The atmosphere at the reception desk shifted.The air grew thicker, heavier, charged with tension.Isis folded her arms and held the receptionist’s gaze.“And why exactly would that be a joke?” she asked firmly.The receptionist let out an impatient sigh.“Do you have an appointment?” she asked coldly.“Why would it be a joke?” Isis repeated, leaning slightly forward and resting one hand on the marble counter. Her fingers tapped lightly against the smooth surface, betraying her restrained impatience.The receptionist looked at her over the rim of her glasses, folding her arms with a disbelieving half-smile.“Look, ma’am... no offense,” she said, making a vague gesture with one hand as though she had grown tired of dealing with situations like this. “But including you, six women have already shown up here today claiming to be Mr. Cole’s girlfriend.”She gave a short sigh and shook her head, her lips curving into an ironic smile.“So you can understand why it’s difficult to take that se

Isis closed her eyes for a moment within Alex’s embrace, finally feeling the full weight of what had just happened.Her body was still trembling slightly. She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself, her fingers tightening around the fabric of his shirt as though she needed that contact to remain on her feet.“They grabbed my arm. That was all,” she replied. “But they said horrible things to me.”Alex’s fists clenched instantly.His jaw tightened, the sharp line of it betraying the explosion he was struggling to contain. Slowly, he turned toward the security guards and straightened his posture, shoulders drawn back, his entire presence shifting into the cold, commanding authority of an attorney standing before a courtroom.“You have no idea how much trouble you’ve just gotten yourselves into,” he said, every word carrying a promise. “This will not be ignored.”The receptionist swallowed hard, twisting her hands together as she took a nervous half step back.“Dr. Cole, I only ca

Isis took a deep breath; even though she was visibly jealous, a nagging doubt told her there was something more she didn’t know, and her chest tightened. “Of course,” she replied curtly, pacing around the room and taking in her surroundings. “It’s a coincidence that she just came out of the bathroom. A coincidence that she’s wearing your clothes. A coincidence that she’s so nervous just from seeing me. A coincidence that she calls you by your first name instead of ‘sir’ like the other employees. Do I need to point out anything else?”She stopped in front of his desk, resting her fingertips on the surface, elegant and composed.“Have you two hooked up? Or rather… have you had sex?” Ísis asked bluntly.Alex didn’t look away.“Yes,” he replied bluntly. “We’ve had sex a few times. I’ve never hidden from you that I’ve been with other women. I’ve always been clear about that.” He paused briefly, his gaze full of conviction. “But I’ve never paid for anyone. That’s unacceptable to me. I don’

The drive home was silent. Ísis stared blankly out the window, her arms crossed over her chest, her body rigid. The city blurred past outside, but inside her mind, everything felt even more tangled.Alex broke the silence when he slowed down and pulled over in front of a pharmacy.“I won’t be long,” he said, already opening the door.He got out quickly. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a small bag. He climbed back into the car and placed a bottle of water and the box of medication on her lap.“Take it now, love,” he said firmly, though he tried to keep his voice calm.Ísis took the water and the box without answering. Alex pulled back onto the road, keeping his eyes ahead.She slowly opened the package and took out the blister pack. Alex glanced briefly at what she was doing before returning his attention to traffic.Ísis drew in a deep breath. Then she raised the blister pack to eye level.“Decisions have to be mutually agreed upon by both parties,” she said, her voice contr

Olívia couldn’t hold back her own tears. She leaned forward and wrapped Ísis in a tight embrace.“Girl… who am I to think badly of you or judge you?” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “When I had no one to talk to, you saw me. You helped me. I’ll never forget that.”She pulled away just enough to look Ísis in the eyes.“I only brought up the baby because, after everything that’s happened, he might be thinking that. You understand?”Ísis took a deep breath and wiped her face with the back of her hand.“Do you think he already knows what I’m hiding?”Olívia hesitated for a second before answering.“From what Liam let slip, no. Besides, Alex really did fall for you right from the start.” She gave her a sad half smile. “Men in love are blind, girl. He just threw himself into the relationship without holding anything back.” She made a small gesture with her hand. “But babe told me Alex has been suspicious about Leonardo ever since Liam’s grandparents’ party.”Olívia shrugged honestly