Sarah’s POVThe faint hum of coffee machines and the quiet chatter of customers had been my background for most of the day. The cafe had been my haven, a place to work and let my thoughts roam freely. I had spent hours drafting ideas for my new freelance position and working on my new article, a sense of accomplishment warming my chest.As the day waned, I glanced at my watch. I needed to get home early enough to prepare for the dinner Adrian had promised. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I gathered my things. Dinner as a family—it was such a simple thing, yet it filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in years.By the time I got home, Nora was already playing in the living room, her laughter echoing through the house. “Mommy!” she called, running toward me.“Hey, sweetheart,” I said, bending down to scoop her up. “Let’s get you all dressed up for dinner, okay?”Her eyes sparkled. “What should I wear? Something sparkly?”I laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Something ni
Adrian’s POVThe moment Sarah fell asleep, I slipped out of the room, careful not to wake her. She was exhausted, and I hated that she had to go through this mess because of me. She didn’t deserve to carry the weight of my family’s power games or the vultures circling her past.If she hadn't gotten involved with me, her past wouldn't be plastered all over the place. Neither she or Nora would be in danger.I made my way downstairs, the quiet of the house doing little to soothe the turmoil inside me. My phone was still in my hand, the text from my father glaring back at me like a taunt.“Fix this mess, Adrian. Now.”Fix this? The audacity of the man. My father had spent years molding me into the perfect heir, dictating every move, every decision. And now, with Sarah’s past dredged up and splattered across headlines, he probably thought he could use this as leverage to remind me who truly held the reins.Not this time.I dialed his number, pacing the length of the living room as it rang.
Sarah’s POVThe night dragged on like a bad dream I couldn’t escape. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw headlines screaming about my past, and Adrian’s name tangled in the mess. I tossed and turned, clutching the sheets, praying for the darkness to give me some peace.But peace didn’t come.When dawn broke, my body finally succumbed to exhaustion. It wasn’t until the sun had climbed high enough to seep through the cracks in the curtains that I stirred awake. Dragging myself off the bed, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up after which I passed by Adrian's room.I knocked to check if he was still in. There was no response. Checking his study, I noticed he'd left home earlier. The cup of half-drank coffee sat on his table, a telltale sign that he hadn't slept throughout the night. I turned on my phone hoping for a message, but there was nothing. Adrian had left without a word, and that made my guilt worsen. He wouldn't be in this mess if not for me.A knot of worry formed in my s
Adrian's POVThe boardroom felt colder than usual, even though the temperature hadn’t changed. Maybe it was the weight of the glares directed at me, or the suffocating tension that filled the air.I sat at the head of the long mahogany table, my hands folded calmly in front of me, masking the storm brewing beneath my exterior. Around me sat the board members, most of them my father’s hand-picked allies. Loyal to him first, and to me only when it suited their agenda.The scandal had given them the excuse they’d been waiting for—to question my leadership, my judgment, my very place at the helm of Blackwood Enterprises."Let’s get started," Richard Blackwood’s voice cut through the silence, commanding as always. He sat at the far end of the table, his presence as domineering as ever. He wasn’t the chairman anymore, but everyone knew his influence still held sway.“As you all know, the recent media storm surrounding Adrian has brought unwelcome attention to the company,” Richard began, hi
Sarah’s POVI hung up the phone, clutching it tightly as if it could somehow bridge the distance between Adrian and me. His words were reassuring, but I knew him well enough to sense the weight he was carrying. It wasn’t just the scandal or the board—it was the relentless expectation to prove himself, to be everything everyone demanded of him.The thought made my heart ache.I glanced at Nora, who was sprawled on the living room floor with her coloring books, completely unaware of the storm swirling around us. Her innocence was a fragile shield, one I was determined to protect at all costs.But how could I protect her when I could barely hold myself together?I needed air. Grabbing my coat, I called out to Nora. “Sweetheart, I’m stepping outside for a minute. Stay here, okay? I’ll be right back.”“Okay, Mommy!” she chirped, not looking up from her drawing.I stepped onto the porch, the crisp morning air biting against my skin. Taking a deep breath, I tried to clear my head, but the we
