Chapter 60
ISABELLA
That evening, the five of us gathered at a beautifully lit, upscale restaurant to celebrate the reading. The air was filled with the scent of delicious food, and the soft glow of candlelight danced across the white tablecloths, setting the perfect atmosphere for our night. Asher, Jax, and Knox flanked me on one side, their supportive presence a constant source of strength, while Alex and his mate, Chase, sat across from us, both of them brimming with excitement.
I couldn’t stop smiling. The energy around the table was infectious, filled with laughter, toasts, and the easy camaraderie that came from knowing we had all been through so much together. Alex and Chase had been there from the beginning, just as Asher, Jax, and Knox had become my pillars in this new chapter of my life. The joy in their eyes made me feel like I was glowing.
After we’d ordered and settled in, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the news I was about to share. The moment felt right—surrounded by the people I loved, in a place that symbolized the success and recognition I had worked so hard for.
“I have something to tell you all,” I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion. “The publishing house has decided to take on my book. I’m going to be published!”
The reaction was immediate. Asher grinned broadly, Jax let out a whoop of excitement, and Knox reached over to squeeze my hand, his eyes shining with pride. Alex and Chase exchanged a look of pure joy before Alex leaned forward, his voice filled with excitement.
“Isa, that’s incredible!” he exclaimed, his smile wide. “I knew it! I knew your book would make it. This is just the beginning for you.”
Chase, whom I've only met once before today nodded enthusiastically. “We’re so proud of you. All that hard work, —it’s all paying off.”
My heart swelled at their words, the warmth of their support wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. But even as I basked in their congratulations, an unwelcome memory surfaced, unbidden.
Dominic’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and dismissive: “Writing children’s books isn’t a real profession, Isabella. There’s no money in it. You’re wasting your time.”
His words had cut deep back then, seeding doubt and insecurity. For so long, they’d been a shadow over my dreams, making me question whether I was doing the right thing, whether my passion was worth pursuing. Even now, after all I’d accomplished, that doubt lingered, like a scar that hadn’t quite healed.
But as I looked around the table, at the faces of the people who believed in me, who saw value in what I did, the sting of Dominic’s words began to fade. He had never understood, never cared to. But these people—they did. They knew that writing, creating, was a part of me, something I couldn’t ignore or dismiss.
I pushed the memory aside, focusing on the present, on the joy of the moment. Dominic’s doubts didn’t define me anymore. I was on the verge of something amazing, something I had earned through my own hard work and perseverance.
Asher, sensing my momentary silence, leaned in closer. “You deserve this, Isa,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “You’ve always had this incredible talent, and now the world’s going to see it too.”
Jax nodded in agreement, his usual playful expression replaced with genuine admiration. “You’re proving everyone wrong, Isa. Including anyone who ever doubted you.”
I smiled at them, feeling a surge of gratitude and love. “Thank you,” I said, my voice filled with emotion. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, delicious food, and heartfelt toasts. I allowed myself to be fully present, to soak in the happiness of the moment, knowing that I was surrounded by people who valued me and my work.
As we left the restaurant, arm in arm, I felt lighter than I had in a long time. Dominic’s voice no longer held power over me. I was creating my own path, surrounded by love and support, and nothing—not even the echoes of the past—could take that away from me.
ASHER
After dinner, I told the others I needed to swing by the office, some late-night paperwork that couldn’t wait. They didn’t question it—my responsibilities often called at odd hours. But as I drove through the dark, winding roads, my thoughts weren’t on the office. They were on the cabin hidden deep in the woods, far from prying eyes.
I parked a distance away, making sure no one had followed. The cabin stood in eerie silence as I entered, the air inside cold and heavy. I descended the creaky wooden stairs to the basement, where the dim light barely illuminated the iron bars of the cage.
Dominic was there, just as I’d left him, his eyes burning with a mix of defiance and desperation. His once-confident demeanor had faded, replaced by the raw edges of fear and hunger. I approached without a word, setting down the water and food I’d brought. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for them, but his glare never wavered.
“You’ll get used to it,” I said quietly, my voice devoid of emotion. “Or maybe you won’t.”
Without another word, I turned and headed back up the stairs, the door’s lock clicking behind me, leaving Dominic in the cold darkness once more.