LOGINThe house was suffocatingly silent. Outside, several bodyguards stood alert at every corner of the house and Imelda had just left for grocery shopping. Isabella sat on the couch, her novel on her lap, but she couldn't concentrate, her mind drifted back to her father's request over and over. 'The earlier you get it the better it is for us, dear. Just remember you're doing it for us, for our family. But, Bella… be careful around him. Don’t let him know anything about this. Not even that I called you.' Just the thought of it made her chest tighten. She hadn’t slept a wink last night, she kept tossing and turning through the night, hearing her father’s plea echoing in the back of her mind. Good thing Nikolai arrived late very tired, and probably didn't notice. By morning she had already made up her mind, she would find it and help her father only this time, it wouldn't be a big deal, would it? Nikolai had left with Roman very early in the morning even before the sun broke the horizo
Isabella walked through the hospital corridors, a soft satisfied smile on her lips. Today marked her last day of therapy. Finally, she could sleep through the night without those haunting nightmares. Outside, Roman stood by the car, his head slightly bowed. She noticed how he’d gone back to his usual self: calm, composed, and sparing with words, just like before the gala night. "Ma’am," he said respectfully, opening the door for her. "The boss asked me to take you home. He said he has something to handle at the company and might be home late." Isabella nodded and settled into her seat, her attention drifting back to the book resting on her lap, "The Crime Lord’s Obsession." "Also…" Roman began, his voice hesitant as if the thought had only just resurfaced. "He said he has a surprise for you at home." At that, Isabella’s head snapped up, her eyes shining bright with excitement. Roman almost smiled at her reaction but quickly turned his gaze back to the road. 'His arm had jus
Nikolai stood near the glass wall of his office window. He pocketed his hands and glanced down at the heavy traffic. He had barely slept last night. Not when Isabella had a nightmare again. It's been going on for the whole week. "Don’t touch me…" she had whimpered, twisting and kicking beneath the sheets, her voice trembling. He quickly sat up. Her face was damp with tears, her hands gripping the blanket as though shielding herself from something. "Isabella," he murmured urgently, pulling her up in a sitting position. His hand hovered gently over her shoulder before finally resting there. She had flinched at first then slowly stilled, her sobs slowing when he pulled her to his embrace such that her head was resting on his chest. "Hey, it’s me, princess," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you," he coaxed, pressing his lips against her forehead. For a long moment, she didn't open her eyes. Her breathing came out rag
In the grand ballroom, the crowd had thinned. Rosa scanned the room again and again trying to locate Nikolai but he was nowhere to be found. Just minutes ago, he had been standing near the balcony while speaking to a few investors. And then all of a sudden he was gone. Her brows furrowed for a second. 'He couldn't have gone far,' she thought. Then she remembered she had assigned her men some work. Quickly, she turned toward the corridor, her heels clicking in impatience as she hurried towards the restroom, a wicked smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Perhaps the little 'gift' she had arranged for her men they must have handled by now. Just a little fun enough to make that woman understand her place. She reached the corridor that led to the washrooms and froze. Didn't she tell them to lock the door first, she would reprimand them. The corridor was oddly quiet. The music and laughter from the gala faded behind her, replaced by the echo of her footsteps. Something about th
The drive back was suffocatingly silent. Neither of them spoke. Isabella sat by the window and stared outside, her fingers trembling slightly on her lap. Nikolai’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, his knuckles turning white. Every now, he'd steal Isabella's small glances through the mirror, yet she didn't even glance his way once, her reflection on the mirror was distant and pale. His brows furrowed and the veins in his arm bulged out. He wanted to say something but the words refused to come out. His anger still burned hotter. The only sound in the car was Isabella’s shallow breaths. Her wrist was still red from where those men had grabbed her earlier. And the thought of those men's filthy hands on her sent a shiver down her spine. Nikolai glanced at her through the mirror again and frowned. Every second of her silence gnawed at him, and he hated that he didn’t know what she was thinking. When the car finally rolled into the driveway of their mansion, s
"Stop right there!" The voice was cold, sharp, and commanding. Isabella froze mid-step. Her heart trembled, thudding against her ribs. She knew that voice very well, but the ice in his tone sent a shiver down her spine. Slowly, she turned, her pulse quickening when her eyes met Nikolai’s ice-cold glare. He stood at the far end of the corridor, his eyes dark, locked on Marcus’s hand, which held the door for her. Marcus cursed and straightened, his fists still clenched to the side, his chest heaving from the adrenaline "What the hell are you doing to her?" Nikolai asked, his voice dangerously low as he hurried to him. Marcus didn't answer, instead, he rolled his eyes. They had known each other for more than half their lives but never once had they had a normal conversation without punches flying around. Isabella’s breath caught in her throat as she saw the way Nikolai’s eyes burned with rage. Nikolai grabbed Marcus by the collar and pulled him, shoving him around. "Why did yo







