Isabella warden

Isabella's POV 

I had always known the truth—the secret that had been kept for years. My mother had been the one to exchange the babies at birth, an act enveloped in the shadows of my family's history. It was a revelation that shaped my life. One that I decided to take advantage of.

My family wasn't so rich; we struggled to make ends meet. I was the only child, so I got spoiled with the little my parents could provide. They didn't have many responsibilities, as I was their only child.

For so long I had observed James from the shadows, I would say I was obsessed with him. I just felt this connection with him because my mom had done something to him. I couldn't resist the urge to get closer to him, so I always looked at him and planned my moves very well. I came up with a plan to disguise myself as a wealthy artist to catch his attention because I knew artists always fell in love with artists.

I came across a magazine about an exhibition, and I knew it was the perfect stage to kickstart my plan. I had studied his preferences and his life from afar; I knew his likes and dislikes. I knew what he loved to eat and what he loved to wear. I knew a lot of things about him. I made sure I knew all these things to attract him and make sure he noticed me. I had to look unforgettable and dress in very expensive and opulent attire. I moved through the crowd with an air of confidence, making sure to catch his gaze.

It worked. James couldn't get his eyes off of me; his eyes were locked to mine. I had his attention at that time, and I intended to keep it. We struck up a conversation about art and life, and he shared stories about his past with me, about the art he had created, and about Emily, who had helped him ignite this passion for art.

As the evening went by, I knew my plan was being executed perfectly. James was drawn to me. His guard lowered in my presence, and we sipped our wines. I had practiced how to sip wine from a glass cup majestically, and I played that part so well that it drew him even more. But then he mentioned Emily, the one I hoped to erase from his memory. The revelation that he had already crossed paths with her sent shivers down my spine.

The truth was that I couldn't erase Emily from James' life; it was a bond that ran deep. A connection was formed through art and shared dreams. I knew it was fate that made them cross paths, but I had to destroy it. My plan had unforeseen complications, and I couldn't help but feel a pinch of jealousy.

I immediately tried to get into his head. I asked him why she would do such a thing and leave him stranded for years. I told him he was just wasting his time waiting for her and that ladies don't behave that way. She didn't love him. I caught his attention, and I felt he was taking note of what I was saying. I felt a sigh of relief when he wore an angry face and sighed about the whole Emily situation. I felt my plan was going smoothly.

I was determined to get even closer to James in this vulnerable state. and so our conversation deepened. He opened up to me, sharing his thoughts, dreams, and fears. I couldn't help but see myself falling for him. And I saw in his eyes that he was drawn to me too.

My plan had worked, but it had taken an unexpected turn. I had set out to manipulate James's feelings, but in the process, I had fallen in love with him. The truth of our connection—the secrets of our shared past—was a burden we both carried. And as we grew closer, I couldn't help but wonder if love could conquer the shadows that had haunted our lives.

As days turned into weeks, my bond with James continued to deepen and blossom. It was as if an irresistible force drew us closer, a connection that transcended the secret of our shared past. James and I spent countless hours discussing art. I didn't like art, but I had to learn. I was bored to death, but I had to keep up. We discussed our lives and our dreams too. Our discussion is turning into a dance of intellect and emotion.

I had become a constant presence in his life, accompanying him to various art events, exploring various corners of the city, and sharing our thoughts. It was a journey of so much emotion, a journey neither of us had anticipated. I had set out to manipulate his feelings, but I couldn't deny the genuine affection that had blossomed between us.

James' heart, which was entangled with Emily, was beginning to beat for me. The moments we spent together were filled with laughter. Shared dreams and stolen glances. I could feel his longing and desire to be with me. And I knew he was falling in love with me.

It was a complex and delicate situation. The truth of our connection, the secrets of our shared past, remained a heavy burden that loomed over us. I couldn't help but wonder if love could conquer the shadows that had haunted our lives for so long.

But there was another part to our story. The knowledge of my mother's actions The fact that he had been raised by a family that wasn't his and that I was living a life that wasn't truly mine weighed heavily on me. I had been living a lie, and the truth always gnawed at my conscience.

In the quiet moments of the night, I would find myself wrestling with my emotions. Love and guilt warred within me, and I couldn't help but question the choices I had made. I was faced with a dilemma, torn between the love I felt for James and the guilt of my family's actions.

The city, with its hidden corners, held the key to our future. I was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead, even if it meant facing the consequences of the truth. The shadows of our past were closing in. And I couldn't help but wonder if love could keep the secrets hidden longer.

Days turned into months, and our love deepened. I had planned this move for years, and it was finally happening, and it was going so smoothly—smoother than I had anticipated. It made me happy, and I felt maybe we were meant to be all along.