Lilian POV The music pulsed around us, each beat reverberating in my chest like the very rhythm of our story. I felt like I was on cloud nine, dancing alongside Jensen, surrounded by the glow of the spotlight and the euphoric laughter of people around us. The night was ours, and, for the first time in a long time, I could breathe a sigh of relief, without that feeling of fear that something could ruin our happiness. Jensen grabbed my hand and pulled me closer, the smile on his lips saying everything we needed to know. "I'm going to get more drinks. Stay here, I'll be right back," he whispered in my ear, his voice filled with a lightness that I hadn't seen in a while. Before walking away, he gave me a quick but intense kiss, the kind that makes you forget about the rest of the world. Watching him walk through the crowd was a reminder of how life had gotten us there. After so many ups and downs, we were back, stronger, ready to start again. And now, with the ring on my finger, I wa
Jensen POV When I returned to the couch where Lilian was, a smile on her face and two drinks in her hands, the anticipation of toasting our engagement filled me with joy. However, as I got closer, I realized that Lilian was no longer there. Her purse was lying next to the pillow, and this made me conclude that she must have gone to the bathroom. With a slight sigh of relief, I placed the drinks on the table and sat down, waiting for her to return. Minutes passed, and I continued looking around, my gaze getting lost among the people dancing and having fun. The rhythm of the music pulsed like a heart, but my mind was focused only on Lilian. "She should be back soon," I thought, trying to convince myself that everything was fine. But as time passed, the restlessness began to grow. I went to the bar again, hoping that when I returned, she would be back. But when I returned to the couch, I saw no sign of her. I looked towards the bathroom and noticed there was a line at the door. "May
Lilian POV When I returned to the club, my heart was racing. The lights flickered, and the music pulsed around me, but none of that mattered when I couldn't find Jensen. He should have been there, by my side, celebrating our engagement. What could have happened? Panic began to set in as I searched for him among the smiling faces and dancing bodies. I picked up my cell phone and called him, but the call went straight to voicemail. Butterflies in my stomach made me realize something wasn't right. I looked for him once again, past the groups of friends and the dance floor, but there was no sign of Jensen. Desperation began to grow in me. It was then that I spotted Finn again, standing in the corner, looking more worried than usual. He raised his hand and waved, coming towards me with quick steps and a tense expression. “Finn! Have you seen Jensen?” I asked, trying not to show how much my heart was sinking more by the second. He hesitated, his expression changing to something bet
I was frozen, paralyzed by the shock of seeing Jensen with another woman, so laid-back and relaxed as if nothing had happened between us. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, a mix of shock, humiliation, and a feeling of betrayal so intense it made everything around me seem like a blur. He had promised me love and loyalty, and here he was, destroying everything we had built with a single action. The air felt thick, and I felt intense nausea, as if my body couldn't support the weight of what my eyes were seeing. When Jensen noticed my presence, he staggered toward the bed, eyes wide. “Lilian… I can explain,” he said, his voice breaking. His words seemed empty and cold, a distant echo unable to pierce the barrier of pain that had already enveloped my heart. I stared at him for a few seconds, unable to say a single word. The tears threatened to flow, but I refused to let them fall there, in front of him. I turned and ran down the hallway, desperate to get away from it. I felt crushe
Lilian POV I couldn't breathe properly, not after what I saw that night. Every time I closed my eyes, the scene came back to me like a wave, swallowing me and suffocating me. I knew I needed to leave—leave everything behind before the pain completely destroyed me. In the midst of the torpor and anguish, I could only think of one thing: leaving. I asked Finn not to leave me alone, and he, without question, walked me back to the hotel. It was hard to believe I had just seen what I saw. Jensen's betrayal hurt like an unexpected blow, like a cold blade piercing my chest. But I knew I couldn't stay there and that I needed to protect my children from all that. I needed to get them away as soon as possible. When we entered the hotel room, I saw Sadie and the children sleeping, oblivious to the chaos that was unfolding. The scene broke me even more because there were people who depended on me. I knew they needed me strong and present, not broken like I felt. I approached their bed and
Lilian POV I looked out the plane window, watching the clouds shimmer in the pale moonlight. It was early in the morning, and almost all the passengers were asleep. I, however, couldn't close my eyes. My heart was beating fast, and my mind, full of memories of Rome, gave me no peace. In the last few hours, everything had changed so drastically that it was still difficult to assimilate. The children slept next to me, curled up in their chairs, with that peace that only they could have. They were a quiet comfort, but the idea of having to rearrange their lives in Richmond was strange. Even though we had previously lived in Richmond, this city seemed so far away and unfamiliar, and the thought of finding a home for ourselves at the last minute was daunting. Beside me, Finn was awake, and I could feel his gaze on me. He seemed to understand my restlessness, and, even though he was tired, he leaned a little towards me, offering a soft smile. "Want to talk a little?" he asked in a lo
