Mag-log inAurora’s POVThe first time I saw Julian Hawthorne, I decided immediately that I hated him which should’ve been my first warning.Because every bad decision in my life had started with intense hatred. The gala dinner was suffocating.Too many rich people and too many fake smiles.Too many women pretending they didn’t starve themselves for the dress they were currently squeezing into.Including me.I stood near the balcony doors with a champagne flute in my hand, trying not to murder anyone.Inside the ballroom, violins played softly while investors laughed too loudly at Rafael Ashford’s jokes which was strange because the only thing he said were one word things.Bella looked beautiful that night too and I loved it for her. That alone made the whole event tolerable.I took another sip of champagne and leaned against the balcony railing.The night air cooled my skin instantly.Then a male voice spoke behind me.“You look like you’re planning to commit suicide”I didn’t turn immediately b
Isabella’s POVThree days after Sebastian was arrested, and everything still felt strange.The news had exploded after Sebastian’s arrest, every channel carried the story.SEBASTIAN VALE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDERFORMER HEIR INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE ATTACKSMONROE-ASHFORD SCANDAL TAKES DARK TURNApparently Sebastian had confessed to stalking me during one of his breakdowns in custody not all the attacks just some.Which meant the police still weren’t fully convinced he acted alone, that part still unsettled me but Rafael promised they were handling it.And strangely i believed him now completely.Which was probably unhealthy considering the man used to climb through my windows like a Victorian ghost.Still creepy, attractive but creepy.I stood in front of the mirror adjusting my earrings nervously.Tonight was the first proper dinner we’d had together in weeks.No hospitals or attacks, no paparazzi disasters just us.Well us plus Aurora, Vivienne, and Julian.Hilda insisted on mak
Isabella’s pov We went downstairs to eat so Hilda wouldn’t barge into the room.Hilda made a dish of Mac and cheese and roast chicken.I was finally done eating and i stood up to clear a plate, but his hand shot out, his fingers wrapping firmly around my wrist. “Leave it.”His voice was low, rough, laced with command. Heat pooled instantly between my thighs. I turned to face him, my dress clinging to my curves, the hem riding high on my thighs from sitting so long. Rafael rose from his chair like a predator, all broad shoulders and restrained power in his tailored black shirt, his sleeves were rolled up “Rafael” I breathed, but he was already on me.He spun me around and bent me forward over the heavy dining table in one smooth motion. “Hilda may see us” I gritted out “She can watch” he rasped back My palms slapped against the polished wood as my breasts pressed flat against the cool surface. A sharp gasp escaped me when he kicked my feet wider apart, forcing my legs open.His fi
Isabella’s POV …For one horrible second nobody moved. The alley went completely silent except for my ragged breathing.Rafael and Sebastian stood frozen together, the gun hung loosely between them as I held my breath, waiting to see who got shot.Sebastian staggered backward and his eyes widened strangely and suddenly blood spread across his shirt.I gasped and Sebastian looked down slowly at the stain blooming near his stomach.“No” he whispered.Then he collapsed and the gun clattered loudly against the concrete. My entire body gave out in relief instantly.Rafael was safe.I rushed toward him so fast my injured ankle screamed in protest. He turned toward me immediately.The moment I reached him, I threw my arms around him so hard we nearly both fell over.“Oh my God,” I choked out. “Oh my God.”His arms wrapped around me instantly tightly and I was trembling and so was he, I cried in his arms from fear and exhaustion.“You’re okay,” he whispered roughly against my hair.I pulled b
Rafael’s POVMonths Earlier“The killer is watching her.”Julian’s words sat heavily in the room.I leaned back in my chair slowly, my whiskey untouched in my hand as rain battered the windows of my office.“You’re sure?”Julian nodded once.“The messages started before the gala incident. Before Sebastian’s scandal exploded.” He slid several printed photographs across the desk. “Whoever this is I think they’re patient.”I looked down at the photos, they were so many photos of Isabella leaving work and entering restaurants.My chest tightened violently.“She has a stalker.”“She has someone obsessed with her,” Julian corrected. “Different thing entirely.”My jaw clenched.“We need to find them.”“I’m trying.” Julian sat across from me quietly then finally said the thing I didn’t want to hear.“They’re not going to expose themselves while she’s protected.”I took a drink of my whiskey i already knew where this was going.“No.”Julian sighed.“It’s the only option.”“No.”“We make them b
Isabella’s POVMy hands still wouldn’t stop shaking even after everything settled. Even after the attacker was unconscious.Even after Julian arrived.Even after Rafael wrapped his jacket around my shoulders and kept one hand firmly against my back like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go i still felt terrified.The kind of fear that stayed under your skin. Julian handled everything strangely calmly like this happened every Tuesday.Which honestly concerned me deeply.The unconscious attacker had been dragged into one of Julian’s vehicles while he made several phone calls in that calm terrifying voice of his.Rafael stayed beside me the entire time still bleeding and silent I kept glancing at the cut on his arm. It looked painful but he acted like it was a paper cut.Psychotic behavior honestly.“You need stitches,” I muttered for the fifth time.Rafael looked down at me briefly.“You need to rest.”“That’s not an answer.”“It’s the only one you’re getting.”I glared at him and
Isabella’s POV…..By the time I got back to the penthouse my feet hurt and my whole body ached but I enjoyed all the things I did with Vivienne. Vivianne's apartments was a temporary escape, we laughed, watched movies, ate chocolates and junks like old times, but the moment I walk through Rafae
Rafael’s POV…. Something was wrong. I felt it before anyone said anything. A subtle shift in the air, like the moment before a storm breaks. The photographer lowered his camera, frowning. “Where’s Isabella?” I scanned the room immediately. Stylists hovered near garment racks. Assistants
Isabella’s POV……Work swallowed me whole.By the time I glanced up from my laptop, my eyes were burning and the sun had shifted across the glass walls of my office. I hadn’t noticed. Spreadsheets, proposals, projections, handwritten notes I didn’t even remember making — everything blurred together
Rafael’s POV…..I sat in my car and rook a deep breathe, Clarisse was back in my life. I was surprised she played along in the party pretending not to know me. But why did Sebastian bring her to the party, what exactly is his plan. Her audacity deserved one last warning.I sent her a message:L







