Chapter 1

Isabella's POV

Today was the day, the special day I have been looking forward to since I went for the business trip with my boss a week ago.

I was supposed to get back next week, but I had to rush back home because today was my husband's birthday. The man I have been in love with since childhood and had married for three years.

The taxi pulled up to our house, and I paid the driver quickly, barely waiting for my change.

I let myself in quietly, a smile already forming on my lips. “This surprise would be perfect,” I murmur under my breath.

I could picture his face, those brown eyes lighting up, and that rare genuine smile he reserved just for me.

But as I stepped in, I heard voices from the living room.

Daniel, I'm pregnant," I heard Sarah say.

The words hit me like a physical blow, stopping me mid-step. My entire body went still, and the gift bag suddenly feeling impossibly heavy in my hand.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think. The world seemed to tilt, as I try to process what I just heard.

"What? Are you sure about that?" Daniel asked, his voice polite and calm, too calm, I thought distantly, even as my mind scrambled to make sense of what I was hearing.

He wrapped his hands around her, and I could hear the soft rustle of fabric, the intimate closeness of their bodies.

"I took the test three times," Sarah said, and I could hear the bright, triumphant tone I had heard a thousand times before, usually directed at me when she shared good news.

"And it was all positive, so we are going to be having a baby soon." She said it while holding onto Daniel's hand so intimately, and something inside me began to break.

“Wow, that's a good thing,” Daniel said, a smile curving at the corner of his lips, making my breath catch in my throat.

"And it's definitely mine?" he added, grinning ear to ear, and I felt my eyes widen in disbelief, my mouth going dry.

"Of course, who else's would it be, Daniel?" Sarah responded, and I could see the comfortable teasing of two people who knew each other intimately.

Daniel's smile deepened almost immediately, and I could feel the warmth in his response, the genuine joy from him.

"This is really good; I'm so happy right now," he said, pulling her into a tight hug, and my stomach dropped, the way you fall in a nightmare.

I couldn't believe that Daniel could be this happy over a pregnancy when he had clearly told me he didn't want kids. This is so cruel, that my mind struggled to process it.

I mean, we had been married for five years, but he had said he didn't want kids and wanted me to take contraceptive pills for five years.

I had done it, because I love him. I had swallowed them down, telling myself that he just needed time, that eventually he would come around, that our love was strong enough to wait.

But now, my best friend since college the person who had stood beside me at my wedding, who had held my bouquet while I danced with my father.

Who had cried happy tears when I said my vow, was pregnant with his child, and he was happy.

I thought, and immediately I felt my heart breaking inside of me. They have been having an affair all this while. I thought as hot tears clouded my eyes as I stared at the both of them.

"Sarah, thank you so much." He said, grinning from ear to ear.

"I can't believe it. I'm going to be a father!" He added, placing his hands on Sarah's flat stomach.

"I know. I'm glad to see you happy?" Sarah spoke softly, with a smile curved at the corner of her lips.

"Happy?" He practically shouted. "I'm over the moon! I can't wait to carry my baby. To hold them, to teach them everything. This is everything I've ever wanted." He said.

I released the tears that had been threatening to flow down my cheeks all this while.

He just said that was everything he had ever wanted. I thought within me, and just then the gift bag slipped from my fingers. It hit the hard floor with a soft thud, and I didn't even care.

Then both turned their gaze to my direction almost immediately.

“Bella, you are back,” Daniel said, with his eyes widened in disbelief as he, staring at me, but I was just too heartbroken to answer him right now.

Five years of marriage, five years of trying to convince him to start a family with me, and now this is what I get.

Five years of him telling me he wasn't ready yet, that he just wanted us to enjoy our marriage first, and I had believed him; I had believed every word.

But now I understood that he wasn't ready to have children with me.

They both looked up at me; Sarah's eyes widened, but there was no guilt there, no shock. If anything, she looked triumphant.

Daniel scrambled to his feet, his expression flickering through surprise, then panic, then something that looked almost like relief.

"Bella," he called to me.

"Daniel, did I actually hear her correctly?" I asked him, with tears in my eyes.

Sarah stood slowly, reaching for her purse on the coffee table. She pulled out a piece of paper with the pregnancy test results and held it up like a trophy.

"Congratulations, Bella," she said, with a smile curved at the corner of her lips.

"You're going to be an aunt. Daniel and I are having a baby." She added, grinning with her eyes fixed on me.

"You are really pregnant," I said, the words tasting like ash. "And he's the father," I added, pointing my fingers to Daniel.

"The only one who could be." Sarah smiled, and I saw years of friendship dissolving in that expression.

All those late nights sharing secrets. All those promises were all lies; I couldn't believe she could betray me this way. I thought as more tears flowed down my cheeks.

I turned to Daniel, my husband of five years. The man I'd given everything to, my love, my heart, my soul, even though my parents never approved of him.