Adrian’s POVI hung up the phone with Sarah, the weight of her words still lingering in my chest. The conversation had left me with more questions than answers. She sounded calm, but I knew her too well to miss the cracks in her voice. Something was off. But before I could dwell on it any longer, Neville entered the room with a sense of urgency in his step.“Sir,” he said, holding up a tablet with the headline flashing across the screen. “You need to see this.”I took the tablet from him, my eyes scanning the words. The headline screamed at me like a cruel joke: “Sarah Blackwood’s Past Exposed—More Secrets Uncovered.” The article was filled with old photos of Sarah, ones I’d never seen, not the kind of images anyone would want resurfacing. Each photo painted her as someone far removed from the woman I knew—someone caught in a life she’d long since left behind.There were many more posts similar to that one.My heart pounded as I looked at the text beneath the photos, the commentary de
Sarah’s POVTasha led me into her guestroom, carrying Nora who had fallen asleep on the couch while Tasha and I talked. “It's nothing like the place you left but I hope you like it.” She said as she laid Nora down. I shook my head. “It is more than enough, Tasha. Thank you so much for supporting me in this.”She straightened up. “Who said I supported you? This is a sure path to losing the one guy who comes close to deserving you.”My heart clenched at her words. “What do you mean?”“You know exactly what I mean. Even a blind man can sense what's between you two. I saw you guys together just once and you both couldn't stop staring at the other.” She responded, folding her arms across her chest.“I don't know what you're talking about.” I lied, my flushed face betraying me.“Sure, girl. Whatever floats your boat.” She chuckled. “Should I serve you dinner?”“I don't feel like eating right now. Thanks once again, Tasha. You're a darling.”“Goodnight then.” She blew me a kiss as she clos
Adrian’s POVI stood in my office, the morning sun streaming through the tall windows. The same office where I had made countless decisions, handled crises, and navigated the cutthroat corporate world. But today, I felt powerless.Sarah wasn't with me. She wasn't waiting back at home for me to get back. I had spent the entire night calling, searching, and pacing the empty hallways of the house. Nora’s laughter that once echoed in those walls was replaced with an unbearable silence. And now, after finally hearing her voice, I still couldn’t shake the ache in my chest.She promised she’d come back. But promises had a way of breaking under pressure.A slight knock at the door broke my thoughts. “Come in,” I said, my voice harsher than I intended.Richard stepped in, his expression unreadable. My father was a master of masking his emotions, but even he couldn’t entirely hide the curiosity—and disapproval—gleaming in his eyes.“I heard she left,” he said without preamble, closing the door
Sarah’s POVThe moment Adrian left the room, the silence pressed in on me like a heavy weight.I sank further into the pillows, staring at the closed door, my mind replaying our conversation. His father was dying. He wanted Adrian to take over the company.And Adrian didn’t know what to do.That alone was enough to tell me how deeply this was affecting him. Adrian always had an answer, always had a plan. But now, I saw the uncertainty in his eyes, the way his walls threatened to rise again.I hated it.I hated that his father still had this much control over him. I hated that even in the face of death, Richard Blackwood was pulling strings, ensuring Adrian was trapped in his web.I swallowed hard, shifting slightly in bed. Pain rippled through me, but I ignored it. I had gotten used to it by now.My thoughts drifted to Julian’s expression when he stepped into the room earlier. I hadn’t missed the tension in his posture, the way his eyes flickered to Adrian like he knew something I did
Adrian’s POVThe weight of the conversation with my father still sat heavy on my chest as I stepped into our bedroom. Seeing Sarah awake, her tired eyes watching me with concern, only made it worse.She didn’t need this. Not now. Not when she was still weak.But she deserved the truth.And so, I told her.The moment the words left my mouth—My father is dying. He wants me to take over the company—the room grew impossibly quiet.Sarah’s fingers curled around mine, grounding me. “What are you going to do?”The truth was, I didn’t know.My whole life, I had fought against Richard Blackwood’s control, trying to carve my own path and refusing to be a pawn in his empire. And now, with his mortality looming over him, he was trying to pull me back in.“I don’t know,” I admitted, the words foreign on my tongue. I always had a plan, always knew my next step. But this? This was uncharted territory.Sarah studied me for a long moment before speaking. “Did he say how long?”I exhaled sharply, dragg
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