Chapter Thirty-fiveThe Battle LineSophie’s POVI settled into my familiar workspace at the office, the chair creaked as I sank myself into it, my fingers tapping lightly on the keyboard. My eyes were fixed on the computer screen, but my mind was elsewhere.I began to scroll through the files on my desktop, the same ones I had been working on the last time I was here. My task was just to summarize, organize, and prepare the necessary documents for an upcoming meeting. But as much as I tried to focus, my mind refused to cooperate. My thoughts kept drifting to Maxon and what he might be thinking.Maxon remained the father of my children, but he was still the man whose presence in my life was both a source of joy and an endless well of fear and uncertainty. The bitter taste of those emotions settled in the pit of my stomach.I knew him well enough to understand that he would stop at nothing to have his kids back in his life. It didn't matter that he had been absent for years, that he had
Chapter Thirty-sixThe Fight For My KidsMaxon’s POVMy heart pounded with triumphant joy as I sat in the office, the DNA test result in front of me. I had expected this outcome, considering the undeniable resemblance between Amara and Asher, my children, and myself. But Sophie had always been stubborn, never backing down in her determination to keep them away from me, demanding evidence.She had said to me several times that I wasn’t their father, she insulted me and made it a work to always reduce me to nothing.Sophie called me incompetent, she called me irresponsible, she said I would never be able to father my own kids, but I was ready to prove her wrong, to make her take back all she said.Now, I had that evidence.The paper in my hand held the power to shatter Sophie's resistance, to prove that I was the biological father of our children. It was a victory, a step toward reclaiming the precious years I had lost with them. But as I stared at the result, an uncertainty crept in. Wh
Chapter Thirty-sevenLoosing My KidsSophie’s POVI sat there, my body frozen in place, as if a heavy weight had settled upon me, rendering me immobile. Maxon’s words echoed in my mind, and the tears welled up in my eyes. I could see the looming danger, the very real possibility of my children being taken away from me, and it was a nightmare I couldn't wake from.My heart ached with a pain I had never known before. The thought of losing Amara and Asher, my precious children, was unbearable. They were my world, my reason for everything I did, and the idea of being separated from them sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t imagine being away from them, I couldn’t imagine them being taken away from me. They were all I had, my life, I won’t be able to live without them. They were what had been keeping me going since the last five years, how was I supposed to live without them now?In that moment, I wished I could gather them up, take them far away from Maxon, and disappear into hiding. I w
Chapter Thirty-eightThe LawsuitSophie’s POVAs the morning light filtered through the curtains, I woke up to find my children nestled beside me. Amara and Asher, their innocent faces at rest, were a reminder of the looming crisis and challenge that hung over our lives. I knew that Maxon had likely already started working on obtaining custody of the kids, and the thought of facing him in court filled me with a deep sense of unease.I headed for the bathroom and took my bath, then head out of the kitchen to make breakfast before the kids wake up.As I did so, my thoughts waved again, back to the looming battle.I had chosen to leave the life I had before behind, to escape the toxic environment, and to build a new life with my children. It had been a difficult journey, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but it was a journey I would take again and again if it meant protecting Amara and Asher.The sound of my children's laughter reached my ears as they stirred awake from their slum
Chapter Thirty-nineHumiliationSophie’s POVI fell to the chair, my heart pounding painfully in my chest as I clutched the lawsuit in my trembling hand. I gazed at the words on the page, my vision blurring with tears I couldn't hold back. With just this pierce of paper, he could take my kids away from me, he could take my kids and all that made me happy away from me. In that moment, I felt the overwhelming sense of loss wash over me, even before the case had officially begun. I knew Maxon all too well. I knew his determination, his power, and his relentless pursuit of what he wanted. And what he wanted was our children. Maxon could buy all the judges and everyone involved in the case, just to make it favor him, and I’ll be all alone, all by myself.How would I fight this case all by myself? How was I going to do that without help from anyone?I felt like a loner, I didn’t know what to do. How was I going to fight against a man like Maxon? He would do whatever it takes, he would do wh
Chapter FortyThe Missing Daughter Sophie’s POV“Go back to your seat and do not make a sound!” Maxon ordered and the man rushed back to his seat, he then turned to me, “I want you to go get the files now!”I hurried back to my workspace, my heart still heavy with embarrassment and anxiety. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and I felt like I was drowning in my own despair.His words still rang in my head, he had called me so many things and insulted me in different ways since I got to the company, but that day was the worse of all.He humiliated me in front of everyone, he made me look like a bad person, he called me incapable, clumsy and more. I shook my head, wondering why the same man who humiliated me in everyone’s presence would stand up for me again.I reached my desk and quickly picked up the file I had forgotten. As I opened my computer to check the email I had sent to Maxon, I realized with a sinking feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. I had mistakenly sent the fil
