تسجيل الدخول~ ISLA ~The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, punctuated only by the distant rustle of the oak leaves above.I took a slow sip of the cold water for the second time, using the motion to steady my nerves. The lingering adrenaline and pregnancy hormones caused my heart to beat unevenly, making it hard to maintain my usual composure.Looking up at the woman standing before me, I let out a soft breath and forced a grateful smile. "Thank you, Alice. For everything. If you hadn't been there, I don't think I would have been able to dodge that in time."Alice’s expression softened instantly, her features warming up with that familiar, comforting friendliness. She waved her hand dismissively, though her eyes remained entirely attentive to my condition."Please, don't thank me. As another human being, I could never sit back and watch someone being assaulted like that.” Her eyes shimmered as she spoke. “How is your dizziness? Are you feeling any better?""A little," I murmured, lea
~ ISLA ~"Excuse me," I said politely, though my tone remained firm as I looked at the woman who had just blocked my path.She didn't move an inch. Instead, she stepped closer, the heavy scent of her expensive, suffocating perfume filling the space between us. As I studied her face, a cold dread settled in my stomach once I recognized her.It was Mrs. Chandler—Emery’s mother. Her usually pristine, high-society facade was completely gone, replaced by features twisted in absolute, unbridled fury. Her eyes were bloodshot, glaring at me as if she wanted to tear me apart right there in the parking lot."You miserable, low-class witch," Mrs. Chandler hissed, her voice shaking with rage. She didn't care who heard her; the elegant mask had cracked entirely. "You think you're clever, don't you? Look at what you've done to my family! Because of you, the Chandler Corporation is facing a massive blow! Our stocks are plummeting, our name is being dragged through the mud, and my daughter is humilia
~ ISLA ~After days of high-stakes tension and chaotic headlines, the quiet routine of my afternoon felt like a breath of fresh air—finally.Riley and I had managed to align our chaotic schedules for a long-overdue lunch, agreeing to meet at a quiet, upscale bistro tucked away fifteen minutes from Tribeca Heights.The restaurant was bustling with the midday rush when I arrived, but the moment I spotted Riley sitting at our corner table, my professional instincts immediately overrode my relief.She didn't look like herself."Hey," I said softly, sliding into the seat opposite her and setting my bag down.I leaned forward, my eyes scanning her face as if I were inspecting a patient. "Are you alright? You look a little paler than the last time we met."Riley forced a bright, familiar smile, waving her hand dismissively as she adjusted her napkin. "What are you babbling about? I'm fine. Just completely stressed out with my shifts at the hospital lately. You know how the ward gets this tim
~ ALISTAIR ~ The corporate execution was swift, merciless, and completely definitive. Just as Antonio had promised, Vitale International Holdings moved at terrifying speed the moment our legal documents were finalized. By the time the sun began to dip below the Manhattan skyline, the Chandler Group’s stocks were already facing devastating hurdles, spiraling downward before the trading day could even close. Standing by the window of my office, I watched the red ticker numbers bleed out on the digital terminal. A deep sense of grim satisfaction settled in my chest. "Mr. Montgomery," Evan said smoothly, stepping into the room with his tablet. "The Chandlers are officially scrambling. And our men confirm that Dr. Grant has left the premises and headed straight to her villa. So far, there has been no other movement." "Good," I replied, my voice clipping through the quiet room. "Instruct them to keep an eye on her. I want to know exactly who she speaks to and where she goes. She is reck
~ ALISTAIR ~ Antonio’s words hung heavily in the air, vibrating with a quiet, absolute gravity that seemed to shift the very atmospheric pressure of the room. I didn't blink once. I kept my gaze locked onto his while my mind worked at a hyper-calculated speed beneath my stoic mask. For a man who ruled a global empire from the shadows, admitting a personal vulnerability—admitting he was moving hundreds of millions of dollars just to shield Isla—was a massive card to play. "You expect me to believe the ruthless Antonio Vitale makes multi-billion dollar corporate decisions based on parental sentiment?" I asked, my voice carrying a dry, razor-sharp edge of skepticism. "The last time we crossed paths, you didn't hesitate to slit the throat of my LA project." He wasn't even stirred by my provocative statement. "That was a different story. You were a business competitor at that time,” he countered smoothly, leaning back and resting his arm along the top of the leather sofa. His expr
~ ALISTAIR ~After giving out my order, Evan left my office to execute it, leaving me alone with a roaring fire of fury in my chest.I stared at the door for a second, my heart pounding a dangerous rhythm against my ribs. The corporate chaos could wait—and so could the lawsuit. But my mind wouldn't rest until I confirmed with absolute certainty that Isla was okay.With a sharp sigh, I pulled my personal phone from my pocket and dialed her number. The line rang, each tone stretching out like an eternity until a soft, slightly breathless voice answered. "Alistair?"Hearing her voice instantly took the edge off my murderous rage, grounding me."I just heard from security." I gripped the phone, my knuckles turning white. "Are you alright? Evan told me about Emery. He said you had a cramp."A soft, weary sigh came over the line, followed by the faint clinking of a ceramic teacup. "I’m fine. Truly. Anna brought me some hot prenatal tonic, and the pain is completely gone. I'm just resting o







