Not long after, Isabella opened her eyes slowly and looked around. It didn’t take long for her to realize she wasn’t in the palace—she was in her own room at her father’s house. It almost felt like a dream.The door opened, and her father stepped in. Isabella looked around the room, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Where is my husband?” she asked. “He went on an errand. He asked me to inform you that he’ll be back tomorrow to pick you up for the burial ceremony of Duke Miles ,” her father replied. “I think he’s trying to handle the people who were arrested—the ones that assaulted you at the grand memorial.”As he stroked her hair gently, she didn’t ask how he was doing or what he’d been up to. She only cared about her husband.He was aware of how deeply Prince Karl cared for his daughter . He could see the concern in his eyes and remembered how Prince Karl had begged for Isabella to be taken care of before he left. Prince Karl wasn’t a bad man—he truly loved his wife.Isabella was
Prince Khalid, on the other hand, watched in stunned silence as Isabella went from Sophia back to Prince Karl, who was sitting on the couch. His mouth fell open in disbelief as Prince Karl kissed her on the forehead and held her hand. This was what he feared. It was just like the memorial scandal had brought them even closer. There were cameras everywhere, which meant they were proving the scandal wrong. They really did care for each other—as husband and wife. “I need to leave,” he muttered as he walked up to Aura. “You’re leaving now? I need your support, and you’re leaving?” Aura was almost going crazy. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here and watch those two.” “Why do you care?!” Aura snapped, drawing everyone’s attention—including Isabella and Prince Karl, who were starting to enjoy the drama unfolding. “Let’s take this conversation elsewhere,” Khalid whispered, looking embarrassed as everyone stared. “You’re causing a scene.” “I don’t care if I’m making a scene!” she screamed
In the midst of all the scandal going on in the kingdom, Isabella yawned loudly as she applied sunscreen all over her face. Thanks to Prince Karl’s private jet, they had arrived early in the morning, and now they were at the beach, sipping cold drinks and basking in the sun. She was right—coming back had been one of the best decisions she had ever made. The beautiful, tranquil surroundings helped erase every ounce of stress from her body and mind. “Help me, please,” she said to Prince Karl, who was swimming in his own thoughts. He snapped back into reality and nodded as he rubbed sunscreen on her back. It turned him on greatly, but he was determined to keep his self-control in check. They were here because she needed a break—not to make love, even though it was what he wanted more than anything.Isabella could feel her insides melting as his hands gently massaged her bare back. She wanted him too, more than she was willing to admit. “Can we talk about the new scandal?” Prince Karl
The decision was finally made. The news of Isabella Stark being permanently banned from the palace spread like wildfire. Prince Karl was also temporarily banned for a few weeks due to his negligence of certain royal duties—something he didn’t really care about.Aura couldn’t help but smile at the news on the television. She switched it off just as Prince Khalid suddenly walked into the room.“I can explain,” she started.“Save it! What in the world is wrong with you?” he snapped.She couldn’t help but scoff loudly at how hypocritical he was being. After leaving her alone yesterday, he had absolutely no right to ask what was wrong with her. He had no right to demand anything from her now.“You are what’s wrong with me, Khalid,” she fired back. “You’re like this evil drug in my system, triggering me to do stupid things—all because of the envy I feel for Isabella. You left me alone during my father’s funeral visit just because you couldn’t bear to see Isabella, while she stood together w
Back at the palace, Prince Khalid—freshly drunk from the bar—frowned deeply as he staggered into his brother’s room. He was heavily intoxicated and coughed loudly when his gaze fell on Isabella’s packed bags in the corner. The king had ordered that Isabella’s belongings be packed and sent to her father’s estate.Khalid wandered over to one of the bags and unzipped it, revealing her neatly folded clothes. His eyes darkened with longing.“So beautiful,” he whispered, pulling out a delicate piece of lingerie—black lace, the one meant for their wedding night. She was supposed to wear it for him. That night had never come.The ache in his chest deepened. Clutching a half-empty bottle of whiskey, he collapsed onto the bed, clutching the lingerie, bringing it to his face as he let his imagination run wild. But it wasn’t enough.Driven by obsession, he dug through the bag again and found one of her thongs. Slowly, almost reverently, he brought it to his face, inhaling deeply with a groan, his
What do you mean they went on vacation?” Prince Khalid snapped at Fabian, who had blocked him in front of the door just as he was about to enter.He had come to see Isabella, insisting he had something important to tell her—something that was a matter of life or death.“I told you, my sister isn’t here. Isabella and her husband went on vacation out of the country,” Fabian replied, his tone laced with pettiness. He relished the way Khalid’s emotions flickered when he referred to Karl as her husband. It was the least he could do instead of punching the man who had abandoned his sister at the altar.“She’s in the middle of a scandal, you fool! Why would you let my brother take her out of the country?” Prince Khalid shouted, his voice sharp with fury.Fabian stepped closer, unflinching. “You’ve got some nerve coming here and trying to tell me how to protect my own sister—especially after what you did to her. My sister and her husband can travel anywhere they please. Honestly, I should’ve
