Adrian’s POVSarah was trying to act normal, but I could see right through her. She was rattled.Her hands trembled slightly as she picked at her food, her gaze fixed on the plate like it held the answers to the questions she was too afraid to ask. I could still feel the ghost of her lips on mine, the way she had clung to me last night, the way she had let herself need me—just for a moment.And now, she was pulling away.I leaned back slightly, keeping my focus on Nora as she rambled about her book. She was animated, her small hands moving wildly as she explained the story."—and then the princess didn’t need saving because she had a sword of her own!" Nora declared proudly.I smirked. "Sounds like my kind of princess."Sarah shot me a look, something unreadable flickering in her eyes before she dropped her gaze again.Nora giggled. "Mommy says I should always believe I can save myself, but it’s okay to let people help sometimes."Sarah stiffened beside me.She wasn’t looking at me, b
Sarah’s POVThe moment Adrian left, the air in the room felt heavier. I exhaled, trying to shake off the lingering tension, but it clung to me like a second skin.That call—his name flashing on my screen—had sent a cold wave through my veins. I had silenced it quickly, but the weight of it hadn’t faded.I didn’t want Adrian to know.Not yet.“Mommy?”I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to Nora, who was watching me with those sharp, observant eyes of hers. She tilted her head slightly, a hint of concern creasing her small features.“Are you okay?” she asked softly.I forced a smile, reaching out to tuck a loose curl behind her ear. “Of course, sweetheart. Just a little tired.”She didn’t look convinced, but before she could press, she climbed onto the bed and curled up beside me, her small hands holding onto my arm.“Can we read?” she asked, already pulling a book from her bag.I nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Of course.”As she flipped open the pages, her excited voice fil
Adrian’s POVI drummed my fingers against the conference table, barely registering the back-and-forth between my executives. My focus was elsewhere.On her.On that call.On the way Sarah had shut down the moment she saw the name on her screen.I had seen the flicker of fear in her eyes, the way her fingers trembled as she silenced it. She had tried to brush it off, but I wasn’t a fool.Whoever had called her had gotten under her skin.“Mr. Blackwood?”I blinked, snapping back to the present. Across the table, one of my executives—Howard, I think—was watching me expectantly.I forced a neutral expression. “Repeat that.”Neville shot me a knowing look from beside me but stayed silent.Howard cleared his throat. “We need to confirm whether we’re going ahead with the revised budget proposal for the next quarter. Given the projected losses, it might be time to consider cost-cutting measures.”I leaned back, considering my options. Normally, I would have weighed every factor carefully befo
Sarah's POV The warmth of Clara’s words settled over me like a soft embrace, but it didn’t chase away the cold fear curling in my chest.Family.I had never thought I’d have that again — not after my parents died and I had to jump from one foster home to another. But hearing her say it, feeling the unwavering certainty in her voice, made something inside me waver.For a moment, I let myself lean into it. The food, the company, the illusion of safety. But the truth was still there, lurking at the back of my mind.Michael had found me.And he wasn’t going to stop.I set my spoon down carefully, my appetite fading despite the warmth of Clara’s cooking. My fingers itched to grab my phone, to check if another message had come in, but I forced myself to stay still.No more looking over my shoulder. No more living in fear.Adrian was watching me. I could feel it—the weight of his gaze, the silent question in his eyes. He hadn’t pushed me too hard yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time
Sarah's POV I shook my head. “No. I don’t—I don’t remember you.”“Of course, you wouldn’t,” she said, shrugging. “Your parents sold me so they could have money to raise you.”The air in the room grew impossibly heavy, suffocating.Sold.The word echoed in my mind, clawing at my chest like something alive.My grip tightened around the Polaroid, my vision blurring at the edges. “That’s not true.”Emily tilted her head, her smirk fading into something more unreadable. “Isn’t it? Then tell me, Sarah, where was I all these years? Why did I grow up being passed around like some unwanted burden while you had a home?”I wanted to deny it. To tell her she was wrong.But the truth was—I didn’t know.I had always been an only child, never thinking of the possibility that I could have a sibling somewhere. And now, with this revelation hanging between us, a sick feeling settled in my gut.Adrian stepped forward, his body rigid with restrained anger. “That doesn’t prove anything. Where did you eve
Sarah's POV I shook my head. “No. I don’t—I don’t remember you.”“Of course, you wouldn’t,” she said, shrugging. “Your parents sold me so they could have money to raise you.”The air in the room grew impossibly heavy, suffocating.Sold.The word echoed in my mind, clawing at my chest like something alive.My grip tightened around the Polaroid, my vision blurring at the edges. “That’s not true.”Emily tilted her head, her smirk fading into something more unreadable. “Isn’t it? Then tell me, Sarah, where was I all these years? Why did I grow up being passed around like some unwanted burden while you had a home?”I wanted to deny it. To tell her she was wrong.But the truth was—I didn’t know.I had always been an only child, never thinking of the possibility that I could have a sibling somewhere. And now, with this revelation hanging between us, a sick feeling settled in my gut.Adrian stepped forward, his body rigid with restrained anger. “That doesn’t prove anything. Where did you eve
