Late morning. Isabella's penthouse.
Curtains half drawn. Light filtering through. Not enough to feel warm.
A wine glass sat beside her. From last night. Still full. Abandoned.
The TV played. Again. And again. Same clips on repeat.
Landon's face. The gala. His name in headlines.
BLACK GLOBAL CEO REVEALED. LANDON CALLAHAN. EMPIRE BUILT IN SECRECY.
Isabella stared. Numb at first.
Then the numbness cracked. Like ice breaking.
Memories flooded. Sharp. Painful. Unwanted.
His hands on her face. His laugh. Late nights together. Whispered promises she'd believed.
She thought she knew every inch of him. Every secret. Every dream.
But he'd hidden an empire. Built it while she thought he was just rebuilding himself.
Her chest tightened. Heart pounding like it want