Chapter Forty-oneThe TruthSophie’s POVMy heart raced with fear as I stood there, trying to comprehend where Amara could have gone. I knew my daughter wouldn't just wander off on her own. She was a responsible and cautious child who wouldn't leave the spot I'd left her. Panic gripped me tightly as I imagined all the worst-case scenarios that could have transpired.I knew Amara wouldn’t leave where she always stayed except she was forcibly taken from there, I just couldn’t think of what to do, where was my daughter?My mind raced, searching for answers. Who could have taken her? Why would anyone take my child? The thoughts swirled like a tempest in my mind, and I felt helpless, my breathing becoming shallow as I tried to contain my rising panic.I had never had a clash with anyone, I was always going on my own, who would want to take my daughter? What do I do? Where do I go in search for her?My thoughts sent cold shivers down my body, I trembled, it couldn’t be what I was thinking, I
Chapter Forty-twoMy Kids FatherSophie’s POVI watched as Maxon walked to Amara and pulled her to himself, wrapping her hands around her, “darling,” he murmured as he pulled back to wipe her tears, “you do not have to get angry at your mom. I am back now and I will be with you and your brother forever. No one will ever be able to separate us.” He added and looked at me, pulling her back into his embrace.I couldn’t help but feel like he was trying to take my place, that he was taking my place in the lives of my kids. I was watching it, but I couldn’t say anything about it.I now look to my daughter like a liar, and a wicked mom who has kept their dad away from them for years. I hoped she could understand that I did all that to protect them, I did all that in their best interest.As I stood there and watch them, something struck me, sending shivers down my body. It would be so unbearable for Asher if he gets to know that Maxon was his father, not with his present condition, I had to ke
Chapter Eighty-eightFinal ChapterThe Coronation CeremonySophie’s POV“Please walk down for the final round of the walk-of-ties.”Maxon looked at me, smiling brightly under his Royal hat; the red and blue suede Royal garment which he wore looked so perfect on him.“Shall we?” He asked, stretching out his hand.I took it with a smile, holding up my long red ball gown with my other hand. “Yes.” I grinned.Looking down at our kids on either side of the long red rug that led to the throne, my heart fluttered with so much happiness, I couldn’t be more proud. It had been a few weeks since we got back to this world, and even though I was scared to come back with Maxon at first, it has been the best decision I made.After the confrontation with his mom and the blast at the hospital, Maxon was lucky to have been thrown out of the hospital by the force of the blast; he sustained some injuries which healed in no time after his wolf came back to action.Asher had finally recovered too, even th
Chapter Eighty-sixThe Last FightMaxon’s POVWe were back to where it all started again. The car, which carried us, drove into the palace, and as the door people, a long line of guards marched towards us, saluting as I stepped out of the car.“You are welcome back, your highness.” They all bowed.I smiled; it felt really good to be back, and better because I had Sophie and my kids with me. That feeling of loneliness and emptiness was no longer there. I carried Asher in my arms, his leg still having a cast around it; the doctor had said it would take a few more weeks before he gets fully recovered.The guards formed two lines and kept us in the middle as we walked into the palace. Everyone around was wearing black from head to toe, to pay respect to my father who just passed on.I headed directly for the courtroom, where I was sure my mom would be.“Mother!” I called as I saw her from afar.A big smile fell on her face. “My son!” She murmured. “How long has it been? It feels like eter
Chapter Eighty-fiveMaking Up With My MateMaxon’s POV“You’re not completely healed yet, but since you said you want to leave now, we have no other choice than to let you go,” the doctor said to me.I nodded at him with a smile. “Thank you, thank you so much for your help.”“You shouldn’t be thanking me because I only did my job as a doctor; you should thank the heavens for making this surgery a success.”I had lost all hope that I was going to live, but after I saw Sophie in that condition battling for her life, I got scared of dying and leaving everything behind. Even though I had planned to leave it all behind before, I didn’t want to die.“I’m glad you made the right decision; this just shows that even when it is a 0.5% survival rate, a miracle can happen.”I nodded at the doctor and took a quick glance at my watch; I was running late. “Thanks for everything, doctor; I will take my leave now.”“Sure. Make sure you take the drugs as I have instructed and always go for the checkup