Jensen's POV When I woke up, the first thing I felt was a throbbing pain in my head. The light bothered me, and I was lying in an unfamiliar bed, naked, with a heavy body and a foggy mind. Fragments of the previous night came back in flashes. A woman… laughter… glasses clinking. But what jolted me to reality was a name echoing in my head: "Lilian." My heart raced, panic immediately took hold of me, and the images of the night began to piece together like a macabre puzzle. I remembered a red-haired woman, her provocative smile, and a cruel glint in her eyes. My chest tightened. Lilian… I was with another woman, and she saw everything. The memories returned with suffocating clarity, and each detail felt like a punch to the stomach. I had fallen into Kate's trap, and now I had destroyed everything I loved most. I sat up quickly, ignoring the headache, and looked around, searching for something—anything—that would confirm this was a nightmare. But no. There was Kate, sitting in an ar
Lilian POV I felt completely out of place, as if I was no longer welcome in that place. It was strange being there, in that apartment. That penthouse in the heart of Richmond had been chosen by him with such care, as if he already knew it would be our home. A home that now seemed so far away from me. When we entered, Finn was quick to guide us to the main floor. He smiled at the kids, who were excited about the idea of sleeping in a new place, and I tried to smile back, but something deep in my chest kept me from being genuine. The apartment was huge, the huge windows overlooked the illuminated city, and the decor was impeccable — minimalist, but with that cozy touch that has always enchanted me. But it was when we reached the children's hallway that my heart sank. There was the room, the room that Finn had prepared for them, with three beds, each decorated with fluffy duvet covers, toys scattered around and a mural on the wall with photos that hadn't been taken yet. It was all
Months had passed since the moment Lilian and Jensen had united forever, and the mansion, already full of life and joy, now seemed to be living a new chapter of great happiness. The afternoon was calm, but the atmosphere inside the house was buzzing with anticipation. Lilian, in labor, was preparing to give birth to the couple's fourth child, and emotions were running high.Jensen, visibly nervous, paced back and forth. His feet tapped the floor with a constant rhythm, a reflection of the whirlwind of thoughts that wouldn't settle. He paused briefly, looking at the door of the room where his wife was being assisted by the nurses. His mind couldn't find peace, thoughts of what might happen spread, even though he knew Lilian was in good hands."You need to calm down," said Philip, the couple's friend, who stood by Jensen's side. He knew how anxious Jensen could be, and his calm had always been a pillar of support. "She's strong. And you'll be an incredible father, no matter what happens
Lilian's POVI returned to the garden where Jensen was waiting for me, his attentive gaze fixing on me as soon as he saw me. He had a way of noticing when something wasn't right, and this time was no different. He had gone to check on the children, but now, he was there, as if he knew I needed him more than ever."Hey, love," he said softly, kneeling beside me. "Is everything okay?"I looked at him, and the answer just escaped me. "I'm so happy for her, but at the same time so sad. She was a part of all this, of us, and now... she's leaving..."Jensen looked at me with silent understanding, as if he knew exactly what I was feeling. He extended his hand, and with a serene smile, he pulled me close, wrapping me in his embrace. "I understand, Lilian. I felt it too, and I know how important she was. But life goes on, and people need to take new steps. And you... you've always been wonderful with her."I gave a faint smile, the weight of his words enveloping me in a comforting way. I knew
Lilian POVThe night was calm and pleasant, with a gentle breeze caressing my face and soft lights illuminating the garden. I was there, sitting with Jensen, enjoying the tranquil moments of the party. The laughter of children and the soft sounds of celebration still echoed through the house, but for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us.Jensen held my hand and smiled. "It was a perfect day, wasn't it?""Yes, it really was," I replied, resting my head on his shoulder. "I feel so happy that we managed to pull all this off."We sat in silence for a few minutes, simply enjoying each other's company. But then, a familiar figure approached from the garden. It was Sadie, with that wide smile that always accompanied her."Hi, Lilian! Mr. Grimes! Congratulations, really, your wedding was wonderful," she said, smiling sincerely as she approached. "Everything was impeccable, and the kids were so happy. I've never seen them so excited.""Thank you, Sadie. I'm very glad you
