Cairo's POV.I spent weeks living off scraps. After everything that happened between me and Ryan I still kept on telling myself that there was still more between us.I kept telling myself that after everything he was still going to remember how I tasted, how I fit perfectly against him.But then I started hearing whispers. Ryan was distant, and more distracted than usual. He was drinking more and I even caught him once at that smoky little bar downtown.His head was in his hands, mumbling Isabella's name like a curse and a prayer all at once. It made my skin crawl. That fragile bitch, even sickly, she held more of Ryan than I ever had. I couldn't compete with a dying girl. Not unless I turned her tragedy into a weapon.So I paid a nurse. A pathetic woman, easily bought with a string of zeros. She handed over confidential reports to me as her eyes didn't fail to look around like she thought the walls might hear or see her. But I didn't care if they did, because I already had what I ne
Ryan's POV.I hadn't expected to linger. I came to my grandmother's mansion that afternoon for one reason alone, and that was to remind my grandmother exactly which Westwood was truly worthy of her loyalty.I thought if I could pry her from Declan's side, it might weaken him and Isabella by extension.But as soon as I arrived, I was told she was out in the gardens. So I wandered that way, rehearsing my smug little speech. The one where I would pretend to be the prodigal grandson, I was going to be humble and concerned for the family’s name, because I was desperate to make amends.That plan shattered the moment I heard Declan's voice, low and strained..“The doctor said it has progressed too quickly. He is urging the surgery soon and I don't want to risk it, it is practically gambling with her life but what other choice do we have grandmother?”I froze at the spot as soon as I heard those words come out from Declan's mouth. My breath was caught in my chest. It felt shallow and sharp.A
Isabella's POV. I couldn't stop fussing with my hair, even though Declan told me a hundred times that I looked beautiful. But to me it just felt ridiculous, all these efforts just for a dinner on the terrace?.But it wasn't just dinner. It was the first time since the hospital that things felt almost normal. Or maybe it was the first time they ever felt real. He had refused to let me lift a finger and he had arranged everything. They were candles everywhere and tiny twinkling lights, there was also a soft jam playlist floating through the warm night air. The table was set for two with white plates and white glasses that sparkled under the bulbs. Every decoration was very simple but somehow more intimate than any lavish gala we had ever attended together. “Stop looking so nervous Bella” Declan murmured, pressing a kiss to the side of my hair as he pulled out a chair for me to sit down on. “I promise I didn't poison the food” he said and I chuckled at his words.“No, that is not the
Isabella's POV.I never thought that the cold, sterile scent of a hospital could become my second skin. It clung to my hair, my clothes, and even my lungs.But hours before I had been in our living room with Declan. I was teasing him about his laughter when my whole world collapsed It was like my body instantly gave up and my legs scrambled beneath me as the floor hurried to take me away. And I felt a sharp pain in my chest before I finally lost consciousness. The next thing I realized was I could feel my body in Declan's arms. I could feel how his heart thundered against my cheeks as he cradled me in his arms.“Bella, please stay with me. Damn it. Just open your eyes Bella” he begged but I couldn't open my eyes. The darkness I felt was heavy and thick. But I also had the vibration of his voice and how frantic he carried me up, holding me like I was the most precious and fragile thing in the whole world.“Call the driver!” I heard Declan scream at someone but I didn't know who it w
Levi's POV.I never thought I could lose everything so damn quickly. One day, I was the man who walked into rooms with his head held high and who had investors lining up. I was once the man who slept like a king on silk sheets. But now what was it all about?. Now I was a joke. And a ghost of a man I used to be. I stared at the reflection in the dark mirror of my car. Boxes were piled up everywhere in my car and my assistant quit just two days ago. The bank had called in the last of my loans. And I was living on borrowed time, waiting for the final blow.And I knew exactly who to blame. It was Isabella and Declan Westwood. Together they had torn my life apart as though it was nothing to me and to them.And for what? because I had loved her too much and I refused to let go?. I slammed my fist through the glass as pain exploded up my arm.My life that was once beautiful had turned into a disaster. My entire life was shattered into tiny pieces but it wasn't enough to shut me down compl
Isabella's POV.I never thought I would be the kind of woman who sits at a polished table, calmly planning the financial downfall of someone who once swore he loved me.But here I was in the private conference room of Declan's estate as papers were placed before my table. Declan leaned back in his chair, watching me with that steady unreadable gaze of his that somehow made my pulse skip. He didn't say a word as he allowed me to take the lead, this was my war to fight and he was simply arming me.I traced a finger over the contract in front of me. “So once I sign this. Levi's company liquidity dries up and his investors will pull out. His loans will get called in and by Monday he is going to drown” I asked as Declan nodded his head at me.“Exactly. You are going to be squeezing him until he cannot breathe anymore. His empire even if it's small, compared to ours starts to crumble” he revealed and I swallowed hard as a strange heat coiled in my chest.Was it a triumph? Or guilt? God I w