“Lily, stop joking. The guy I had a one-night stand with, can’t possibly be my groom.” Carmela Blake paced her bedroom, the soft fabric of her wedding dress swishing with each nervous step. Her phone was pressed to her ear, and her best friend’s panicked tone did little to soothe her nerves. “Carmela, I’m fucking serious!” Lily’s voice was sharp. “You, think about it for me; tall, gray eyes, ridiculously rich and insanely hot. That’s Damion Blackwood from head to bottom. How many men like that do you think exist?” Carmela’s stomach flipped, knowing what her best friend was saying was true. “It’s just a coincidence,” she said weakly, though her voice wavered. “I mean, I didn’t even get his name that night, so…” “Exactly! You didn’t get his name, and now you’re marrying a guy who fits perfectly to the description. Now, tell me if that’s not suspicious.” Carmela stopped pacing, her fingers in between her teeth’s, she sank onto the edge of her bed, her gaze drifting to the glitterin
Carmela froze, her body stiffening. Own her? He didn’t just say that. Did he? She pulled away, her gaze scanning his expression for any trace of amusement, a clue that he could be joking, yet there was none. His demeanor was serene, deliberate, and completely resolute. This must be a form of a joke, she considered, or perhaps she was imagining it. Yes that was it. She was going to wake up now and everything was going to be fine but when she looked to his face once more, Damion smirk told her otherwise. The drive to the Blackwood estate was silent, the tension in the air was so thick that Carmela could barely breathe in her wedding gown. When they arrived, the sprawling mansion loomed before her like a palace - cold, grand, and intimidating. As they stepped inside, Damion didn’t bother with pleasantries. He turned to her, his gray eyes sharp and commanding. “There are rules you’ll follow in this house.” Carmela blinked. “Rules?” “Yes, rules.” His tone was clipped, as th
Carmela’s heart pounded as she stood frozen at the door of Damion’s office. His sharp gray eyes fixed on hers, enigmatic yet powerful. Her thoughts raced to find a reason, anything that could clarify why she was present and what she had just listened to.“I… I apologize,” she faltered, stepping back slightly. "I was simply... about to come call you for dinner, but you looked occupied with a lot of things." She turned quickly, desperate to escape the suffocating tension that filled the room.“How long were you standing there?” Damion’s voice cut through the air like a blade, stopping her in her tracks.Carmela swallowed hard, keeping her back to him. “Not long,” she said weakly, her tone unconvincing even to herself.Damion’s chair creaked as he leaned forward, his gray eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Did you hear anything?”She paused, her shoulders tensing. She tilted her head a bit and looked at him. “I heard something about the Blake family and not knowing what will hit them,” she sa
The car was silent, the hum of the engine was the only sound as Carmela sat stiffly in the backseat, her hands clenched in her lap. Beside her, Damion exuded his usual air of dominance, his tailored suit immaculate and his piercing gray eyes fixed ahead.The tension between them was palpable, but neither said a word as the car glided through the city streets toward the gala.Carmela stole a glance at him. Even in silence, he was intimidatingly perfect. His defined jawline appeared capable of slicing through steel, and his dark hair was casually arranged, with one lock falling perfectly to create a nonchalant appearance. His cologne—a mix of earthy elegance—filled the car, causing her heart to race. Her gaze flicked away before he could notice her staring, though her heart refused to settle. Why did she keep looking at him? Why did he have to look like that? So hot and sexy?As the vehicle came to a halt, the whispers of reporters and photographers outside could be heard. Carmela tigh
Carmela's heartbeat quickened while she looked at Damion's muscular back. He stood resolutely before her, protecting her from Elena’s immature outburst. His suit, now stained with wine, clung to his shoulders, the fabric highlighting every taut muscle beneath. Her breath hitched. Why had he stepped in? Why did her heart flutter when he did? She wasn’t sure if it was gratitude, confusion, or something far more dangerous brewing in her chest. Damion turned slightly, his piercing gray eyes scanning her from head to toe. His forehead creased, and for an instant, there seemed to be something in his eyes—concern, maybe? “Are you okay?” he inquired, his tone gentler than she anticipated, nearly affectionate. Carmela parted her lips, yet the phrases didn't emerge. She merely nodded, overwhelmed by the unexpected change in his attitude. Behind him, Elena, appearing truly taken aback by Damion’s response, moved closer, her hands moving anxiously. “Damion, I had no idea you’d… I never inte
Carmela stepped out of the bathroom, her face still wan yet calm, with Lily next to her. The atmosphere around them felt denser, saturated with the unvoiced burden of Lily’s persistent worry and Carmela’s escalating nervousness.Before either had the chance to talk, a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a black suit emerged at the hallway's entrance. A bodyguard of Damion. His demeanor was authoritative, and his voice was strong but courteous as he spoke to her.“Ma’am, we have to leave now. Master Damion is waiting for you.”Carmela blinked, her brows furrowing. She exchanged a brief, questioning glance with Lily before responding. “Leave? But the event isn’t over yet. What’s the sudden change of plans?”The guard stayed impassive, his face lacking any expression. "I'm just obeying instructions, ma'am."Her belly twisted. Something felt off.With a forced smile, she turned back to Lily, grasping her hand gently. “I—I guess I have to go. Call me later?”Lily squeezed her hand in ret
