All Chapters of HOUSE OF FORBIDDEN DESIRE : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Isabella's POVLucas came home on a Thursday evening in the middle of a rainstorm that felt like the sky was trying to wash the whole city clean.I heard the front door open from my room, wet footsteps, and the thump of a suitcase hitting marble, his low voice saying something to Maria about the flight being delayed.I was excited he was back, but I didn’t go down right away. I stayed at my desk, staring at a half-written text to Claire that I hadn’t sent.*We need to talk about Daniel. I think he's planning something.*I deleted it.Typed again.Deleted it again. Fuck. I threw my phone on the bed. Was I having an indecision problem, too? Guess I had to see a therapist at this point cause I was so losing it.By the time I finally made it downstairs. Lucas was in the kitchen, drying off his hair with a towel, still in the same black hoodie and jeans he’d worn on the plane. He looked older than I remembered. He had darker circles under his eyes, a new tattoo curling around his left fo

Isabella’s POV Victor arrived unannounced on a rainy Saturday afternoon, pulling up in a gray Bentley that looked too expensive even for our driveway. He stepped out in a very expensive looking navy coat, carrying a bottle of wine wrapped in brown paper like it was a casual gift instead of something that probably cost more than most people’s rent. I watched him from the window upstairs. He moved easy with intimidating confidence. He has always been the “fun” uncle, throws jokes at holidays, gifted expensive presents at birthdays, he was the one who never seemed to judge.Now, after everything that had happened, every glance he ever given me felt loaded.He knocked. Maria let him in.I heard his voice drift up the stairs, warm, laughing. He was greeting Dad, kissing Camilla on both cheeks, asking where “the girls” were.I stayed hidden for another five minutes. Check my outfit for the fifth time. Then I went down.He was in the living room already uncorking the wine, pouring glasse

Isabella’s POV I couldn't stay still after the call with Mom. The silver heart necklace felt like it was trying to burn a hole through my chest.Victor was my father. He fucking spilled his seeds inside me like it was the most natural thing in the world. I paced in my room until the floorboards started to complain. Then a thought popped up, the only thing that made sense in a house full of secrets right now. Lila.I went to her. I didn’t knock. The back stairs to the garage apartment were dark and familiar now. Her door was slightly open, same as last time. Warm blue lights and blues music spilled out.She was sitting on a chair, laptop open on the table. Wearing nothing but an oversized T-shirt that barely covered her thighs. She looked at me with the corner of his eyes, still focused on the laptop.“Took you long enough,” she said.I closed the door behind me. Locked it. I had become more daring.She tilted her head. “Rough night?”“You could say that.”She closed the laptop, ca

By Friday night, when we returned, the tension was thick enough to choke on.We were all in the media room, I just wanted quiet. So I suggested a movie. They actually agreed, and the movie started playing. It was a romance thriller. Love. Lies. Secrets. Too close to home.Massive screen playing some the movie, no one was really watching.I was in the middle. Ethan, on my left, knees together, but his thigh pressed against mine like he couldn’t help it.Noah sprawled on the sectional beside me, his legs spread wide, arms slung casually along the back of the couch, fingers just barely touching my shoulder.A Popcorn bowl in my lap like a shield, my hair wrapped in a bun.Noah reached across me for popcorn, arm lingering on my thigh. “Pass it, princess.”Ethan hissed, “She’s not yours to touch.”I sighed. “Can we just watch the damn movie?”The movie went on.Noah leaned in first.“You smell good,” he murmured against my ear. “Been thinking about that kiss in the hallway all week.”I s

Isabella’s POVI couldn’t look at Lila the same way after the garage with Alex. Every time she crossed the yard carrying linens or watering the roses, my stomach flipped… part guilt, part heat, part dread. She knew. She always knew stuff. I don't know how. But I needed answers. Not from her. From someone who’d been there longer. I found Lila’s mother, Mrs. Maria Reyes, in the laundry room behind the garage. She was folding towels, precise and calm, the way she always was. She’d worked for the family since before I could walk. She’d seen everything.Heard everything.And said nothing.I leaned against the doorframe. “Mrs. Reyes?”She looked up. Smiled, knowing like she knew I will one day come for her. “Miss Isabella. What can I do for you?”I stepped inside. Looked around the compound to be sure no one knew I was here. Then I closed the door.“I need to know about my dad,” I said. “And Lila.”She didn’t flinch. Just kept folding, like I threw a regular question at her.“What