She had been locked in her room for days. Finally, Aura emerged, looking like the wreckage of her own life. Her hair was tangled in a loose knot, her eyes puffy and red from hours of crying. The scent of alcohol and cigarettes clung to her wrinkled clothes, and what remained of her makeup was smeared all over her face like war paint. It had been four days since she’d locked herself away—four days without food, surviving only on a bottle of whisky and a pack of cigarettes to numb the ache. Her father’s will had been read, and the rage that erupted within her was volcanic. He’d left Isabella his vacation home in Venice—a so-called token of apology on Aura’s behalf. Isabella had been handed the property, the money, the legacy—while Aura’s Uncle inherited the family company. She hadn’t wanted the business, but that house… that house was all she had cared about. And it had gone to Isabella. Why did Isabella always have to take something from her, even in her absence? Aura’s face twiste
Seeing how happy Claire was with Fabian made Isabella wish she could carry a child of her own. As soon as she stepped in, Claire was all over her, asking about every detail of the vacation—how it went, where they stayed, what they ate. Isabella spent the whole afternoon chatting with Claire and Fabian. She was already exhausted by the time she excused herself, deciding that a walk was exactly what she needed. Slipping on a baseball cap, she boarded a taxi to Border town.She always remembered how she used to take walks down those streets as a teenager, admiring the lights. When they arrived, she paid her fare quickly. The taxi driver almost recognized her, but thankfully, she was quick to get out. As she walked down the familiar streets, memories came flooding back.Border town was where she’d had her first kiss with Prince Khalid. It was where he’d asked her to be his girlfriend at fifteen. She stopped in front of an empty bakery, and a tear streamed down her left cheek. It was the s
His injury had become infected, and your husband was rushed to the hospital after he lost consciousness. He had a fever, but fortunately, he was finally stabilized after being treated by the doctors. It was a miracle he had been rushed in early.Jules explained to Isabella, who was sitting sitting on the other side of the driver, urging him to drive faster, not caring if they were over the speed limit. All she wanted was to be close to her husband.It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault, she sniffled as the car sped on. It’s all my fault that he’s in this condition. He came to save me, and now he’s almost gotten himself killed. She tried her best, but she was unsuccessful in holding back her tears.Prince Karl was asleep when she walked into his hospital room, and she was nearly at her breaking point seeing how fragile he looked. He was so pale and weak, it scared the living hell out of her.“He’s okay, Isabella,” the doctor said. “He just needs rest.”Juice stood next to her, and thoug
It was past midnight, and Isabella’s anxiety only deepened when she woke up and found no sign of her husband’s return. She tried calling him, but he wasn’t answering, nor was he replying to any of her text messages about how the meeting had gone. That only heightened her worry.He’s a grown man, not a baby, she told herself, but that didn’t ease her concern. Sighing deeply, she rolled over in bed, restless and unable to sleep. She got to her feet and wrapped a blanket around her body, then stepped outside and sat on the bench near the house. She felt safe since the area was well-lit and the house heavily guarded.She sipped her coffee, determined not to fall asleep until her husband returned. Fabian, her brother, was also taking a midnight stroll when he spotted his sister seated on the bench, worry clearly etched on her face. He smiled warmly and sat beside her, and she immediately rested her head on his shoulder.“Are you okay?” he asked.“No,” she replied.“Is it because of your hu
The King checked his watch for the tenth time, assuming Prince Karl wasn’t going to make it. He was about to commence the meeting when his stubborn son finally walked in. Prince Karl blatantly ignored the greetings from every family member in the room and took a seat in the far corner. All he wanted was for the meeting to be over. The ache in his body had worsened, only proving how much being close to his wife acted like a drug—calming and healing.Prince Khalid’s friend, seated beside Karl, glanced at him with concern. “I had to drop my wife off at her father’s place. She’s banned from the palace, remember?” Karl said flatly, then turned to his brother. “You don’t look well yourself, Khalid.”Prince Khalid nearly coughed but swallowed the urge. Of course he didn’t look good. The past week had been hell. He couldn’t sleep. His ex-fiancée was now married to his brother and seemed to be living happily. Worse, Aura wouldn’t pick up his calls. She wanted nothing to do with him.The meetin
