Sarah's POVThe door clicked shut behind Adrian, and silence filled the space he’d left. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands, the weight of the conversation sinking in. Though we’d managed to air some of the tension between us, a lingering unease remained. Trust was fragile, and rebuilding it would take more than a single night.I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with thoughts of Rome’s threats, the image of Chris, and the secrets I’d kept buried for so long. It was terrifying to think how quickly the past could unravel everything I had fought to protect.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Mommy?”Nora peeked her head in, her wide, curious eyes reminding me of the innocence I was trying so hard to preserve.“Come here, baby,” I said, patting the bed beside me.She climbed up and nestled into my side. “Are you okay? You look sad.”I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m okay, sweetheart. Just a lot on my mind.”“
Adrian's POVThe morning sun streamed through my office window as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the spreadsheet open on my laptop. Numbers and projections blurred together, my mind elsewhere entirely.I couldn’t stop thinking about Sarah and Nora.The sight of them at breakfast had left a warmth I hadn’t felt in years, ever since my mother died. Nora’s laughter was a melody I hadn’t realized I needed, and Sarah’s guarded smile—though rare—gave me a sense of purpose I couldn’t explain.But beneath it all, I could feel the tension. Sarah was still holding back, still keeping me at arm’s length. I couldn’t blame her. After everything she’d been through, trust didn’t come easily.A sharp knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening up.My assistant, Neville, stepped in with a stack of files. “Morning, Mr. Blackwood. These are the reports you requested.”“Thanks,” I said, taking the files and setting them on the desk.He lingered for a moment,
Sarah's POVAs I walked back to my room, Adrian’s words from earlier played on a loop in my mind. "I’m here. For you and Nora. Not because of the contract or any obligation, but because I care."It had been years since someone said something like that to me—and meant it.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my laptop. The financial projections I’d been reviewing earlier now felt meaningless. My life had always been about survival, about making it through one day to the next without falling apart. But Adrian took that away. I could sleep peacefully without having nightmares of not being able to foot Nora's bills or even keep a roof over our head. He was beginning to thaw at my walls which were there for a reason.People like Adrian didn’t stay. They didn’t fight for someone like me, not once they saw the scars and baggage I carried.But as much as I wanted to protect myself, I couldn’t deny how much he’d already done for Nora and me. He’d given us stability, a sense of safety I ha
Adrian’s POVThe steady rhythm of my car’s engine filled the silence as I drove toward the office. The morning rush was in full swing, and yet my thoughts weren’t on the day’s meetings or the endless emails awaiting my attention.They were on Sarah.I shook my head as though the motion would drain away the thoughts I was having. I pulled into the parking garage and stepped out, the cool air brushing against me as I headed toward the elevator. The elevator doors opened to the sleek expanse of Blackwood Enterprises’ top floor, where glass walls and polished marble floors reflected the sunlight streaming in from the large windows. Neville greeted me with his usual efficiency, handing me a schedule as I stepped into the office.“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. You have a meeting with the marketing team at 10 AM, a quarterly review at noon, and Mr. Carson is scheduled to arrive at 2 PM to discuss the land acquisition,” he said, his tone brisk.“Perfect. Let Carson know I’m expecting him,” I
Sarah’s POVTasha began pulling snacks from her bag — chips, a pack of pizza, a tub of ice cream, and a bottle of wine. “Mary Poppins, much?”She laughed, throwing her head back. “I wanted to come prepared. We’re going to talk, laugh, and eat like we’re twenty again,” she declared, kicking off her shoes.I chuckled and grabbed a couple of glasses. “You’re lucky I don’t mind the mess you’re about to make.”Tasha grinned, popping open the wine. “Mess? This is organized chaos, my dear. Now, sit and tell me what’s been going on. I want all the juicy details.”I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. Tasha wasn’t just my best friend; she was my rock. Still, I wasn’t sure I was ready to unpack all my feelings about Adrian.“Well,” I started, “Nora’s doing much better. She’s getting stronger every day, and her doctor says she’ll be ready to return to her normal activities and go back to school soon.”“That’s great news!” Tasha squealed, raising her glass. “To Nora’s recovery!”I clinked m
Adrian’s POVI entered my study to find Julian pacing back and forth, his polished shoes clicking against the hardwood floor. He looked disheveled, his usually impeccable suit slightly wrinkled and his tie loosened. That alone was enough to tell me something was wrong. Julian was never anything but poised, at least outwardly.“Julian,” I said, shutting the door behind me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”He stopped pacing, turning to face me with a grim expression. “It’s worse than that.”I raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against my desk. “You’re going to have to be more specific. What’s going on?”Julian hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “The branch I’m managing, it’s falling apart. The investors are pulling out, the staff morale is at an all-time low, and the numbers… they’re nonexistent.”I folded my arms, waiting for him to continue.“I’ve tried everything I can think of to fix it,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “But nothing’s working. And if Dad finds out…