"You told me you weren't ready; you said we had time. We've been married for three years, Daniel, three years, and you wouldn't even discuss it with me," I spat.

"Bella, it's complicated." He said, making my face twist into a frown almost immediately.

"Complicated?" I laughed, but there was no humor in it.

"You're having a baby with my best friend, and you're telling me it's complicated?" I snapped at him as I blinked back the tears threatening to flow down my cheeks.

"Look." He ran a hand through his hair; that gesture I used to find endearing. Now it just made me want to scream.

"The truth is, I actually love her more to want to have a child with her," he said, breaking my heart even more.

"Why her? Why couldn't you love me enough to want a family with me?" I retorted as more tears flowed down my cheeks.

"The truth is, I never loved you; I only married you because of my grandmother's last wish," he explained, totally avoiding my eyes.

I felt something crack inside my chest. A sound like breaking glass.

"Daniel..." Sarah touched his arm, and he leaned into her touch with a comfort that he has never showed to me before.

"Here." He walked to the sideboard and pulled out an envelope, official-looking papers. He threw them on the coffee table between us.

"I was going to wait until your trip was over. Give you time to settle back in, but since you're here, and you have seen that Sarah is the one I want to be with, I guess there is no need to delay any further," he said.

My hands were shaking as I picked up the envelope. I opened it and widened my eyes in disbelief, seeing it was divorce papers.

And he has already filled it out, and he has already signed it, and now it is waiting for my signature.

“You are divorcing me because of her?” This question rang out of my mouth before I could stop myself, as my tears poured down my cheeks as rain.

"I have obeyed my grandmother's last wish for five years and treated you well, but I think it's time I moved on and started my own family, with the one I truly love." He finally looked at me.

This was it. I actually meant nothing to him. Sarah was the real deal for him, while I was just a lady he had to marry because of his mother's last wish. I thought within me as I finally released the tears in my eyes.

“What have I done to deserve this betrayal from you, Daniel?” This question rang out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“It's not a betrayal, Bella; just sign the divorce so we can both be free. I had been a good husband to you for five years, so don't try to make a big deal out of it,” he said.

"Give me a pen," I said quietly, as I wiped the tears from my eyes.

Daniel blinked. "What?"

"A pen," I repeated with a steady, even voice as tears began to well up in my eyes again.

"You want me to sign, right? You want to end this marriage, right?" I asked him, but he didn't respond.

He just brought out a pen from his pocket and stretched it to me. I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes for a while, before taking the pen from him.

My hands shook as I signed the divorce paper; he was free now. I thought as hot, burning tears blurred my vision.

CHAPTER 2

ISABELLA'S POV

As I stepped into the club, the pulsating beat of the music made the hall warm and busy, with people dancing and laughing.

My eyes scanned the crowded room, searching for a seat that could accommodate me and where I could have a drink too, because that was what I had come here for.

But just then, my eyes met with those of a man dressed in a black suit, seated in the VIP lounge.

There was something about him that wanted me to go closer, to have a closer look, but I dared not, because I wasn't in any way in his link.

I turned my gaze away and made my way to the bar.

"I need a fine mixture and strong. Do your magic," I ordered the bartender, who just nodded and got to work.

As I waited for my drink, I couldn't help but steal glances at the man in the VIP lounge. There was something about him that drew me in, something magnetic and irresistible.

When my drink arrived, I took a hearty gulp; it burned its way down my throat. Impressed by the bartender's skill, I ordered another without hesitation.

"More," I declared, as I turned my gaze to the VIP lounge again.

This time our eyes met, and at that moment, time seemed to stand still.

As we locked eyes, a spark of electricity passed between us as my eyes remained glued to him. Just then he stood up, and I watched as he walked majestically toward me.

Getting closer made me have a good look at him. He is around 6.4 feet tall, with the face of a demigod. He has piercing blue eyes and strong jawlines; his hair stops at his shoulder.

As I stole glances at this charming man sitting next to me in this bar, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest as I played back five seconds ago.

His beauty was captivating, and his confident stride drew my gaze like a magnet.

Somehow staring at this man made me totally forget about the betrayal and divorce that has brought me here to the club in the first place.

Now he is sitting next to me, a smile playing at the corners of my lips, my pulse quickening. His demeanor is confident, and his voice is smooth as he delivers his pick-up line.

"Are you a magician?" he began, his voice smooth and soft. "Because whenever I look at you, everyone else disappears." He said, grinning from ear to ear.

But despite his charm, I can't help but feel underwhelmed by his weak attempt at flirting. Suppressing a chuckle, I meet his gaze with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that the best you've got? I don't want to believe that's what you say to all the ladies.” I tease as I challenge him to do better.

He chuckled softly as he ordered himself a drink before turning his attention back to me.

