our mansion, it's a sense of relief. The grand facade and the lush landscaping are a comfort reminder of home. “Isabel, are you sure you’re okay?.” He says, turning to me with a concerning expression. “Should we go to the hospital?”I shook my head, offering a reassuring smile. “No, Roy, it’s okay. I just need to be home. I’ll be fine.”He nods, still clearly worried. I made my way to the familiar warmth of the foyer, the rich textures surrounding me were like a soft whisper of reassurance. This is home—a haven where the world feels distant and safe.As I sank into the plush couch inside, I’m met by a loud, piercing scream that echoed through the house. For a moment, my heart freezes, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I exchanged a worried glance with Roy, and without hesitation, we rushed towards the source of the noise.Getting closer, more screams were heard, and my heart pounded loudly agai
Alexander POVSusan knocked softly before entering, the sound barely registering over the storm of thoughts swirling in my head. I didn’t even look up when she stepped into my office, too focused on the spreadsheet and projections that weren’t making any sense. But I knew. I knew the moment she came in that something was wrong. “Sir,” she began, her voice hesitant, as if she could sense the weight of what’s coming next. She places a thick report in front of me, her hand trembling slightly. “The investors… they’ve decided to completely back out.” My jaw clenched instinctively, the muscles in my face tightening as I finally looked up. “Why?” The question came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't care. She swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortable. “They don’t want to take the risk, especially with the recent performance and stock…” her voice trailed off, but the damage has already been done. Susan stood there, quiet, waiting for the inevitable outburst thatThe tension in the ro
Isabel’s POVI hear a voice, persistent but little, “mommy, wake up! Let’s go to the mall today!” Argh! I exclaimed silently. I keep hearing these two, talk in my dream. I guess that’s what motherhood is about right?I keep my eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the light filtering through the curtains. A small thug on my arm bringing me to reality. Wait! I wasn’t dreaming? I can hear their voices, almost loud and clear. It’s Scarlett and Sterling. “Mommy, let’s go to the mall today, please,” Scarlett said, followed by another, “Can we please go, Mommy? You promised!” Sterling piped up, his voice full of that unmistakable excitement.Today was supposed to be my day off, Just one day to relax… but it seems these little ones have decided otherwise. I tried to maneuver, rolling to my side and burying my face into the pillow, mumbling, “Maybe later, let mummy rest a bit more.” But they weren’t having it. Persistent as ever, they clambered into the bed, bouncing around me like t
Alexander’s POVThe man in a fitted charcoal grey blazer over a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. His demeanor calm and composed, turns to the boy beside her and asked, “And what flavor would you like, champ? Today’s your treat, and after this, we’ll get your toy and have some more fun.”They had to be twins—though not identical, but with a striking resemblance. Such a big family, I thought. The man could pass for their Dad, even though there isn’t any resemblance with him.I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen him before. There’s something familiar about his face, but I can’t quite place it. I keep staring, trying to connect the dots, but my mind is a drawing blanks. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, especially in business, so maybe I’m just confusing him with someone else. If we’ve met before, it must have been at one of those corporate events. Now we find a seat, directly across from them. Sophia is sitting next to me with her Vanilla ice cream, but my eyes keep drifting
Isabel’s POV“Hello, Mom,” I greet softly, slipping away from the noise, searching for a quiet corner. “Claire! My dear, I’m so excited.” My mom’s voice comes through, her excitement readable like you could feel it really close. “Your father and I will be back soon for the official ceremony—our flight is booked for tomorrow! I can’t wait to see you free to handle your dad’s business openly, as you deserve.”“I can’t wait either!” A soft smile plays on my lips. “But right now, I’m at the mall with the kids. Can we chat more when I get home?”“Oh, of course! Give Scarlett and Sterling a kiss for me. And tell, Aurora, that crazy daughter of mine to get ready for my coming,” my mother replied, her tone still bright. “Take care of yourself, darling. We’ll talk soon.”I sigh deeply, letting out a slow breath I didn't know I was holding. I walked slowly, closer to the bustling mall— the mall is buzzing with life, every corner filled with people busy shopping, chatting and taking pictures.