Chapter Eighty-fourThe LetterSophie’s POVMy head banged as the light shone into my eyes; I closed my eyes back and remained in the bed. My whole body felt so heavy; it felt as though the most weight was suspended around my left shoulder and down to my arm.I tried once again, turning away from the ray of life this time, and I saw Rose, sitting beside me.I closed my eyes one more time as I tried to recollect all that had happened, where I was, and what led to me being hospitalized.It took a few minutes for me to remember it all; my heart skipped when I remembered I took the bullet for Maxon.“Rose!” I called.“You are up!” She jumped up on her feet and held my hand. “Thank goodness, I was so scared, I thought I would lose you?”“It isn’t that fatal; I was just out for some hours.” I murmured. She smiled at me.“Hours?” She chuckled and looked at her wristwatch. “Some hours more will make it a week that you’ve been out.”My eyes bulged out, “a week?” I asked, fumbling to sit up on
Chapter Eight-threeThere, It Ends.Maxon’s POV"Charge it to 250 joules!" The doctor instructed and rubbed the surface of the defibrillator against each other before charging Sophie with it.I could no longer watch; I staggered back, staring blankly in horror. Why did this have to happen? Why does she have to go through all of this because of me? Why is she always at the receiving end of it?"What will happen to our mom? Will she be fine?" Amara asked, tears rolling down her eyes.I fell beside her and pulled her closer to myself; I wasn't sure of what to say to them, I wasn't sure of how to assure them. Sophie was there battling between life and death, and I was the reason for that; it was all because of me. My heart shattered, my body trembled as I forced my tears back, trying hard to act normal in the presence of the kids."Make way! Make way!" I heard the loud voice and quickly jumped up, pulling the kids away from the way.I saw the nurses pushing Sophie out of the ward room on
Chapter Eighty-threeThe TruthMaxon’s POVSophie and I stood steps away from the uncompleted building the map directed us to, but I wasn’t sure if that was the exact location we were coming to.“Are you sure we didn’t miss the way?” Sophie asked.I nodded at her. “The map directed us to this place.” I looked around. “They should be somewhere here, the building, maybe.”Just when we were still talking, Sophie’s phone rang again, it was from the same private number as before.She picked it and put it on speaker. “Look at the building in front of you, tell him to come with the money to the building.” The man said and dropped the call.Sophie’s face dropped, her hands shook as she held mine. “Please promise me that you will be fine, please promise to come back with the kids safely.”I smiled faintly and nodded at her. “I will bring the kids back, no matter what.” I pulled her hand away from mine slowly and picked up the bag which contained the money from the car before heading towards th
Chapter Eighty-twoThe KidnapMaxon’s POVI turned off the light in my room, moved on to the hallway, and turned it off, down to the main room, the last place. I looked around; I had spent my life there since the last five years, I had been there with sadness and emptiness, and just the moment when I was supposed to enjoy the warm and happiness of being with my kids, I had to let them go so they wouldn’t be in danger.It’s been a week since I forced Sophie and the kids out of my life, for the best reason. It had been hell since then; I tried so much to avoid her in the company; I couldn’t deal with it. I had never known happiness since I came to this world; it changed a bit when I saw Sophie again, and I got the happiness I needed when I found out about my kids and got to claim them as mine, but now, I was losing all of that happiness again.It would be better to keep them away and know that they’re doing well than to keep them close to me and have them in danger.I sighed, taking my
Chapter Eight-oneThe Real Culprit Maxon’s POV“I have said this before, and I will say it again. I know nothing about this; I have never stolen anyone’s idea and I will never do that! Never!”“You can keep going on and on with that, but we have the evidence against you.” The officer lashed at me. “It will be better to own up to your mistakes and crime now before it is too late.”Own up to my mistake? That sounded familiar; I had heard it before.From Leo, he had told me to pen up to my mistakes too. Were the heavens trying to punish me? Am I being punished for the mistakes I made already? I shook my head. “You have to believe me, officer. I do not know anything about all these; I didn’t steal this idea, it is mine!” “Well, the...”He stopped when the door came, and another officer walked in. He got to him and whispered in his ears before leaving.“I’ll be right back,” the officer said and walked out.I sighed and buried my face in my palms; who could have done this to me? Who coul
Chapter EightyFinding The TruthSophie’s POVI wasn’t sure of what to do; there must be a mix-up somewhere. Maxon would never steal someone else’s idea; he would never do such a thing.I wandered around the hallway, going back and forth with my mind racing. I wasn’t sure where to go next.He had given me the project, and he even lost the contract he was working on because of me. Now he was getting arrested for stealing that same idea. What the officer said struck me again, that I must have been the one who leaked it, and I was sure Maxon must be thinking the same thing.I shook my head; it wasn’t the time to start brooding. I had to take actions. I rushed back to my space, grabbed my bag, and rushed into his office to pick up the car keys.I rushed back out and headed down; I had to go see him first to talk to him, maybe he was the one who did the mix-up.Maybe he mixed up the project with another one, or he mistakenly leaked it because I was sure the mistake wasn’t from my end. The