"Well, it's true," he replied with a playful grin. "But you're the only one I've said it to tonight." He responded, making me smirk.

Just then the bartender delivered the drink I ordered again, and I didn't hesitate to zip it down my throat.

I kept ordering more, trying to drown my sorrows, even though he was still seated there beside me. I was here for a reason, so I just had to get on with it.

The bartender never disappointed as he continued giving me what I had ordered.

As the drinks took effect, I started feeling dizzy and tipsy, realizing it was time to leave, but I just couldn't since he was still seated there.

"What's the occasion?" He inquired, noting how I had been drinking.

I shrugged, a smile curved at the corner of my lips. "Since you're so interested to know, I got a divorce today," I confessed.

“What?” he exclaimed with widened eyes. "Who in his right senses would divorce a woman as beautiful as you?" he teased me.

My eyes scanned from his face and stopped on his lips; somehow I felt drawn to him. Somehow I imagined myself kissing him.

“Hey, are you even listening to me?” He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"You don't need to know," I replied to him, and slowly stood up from my seat.

“Hmm! Interested?” he smiled.

"You're so beautiful, Miss Mysterious, so I guess it's his loss," he declared; somehow his words seem to make me feel better.

"I guess it's also my luck that you aren't married anymore," he teased.

But I didn't bother responding or saying anything to him anymore, and my eyes were still locked on his small lips.

“I'm Alexander, and you?” He asked me, but I didn't respond, as I took more drinks from my glass while my eyes remained glued to his lips.

“I know what you want, but this place is too noisy,” he spoke with a low and calm voice. "Let's go somewhere quieter where we can talk better," he suggested, and slowly stood up and stretched out his hands to me.

“Where are we going?” I managed to ask.

He placed his finger over my lips, and his smile deepened. "Come with me," he ordered.

I had a flirtatious smile on as I took his hand. I felt a spark of electricity at the skin contact, and I couldn't help but smile slightly.

He pulled me even closer to him as he led me out of the crowded hall.

As we walked, my mind wandered to dirty thoughts. How would he taste? I wondered, trying to take a glance at his pants, but he pulled me even closer, his body heat radiating onto mine.

I felt my face flush with desire, and I knew I was in trouble. He was a stranger to me, even though I felt so drawn to him; it still doesn't change that fact.

But I still have to just enjoy this moment with him and forget all my sorrow, even if it's just for a moment. I thought to myself.

I wanted him so badly, and I don't know why, maybe because I was drunk, but either way I don't really care about that right now. All I knew was that I couldn't resist him.

As we entered into the room in the clubhouse, he pressed my back against the door. I couldn't help but feel warm inside, and for once, nothing else mattered to me right now except this feeling.

I had never felt this spark with anyone before, and I could tell that there was something special about him. I wanted to get more of him, to know him better.

I couldn't deny the desire burning inside me. I felt my panties growing wet just from his skin contact, and I couldn't help but imagine his lips on mine.

My eyes locked onto his lips again, and I fantasized about kissing him. I imagined his hands caressing my body, and I wondered how it would feel to experience his touch.

I wanted him to do dirty things with me to satisfy the craving that had taken over my body.

“You are so beautiful,” he said, but I couldn't hold myself back anymore. I took advantage of the moment and kissed him, holding tightly onto him.

"I know you want me as much as I want you, so there's no need to hesitate," I whispered, my lips brushing against his.

"I'm hesitant because I don't want to unleash my beast on you, because you might not be able to handle me," he spoke and tried to move away.

But I tightened my grip on him, refusing to let go.

"I would love to see your beastly self, because it's just what I wanted right now, so you are free to do it with me," I giggled.

I covered the space he had created again while he stared at me.

"I think it's best if you let go. I can't control this anymore; we are alone here, remember?" he said, trying to unlock my hands from him.

"I don't want you to control yourself; I need you," I mouthed to him, pulling him to myself more as I took his lips into mine once more.

This time he didn't hesitate; instead, he reciprocated the kiss, making me realize he was already in the mood, and I loved the fact that I was about to get him to ease up, as that was exactly what I wanted.

I know it was wrong to do this, and I was going to regret it by morning, but I just have to enjoy this moment. I thought, and within a few minutes he was already caressing my body.

He carried me into his hands, took me to the king-size bed, and laid me on it. “Get ready for the beast,” he whispered against my ears, making me smile.

Within a few minutes our moans were the only sounds heard.

Chapter 3

ISABELLA’S POV

The television had been nothing but background noise for the past hour. I had been staring at the same page of my book for twenty minutes, my mind somewhere else entirely.

But then the news anchor's voice cut through my haze with words that made my blood run cold.

"The Sterling family only heir that has never come public, Alexander Sterling, was spotted in the city last night," I heard, and immediately I felt the urge to see what he looks like.

