Logan didn’t speak when he stepped into my hospital room. His face looked drained of color, his expression tight, like he was carrying something too heavy to say out loud.
Without a word, he placed a thick envelope on my lap.
“Go through it,” he murmured.
My hands shook as I opened it. Papers spilled out—photocopied files, scanned records, a passport copy, old news clippings, bank statements, photographs. There were too many. Every page I picked up felt like a blade cutting deeper than the last.
Logan let out a slow, shaky breath. “Isabella… Sebastian isn’t the man you think he is.”
My chest tightened painfully. “Logan… don’t.”
“He’s the son of a powerful industrialist from Asteria,” Logan continued quietly, his voice steady despite the cruelty of his words. “He left home because of gambling debts. Not small ones—massive, dangerous debts. The kind that involve organized crime. His father gave him one condition: clear everything, then he could return.”
A dull ringing filled my ears.
“He needed money,” Logan said. “A lot of it. And that’s when he chose you.”
I went still. “What do you mean… chose me?” My voice trembled. “Four years ago… when the yacht I was on sank… are you telling me that wasn’t accidental?”
Logan didn’t hesitate. “He arranged it. Paid someone to tamper with the yacht. He stayed nearby so he could jump in and ‘rescue’ you. He wanted you to trust him. He wanted you to fall in love with him. And when you married him—”
“No…” My breath caught. “Logan, that’s… that’s impossible—”
“—he began siphoning money from your company.” Logan slid another stack of documents toward me. “And this… Candela’s employment record. He told her to apply. You unknowingly hired his wife as your personal secretary.”
The room spun. My stomach lurched violently.
“Isabella—” Logan moved forward quickly.
But I was already off the bed, stumbling toward the bathroom. The nausea hit hard, and I barely made it before I started vomiting. My body shook as wave after wave tore through me until there was nothing left but dry heaves and tears.
I gripped the sink, trembling.
He planned everything. Every moment. Even the day I fell in love with him… it was all calculated.
Yet my mind dragged me back to memories I once cherished.
“I’ll always look after you,” he once whispered, brushing my hair aside while we sat on the beach. The moonlight softened his features, making him look gentle, sincere.
“From what?” I teased.
“From anything that tries to hurt you,” he replied, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You’ll never face it alone.”
The mornings he woke early to cook breakfast. The nights he held me when sleep wouldn’t come. The quiet promises about building a family together.
Every memory felt poisoned now.
Because suddenly, things I ignored before made sense.
Candela’s perfume clinging to his coat—he said she cried and leaned on him.
The faint lipstick stain on his collar—he laughed it off, saying she tripped and he caught her.
Late-night calls—he told me business emergencies couldn’t wait.
And I believed him.
I thought those breakfasts were love.
I thought tucking me in meant care.
I thought when he said, “You’re my future,” he meant it.
But it was all a lie.
When I finally steadied myself, I looked at Logan, my chest hollow.
“There’s no need for a divorce… right?” My voice sounded distant. “Our marriage… it isn’t even valid.”
Logan nodded slowly. “That’s correct.”
I shut my eyes. My mother had barely passed when I married Sebastian. The company she built—her life’s work—was the last thing she entrusted to me. I handed it over to a stranger disguised as my savior. My father warned me, argued with me… then eventually cut ties with me for my decision.
“Then I just need to review the company,” I murmured. “See what damage has been done.”
Logan stayed silent. He didn’t need to say anything.
Two days later, I walked into the office expecting clarity.
Instead, I found ruin.
“Miss Isabella,” my finance manager stuttered as soon as I entered. “I… I’m sorry, but we’re bleeding money. Mr. Royce approved multiple transfers without authorization. And several investors he introduced… they’re not real.”
My knees gave out.
Logan caught me before I collapsed completely. My chest tightened, and breathing felt impossible.
The company my mother built with her youth and sacrifice… was being emptied from the inside.
By the man I loved.
No. The man I thought I loved.
“Call the board,” I managed, my voice unsteady.
When everyone gathered, I forced myself to stand tall.
“Effective immediately,” I announced, my tone cold, “Candela Marquez is terminated. All contracts, investments, and agreements handled by Sebastian are to be suspended until further review.”
Shock flickered across their faces.
Still, they followed my orders.
For the first time in years… I felt control returning.
Until the door slammed open with a violent crash.
“What is going on here?” Sebastian stormed inside, fury written all over his face, his usual calm gone. “Why was Candela fired? And why am I suddenly excluded from every meeting?”
