Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

Isabella's pov…. Morning light filtered softly through the oversized windows of the penthouse, spilling over the pristine marble floors and muted tones of the decor. I shifted under the covers, groaning quietly, not yet ready to face the reality of another day under Rafael Ashford’s roof. The events of the night before—his smirk, the sandwiches, the way he had looked at me—played through my mind like a film I could not stop. I clenched the bedsheets, forcing myself to focus on anything else but him. I got up and walked into the bathroom, did my morning routine and walked downstairs. The house was extremely quiet “Good morning Mrs Ashford” a woman said, she was wearing a uniform so she must be a worker. I cringed at the Mrs Ashford she called me “Hi, please call me Isabella” I said “Of course” the woman said “Where is Rafael?“ “Oh Mr Ashford went to work already” “Ok, what is your name?“ “Hilda miss” I smiled “Ok thank you Hilda” Would you like breakfast,

Isabella’s POV….My phone starts ringing before I’m fully awake.Not a gentle ring. Not a casual vibration.An insistent, sharp sound that cuts straight through my skull.I groan, rolling onto my back, blinking up at the ceiling. My body feels heavy, like I barely slept at all. Which isn’t surprising. My mind had spent most of the night replaying everything that’s happened since my life took a drastic turn.I reach for my phone without checking the caller ID.“Hello?” My voice comes out rough.“Isabella.”Of course.I sit up slowly, already feeling the familiar tension building in my shoulders. “Good morning to you too, Dad.”“This isn’t the time for sarcasm,” he says, his tone clipped, always business straight to business with him.“We need to talk.”I swing my legs off the bed and rub my eyes. “You always need to talk.”“You’ll be representing me at Ashford Holdings,” he continues, ignoring the comment entirely.I freeze.“What?”“Our shares in Rafael’s company,” he clarifies like h

Isabella’s POV…..Shit… Sebastian and the blonde woman walks to our table and Rafael tenses besides me.The moment Sebastian reaches our table, the air tightens.And I could feel everyone staring at us.The blonde woman remains tucked against his arm, her manicured fingers resting possessively against his sleeve like a silent announcement.Saying He is mine.Rafael doesn’t move, he doesn't even react. He simply lifts his champagne glass with infuriating calm and takes a slow sip.I hate how much that steadiness affects me.“Isabella,” Sebastian says, his smooth voice calling my name.I lift my chin. “Sebastian.”The blonde’s eyes flicker over me,she looks at me from head to toe, Her gaze lingers on my dress a fraction too long before she smiles—a very bright and very fake smile “Hi,” she chirps. “I’m Clarisse.”Of course she is.Her voice is sweet in the way expensive perfume is sweet—overdone and intentional. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.“Clarisse,” I repeat politely.Rafae

Rafael’s POV….The penthouse is silent when I return to my room.I close the door behind me quietly, loosening my tie as I cross the room. The city glows beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, thousands of lights blinking like restless eyes. Normally, the view always steadied me. Reminded me of control. Order and Power.Tonight, it does nothing.My reflection stares back at me from the dark glass. I couldn't stop thinking about Isabella, or the look on her face when she saw Sebastian. She was obviously still in loved with him and it bothered me. Why did it bother me.I remembered how it felt having her in my arms for just that brief moment I shrug off my jacket and set it carefully over the back of a chair. The fabric still holds the faint scent of her perfume from where she leaned against me earlier. Soft. Subtle and warm.It annoyed me that I notice.I sit at the edge of the bed instead of lying down.For several minutes, I do nothing but stare at the floor.This wasn’t pa

Rafael’s POV…..I look at the broken bottles and sigh, Hilda walks in “Oh, she got really angry” she said looking at the broken bottles “Get me new ones, exactly the same fragrance” “Miss Isabella injured her leg” “Just leave her alone” I said Hilda cleaned up the mess and left, I grabbed my car keys and left the house. I had something to deal with___The restaurant smells of crisp linen and roasted coffee.It’s one of the private places in the city where discretion is guaranteed. Nothing flashy. Nothing too public. But the lighting is low, intimate, and it’s enough to make anyone feel exposed.I sit at the corner table, my back to the wall, my eyes scanning the polished wood floor. The soft murmur of conversation drifts around me, but my mind isn’t on the menu. It’s on her.Clarisse.The blonde woman who thinks she can play games with me.She arrives on time, like she always does, dressed impeccably in a tailored white dress that clings to her figure. Not overdone, but