I looked up slowly, and immediately my eyes widened in disbelief. Those sharp cheekbones I had traced with my fingers in the dark.

That jaw I had kissed along, those intense eyes that had locked onto mine as we had the moment of our lives last night.

“No, no, no, this can't be,” I said, slowly setting the book down, with my hands trembling as I reached for the remote.

The man I had spent one reckless, unforgettable night with, the man who made me forget all about Daniel's betrayal and my divorce, was the very man that made me feel so good, like I have never felt in ages, that was the Sterling heir.

The very family that ruined my family and killed my parents.

"What have I done?" The words came out as barely a whisper as I pressed my palm against my forehead.

The room felt like it was tilting, and images flashed through my mind of the way he had looked at me, like I was the only woman in the world, the way his hands had felt on my skin, and the way he'd whispered sweetly into my ears.

I thought, and just then a sudden dizziness hit me without warning. The room spun, and I gripped the edge of the couch to steady myself.

My vision blurred, and a wave of nausea rolled through me. "Breathe, Isabella. Just breathe," I told myself, trying hard to keep my balance.

I tried to take a deep breath, hoping my vision would get better, but it only got worse by the minute.

“Casey,” I managed to scream, and that's when I blacked out.

I opened my eyes to a blinding brightness of lights above me. I gazed around, trying to take in the unfamiliar environment I had found myself in.

My eyes trace the machines nearby, down to the white wall, making me gasp as I realize I was in the hospital.

“What happened to me? How did I even get here?” This question rang out of my mouth as I tried to sit up on the bed.

Just then the door cracked open, and Casey, my sister, walked into the room. "Sis, you are finally awake,” she said, grinning from ear to ear, as she rushed towards me.

“But what happened to me? Why did I suddenly collapse?” This question rang in my mouth as I faced her fully.

Just then we heard the cracking sound of the door followed by footsteps.

I quickly turned my head in that direction, and I saw a woman in a white uniform holding onto a bowl.

As the nurse moved closer to me with a soft smile plastered on her face. She checked the monitors, barely glancing at me.

“You are awake now,” she said, while I used the opportunity to ask her.

"Yes, but what happened to me?" I inquired of her while she just smiled.

“Hold on, the doctor will be here any moment, and he will give you all the answers you are looking for,” she responded to me, with a soft and calm voice.

I wanted to push her for more so maybe she could just give me a hint of what I was up against, but from how she had spoken, it seemed she wasn't going to say anything more.

I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to be easier. I was still dwelling in my thoughts when the door cracked open again.

A man in a white coat entered the ward. I bet he was the doctor, making me sigh in relief.

He was tall, with short black hair, and he was a man in his forties, and he had a smile on as he walked closer to my bed.

“Hey miss, I see you’re already awake.” He spoke softly, while I just stared at him without saying a word.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked further.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before responding to him. “Confused,” I admitted.

“Please tell me, sir, what actually happened to me? Why did I suddenly collapse?” I asked him, unable to keep it in any longer.

His smile deepened as he sat down on the edge of the bed. My gaze never left his because I was just so curious to know what had happened to me.

I mean, I have never in my life collapsed before, so this was really strange to me.

“Please calm down, miss; I'm going to answer all your questions,” he said calmly, but I was still impatient.

“Please, sir, can you just get on with the answer already?” I asked him, hoping he wouldn't hesitate any longer.

“Okay, fine, but relax; you really need it,” he said, while I just watched him carefully.

“Well, first things first, you collapsed due to a sudden drop in your blood pressure. And that occurs because you have been stressed,” he explains.

He was right. I have been trying to overwork myself since my divorce with Daniel, because I didn't want to think about his betrayal even for a minute.

“Doctor, you are right when you said I'm stressed, but no matter how stressed I get, I have never once collapsed before. So I have a feeling that there is something more to this.” I explained to him.

The doctor hesitated for a moment, which made me wonder what it was all about, and slowly fear started creeping into my mind.

“Doctor, do I have a disease?” I asked him, my eyes slowly becoming teary.

“What? No, far from it,” he responded sharply, making me sigh in relief.

“Okay, then, why are you so hesitant to say what it was?” I asked him while he looked up at me immediately.

“I'm not hesitant,” he said, then he stretched his hand forward. A smile curved at the corner of his lips.

“Congratulations, Miss Cruz, you are three weeks pregnant,” the doctor announced, grinning from ear to ear, as he stretched out the pregnancy test paper to me.

My eyes widened in disbelief as my world crumbled before me, leaving me breathless.

I was such a disappointment to my parents. Firstly, I married a man that they never approved of for five years, and now I was pregnant with the heir of the family that killed them.

I bet my parents will be regretting why they ever had a daughter like me. I thought as tears flowed down my cheeks as I stared at the test results in my hand.