Sarah’s POVAdrian's expression shifted as he stared at his phone, the tension rolling off him in waves. Even Nora noticed, her small hands tugging at his sleeve.“Uncle Adrian, are you okay?” she asked innocently, tilting her head.Adrian forced a small smile and kissed her forehead. “I’m fine, sunshine. Go on and finish your cartoon.”Nora hesitated, her big eyes darting between us, but eventually nodded and scampered off to the other end of the couch. I watched Adrian stand, his movements tense, and head toward the balcony with his phone.“Adrian?” I called after him, but he was already closing the sliding door behind him.Something about the way he’d said “work stuff” earlier didn’t sit right with me. And now, seeing his reaction to that call, I knew it was more than that.“What’s wrong with Uncle Adrian?” Nora asked, her voice breaking the silence.I glanced at her, offering a reassuring smile. “He’s just busy, sweetheart. Grown-up things.”She nodded and returned her attention t
Adrian’s POVI shut the door to my study and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The quiet hum of the desk lamp greeted me as I sank into the chair, my fingers instinctively running through my hair. The tension from the evening still clung to me, even after Sarah’s cooking and Nora’s innocent antics had offered a brief reprieve.Julian.He always meant well, at least for the company, but his mistakes had a way of turning into my problems. I pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling through the messages I’d ignored earlier. They painted a picture of a branch on the verge of chaos—and a father who was just waiting for me to fail.A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I frowned.“Come in,” I called, expecting Sarah—or maybe even Nora with another clever excuse to delay bedtime.It was Sarah, holding two steaming mugs. She had changed into her pajamas, an indication that she was getting ready for bed. She closed the door behind her and crossed the room, p
Sarah’s POVThe moment Adrian left, a strange sense of unease settled over me. I tried to shake it off, telling myself I was just exhausted, but something in my gut told me that whatever he was going to face wouldn’t be simple.I shifted against the pillows, trying to find a comfortable position, but my body protested every movement. My muscles ached, my skin burned, and my stomach felt like it was twisted in knots. I hated feeling this weak, this helpless.Dr. Arnold adjusted my IV, his face calm but focused. “How are you feeling now?”“Like I got run over by a truck,” I muttered.His lips twitched in amusement, but his eyes remained serious. “The reaction should subside soon. Your body is just struggling to adjust.”I let out a slow breath. “I thought I was getting better.”“You were—you are.” He paused. “But sometimes setbacks happen. The important thing is that we caught it in time.”I nodded weakly. “Thank you.”“Just rest,” he said gently. “Tasha will be here if you need anythin
Adrian’s POVThe morning started off wrong. I knew it the moment I opened my eyes and felt the tension in the air, the unease settling in my chest like a weight I couldn't shake.Sarah stirred beside me, her face scrunched up in discomfort. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale, and when I placed a hand against her forehead, I felt the heat radiating off her.The moment my mind caught up with what was happening, I sat up, my heart pounding as I turned to her. She was curled into herself, her face twisted in discomfort, beads of sweat forming at her temple."Sarah?" I whispered, brushing her hair back.She let out a low whimper, her hand pressing against her abdomen. "It hurts..."Dread curled in my stomach. She hadn’t complained about pain since we got back home. The worst was supposed to be over.I threw off the covers and immediately reached for my phone. “I’m calling the doctor,” I said firmly, dialing the number as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I glanced at the cloc
Sarah’s POVThe way Adrian’s jaw clenched, the way his fingers curled into tight fists at his sides—I knew whatever he’d just learned wasn’t good.I tightened the towel around my hair, stepping closer. “Adrian.” My voice was soft but firm. “What is it?”He exhaled through his nose, his gaze dark with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. “My father’s making moves.” His voice was controlled, but I could hear the anger simmering beneath. “He’s coming after me.” A pause. “And you.”A cold weight settled in my stomach.Me?I blinked, my fingers tightening around the towel. “What do you mean?”Adrian ran a hand over his face before pushing off the wall and walking toward me. “He’s pulling strings, calling in favors. He’s not taking Julian’s resignation lightly, and since I’m the one still under him...” His throat bobbed. “He’s going to come unto me very strongly. And knowing him, he’ll come at us from every angle.”My heart pounded, but I forced myself to stay calm. “What does that