Alexander’s POVI watch as Sophia takes steps forward, her expression shifting to one of mock innocence. But before Sophia could take another step closer, the little boy—supposedly her twin—moves forward, placing himself firmly between his sister and Sophia, his small frame stiff with a protective resolve far beyond his years. His blue eyes narrow as he looks up, his face mirroring a determination that catches me off guard.Those eyes—something about them struck me as familiar, a nagging déjà vu that I couldn’t quite place. It’s almost like staring into a mirror— an echo of something I can’t quite place, but that lingers, unsettling.I rush over, stepping between the kids. “Sophia, what’s going on here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady even though frustration simmers just below the surface.Sophia’s face shifts to a look of wide-eyed innocence, her lips quivering as she shrugs her shoulders. “Daddy, I didn't do anything! She’s lying! I didn’t touch her doll!”Her words hang in t
Isabel’s POVI step out of the ice cream parlor, idly staring at the hall that seems to fade away, my thoughts drifting far beyond the noise I hear. I flip my phone in my hand, hoping to see Roy’s name flash across the screen. It’s been quite a while since I called, but still no response. I take a deep breath, glancing at the entrance of the mall, as if waiting— waiting for a miracle.“No I can’t keep waiting,” I say to myself. It’s a big mall I know, but since I can’t get through to Roy, then I’ll have to look around, definitely they should be somewhere, probably just having fun. I shrugged, letting my thoughts sink in. Just as I make my way through the mall, checking the possibilities of where they might be, I’m stunned aback by the figure in my eyes. The figure, a replica of someone I know. I can definitely tell it’s her. Cynthia. Wow! Speaking of the devil. She’s here. For a moment, I froze. Not knowing what to feel or how to react. Just as the daze was gone, I felt a wave o
Alexander’s POVI watch as Cynthia strides toward us, her heels clicking against the polished floor, her face lit with anticipation—until she sees us alone. Relief settles in my chest; I’m glad the man with his twins left before she could get near them. No scene today, at least.As she approaches, I see her expression change, her smile dimming. Her eyes land on Sophia, whose small frame shakes as she sobs quietly.Without hesitation, Cynthia kneels beside her, wrapping her in a tight embrace, her voice pitching with concern. “What happened, baby? Why are you crying? Who made you cry?”A few feet away, I lean against the wall, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. Her questions hang unanswered in the air, underscored by Sophia’s quiet hiccups. When Cynthia turns to me, her eyes flash with accusation.“Alexander, are you just going to stand there and watch our daughter cry? Why is she crying?”I hold her gaze, my expression calm, masking the frustration building inside. “Teach her so
Isabel’s POVI descend the stairs with fury pulsing through every step, my heels clicking sharply against the polished marble. Each thud feels like a countdown. My jaw is clenched tight, my fists balled at my sides, nails digging into my palms. I don’t care. Let it hurt. It grounds me.Halfway down, I hear her voice.“Where are you going to?” my mother asks, stepping into view at the foot of the stairs, her brows drawn in concern, eyes searching mine.I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I pause, inhaling a deep, shuddering breath through my nose, as if I can exhale all this rage, all this pain. My hands tighten by my sides again, trembling. It’s the only thing keeping me from screaming.She notices the silence, but doesn’t push. Instead, she raises the phone in her hand. “Your father called. He’s planning to return as soon as he heard the news.”I look at her now, startled, as if those words punch a hole in the emotional armor I’ve barely held together.“He’s worried,” she continues
Alexander’s POVI’m gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles are pale. Buildings blur past my window as I drive, but my mind is stuck on Collins’ words—each one echoing like a slow, burning fuse.It’s Sabrina. Your mother.Could she have really done it?My jaw clenches as I press harder on the gas. The engine hums louder beneath me, but it doesn’t drown out the flood of thoughts crashing in my head.She never wanted me to marry Isabel. From the very beginning, my mother made it painfully clear—Isabel wasn’t good enough, not for me, not for our family. She despised everything about her. Her upbringing. Her background. The fact that she was poor. A nobody. Someone who didn’t fit into our world.She never forgave me for choosing Isabel anyway.And then I remember—that night.We were arguing in her study room. She’d been furious about how useless Isabel was during a family crisis—said she just stood there, quiet, offering nothing of value. That she had no strength, no presence,
Collins’ POVI look up, raising an eyebrow as I meet Alexander’s gaze. “So… you want me to get details on this vehicle?” I ask, tapping the paper he just slid across my desk, my tone dry, disbelieving.Alexander shifts his weight from one foot to the other, slowly nodding. But it’s the kind of nod that screams reluctance—like he still can’t believe the words are coming from his own mouth.I scoff. “You came back after storming out last time, pissed at the world, and now you want me to run a plate number on a bike?” I let the silence hang, thick and heavy, watching him squirm as he avoids saying what we both know he came here for.He doesn’t answer.Instead, he pinches the bridge of his nose, and that’s when I know—he’s wrestling with it. The discomfort is all over his face. I’ve known Alexander long enough to recognize when something’s eating him from the inside.I sigh, sinking deeper into my seat, locking my fingers together. “What’s your connection with this plate number?” I ask, s