Lilian POVIt was an ordinary day. The sun came through the windows of the house, illuminating the room with a golden light. Children were playing in the yard, their laughter filling the air. I was in the kitchen, tidying up some things, while Jensen seemed mysteriously busy somewhere in the house. "You're very quiet today, Jensen. What are you up to?" I asked, half joking, while washing some fruit. "Me? No big deal." He replied, appearing in the doorway with a mischievous smile. "You're terrible at keeping secrets." I laughed, drying my hands. He just shrugged. "Trust me. Just come with me." "Now?" I asked, surprised. "Now." He took my hand and led me to the conservatory. When we entered, I noticed the atmosphere was different. Flowers were scattered across the floor, forming a path to a small table where there was a velvet box. My heart started to race. "Jensen..." I started, but he interrupted me with a tender look. "Let me speak first, Lilian." He took a deep bre
Lilian POVDays after everything that happened, we were back in Richmond, at our home. Or rather, in Jensen's mansion. I knew things would never be the same, but I also knew we no longer had to carry the weight of Kate or any other threat. She was tried and sentenced to many years in prison for killing Finn and screwing Jensen and me. It was a relief, but not a cure for everything we went through.The children and I, to my surprise, were more excited than I imagined, despite all the turbulence we had experienced, we returned to the mansion, because it was what felt right. I didn't want to be away from Jensen again. He was always in my thoughts, and more than ever, I knew that our family needed to be together.When we arrived at the mansion, Jensen was there, waiting at the door, with that comforting smile. He seemed more relaxed now, maybe because we'd finally gotten through the storm. When he saw us, his face lit up, and he stepped forward, arms open to welcome the children."Welcome
Sadie POVI woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, but to be honest, I had literally barely slept. I spent the night tossing and turning, thinking about Micah. How was he? Was he alone? Had he eaten anything? I need to see you.I looked at the clock. It was still six in the morning, but I couldn't stay in bed. With a heavy sigh, I got out of bed and went straight to the bathroom. I washed my face, trying to shake off the tiredness that seemed to be clinging to me, and got dressed quickly. Nothing too elaborate: jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater. In the kitchen, I made some toast and a cup of coffee. My stomach was upset, but I knew I needed something to eat to get through the day. As I nibbled on the toast, my mind continued to wander. The image of Micah that night never left my head, his expression of pain mixed with determination. Micah had done a lot of stupid things, but he had also put himself at risk to protect us. It didn't erase his mistakes, but it was a gesture I couldn'
Jensen POVThe hotel where we stayed seemed like a perfect refuge, a relief after so much tension. Me, Lilian, Sadie, and the children needed this rest. Ruby, Rory, and Ryan were visibly shaken, and after all the tension, it was difficult for them to relax. The shadows of fear were still present in his eyes, and it made my heart sink. I knew I couldn't let fear rule their night.After they had a quick snack and settled in, we managed to get them into bed, although it wasn't easy. They were scared, not only of the situation with Finn, but also of everything they had experienced. The simple act of sleeping seemed to frighten them, as if their dreams might be interrupted by something darker.Lilian and I stayed beside them for a while, speaking quietly, trying to make the environment as comfortable and calm as possible. When Ruby finally closed her eyes, I covered her with the sheet, kissing her forehead softly. Rory and Ryan were calmer, but they still exchanged nervous glances. I sat o
Kate POVWhen I found out Finn was in New York, a fire came over me. Every cell in my body was on fire. He didn't deserve to live in peace after what he had done. Not only because he ran away with Lilian, but because he stole everything I had. Every penny I had earned, he took. But I knew. I knew this had to end. I would find him. And when he did, he would pay.Anger wouldn't let me rest. I followed him, without hesitation, for every step he took. Like a shadow, I entered the city, my hands shaking with anger and anxiety. I didn't know exactly what I would do when I found him, but I knew it would be something he would never forget.That night, fate gave me an opportunity. I saw Finn's car approaching the deserted road, its headlights illuminating the darkness of the night. I stopped my car halfway and got out, the cold wind hitting my face. It didn't matter. I was ready.Finn stopped the car when he saw me. He came down, looking surprised. He was probably thinking it wouldn't be that
Finn Sawyer The sound of sirens echoed in the air, getting closer and closer, like a relentless predator in search of its prey. I pressed hard on the accelerator, feeling the vibration of the engine roar beneath me as the speedometer rose. The car rocked slightly on the uneven asphalt road, but I couldn't waste time."Finn Sawyer! Stop the vehicle immediately!" The metallic voice came through the speaker of the police car behind me."Dream on," I muttered under my breath, turning the steering wheel sharply to enter a dirt road. Rocks flew against the windshield, but I didn't slow down."Finn, Sawyer, this is your last chance! Park your car now, or we will use lethal force!"I laughed, but there was no humor in it. Did they think a warning like that would make me stop? All I knew was that getting caught was not an option.Police car lights shined brightly in the rearview mirror. "Come on, come on..." I murmured, my eyes searching for an opening, an exit.The road narrowed further, be