~ SIERRA ~- - - - - THREE YEARS LATER - - - - -The grand hall of Columbia University buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the graduating class of 2020 gathered in a sea of caps and gowns. Sierra found herself among them, surrounded by the familiar faces of friends and classmates. The air was charged with a mix of emotions, and Sierra can't help but feel a surge of sentimentality as she reflected on the journey that brought her to this moment.Wow. I can’t believe I’m really here, she thinks to herself.The journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Sierra thought back to the late-night study sessions, the sacrifices made to balance parenthood and academia, and the unwavering support of her amazing husband. As she sat, waiting for the commencement ceremony to begin, her mind replayed the moments that defined the past few years.It’s nothing short of a miracle, really. From the first time she met Colton at her birthday party, to the time he took her on “magic carpet ride
~ SIERRA's POV ~It was a warm summer day in New York City and Sierra was spending the afternoon reading her favorite book with her trustee sidekick, Winnie the Poodle. Although she had been living here all her life, the city with millions of people outside her doorstep, Sierra was always homeschooled and she never had many friends. She never went partying or even had dates with guys. She didn’t mind it, though. Winnie and Rosie were all she needs.“Come on, Si, this is your eighteenth birthday we’re talking about. Aren’t we supposed to do something fun?” Rosie chirped and batted her eyes playfully.“Something fun?” Sierra asked back.This weekend was Sierra’s eighteenth birthday, and much like her previous birthdays, she preferred spending it at home with a simple dinner with her family. She had her dad, Rosie, and her uncle and aunt. Sierra had an older brother, Sebastian, but he passed away in a car accident ten years ago, along with their dear mother. Ever since that accident, Si
~ COLTON's POV ~* BANG! BANG! BANG! *The sound of the bullets flying filled the air and Colton couldn’t help but smile. A single tear of sweat trickled down his face and down to his toned and tanned chest. In front of him, several hundred yards away was the practice target, a cutout in a shape of a man. Colton lowered the gun in his hand and saw that he had hit the target right in the heart with those three shots. “Nice shot,” Jackson clapped in approval.“Practicing for the D-Day, are we?” Levi chimed in.Jackson and Levi Rhodes were Colton’s cousins from his dad’s side. Ever since they were born, the three of them were inseparable. They grew up together and attended St. Jude’s Prep School all the way until they graduated. They were a mischievous bunch, always looking for trouble, and Colton was the leader. Now at 21 years old, just one year shy of graduating college, Colton decided to drop out to continue his father’s legacy while his cousins continued school.At just twenty-one
~ SIERRA's POV ~“Oh my God! I’m not seriously walking out there in front of all those people, am I?”Sierra was freaking out behind the curtains as she watched the hundreds and thousands of people standing at her party. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. There were politicians, celebrities, and prominent families from all over the state. Everyone was so beautifully and impeccably dressed, holding glasses of champagne, and talking about their last trip to the south of France. Sierra was definitely overwhelmed by all of this. Her cousin Rose’s coming out party wasn’t even half this extravagant. Her dad went completely extra with this one. Crystal chandeliers were hanging on the ceiling, beautiful flowers and linen adorned the room, and a full orchestra band was playing music on stage.“Don’t worry, sweetheart, it’s gonna be fine,” Sierra’s dad smiled reassuringly, holding onto her hand. “I’ll be walking right with you,”“But—““Smile, sweetie. It’s time,”Before Sierra could p
~ COLTON's POV ~Large and lavish parties were not an unfamiliar thing for Colton Rhodes. From the moment he was born, he was thrust into the spotlight of a luxurious lifestyle. Not only that he was blessed with such wealth, but he was also sharp, intelligent, and good-looking. This proved to be a deadly combo. He became the epitome of New York’s high society, the poster boy for the young one percent. At just twenty-one years of age, Colton had become a celebrity in his own right. He hung out with Hollywood starlets and rock stars and flew in private jets to have trips in private islands and yachts. He was always surrounded by friends and followers, and girls were always lining up at the door. Colton, of course, didn’t let this go to waste. For the past five years, he dedicated his time to a life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He did whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted, and with whoever he wanted.Unfortunately, all that came crashing down last year with the news of his father
~ SIERRA ~It took Sierra a moment to realize what was happening. One moment she was standing by the window, breathing in the fresh air, and the next moment she was lying on her stomach, face to face with a stranger. Sierra opened her eyes to see a pair of icy blue eyes looking back at her. She had fallen on top of a guy, who seemed young, maybe around her age. He had jet-black hair that was styled like Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. He also had strong features and a sharp jawline, and his body was all muscles and rock-hard.“Ehem,” the guy let out a dry cough, pulling Sierra from her train of thought.“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Sierra panicked in awkward embarrassment and quickly got up to her feet. “A-are you okay?”The guy propped himself up and Sierra heard a crack. It could be his bone popping out of its socket or something. Sierra grimaced in anticipation, but the guy didn’t look affected by it at all. “I might’ve broken a bone,” he laughed coolly. “But I guess that’s my faul