Adrian’s POVThe moment the door clicked shut behind Emily, I felt the tension in the room shift. It didn’t disappear—it hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around Sarah’s small frame as she stood frozen in place.Her fingers were still clenched around the photograph, her knuckles white.I squeezed her hand gently, grounding her. “Sarah.”She didn’t respond.I stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the door. “Look at me.”Slowly, her eyes lifted to mine. They were wide, dazed, as if she were still processing what had just happened.“She’s lying,” I said firmly. “She has to be.”Sarah let out a shaky breath, her fingers loosening slightly around the photograph. “But what if she’s not?”I clenched my jaw. “Even if she’s telling the truth, it doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change the life you’ve built.”Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “It changes everything as I've known it, Adrian.”I hated the way her voice broke.I hated that Emily had done this to her—droppe
Adrian’s POVThe moment Tasha’s words registered, my world tilted.Sarah. A seizure.My grip tightened around the phone. “What do you mean she’s having a seizure?” My voice came out sharp, frantic.“She—she started shaking, Adrian. I don’t know what happened. One minute she was asleep, the next—” Tasha’s voice cracked, laced with panic. “The doctors are with her now. They called a neurologist and a mental health specialist. You need to get here.”I was already moving. “I’m on my way.”I ended the call and turned to Julian, my pulse hammering. “We have to go.”He didn’t ask questions. One look at my face and he was already heading for the door. “I’ll drive.”I hesitated for half a second, but the rush of adrenaline made my hands unsteady. I didn’t have time to argue.I tossed him the keys.The ride to the hospital was a blur of flashing streetlights and roaring silence. My jaw was clenched so tightly it ached. My mind was screaming at me, images of Sarah convulsing flashing in my head.
Sarah’s POVThe smell of grilled chicken filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of cartoon laughter from the living room. Emily stood beside me at the kitchen island, chopping vegetables like a pro while I stirred the pot on the stove. The kitchen was warm, lively, and full of the kind of chaos I had grown to cherish.“I swear, if Nora teaches Alex one more dramatic line from those princess movies, I’m telling her you and Adrian will leave her alone for a week,” Emily said, tossing sliced peppers into a bowl.I laughed. “She probably learned it from you. You’re the one who let them watch Frozen three times in one day.”Emily rolled her eyes. “That was self-defense. They ambushed me before coffee.”From the living room, we could hear the kids yelling excitedly about who was winning their game of “magic couch lava.” Their laughter echoed off the walls, blending seamlessly into the cozy rhythm of the evening.The front door opened and shut, followed by the unmistakable sound of tw
Adrian’s POVThe boardroom was finally empty.I leaned back in my chair, the quiet hum of the city drifting through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Tower. The meeting had gone exactly as expected—formalities, final signatures, and an overuse of the word “legacy.” It was official now. The handover ceremony was set for next week.I’d thought I’d feel relief.Instead, I felt... still. Like the moment before a storm breaks or the silence that follows a gunshot. This wasn’t just a transition of power. This was a final blow to the people who tried to destroy everything I stood for. Rome. Daniella. The chaos they’d tried to bury us under—it was about to come to light.And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the mess that would follow.A smile tugged at my lips as I recalled Sarah's text. She always knew how to ground me. Just a few words from her had a way of steadying the war going on in my head.I stared at the screen a second longer before locking the phone and rising to my feet. M
Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet when I woke up the next morning. Adrian had left early for work, and Nora was already off to school. I stood at the kitchen counter, sipping my coffee, the warmth of the mug comforting as the cool morning air drifted in from the open window. It felt like the calm after a storm, the kind of peace I hadn’t realized I was craving.Emily was sitting on the couch when I walked into the living room, her legs tucked underneath her, a blanket draped over her lap. The silence between us was still new as we'd only really started getting to know each other.“How are you holding up?” I asked, setting my coffee mug down on the table and sitting across from her.She gave a soft, almost relieved sigh. "I don’t think I ever really knew what peace felt like until now," she said, her voice low but steady. "I spent so many years just... surviving. And then, when the divorce happened, I thought I’d lose myself in it all. But now, being here, having time to breathe, I feel
