تسجيل الدخولIsabella’s POV….My head was on fire I sat at the edge of my bed for a while after waking up, staring at nothing, my fingers gripping the sheets as if they could anchor me to something steady.But nothing felt steady anymore not after last night ans what we saw.Not after the way Rafael looked and how he had taken his control back, I stopped that thought immediately.No.Don’t go there.A knock came at the door.“Come in,” I called.The maid stepped in slightly, her head bowed.“Madam, Mr Ashford asked to see you in his study.”My stomach dropped.“Okay,” I said She nodded and left while I sat there for a second longer and stood up. My legs still felt a little weak, but I ignored it.This wasn’t about that. When I reached the door, I hesitated just for a second then I knocked.“Come in.” He said I pushed the door open and stepped inside Rafael stood behind his desk and he was dressed like nothing had happened.Julian was there too leaning against the wall.“Why does this feel lik
Rafael’s POVI woke up with a dull ache behind my eyes and the faint taste of whiskey still sitting at the back of my throat.For a second, I didn’t move then I let out a groan and looked around.I saw Isabella, she was curled beside me on the floor of the storage room, her head resting lightly against my shoulder, her hair slightly messy, her breathing slow and even.My chest tightened as I remembered what we did earlier and I rubbed my eyes Fuck!!Carefully, I shifted slightly, trying not to wake her and her hand slipped slightly against my arm Instinctively, I steadied her.My gaze dropped to her face again and there was a faint crease between her brows, even in sleep.I exhaled slowly and then reached for my phone.3:07 AM.The event was long over but the chaos probably still wasn’t but none of that mattered right now.What mattered was getting her out of here. I moved carefully, sliding one arm behind her back and the other under her knees.She stirred slightly and a soft sou
Isabella’s pov…We were too drunk to think or even care. I pressed my lips to his and we kissed like we were starving.“Rafael,” I breathed, but his mouth crashed into mine before I could finish. His tongue pushed past my lips, claiming me as his hands roamed down my sides, gripping my hips hard enough to bruise. He was taking out his anger on me, good.I moaned into the kiss my fingers tangling in his dark hair, tugging until he growled low in his throat. God, that sound. It sent liquid pooling between my thighs.He spun me around without warning, pressing my front against the cold metal shelving and some boxes rattled and a stack of folders nearly toppled over. I braced my hands on the shelf as he yanked my short dress up over my ass, the fabric bunching around my waist. Cool air hit my skin, then his hot palm smoothed over one cheek before he delivered a sharp smack. I gasped, arching back into him.“Quiet, Bella,” he murmured against my ear his voice rough with need. “Unless yo
Isabella’s POVThe silence in the storage room was suffocating it was the kind of silence that pressed against your chest, crawled under your skin, and refused to let you breathe properly.I stood there, my back against the door, my hand still wrapped around the handle like I expected someone to burst in at any second.But no one did.Outside, the noise was muffled now i could hear voices, footsteps, chaos but in here? It was just us.I turned slowly and he hadn’t moved not even an inch and he was still standing in the middle of the room like he’d been frozen in time.“Rafael”My voice came out softer than I intended, there was no response and I swallowed.Okay.Okay.Think Bella, do something.Anything.My gaze moved around the room, searching for something, something to pull him back from his state of shock and that’s when I saw it.There was a crate tucked against the wall it was half open with bottles inside, it contained alcohol.I let out a quiet breath and walked over, crouchi
Isabella’s POVI stared at my reflection for a long time, longer than necessary.I smoothed my hands down the sides of my dress again, even though there was nothing to fix.It was a baby blue dress and it was short and shimmering just enough to reflect the light without being too much.It was elegant and simple and I loved it because it made me feel confident.“You look insane,” Aurora said from behind me I forgot she was even hereI glanced at her through the mirror.“Good insane or bad insane?”“Annoyingly perfect insane.”I huffed a small laugh. “I’ll take that.”She stepped closer, adjusting a strand of my hair.“You’ll shut them up tonight.”“Who?”“Everyone.”I didn’t respond because I wasn’t sure that was possible anymore, not with everything going on and especially not with everything we’d uncovered.“Just stay close to Rafael,” she added, softer now.That made me pause.“I always have to”“Not only physically,” she said. “I mean in all way, just really stay close.”“I will,”
Isabella’s POVI loved pancakes and that was the only thing on my mind.My stomach betrayed me immediately with a soft growl i hadn’t realized how hungry I was.I followed the scent downstairs, one careful step at a time when I reached the kitchen I paused.Nanny Hilda stood at the stove, humming softly to herself like nothing in the world could disturb her peace.“How are you always so calm?” I asked.She turned, her face lighting up immediately.“Ah, Bella ! You’re awake.”She smiled warmly. “And you’re walking.”“Don’t make it a big deal,” I grumbled.“It is a big deal.”I rolled my eyes slightly but moved closer, leaning lightly against the counter.“What are you making?”Instead of answering, she turned the plate toward me and I blinked.“A heart?”A perfectly shaped heart pancake sat on the plate, golden and slightly fluffy, with syrup already drizzled on top.I stared at it then at her.“Really?”She grinned. “For strength and happiness.”A small laugh escaped me before I cou
Rafael’s POV….. Spending the evening with Isabella was perfect, we stayed together and enjoyed the evening, we both weren't ready to go back to the hotel room, but we had too. We slept off and Isabella made her ridiculous pillow division, like that was meant to stop me and we went to bed. It was
Isabella's pov…. Morning light filtered softly through the oversized windows of the penthouse, spilling over the pristine marble floors and muted tones of the decor. I shifted under the covers, groaning quietly, not yet ready to face the reality of another day under Rafael Ashford’s roof. The e
Isabella's pov….. Wow….Was all I could say as we pulled up in Rafael's mansion, his house was huge and beautiful, I admired the night view and looked at the beautiful garden at the front.When the doors finally slid open, I was hit with the full force of everything. Floor-to-ceiling windows stre
Isabella’s POV …..The car finally stops, and the driver opens the door for us, Rafael steps out before I do, and when I step out I'm attacked with flashes of light from cameras and so many questions “Miss Monroe is the information true?“ “Are you really in love with Mr Ashford?__ I ignored t







