Chapter 18 The clock ticked past six, the office gradually emptying of staff, but Bella’s heart hadn’t stopped hammering since the moment she’d stepped into Jake Stones’ office that morning. The rest of the day had been a blur of reports, tense glances, and his unnervingly calm voice instructing her

Chapter 17 The door clicked shut behind Bella, and she didn’t stop walking until she reached the ladies’ restroom. She needed space and that was the only place she knew she could get it. The moment she was alone, her knees nearly gave out. She gripped the sink counter and

Chapter 16 Isabella had barely settled into her desk when the intercom on her phone buzzed, Jake’s deep voice flowing through the speaker. “Miss Howells,” he said, smooth and commanding. “Step into my office p> Her throat tightened. She set the pen down, smoothed her skirt, and forced her legs

Chapter 15 Jake closed his office door, his chest still tight from the moment Isabella had walked out. He sank into his chair but couldn’t stay still—his pulse was hammering too fast. So her name was Isabella Howells. He had finally found her. The girl he’d searched for five long

Chapter 14 His chest tightened. Recognition slammed into him. It was her. It really was her—the girl from five years ago. The girl who had looked at him with tearful eyes and trembling hands, who had come into his life like a storm one night and then vanished the next.

Chapter 13 Bella, who was desperate to ease her nerves, tilted her head. “You seem to know him. Do you… know the CEO personally p> He smiled faintly, as though amused by her question. “Sort of p> Bella perked up, her curiosity overtaking her fear. “Then maybe you can tell

Chapter 12 Chloe’s car rolled smoothly to a stop in front of Stonetech Solutions, its glass towers gleaming under the morning sun like a monument of power. The wide building stretched high above the city, its surface of silver and black glass reflecting the busy streets below. It wasn’t just

Chapter 11 Five years later The hum of the airplane still lingered in Bella’s ears as she and Rachel walked hand-in-hand with Timothy through the bustling Sweliss International Airport. The boy’s small eyes darted everywhere, wide with excitement, while Bella’s heart swelled at the sight. Her son’s energy was a

Chapter 10 Four weeks had passed since their mother’s funeral. The house was quieter now, but not as peaceful as Bella had hoped. It was the kind of quiet that pressed against her chest, suffocating in its stillness. She tried to keep busy—sorting through bills, handling paperwork, cooking meals Rachel

Chapter 9 The air drained from Bella’s lungs. She looked at her phone and that’s when she realized she’d gotten several missed calls from Rachel the night before. Immediately, her knees buckled, and she sank against the wall, her vision blurring as hot tears streamed down her face. The weight

Chapter 8 Time seemed to blur. She didn’t know when she stopped trembling. She didn’t know when she stopped fighting the thought of what she was doing. Although it was her first, it didn’t seem like what she’d imagined it would be like with Ethan. He wasn’t rough or desperate

Chapter 7 She straightened her back, forcing her gaze to remain impassive even though she was a bit shy she’d been caught gawking. “I told you, I don’t want anyone’s favor p> Jake’s lips twitched into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Then you can pay me back,” he said

Chapter 6 Bella stood before her mirror, staring at the reflection she barely recognized. Her face was heavily made up as though she was trying to conceal her face from the reality her life had now become. Her trembling hands smoothed down the black dress clinging to her frame. A

Chapter 5 There was a pause before Chloe hesitated, “Maybe… maybe I could talk to my boss p> “No.” Bella cut her off, shaking her head even though Chloe couldn’t see her. “Don’t bother. I understand you want to help but I have another idea. Hopefully, this would help me

Chapter 4 The following day, Bella stepped out of the last bank, her shoulders sagging under the weight of another no. The hot afternoon air felt thicker than usual, clinging to her skin as if mocking her for daring to hope. “Sorry, Miss Howells, there’s nothing we can do,” the

Chapter 3 Isabella stepped out of Ethan’s building, her legs carrying her forward though her mind felt stuck, trapped in a whirlwind she couldn’t escape. The streets of the city moved around her—cars honking, people talking, shopkeepers calling out to customers—but it all sounded muffled, like she was underwater. Her

Chapter 2 Rachel’s trembling hand tapped Isabella’s shoulder, snapping her back into the blindingly white hospital corridor. “Bella… what’s happening? What’s going on? We need to save mom.” Her voice was small, but the fear in it was suffocating. Isabella opened her mouth, ready to explain, to tell her sister

Chapter 1 The clink of cutlery against plates and the low murmur of customers filled the warm air of Morning Brew Café. The smell of fresh coffee and buttered biscuits lingered in the room, wrapping around Isabella Howells like a familiar blanket. She moved quickly between tables, balancing a tray