Adrian’s POVSleep didn’t come easy.Not because I wasn’t tired—I was. Bone-deep and soul-weary in that quiet, post-confession kind of way. But something about tonight stirred everything in me. Her words echoed through my head on repeat.“You make it feel safe.”That did something to me. Cut through layers I didn’t even know I still wore.I watched her breathing even out, her lashes fluttering slightly, one hand curled beneath her cheek. She looked peaceful. Like something sacred. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn’t have to earn the right to breathe beside her. I just could.I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake her. The floorboards creaked under my weight, but she didn’t stir. I pulled on my hoodie—the same one I’d worn on our walk—and stepped out onto the porch.The night hadn’t changed. Still full of stars. Still wrapped in that quiet, velvet stillness.But I had changed.I ran a hand over my face and sat on the steps, elbows on my knees, staring
Sarah’s POVI couldn't sleep.The atmosphere was too beautiful to waste on sleeping, so I struck up a conversation just as I felt Adrian nodding off beside me.“Do you want to go for a walk? The moon looks nicely bright,” I whispered in his ear.He stirred, turning slightly toward me. “Now?”“Just for a little while,” I said. “Please.”He opened his eyes, gave me a groggy but indulgent smile, and nodded. “Give me two minutes.”I slipped on my sweater and socks while he pulled on a hoodie and sneakers. We crept out of the cabin like teenagers sneaking out after curfew, careful not to wake Nora. The air outside was crisp but gentle, and the sky was a velvet canvas scattered with stars. The moon hung low and full, casting silver light across the lake.We walked in silence at first, the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet the only interruption. I took his hand and he gave mine a reassuring squeeze.“I used to dream about places like this when I was little,” I said quietly. “Peacefu
Adrian’s POVI hadn't expected Sarah to leave the house so early on a Saturday morning but when she said she had to see Dr. Monroe, I didn't stop her. That morning, breakfast was a quiet affair without Sarah and Julian around, and with things still being a bit awkward between Emily and I. After breakfast, Emily offered to take the kids to the park. I helped her get them ready, packing a basket for a little picnic while they were there. Once they left, the house was empty for the first time in a long while. It reminded me of the days before I met Sarah. They were dark and lonely days which blended into each other. Sarah had been the beacon of light I didn't know I needed. I made my way to my study to get some work done. Operations at the company had continued without supervision while the chaos about who would be chairman went on which meant I had a lot to cover now that it was mostly over. I briefly thought about Dad who was now on permanent bed rest in his home. If he had his w
Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet.Emily and her kids were asleep, and Julian was staying the night out.Nora had fallen asleep in Adrian’s arms during bedtime stories, and he'd tucked her in like always—soft smile on his face, even after everything that happened earlier. I was curled up on the couch now, knees hugged to my chest, a blanket draped over me. My hair was still slightly damp from a quick shower, but the ache in my chest had nothing to do with fatigue.Adrian came into the room with two mugs of chamomile tea. He handed one to me without a word and sat beside me, close enough that our knees touched.For a few minutes, we just sat there in silence, the weight of the day slowly settling.And then, softly, I said, “I thought I was going to break again.”He turned toward me, eyes gentle. “But you didn’t.”“I know,” I whispered. “That’s what’s strange. I thought seeing him would send me spiraling like last time. That the fear would come back… the shaking, the flashbacks, the guilt
Adrian’s POVIt was finally Friday, the day I'd been dreading all week.It was the day Sarah chose to meet with Michael. The moment I saw his name flash on the private security log, I felt something cold settle in my chest.Michael.I hadn't seen him since that day in the motel—the day he barged back in Sarah's life and sent her spiraling into a seizure. The day I had looked him straight in the eye and told him to never come near her again.And yet… here he was. Again.I glanced at Sarah sitting beside me in the private lounge we’d secured for this meeting. She was tense, shoulders rigid, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. Julian had wanted to be in the room. I told him to wait outside—but close.She shouldn't have had to see him again. I hated myself for even allowing this meeting to happen.But she said she wanted closure. Not answers—because Michael had none—but closure. Finality.The door opened. He walked in like he hadn’t thrown our lives into chaos the last time
Sarah's POVThe weight of Michael’s message lingered long after Adrian left for his study. Even now, as I sat beneath the jacaranda tree, my mind spun with memories I had long buried.I barely registered the sound of footsteps approaching until Adrian sat beside me. He didn’t speak right away. He just waited—like he always did when he knew I needed time.I exhaled, the words sitting heavy on my chest. “You heard.”He nodded. “Emily told me. What did he say?”My fingers tightened in my lap. “He… he wants to see Nora.”Adrian’s jaw tensed, his entire body stiffening. “Did he say why?”I swallowed. “He says he’s changed. That he wants a chance to be in her life.”Adrian scoffed. “Now? After all these years? After everything he put you through?”I felt my throat tighten. “I don’t know what to do, Adrian.”He reached for my hands, gently prying them apart so he could hold them in his. “You don’t owe him anything, Sarah. He has no rights to Nora.”I hesitated. “I know. But… he’s her father.