Adrian’s POVThe weight of Julian’s words settled in my chest like a stone. I’d known this moment was coming—the day he’d finally walk away from our father’s expectations—but I hadn’t expected the tension that came with it.Julian stared at me, waiting for my reaction. Sarah, standing a few feet away, had that quiet, assessing look she always wore when she sensed something was off.I exhaled, rubbing my jaw. “Julian, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. If this is what you want—”“It’s not that simple,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “You think he’s just going to let me walk away?” His laugh was bitter. “He’s furious. And you know how he is when he’s mad.”Yeah, I did. Our father was a man who demanded control, who molded his sons into what he deemed worthy. And if you refused to fit the mold? You were a disappointment. A failure.Julian had been fighting that label for years. And now, he was finally letting it go.Sarah stepped forward, her voice softer but firm. “What exactl
Sarah’s POVThe cafe smelled of fresh bread and warm coffee, a quiet hum of conversation filling the space around us. It was cozy, simple, and oddly comforting. I ran my fingers along the rim of my coffee cup, my mind still lingering on my conversation with Dr. Monroe. Across from me, Adrian watched me with those steady, patient eyes. He hadn’t pushed me to talk, hadn’t filled the silence with empty words. He just was—a quiet strength I could lean on if I chose to.“Want another pastry?” he asked, nudging the last croissant on the plate toward me.I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “No, I’m good.”He arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Because you inhaled the last one.”I shot him a look, but he only smirked, clearly pleased with himself. Annoying man.I reached for my coffee, taking a slow sip. The warmth settled inside me, grounding me. “I feel like ice cream,” I said suddenly, surprising even myself.Adrian blinked. “Ice cream?”I nodded, leaning back against the cus
Adrian’s POVI watched as Sarah slipped her hand into mine, her fingers small but steady against my palm. It wasn’t the first time she’d held my hand, but today, it felt different—like she wasn’t just seeking comfort but choosing to trust me.It was a small step, but with Sarah, every step forward mattered.“Let’s go,” I said, giving her hand a light squeeze before leading her toward the door.As we made our way down to the car, I stole a glance at her. She looked beautiful in the sky-blue dress, but beyond that, there was something in her expression that struck me—an openness that hadn’t been there before. She was still guarded, still careful, but she wasn’t pulling away.Progress.I opened the car door for her, waiting until she was settled before rounding to my side. As I started the engine, I could feel her watching me.“What is it?” I asked, keeping my tone light.Sarah hesitated. “Just… thanks. For coming with me.”I glanced at her, my grip tightening slightly on the steering wh
Sarah’s POVI slipped my hand into Adrian’s, my fingers curling around his warmth. It wasn’t the first time we’d held hands, but today, it felt different—like I was choosing to lean on him, to trust him.He didn’t say anything about it, just gave my hand a light squeeze.“Let’s go,” he said.As we walked down to the car, I felt his eyes on me, but I kept mine ahead, steadying myself. I had spent days convincing myself that I was ready for this session, that I could sit in a room with a stranger and say the words I’d been running from for years.Now, standing on the edge of it, my chest felt tight.Adrian opened the car door for me, waiting until I was seated before rounding to his side. I watched him as he started the engine, the steady way he moved, the ease in his presence. He had been patient with me—more patient than I deserved.“What is it?” he asked, his tone light but attentive.I hesitated, then murmured, “Just… thanks. For coming with me.”His grip tightened on the steering w
Sarah’s POVThe faint sound of the bedroom door clicking shut stirred me awake. My body felt warm, cocooned in the blankets, and for a moment, I just lay there, relishing the rare sense of peace. The scent of Adrian’s cologne still lingered on the sheets beside me, a reminder that he’d been here just moments ago.I stretched, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My body still felt sluggish, but at least today, the ache in my chest wasn’t as heavy as before. Small victories.A soft knock sounded at the door before it creaked open slightly."You're awake," Tasha’s voice floated in as she stepped inside. "I was about to wake you up."I didn't realize she'd slept over last night, Julian must have convinced her to. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What time is it?""A little past nine. I figured you might want some tea before getting ready." She held up a steaming cup, and I smiled, taking it from her."Thanks, Tash."She perched on the edge of
Adrian’s POVThe rhythmic clicking of buttons filled the game room, accompanied by Julian’s occasional muttered curses whenever I got the upper hand. He was competitive, always had been, but tonight, his focus was scattered."You’re distracted," I pointed out, not taking my eyes off the screen.Julian scoffed, leaning back against the couch. "Says the guy who’s been playing on autopilot for the last ten minutes."I clenched my jaw, knowing he wasn’t wrong. My mind wasn’t on the game—it was on Sarah.Her conversation with Tasha had been playing in the back of my mind ever since I overheard my name. I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the way her voice softened when she said she didn’t regret marrying me—it did something to me."We should call it a night." I muttered, throwing the gamepad on a beanbag. "Hey! I was finally winning." Julian cried out, standing up after me. "I owe you a rematch some other day, right now, I really want to see Sarah." I told him, turning off the system. He t