Cynthia’s POVI pace the room, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, every step slicing through the heavy, choking silence.My mind won’t stop spinning, crashing back to Alexander’s words from last night. His tone, his stubbornness, the way he said he was going to start digging into the past. Into the truth.Panic twists inside me.If he really starts poking around, he will find it.He will find me.How I carefully, ruthlessly created a rift between him and Isabel.How I built lie upon lie, wound after wound, all to keep them apart forever.No.I shake my head fiercely, biting down hard on my thumbnail, pacing faster.That can’t happen.For years, I’ve endured—fought—to keep the truth buried. I’ve planted doubts, fueled betrayals, sowed distrust like a second skin between them.And yet—Why does fate keep spinning the damn wheel back to them?No matter how far apart I tear them, no matter how well I bury the past, something—something—always shoves them back toward each o
Isabel’s POV“Claire…” My mother’s voice breaks, hoarse with grief. “How could you have been going through all of this alone?” Her eyes are wide with pain, hands trembling as they reach toward me but stop halfway. “Countless times, Claire. Countless times you were attacked, and you just… you just hid it from me?”Tears spill freely down her cheeks as she steps closer, her voice rising into a sharp, helpless wail. “How did you think I would feel as your mother—knowing you’ve been living through all this, silently bleeding, and I never knew? And now… now I find out you’d planned to use yourself as bait at the event?” She clutches her chest like her heart might tear in two. “Why, Claire? Why didn’t you tell me?”I snap—not out of anger, but from the pressure of everything I’ve been holding in.“Because I was scared, Mom!” I cry, my voice raw and cracking. “Scared of seeing you this way. Scared that I’d shatter you.”Her breathing falters, but I push through the lump in my throat.“I know
Alexander’s POVThe door clicks open as I step inside the house with Mother.The soft tune of a jazz song floats through the living room, slow and airy like the aftermath of a toast. Cynthia dances alone—wine in hand, hair loosely pinned, her dress glinting in the light as if she’s celebrating something only she knows.My jaw clenches.I walk straight to the speaker and turn off the music.She turns slowly, surprised, raising her glass mid-air like she just noticed us.“Oh… you’re back?” she says lightly, her tone breezy. “The event’s already over?”Something in her voice irks me. I don’t miss the sly curiosity behind her words.I stare at her. My mind replays the scene—the flash of her slipping out through the hotel hallway, the way she avoided every gaze.I know what I saw.“Where were you today, Cynthia?” I ask, voice sharp.She scoffs, laughing without humor.“Impossible. Where else would I be?”Lies. I can see it in the flicker of her eyes.If you lie to me now, Cynthia, I’ll tak
Isabel’s POVI’m still frozen—still in shock—barely able to feel my own breath, much less the dull ache spreading across my chest. The only thing louder than the sound of my pulse is the voice that suddenly rips through the air.“Is this the plan you were talking about? I thought your plan was to avenge Cynthia for all she’s done. How come you had Roy involved in it too?”The voice is raw. Strained. Like it clawed its way up from a place of pain. Each word crashes into me like thunder, louder as the footsteps draw closer. And then… we all turn.Aria.Her red-rimmed eyes land on me with blistering intensity. Her face is crimson, cheeks flushed with rage, and her fists are clenched tight by her sides like she’s fighting every urge to lash out. Her chest heaves, her shoulders rigid with emotion.The silence becomes deafening. Every head turns as she walks forward—past the nurses, past the waiting chairs—right into the center of the tension. No one moves. No one speaks. We just watch, hel
Alexander’s POVI’m still trying to wrap my head around it.Isabel knew.All this time… she knew.I sit there, breathing like I’ve been sprinting for miles, my hands pressed against my face, dragging down slowly as if doing so could pull the disbelief away with them. My heart pounds, not from exertion, but from the weight of realization.I never imagined—never even considered—that she’d found out about what happened between me and Cynthia at the Euphoria Club.What I tried so damn hard to hide… what I let destroy everything good I had… she knew?From the start?I sacrificed our marriage to keep that night buried, thinking if I only held on to the part where she cheated on me, maybe it would be enough to protect my image.Maybe—just maybe—if she never found out about my mistake too, I could live with it.I wasn’t trying to shield her from the truth… I just didn’t want her to see me differently.I wanted to stay the one who was wronged. The one who had a reason to let go.But all this w
Isabel’s POVThe sound splits the air like thunder.But it doesn’t hit me.I don’t even see it happen—just feel the sudden force of Roy’s body slamming into mine, shoving me aside in one sharp, protective motion.Then comes the crack of bone, the dull thud of impact, and the sickening sound of him crashing to the floor.“No… no, no—” I gasp, stumbling back as my eyes drop to him.He’s on the ground. Blood.So much blood.Spilling out from the side of his torso, soaking through his shirt and pooling beneath him like a dark, blooming flower. My ears ring, my hands tremble as I drop to my knees beside him, unable to breathe, unable to think.“Roy!” I cry, crawling toward him, grabbing his shoulders. “Roy!”The world around me explodes with chaos. Screams. Footsteps. The shriek of people rushing in from the hall. My guards storm out, guns drawn, shouting orders, some flanking me immediately, while others bolt after the motorcycles tearing away through the entrance, engines roaring into th