Carmela’s heart raced so fiercely that it overwhelmed the quiet closing in around her. The tiny white box in Damion’s hand felt like a ticking bomb between them, with each second dragging painfully as he reached it toward her. His face remained unreadable, a perfect mask of icy control, yet the storm brewing in his steel-gray eyes betrayed him.“Use this,” he said again, his tone steady yet laden with unexpressed allegations. Carmela gazed at the pregnancy test kit, her fingers gripping the edge of the bedspread as her throat constricted. She sensed confinement, as if the spacious bedroom's walls were closing in on her. Her voice trembled. “Why… why are you giving me this?”Damion’s gaze never wavered, pinning her where she sat. His jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a hard line. “You know why.”No. No, she did not. At the very least, that was what she wished to convince herself. However, beneath the surface, the anxiety eating away at her was unmistakable. Does he know?No, h
The tension in the mansion was suffocating. After slamming the bedroom door behind him the previous night, Damion hadn’t spoken another word to Carmela.By morning, she awoke to find his side of the bed untouched. The house was eerily quiet, the weight of his absence pressing down on her chest.In his office, however, the morning was anything but silent.Damion sat behind his imposing mahogany desk, his gray eyes fixed on the city skyline beyond the towering windows. He didn’t move as his assistant, Leonard, stepped into the room with a stack of files.“Sir,” Leonard began, his voice cautious, “you asked for an update on the Blake family’s situation.”Damion’s gaze didn’t waver. For a long moment, he said nothing, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wood.“Pause everything,” he said finally, his voice low but resolute.Leonard blinked, clearly taken aback. “Pause, sir? But we’re nearly at the final stage. If we pull back now—”“I said pause,” Damion cut in, his tone sharp
Isabelle’s POV The air between us was thick—suffocating. Damion stood so close I could feel the heat radiating off his body, his eyes locked onto mine like I was something he was about to devour. His breathing was rough, his fists clenched at his sides as if he was restraining himself from doing something reckless. “Tell me to leave,” he repeated, his voice low, controlled—but barely. I wanted to. I needed to. But the words wouldn’t come. I hated him for what he did to me—for tearing my life apart, for betraying me in ways I still wasn’t sure I’d ever recover from. And yet, my body remembered him in ways I wished it didn’t. The way his touch had once been my solace. The way he could ignite something deep inside me with just a glance. I hated him for that, too. So I did the only thing I could. I let my anger consume me. I laughed. A sharp, bitter sound. “You want me to tell you to leave?” I shook my head, my voice cold. “You don’t deserve to be here, Damion. Y
Isabelle’s POV The night was quiet, save for the faint hum of the city beyond my windows. I had just settled onto the couch, a glass of wine in hand, when the knock came. No. Not a knock. A pound. Sharp. Unrelenting. I knew who it was before I even stood. Damion. I took a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm. But my hands trembled slightly as I set my glass down and walked toward the door. I should have ignored it. I should have let him stew in whatever storm was raging inside him. But I didn’t. Because I wanted to face him. I needed to. I unlocked the door and pulled it open, coming face to face with the man who had once held my entire world in his hands—and shattered it without a second thought. He looked…unhinged. His tie was gone, the top buttons of his shirt undone. His hair was slightly disheveled, like he had run his hands through it too many times. But it was his eyes that stopped me. Wild. Hungry. Desperate. “What the hell are you doing her
Isabelle’s POV The city skyline stretched out beyond the restaurant windows, a glittering illusion of peace. Inside, soft music played, waiters moved smoothly between tables, and elegant laughter filled the air. It was the kind of place designed to make people forget their troubles. But I wasn’t here to forget. I was here to remind Damion that he didn’t own me. Brian sat across from me, his expression warm but observant. He had dressed well—dark suit, open collar, the perfect balance of casual and refined. He looked like a man who had his life together. A man who wasn’t haunted by the past. Unlike Damion. “So,” Brian said, leaning forward slightly. “You never did tell me why you suddenly wanted to have dinner.” I smiled, swirling my wine glass. “Can’t a woman enjoy good food with a good friend?” His eyes flickered with something unreadable. “You can. But you’re not the type to do anything without a reason.” I took a slow sip of my wine, letting the silence stretch
