Owen's POV The ballroom was everything I imagined it would be: glittering chandeliers dripping with crystals, walls covered in gold trim, and tables set with so many forks it made me wonder if anyone actually knew how to use them all. Grown-ups in fancy clothes laughed too loudly and carried gla
Sophia's POV I was furious. No, that wasn’t even the right word. Fury was too simple, too tame. What I felt was something darker, more visceral. The kind of rage that settled deep in your chest and burned through your veins until all you could see was red. It wasn’t just anger anymore—it was a n
He leaned forward, finally looking me in the eyes, his expression unreadable. “Sophia, I’m not firing her. You need to let this go. It’s between you and our…son.” My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “You’re really not going to do anything?” I asked, my voice a dangerous whisper. “You’re just
Owen's POV One gala, right into another. This one felt less like an event and more like a loud, glittering outdoor carnival masquerading as high society. The kind of place where you had to squint—not just from the blinding sunlight reflecting off sequins, but from the overwhelming brightness of
Her hand landed on my shoulder, and I stiffened. The room fell silent, and I could feel every single eye on me, their gazes like lasers boring into my skin. “He’s the light of our lives,” Sophia said, her voice full of practiced affection. I resisted the urge to laugh—or maybe cry. Light of thei
Lauren's POV The news was on in the background, the chatter of the anchors blending with the occasional giggle from Abigail as she colored on the living room floor. I had half an ear on the TV, more focused on sorting through the mountain of laundry I’d been ignoring for days. But then a familiar
“Sophia,” he said, his voice shaking. “She… she’s awful. A horrible mom. She—she threatened me.” “What?” I leaned forward, my heart pounding. “She said if I didn’t do what she wanted, she’d…” His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his little hands. “Take your time,” I said softly, trying
Lauren's POVTwo lines. Positive.My head dropped between my shoulders, a heavy breath leaving my lips like a caress down my chest. Leaning over the porcelain sink, the stick in my hand trembled, nearly slipping to the floor.The cool tile beneath my bare feet no longer felt sharp and biting—instead,
“Sophia,” he said, his voice shaking. “She… she’s awful. A horrible mom. She—she threatened me.” “What?” I leaned forward, my heart pounding. “She said if I didn’t do what she wanted, she’d…” His voice cracked, and he buried his face in his little hands. “Take your time,” I said softly, trying
Lauren's POV The news was on in the background, the chatter of the anchors blending with the occasional giggle from Abigail as she colored on the living room floor. I had half an ear on the TV, more focused on sorting through the mountain of laundry I’d been ignoring for days. But then a familiar
Her hand landed on my shoulder, and I stiffened. The room fell silent, and I could feel every single eye on me, their gazes like lasers boring into my skin. “He’s the light of our lives,” Sophia said, her voice full of practiced affection. I resisted the urge to laugh—or maybe cry. Light of thei
Owen's POV One gala, right into another. This one felt less like an event and more like a loud, glittering outdoor carnival masquerading as high society. The kind of place where you had to squint—not just from the blinding sunlight reflecting off sequins, but from the overwhelming brightness of
He leaned forward, finally looking me in the eyes, his expression unreadable. “Sophia, I’m not firing her. You need to let this go. It’s between you and our…son.” My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “You’re really not going to do anything?” I asked, my voice a dangerous whisper. “You’re just
Sophia's POV I was furious. No, that wasn’t even the right word. Fury was too simple, too tame. What I felt was something darker, more visceral. The kind of rage that settled deep in your chest and burned through your veins until all you could see was red. It wasn’t just anger anymore—it was a n
Owen's POV The ballroom was everything I imagined it would be: glittering chandeliers dripping with crystals, walls covered in gold trim, and tables set with so many forks it made me wonder if anyone actually knew how to use them all. Grown-ups in fancy clothes laughed too loudly and carried gla
The line went silent for a moment, and I could almost hear his trembling on the other end. Good. He should be nervous. But his silence only fueled my anger. “You’re useless,” I continued, my voice colder now. “But, I’m not done with you yet, Doctor. Keep close.” “Yes, ma’am.” his voice replied q
Sophia's POV The soft click of my heels against the linoleum was muffled as I stepped into the shadows of the adjacent hallway, positioning myself just out of sight of Alexander’s hospital office. The air was almost too clean, and it made me wrinkle my nose in disdain. Hospitals always had that