Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Betrayal, His Regret: Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 180

Isabel’s POV“No, I came alone,” Sarah said firmly as we hurried through the dim parking lot to the car waiting outside. Her face was calm, but I could see a flicker of urgency in her gaze. She took a quick look over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s just get out of here before they decide to come after us.”I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I imagined Lilith or one of her guards charging down the hall after us. The thought sent my pulse racing, and I quickened my steps to match Sarah’s.Once we were inside the car, away from Lilith’s twisted games and out of her reach, I felt a rush of relief. As we pulled away, Sarah let out a breath, and her face softened. “Isabel, I’m sorry for putting you through all of this,” she said, a touch of regret in her voice. “This was never supposed to happen. Emerson asked me to come get you when he realized where you’d gone.”That caught my attention. “Wait, what? Emerson asked you?” My che

Isabel’s POVThe sight of Emerson, lounging casually behind his desk with a half-smoked cigar in hand, stopped me cold. He looked so at ease, as though he hadn’t a care in the world. My heart was still racing from the sprint up here. I couldn’t decide if I was more relieved to see him safe or furious at his calm, almost comical expression. If only he knew the nightmare scenarios that had been running through my mind.At the sight of me, Emerson’s expression shifted from surprise to mild concern. He quickly snuffed out the cigar in the ashtray. "Isabel?" He stood up, scanning me as if looking for injuries. “Are you alright? Did something happen at the meeting?”The calmness of his tone was almost too much. “Am I alright?” I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. “Do you have any idea what kind of state I was in when I got here? I thought you—” I caught myself, unable to finish the sentence. I wasn’t about to tell him that I’d pictured him injured or worse. Not with how dismissive h

Isabel’s POVEmerson’s head turned slowly back toward me. The red outline of my hand was still visible across his cheek. He looked more stunned than hurt, his eyes wide with shock. For a split second, my heart fluttered with regret. But no, he’d brought this on himself. My pulse pounded with every beat as I faced him down, unflinching, daring him to say something. Anything.But instead, he blinked, focusing on my hand. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, as if he hadn’t just pushed me to the edge. “Your hand… does it hurt?”I almost laughed at his calm response, incredulous. “Are you seriously worried about my hand?” My voice shook, but I wouldn’t let it falter completely. “You just told me you agreed to go public with Lilith, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?” His concern seemed absurd, almost surreal. How could he pretend to care about me while putting me through this endless charade?He took a step toward me, hands open in a placating gesture. “Isa, it’s not what you think—”“Not wha

Isabel’s POVAs I felt the grip of Emerson’s arms tighten around me, a chill ran down my spine. His touch was rough, but there was a desperation to it that I hadn’t seen before. “Let me go,” I said, my voice low and unsteady. I pushed against his chest, trying to twist free. But his hold only grew more insistent.“Where are you going?” he murmured, his tone almost mocking. “Is there someone else waiting for you? Robert, perhaps? Or maybe Sebastian?”I stopped struggling. His words hung heavy in the air between us. “What are you talking about?” I replied, incredulous. “Why are you even bringing them up?” The frustration in my voice didn’t faze him—if anything, it seemed to amuse him.“Isabel,” he said, his voice darkening, “you think I don’t know? You run around, putting yourself in danger, and then expect me to just sit back and let it happen. I’m not that foolish.” His eyes narrowed, searching mine. His jaw was clenched in some unspoken battle.I could feel my anger building, but b

Isabel’s POVEmerson’s words had hit me like ice water. My chest tightened as I imagined Sebastian and Margot, trapped in some cold, faceless compound under General Woods’ watch. From their stories, I knew Victor Woods was ruthless—an iron fist disguised by military decorum. And Sebastian? He’d told me bits and pieces about the things he’d done, the kinds of dangers he faced. But this… this was beyond anything I’d pictured.I turned to Emerson, my voice trembling. “What exactly did General Woods find? Do you… do you know what he’s planning for them?”Emerson’s face was like stone, unreadable. “I haven’t heard of any casualties among his officers,” he said slowly, as if choosing each word with caution.“But Woods won’t let an incident like this slide. And Margot… I haven’t heard about her. Her identity was always hidden. For her, it could be even worse if she’s exposed.”I could barely breathe. Margot had been Sebastian’s lifeline, his only family since they were children. She was bra