Isabelle’s POV I knew he would come. I had barely stepped into my office when the air shifted, thick with something I recognized too well—his presence. Damion. I didn’t bother turning around as the door closed behind him, the soft click sending a sharp wave of irritation through me. “You shouldn’t be here,” I said flatly, placing my bag on my desk. “I needed to see you,” he replied, his voice deep, rough. Of course he did. I finally turned, meeting his gaze. His suit was immaculate, his posture controlled, but his eyes—those damn blue eyes—were anything but. They were heated, restless, filled with something dark and consuming. Lust. For me. I ignored the way my stomach tightened at the intensity of it. “You have two minutes,” I said coolly, crossing my arms. “Say whatever it is you came here to say, and then leave.” His jaw flexed, as if he was barely restraining himself. “It’s about Kaia. And my father.” I arched a brow. “Oh? Finally realizing the people
Walter’s POV The world respected power, and I had spent my entire life ensuring no one forgot mine. The sprawling skyline outside my office window was a testament to everything I had built. Ryder Industries wasn’t just a company—it was an empire. One that required careful management, sharp decisions, and sometimes…removing obstacles. And right now, Isabelle Everett was an obstacle. She was a thorn in my son’s side, a threat to my company, and a distraction Damion couldn’t seem to let go of. Her return to the city had set off a chain of events I couldn’t ignore, and her resilience—her refusal to crumble under pressure—was beginning to irritate me. She thought she could outmaneuver me. She couldn’t. Kaia sat across from me in my office, her legs crossed, her expression calm but watchful. I valued Kaia for her ambition, her intelligence, her ability to play the long game. She was everything Isabelle wasn’t—controlled, pragmatic, ruthless. And yet, I couldn’t shake the
Isabelle’s POV The meeting room was pristine, the kind of sterile environment that stifled emotions and amplified tension. I sat at the head of the long glass table, flipping through the agenda for the upcoming collaboration between my company and Ryder Industries. But my mind wasn’t on logistics or contracts. It was on her. Kaia Carter. She sat at the opposite end of the table, poised and polished in her tailored suit, her every move deliberate, her smile just sharp enough to cut. I had spent the last few days piecing together the threads of her alliance with Walter Ryder, and what I’d found left me both furious and unsettled. Kaia wasn’t just manipulative—she was ambitious. Dangerous. And now, with the details Stephanie had uncovered, I knew the truth. Kaia didn’t care about Walter. She didn’t care about Damion. She cared about power. And she was playing a long game to take everything. The meeting began, each executive presenting their updates and projections
Isabelle’s POV The weight of the anonymous message hadn’t lessened. If anything, it grew heavier with each passing hour. “Kaia and Walter are closer than you think. Be careful.” It lingered at the forefront of my mind as I walked into my office the next morning, the hum of business as usual doing little to distract me. Stephanie greeted me with her usual efficiency, but I barely heard her rundown of the day’s agenda. My focus was elsewhere—on the puzzle pieces slowly falling into place. Kaia and Walter. It wasn’t just about them being ruthless or manipulative. That, I could handle. But the idea of them working together was a different beast entirely. If they were united, it meant they had a shared goal. And that goal had to involve me. I needed answers. After ensuring I wouldn’t be disturbed, I locked my office door and spread out the documents Stephanie had gathered on Kaia Carter. Her background, her business dealings, her personal life—it was all there. But wh
Isabelle’s POV The morning sunlight streamed through the office windows, casting a golden glow over my desk. But the warmth of the day couldn’t chase away the chill settling in my chest. The past few weeks had felt like walking a tightrope, with secrets and lies swirling just beneath my feet. Every step forward felt shaky, every move potentially catastrophic. And now this. The anonymous message had arrived in the middle of the night, a single line of text from an untraceable number: “Kaia and Walter are closer than you think. Be careful.” I’d read it a dozen times, each repetition driving the meaning deeper into my mind. Kaia and Walter. Together. It wasn’t impossible. They were both manipulative, both willing to do whatever it took to get what they wanted. But working together? That changed everything. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen of my phone, the message still open. My instincts screamed that this wasn’t just some baseless rumor. There was int
Isabelle’s POV The weight of the last few days lingered like a storm cloud, heavy and unrelenting. Every time I glanced at Nathan, my chest tightened with a mixture of relief and guilt. He was home, safe, but the questions surrounding his disappearance were far from resolved. I sat at the breakfast table, watching him eat his cereal with a sleepy, half-hearted enthusiasm. His curls stuck to his forehead, and his small hands clutched the spoon like it was the most important task in the world. “Mommy?” he asked, his voice breaking through my haze. I blinked, leaning forward. “Yes, sweetheart?” “Are we going to the park today?” he asked, tilting his head. The simplicity of his request struck me. After everything, he just wanted to go to the park—back to normalcy. I wanted that for him too, but nothing about this felt normal. “We’ll see, baby,” I said gently, brushing a stray curl off his forehead. “Mommy has some things to do today, but maybe later.” His face fell sligh