~ COLTON's POV ~“I just…” Sierra paused for a moment before answering, “I really don't wanna do this right now,”“Do what?” he pressed. “Your birthday party?”“That and being auctioned off like a show horse,” she blurted.“You’re being auctioned off like a show horse?”“Not literally, but yeah,” she shrugged.“How come?”Sierra paused again before answering. She was looking at him while debating whether or not she should tell this stranger about her life’s story. “Hey, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he said nonchalantly. “It’s just that it’s not every day I get fell on and shoved into tight spaces—““My dad is throwing this party because he wants to marry me off to some rich billionaire asshole,” she blurted suddenly. “What?” he gaped.“Yeah. Because apparently, girls like me aren’t made for normal romance. Our marriages have to be board approved and I’ll probably end up with someone in there who is either boring as hell, has bad breath, or just weird and handsy,
~ COLTON's POV ~This was not part of the plan, but Colton was improvising. Somehow in his mind it made sense that he goes and ditch the party with Sierra. He figured Henri Ascott would always be there. He could always come back later and finish his mission. But in the meantime, his priority had shifted. Somehow it became important for him to help this girl avoid the guards and all the shitty guys in that second floor ballroom. “You’re kind of crazy, you know that?” Sierra laughed at his offer.“So I’m told,” he let out a smirk. “But I have a feeling that you are too,”Suddenly, there was a glint in her eyes and she was looking at him with a look he couldn’t decipher. That look made him feel kind of nervous. Colton swallowed hard and hung for her answer. She probably won’t do it, he thought to himself. I know her type. She’s too much of a goody-goody. She won’t have the guts.“Miss Sierra! Where are you?!”The guard’s voices were getting so louder. They were definitely nearby. Sierr
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - THREE YEARS LATER - - - - -The grand hall of Columbia University buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the graduating class of 2020 gathered in a sea of caps and gowns. Sierra found herself among them, surrounded by the familiar faces of friends and classmates. The air was charged with a mix of emotions, and Sierra can't help but feel a surge of sentimentality as she reflected on the journey that brought her to this moment.Wow. I can’t believe I’m really here, she thinks to herself.The journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Sierra thought back to the late-night study sessions, the sacrifices made to balance parenthood and academia, and the unwavering support of her amazing husband. As she sat, waiting for the commencement ceremony to begin, her mind replayed the moments that defined the past few years.It’s nothing short of a miracle, really. From the first time she met Colton at her birthday party, to the time he took her on “magic carpet ride
~ COLTON ~Colton had already decided that one of the best things about being married to Sierra was watching her walk around in just her underwear.It was early evening on the last day of their honeymoon. They had spent most of the day at the beach and, after they had both showered, they had set about starting to pack their suitcases ready for the journey home. Colton was lying on the bed, having sorted and packed most of his clothes. Sierra had showered after him but had only partially dressed. She was padding around their bedroom ferrying clothes back and forth to the suitcase wearing only a rather cute set of matching light pink bra and panties.With that job done, Sierra went to put on a dress ready for dinner."Damn,” Colton muttered.“What?” she asked.“You’re just so gorgeous, princess," Colton said, shaking his head from side to side. “Oh, stop,” Sierra blushed and rolled her eyes."I’m telling you, all the guys in the restaurant -- when you wore that dress the other day, the
~ SIERRA ~The wedding was one crazy blur of a moment. It was something like a movie. Or a dream. Sierra felt like she was being whisked away from one place to the next. There was no time to stop, the momentum just kept going. Right after the ceremony was over, Colton had a helicopter prepared on the rooftop of the Plaza Hotel. Still wearing her wedding dress, Sierra got into the helicopter and they flew to the bright, blue sky.“It’s only for the weekend,” Colton said to her. “Just you and me,”Sierra had no idea where they were going, and she didn’t bother asking. Maybe it was the champagne in her veins or just the complete reckless abandon she felt whenever she was with Colton, but she was down for any kind of surprise with him.The next thing she remembered, Sierra woke up, unclear at first about where she was. But then she remembered...the huge bed, the smart room, it felt like a holiday resort, and it must be... The Hamptons. Yes. She was the brand new Mrs. Rhodes on her honeym
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - THREE MONTHS LATER - - - - -Summer was coming to an end and the weather was getting cooler in New York City. Sierra walked out of the Columbia campus library with her two friends, Anna and Jess, from the American Lit class. They had books piled up in their hands, making it hard for them to walk down the steps.“Thank God it’s finally Friday! I’m so done with writing for now,” Anna said.“I know. I can’t wait to put these down and go to McSorley's for drinks,” Jess replied.“Are you coming with us, Sierra?” Anna asked.“Oh, I’d love to, but I gotta go check on my baby,” Sierra flashed them a sorry smile. “Dang,” Jess muttered. “She’s the best writer in our class and she’s a mom. What can’t she do?”Sierra let out a laugh and shook her head.“I’ll join the next one. Enjoy your night, you guys,”Sierra waved one hand goodbye while using the other hand to keep all her books together. The school session was in full swing and work was starting to pile up. Luckily for
~ COLTON ~Colton was smiling from ear to ear. How could he not? He was looking at his beautiful fiancee and the healthy baby boy they have. Sierra was holding baby Seb in her arms, rocking him back and forth to get him to calm down. Baby Seb had stopped crying and he was now giggling at the funny faces Sierra was making. Colton couldn’t drop his smile as he leaned his head against the doorway to the nursery. Nothing in the world could bring him this much joy and feelings. He was the luckiest man in the world, and he never wanted to take this moment for granted.“I think he’s bored, he just wants to play,” Sierra commented, studying the look on her baby’s face.Colton could stand here and watch her play with baby Seb all day. Sierra made such a great mother. She had that motherly instinct. She knew exactly just what the baby wanted by looking at it. “Maybe we can take him to the beach?” Colton suggested.“That sounds fun,” Sierra nodded her head eagerly. “Wouldn’t that be fun, Seb?”