Seeing how happy Claire was with Fabian made Isabella wish she could carry a child of her own. As soon as she stepped in, Claire was all over her, asking about every detail of the vacation—how it went, where they stayed, what they ate. Isabella spent the whole afternoon chatting with Claire and Fabian. She was already exhausted by the time she excused herself, deciding that a walk was exactly what she needed. Slipping on a baseball cap, she boarded a taxi to Border town.She always remembered how she used to take walks down those streets as a teenager, admiring the lights. When they arrived, she paid her fare quickly. The taxi driver almost recognized her, but thankfully, she was quick to get out. As she walked down the familiar streets, memories came flooding back.Border town was where she’d had her first kiss with Prince Khalid. It was where he’d asked her to be his girlfriend at fifteen. She stopped in front of an empty bakery, and a tear streamed down her left cheek. It was the s
She had been locked in her room for days. Finally, Aura emerged, looking like the wreckage of her own life. Her hair was tangled in a loose knot, her eyes puffy and red from hours of crying. The scent of alcohol and cigarettes clung to her wrinkled clothes, and what remained of her makeup was smeared all over her face like war paint. It had been four days since she’d locked herself away—four days without food, surviving only on a bottle of whisky and a pack of cigarettes to numb the ache. Her father’s will had been read, and the rage that erupted within her was volcanic. He’d left Isabella his vacation home in Venice—a so-called token of apology on Aura’s behalf. Isabella had been handed the property, the money, the legacy—while Aura’s Uncle inherited the family company. She hadn’t wanted the business, but that house… that house was all she had cared about. And it had gone to Isabella. Why did Isabella always have to take something from her, even in her absence? Aura’s face twiste
What do you mean they went on vacation?” Prince Khalid snapped at Fabian, who had blocked him in front of the door just as he was about to enter.He had come to see Isabella, insisting he had something important to tell her—something that was a matter of life or death.“I told you, my sister isn’t here. Isabella and her husband went on vacation out of the country,” Fabian replied, his tone laced with pettiness. He relished the way Khalid’s emotions flickered when he referred to Karl as her husband. It was the least he could do instead of punching the man who had abandoned his sister at the altar.“She’s in the middle of a scandal, you fool! Why would you let my brother take her out of the country?” Prince Khalid shouted, his voice sharp with fury.Fabian stepped closer, unflinching. “You’ve got some nerve coming here and trying to tell me how to protect my own sister—especially after what you did to her. My sister and her husband can travel anywhere they please. Honestly, I should’ve
Back at the palace, Prince Khalid—freshly drunk from the bar—frowned deeply as he staggered into his brother’s room. He was heavily intoxicated and coughed loudly when his gaze fell on Isabella’s packed bags in the corner. The king had ordered that Isabella’s belongings be packed and sent to her father’s estate.Khalid wandered over to one of the bags and unzipped it, revealing her neatly folded clothes. His eyes darkened with longing.“So beautiful,” he whispered, pulling out a delicate piece of lingerie—black lace, the one meant for their wedding night. She was supposed to wear it for him. That night had never come.The ache in his chest deepened. Clutching a half-empty bottle of whiskey, he collapsed onto the bed, clutching the lingerie, bringing it to his face as he let his imagination run wild. But it wasn’t enough.Driven by obsession, he dug through the bag again and found one of her thongs. Slowly, almost reverently, he brought it to his face, inhaling deeply with a groan, his
The decision was finally made. The news of Isabella Stark being permanently banned from the palace spread like wildfire. Prince Karl was also temporarily banned for a few weeks due to his negligence of certain royal duties—something he didn’t really care about.Aura couldn’t help but smile at the news on the television. She switched it off just as Prince Khalid suddenly walked into the room.“I can explain,” she started.“Save it! What in the world is wrong with you?” he snapped.She couldn’t help but scoff loudly at how hypocritical he was being. After leaving her alone yesterday, he had absolutely no right to ask what was wrong with her. He had no right to demand anything from her now.“You are what’s wrong with me, Khalid,” she fired back. “You’re like this evil drug in my system, triggering me to do stupid things—all because of the envy I feel for Isabella. You left me alone during my father’s funeral visit just because you couldn’t bear to see Isabella, while she stood together w
In the midst of all the scandal going on in the kingdom, Isabella yawned loudly as she applied sunscreen all over her face. Thanks to Prince Karl’s private jet, they had arrived early in the morning, and now they were at the beach, sipping cold drinks and basking in the sun. She was right—coming back had been one of the best decisions she had ever made. The beautiful, tranquil surroundings helped erase every ounce of stress from her body and mind. “Help me, please,” she said to Prince Karl, who was swimming in his own thoughts. He snapped back into reality and nodded as he rubbed sunscreen on her back. It turned him on greatly, but he was determined to keep his self-control in check. They were here because she needed a break—not to make love, even though it was what he wanted more than anything.Isabella could feel her insides melting as his hands gently massaged her bare back. She wanted him too, more than she was willing to admit. “Can we talk about the new scandal?” Prince Karl