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"A second chance at life... but at what cost?" When Isabelle's world shatters, she gets the impossible-a chance to start over. But with this new beginning comes a storm of dark secrets: an ex-boyfriend who won't let her go, a boss who may be her greatest ally or her biggest betrayal, and the truth about her family that changes everything. Can Isabelle outsmart those who would destroy her and find the love and freedom she craves?
Chapter 1 ONE
ISABELLE
This is a nightmare.
It has to be.
The office is bustling with noise, but my world is as silent as a graveyard as I stare at the TV, watching the anchor's voice drone on.
"Renowned heir and millionaire, Andrew Cole is officially engaged to Evelyn Carter..."
I can't move, can't breathe, not when my whole world is combusting before my eyes.
What the hell is happening?
Trying to make sense of it, I blink, shake my head and look again.
The image on the screen is so clear. Andrew's arm wrapped around Evelyn, both of them smiling like they have just won a lottery.
The anchor's voice drifts in and out, but I can't focus on anything except the image.
I can't breathe.
This isn't happening.
This can't be bloody happening.
"Miss Reynolds?" a voice cuts through the fog in my mind. "What's going on?"
Jake Montero, my ever demanding boss whom I would normally not risk offending.
I don't bother to answer him now, though.
My mind is incapable of making sense of anything right now
"Miss Reynolds? I am talking to you.*
Again, I don't respond.
Instead, I rush to my feet, my chair crashing against the desk, but I don't care. I grab my bag, ignoring his confused call, and rush out of the office.
"There has to be some explanation for this," I mutter to myself. "They wouldn't, it doesn't... It has to be a lie. It has to be."
I'm not thinking straight, that was for sure.
I just couldn't wrap my head round the fact that I just got dumped and played.
My feet are moving before I even realize it, but I know where I'm headed. Our apartment. I can't let this be real. I need to see it with my own eyes.
The streets blur as I drive, but I don't care about the rain, the traffic. Nothing matters except reaching Evelyn and Andrew. They have to explain themselves.
By the time I pull up to the apartment I share with Evelyn, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest.
I don't even bother with the umbrella, allowing the rain to drench me as I rush to the door.
The moment I step inside, the sight I see stops me dead.
Andrew is here.
He isn't supposed to be here
Hw is supposed to be in france.
Studying for his business degree.
But here he is
Sitting on our couch.
His arm draped lazily over Evelyn's shoulders, both of them laughing like they don't have a care in the world.
I slam the door shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot and they look up instantly and instead of guilt or surprise, there's amusement in their eyes.
"Well, look who finally showed up," Evelyn drawls, her lips curling into a smug smile.
"What the hell is this?" My voice cracks, but I don't care. I'm too angry, too confused, too hurt.
Andrew leans back, his expression cold. "It's exactly what it looks like, Isabella. Don't make this harder on yourself."
"Harder on myself?" I step forward, the rage bubbling up inside me.
"You're engaged? To her? My best friend? My roommate?"
Evelyn stands up, crossing her arms. "Oh, please, Isabella. Don't act so shocked. You had to know this was coming."
I look at her, my chest heaving. "You're my best friend, Evelyn. How could I know this was coming?! How could you do this to me?"
She laughs, the sound sharp and mocking.
"Best friend? Let's not kid ourselves, Belle. You were a convenience. A charity case. Do you really think someone like me would stick around someone like you for friendship?"
Her words hit me like a slap. I turn to Andrew, desperate for some kind of explanation. "And you? What's your excuse?"
He shrugs, his gaze bored.
"There's no excuse, Belle, Evelyn's right. You're not who you used to be. You've fallen so far, and frankly, I don't see a future with you anymore."
I stumble back, shaking my head. "You don't see a future with me? After everything we've been through? After everything I've done for you?"
Andrew stands, his towering frame making me feel small. "You're a bankrupt, destitute orphan, Isabella. You've got nothing to offer me anymore. Evelyn, on the other hand..." He looks at her, his eyes dark with something that makes my stomach turn. "She understands what I need. She's not holding me back."
I feel like the air has been sucked out of the room. My heart shatters into pieces that I can't even begin to pick up. "You're disgusting," I whisper, my voice trembling.
He steps closer, his tone mocking. "Face it, love, You're nothing now. No money, no power, no family. You're just a washed-up shell of the girl I used to know."
"Get out of my apartment!" I scream, my voice raw.
Evelyn smirks. "Your apartment? Sweetheart, you seem to forget which one of us is paying the bulk of this place. A word of advice, you should start packing your things."
Her words are the final blow. I can't take it anymore. Tears stream down my face as I turn and bolt out the door, the rain soaking me within seconds.
I don't know where I'm going. I just know I need to get away.
I climb into my car, my hands shaking as I grip the steering wheel as the rain lashes against the windshield, and my vision is blurred from the tears spilling down my cheeks.
The words echo in my mind: You're nothing now. A bankrupt, destitute orphan.
I slam my foot on the gas, my breathing ragged. The streets blur as I drive, my emotions a chaotic mess of anger, pain, and betrayal.
Even as the rain gets heavier, and the road ahead becomes a smear of lights and shadows I still try to focus, but it's too much.
Then, out of nowhere.....headlights.
I don't even have time to react. The sound of screeching tires fills my ears, followed by the deafening crash of metal on metal.
And everything goes black.
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Chapter 1 ONE
10/03/2025
Chapter 2 TWO
10/03/2025
Chapter 3 THREE
10/03/2025
Chapter 4 FOUR
10/03/2025
Chapter 5 FIVE
10/03/2025
Chapter 6 SIX
10/03/2025
Chapter 7 SEVEN
10/03/2025
Chapter 8 EIGHT
10/03/2025
Chapter 9 NINE
10/03/2025
Chapter 10 TEN
10/03/2025
Chapter 11 ELEVEN
11/03/2025
Chapter 12 TWELVE
11/03/2025
Chapter 13 THIRTEEN
13/03/2025
Chapter 14 FOURTEEN
14/03/2025
Chapter 15 FIFTEEN
16/03/2025
Chapter 16 SIXTEEN
20/03/2025
Chapter 17 SEVENTEEN
22/03/2025
Chapter 18 EIGHTEEN
27/03/2025
Chapter 19 NINETEEN
27/03/2025
Chapter 20 TWENTY
27/03/2025
Chapter 21 TWENTY-ONE
28/03/2025
Chapter 22 TWENTY-TWO
31/03/2025
Chapter 23 TWENTY-THREE
31/03/2025
Chapter 24 TWENTY-FOUR
31/03/2025
Chapter 25 TWENTY- FIVE
31/03/2025
Chapter 26 TWENTY-SIX
31/03/2025
Chapter 27 TWENTY- SEVEN
31/03/2025
Chapter 28 TWENTY-EIGHT
04/04/2025
Chapter 29 TWENTY- NINE
06/04/2025
Chapter 30 THIRTY
08/04/2025
Chapter 31 THIRTY-ONE
08/04/2025
Chapter 32 THIRTY-TWO
09/04/2025
Chapter 33 THIRTY-THREE
12/04/2025
Chapter 34 THIRTY-FOUR
14/04/2025
Chapter 35 THIRTY-FIVE
14/04/2025
Chapter 36 THIRTY-SIX
15/04/2025
Chapter 37 THIRTY-SEVEN
16/04/2025
Chapter 38 THIRTY-EIGHT
18/04/2025
Chapter 39 THIRTY-NINE
19/04/2025
Chapter 40 FORTY
20/04/2025
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