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - ONE MONTH LATER - - - - -“Attention everyone!” Colton said as he clinked his champagne glass with the knife. He was standing in the middle of the long table and Sierra was seated next to him. All around them were beautiful flower arrangements, candles, and a gorgeous feast. They were enjoying a wonderful birthday lunch for Sierra in Colton’s summer home in the Hamptons. All of their closest friends and family were in attendance, including Henri, baby Sebastian, Rosie, Ethan, Levi, Jackson, and of course, Winnie.“I just wanna raise a toast to my beautiful fiancee on her birthday today,” Colton said as he turned to Sierra. Everyone’s eyes were on them and they were ooh-ing and aah-ing. “Baby girl, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t know if any of you know this, but Sierra and I first met on her birthday two years ago. Thank you for falling out of that window and letting me catch you,” Sierra let out a laugh and everyone else did too. “I lo
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - TWO WEEKS LATER - - - - -“Breaking news! Last night, in a surprising turn of events, members of the Rothschild family, Raphael Rothschild and his father, Nathanael Rothschild, one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in New York City, were arrested by the CIA in relation to a shooting incident in France…”Sierra was sitting on the couch in Colton’s penthouse apartment when she saw the news on the TV. Baby Sebastian was asleep in her arms and she was rocking him back and forth slowly. She reached for the remote and raised the volume up, but not too much because she didn’t want to wake the baby up.“The CIA was first tipped off by the French National Police when a shooting occurred in the outskirts of Paris several weeks ago. In the shooting, Raphael Rothschild, the youngest son of the Rothschild family was injured, along with twenty other men of Russian origin. At first, the French police arrested Henri Ascott, another prominent man of New York City’s eli
~ SIERRA ~Dark. There was nothing but darkness for miles. Sierra couldn’t see anything in front of her. The last thing she remembered was seeing Raphael holding a gun to Colton's back and she jumped as fast as she could. The loud piercing sound of the gun cut through the air and that was it. Everything turned dark after that. Sierra didn’t know how long she was out for. Sometimes she’d see flashes of light. She could also see the faces of people leaning in front of her. First, it was Colton, but then there were people that she didn’t know. Seeing that they were wearing masks and uniforms, maybe they were nurses or doctors. They were also speaking in French. She didn't know what they were saying, but they looked worried, so she got worried too."Colton..." she kept calling for him. "The baby..."Colton and the baby were the only things in her mind. Sierra didn't even care that she was bleeding out, lying on an operating table. She kept calling for his name over and over, until the nu
~ COLTON ~The police siren rang loudly in the background as Colton speeded away. Sitting in the passenger seat, Sierra was groaning and writhing in pain, and blood kept dripping from the side of her stomach. Damon glanced at her every chance he could, and every time he saw the blood pooling on the seat and dripping to the floor, he felt sick to his stomach.“Col…” Sierra tried to speak, but she was too weak.“Yes, princess, I’m right here,” he shakily put a hand on her, while still trying to focus on the road. “Co…”“Ssh, don’t speak, it’s okay,” he cooed. “You’ll be alright, I promise,”Colton’s eyes were welling up with tears. His voice cracked as he spoke. He couldn’t bear looking at her like this, writhing in blood and pain. And not just that, he didn’t even want to think about the baby. If something happened to her or to the baby, he wouldn’t know how to live with himself.Luckily for Colton, after a short drive down the hill, he saw a small hospital with an ER sign. Using all