Diana’s POV I never thought preparing for the end would be this hard. Knowing that Oliver knew everything, that he'd had the nerve to follow me and go to Isaac's house, filled me with both fury and fear. After Val's birthday party, I went home and collapsed onto my bed, trying to think. I'd always known there was no future for Isaac and me, but I never imagined admitting it would hurt this much. It was a physical pain, a sense of loss I didn't know how to put into words. This was it. I'd managed to get rid of August, I had a wedding planned, and I was on my way to getting everything I'd always wanted. But I felt nothing. Just a deep emptiness. For a few moments, lying in the dark, I let myself imagine what it would be like to walk away from everything, marry Isaac, and build a family with him. But the illusion faded quickly. How could I walk away from everything? I wasn't some teenager who believed love was enough. In the long run, nothing could be sustained on love alone.

Diana’s POV I parked my car on Isaac's street, and for a moment, I barely recognized myself. How could someone as decisive and determined as me lose all her strength in front of him? I was curled up inside the car, afraid to face the man who had dismantled every wall I'd built inside myself. All my plans to talk to Isaac had fallen apart when my father told me he'd already sent word to my lover and expected me to understand what that meant. I got out of the car with my legs trembling. In my rush to leave the house, I'd even forgotten my phone. I'd expected Isaac to be waiting for me, but it still shocked me when he looked up at me. There was no love, no tenderness. There was anger. And disappointment, which hurt more than the anger. Shame consumed me. So did the guilt. Guilt for lying, for deceiving him, for loving that man. "So you're a woman who's already taken?" he asked, contempt obvious in his voice. "It's not exactly like that..." "I already know what you're going

Isabelle's POV The tension in the kitchen was palpable, but looking at the two of them, all I could think about was how ridiculous the whole thing was. We were a bunch of businesspeople. In my case, a broke, robbed woman with nothing left. And when it came to Diana and August, sometimes it was hard to understand what all the drama was about. I ended up laughing. Literally laughing right there in the middle of the kitchen. Diana and August stared at me like I'd lost my mind, and after everything that had happened, I suppose losing it was understandable. "Guys... seriously," I said, wiping away a tear from laughing. "I get it. Your father is dangerous, and only you know what he's capable of. But you're rich. Really rich. And what are you worried about? Getting onto the board? Becoming CEO? "Do you honestly think he's going to step down from his throne? That man is going to live for another thirty years and run the company for every one of them. That means your next thirty years

August's POV Dinner had been nothing more than an excuse. As soon as the plates were cleared, my father called me into the living room. I could already imagine where the conversation was headed. He would probably start another fight over my partnership with Marcellus. "August, let's talk like adults," he began. He'd already dismissed Oliver, who had left in a huff after being excluded from the conversation. "You can have your position back. And you'll have a guaranteed seat on the board alongside Caesar. But for that to happen, you need to use some common sense and end this marriage to that woman immediately." "No. Thanks for the offer. I didn't expect you to make it this soon, but no." My answer came before I could even think. Isabelle was convinced I'd trade her for a position, and when she'd asked me, I hadn't given her the answer she wanted. The truth was, I wanted the position, and I wanted Isabelle too. My father took a deep breath and smiled. I knew he was holding hi

Diana’s POV When I finally managed to calm down, I realized that I needed to leave. I had completely lost control. But the truth was, I simply couldn't make myself move. I couldn't pull myself out of Isaac's arms. "Let's go upstairs. You need to eat something," he said, worried. Isaac should have sent me away, but I could see in his eyes that he wasn't going to. And despite every argument I tried to repeat to myself, I agreed. "I'll get you some food." Isaac grabbed a plate and served me lunch. Even though I felt nauseous, I forced myself to eat. I hadn't realized how much I missed his cooking... and his presence. Isaac didn't say anything. He simply sat beside me, watching me eat with that quiet look that always undid me. Val didn't leave her room, and I could imagine she was trying to give us some privacy, holding on to the hope that there was still a chance for the two of us. There was an intimacy to the scene. Me, sitting in his kitchen, eating as if I belonged there, a