Elijah’s POVWhen I got back to the hotel after my business meeting, all I wanted was to kick off my shoes, order some room service, and get some rest. But as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted Julia waiting for me. She looked up, relief and excitement in her eyes.“Elijah!” she called out, waving me over. “Trevis had to go meet up with someone, so I'm left with no one to have dinner with.”I could feel the weariness in my bones, but I didn't want to disappoint her. I also wondered where Sophia could be, but I didn’t want to ask Julia. I actually sent a text message to Sophia a while back, but there was no reply. "There's this cool pizza place I read about online," Julia continued. "Would you join me?"I hesitated for a moment. “I was just planning to stay here tonight.”Her face fell slightly, but she quickly masked it with a hopeful smile. “It won't take long, I promise. And I heard their pizza is amazing.”I sighed, unable to say no to her. “Alright, let's go.”The pizza place wa
Elijah’s POVI had no choice but to follow Julia’s lead, my feet moving almost automatically. Besides, I also wanted to face Sophia. It angered me that she would still go and meet him after that last time when I’d stopped her from saying hello. What is she trying to prove? Does she just want to rub it in my face that she’s now free from me and can do whatever she wants? Or maybe… The next alternative filled me with dread. Maybe she really, really likes him. Who knows what went on between them during those days she was with him in his beach house?Sophia and Adrian turned to face us, surprise written across their faces.“Hi!” Sophia greeted casually. “Fancy seeing the two of you here.” She looked between me and Julia, and I could sense that she didn’t like seeing us together. “I feel the same way,” I said coldly, gazing into her eyes. “Small world, huh?”Sophia frowned. She knew I didn’t want her to see Adrian because I didn’t trust him. I just didn’t want to risk her getting hurt ag
Julia’s POVAdrian stared at me with a puzzled expression, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look really familiar,” he said, his eyes narrowing as if trying to place me.At that moment, a memory flashed through my mind like a lightning bolt—seeing Adrian at the beach where I’d hit Sophia on the head. I felt myself paling and a wave of dizziness threatened to overwhelm me. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. Everyone's eyes were on me—Sophia, Elijah, and Adrian—waiting for my response.I forced a smile, trying to keep my expression nonchalant. “I don't think we've met before,” I said confidently. "I only know you from Sophia and Elijah's stories."Adrian tilted his head, still looking uncertain. “Are you sure? I could swear I've seen you somewhere.”I shrugged, doing my best to appear casual. “Maybe you saw me in a photo or something. But no, I don't think we've ever actually met.”Sophia, sitting next to Elijah, glanced between us, her eyes filled with curiosity. Elijah
Julia’s POVStanding in the pizza parlor with Elijah, Sophia, and Adrian felt surreal. The warmth of the place clashed with the tension in the air. Adrian's smile was confident, almost too masterful, as he looked at me after I insisted we had never met before.“Maybe we all need some ice cream for dessert,” Adrian said, his eyes glinting with something unspoken. “To cool down and relax after dinner.”I blinked, bewildered, as Adrian continued, “Why don't you and Elijah join us? It'll be fun.”Sophia glanced at him with uncertainty, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she pressed her lips together, the expression almost imperceptible unless you were looking closely.I took a breath, determined not to appear flustered. “Sure,” I answered, forcing a smile. I wanted to prove my innocence, to show I wasn’t afraid of anything. Besides, I was confident Adrian would never recognize me as the person who had hurt Sophia on the beach.To my surprise, Elijah nodded. “Sounds good,” he said, and
Elijah’s POVAfter getting back from New York, I offered to drive Sophia home. I figured it was the perfect excuse to talk to Sophia about bringing Reese to meet my parents eventually. But all I told Sophia was that I was eager to see Reese, she immediately agreed. “Sophia,” I began, breaking the stillness. “I was thinking... Maybe you could take Reese to meet my parents.” I had mentioned this to her before, but last time she didn’t seem too keen about it. Sophia glanced at me, her eyes wary. “Are you sure that's a good idea? Do you think Morgana would want to meet Reese? I mean, surely Reese would remind her of me. And she had always hated me.”I frowned for a while, knowing that it was true. But then I nodded, trying to convey my conviction. “I'm sure it will be okay. My stepmom might have her issues, but once she sees her adorable first grandchild, she'll forget about the past. And my dad, he's often busy, but he'd certainly welcome the arrival of a sweet little kid that's his ow
Elijah’s POVI felt the warmth of her lips on mine before my brain could fully process what was happening. The dark hallway of Julia’s house enveloped us, but the shock of her sudden kiss pierced through the obscurity. I pushed her away, my breath catching in my throat as I fumbled for the switch on the wall. The lights flickered on, illuminating her flushed face and my bewildered expression.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, my voice edged with anger.Julia looked flustered, her eyes darting away from mine. “I just...I missed you, Elijah. I’ve missed you so much.”“So you just made up an excuse for me to come here, but you had substitute keys?!” I spat out, feeling a mixture of betrayal and confusion.“No, it’s not like that,” she insisted, shaking her head. “I couldn’t get in at first, but then I remembered I had extra house keys hidden in my luggage.”My anger flared, a bitter taste rising in my mouth. “This isn’t right, Julia. You shouldn’t have done that.”Sh
Julia’s POVElijah’s words echoed in my mind, each repetition like a stab to my heart. “I have no feelings for you, Julia.” How could he say that? After everything we've been through, after everything I did...The pain was unbearable, both physical and emotional, as if my very soul was being ripped apart. I couldn’t accept it, I wouldn’t accept it. But outwardly, I had nothing more to say. I collapsed onto his shoulder, my tears soaking through his shirt.Elijah wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly as I cried. We were on the floor, surrounded by the debris of my shattered dreams. His embrace was warm, comforting, yet it felt like a mockery of the love I yearned for.“Julia, I'm so sorry,” he murmured into my hair, his voice heavy with regret.I couldn't speak, only cry harder. I felt his hand gently stroking my back, each touch a mixture of solace and torment.“Shhh, it's okay,” he whispered. “Let it out.”Eventually, my sobs began to subside, leaving me feeling hollow and e
Sophia’s POVMy heart raced as I parked the car in front of the familiar house. Reese babbled happily in her car seat, unaware of the significance of this visit. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out, the memories flooding back. This was where I had once lived, where my marriage to Elijah had slowly crumbled.The Sinclair residence loomed before me, imposing yet familiar. It was a strange feeling, like stepping into a past life. I straightened my shoulders, determined not to let the past overwhelm her. Things are different now. I’m no longer trapped in that marriage, no longer subjected to Morgana's cruelty.Taking Reese's hand, I walked up to the front door. I knocked, and after a moment, Elijah opened it, a smile on his face. “Sophia, Reese, come in,” he said warmly, stepping aside to let us enter.“Daddy!” Reese exclaimed, rushing in to give him a hug. It made me smile just a little bit. At least my daughter was here to somehow cheer me up and balance the negative feelings that were
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
Sophia’s POVElijah’s silence pressed down on me like a physical force, heavier than the comforter I was clutching. I lay on my side, my back turned to him, staring into the darkness. My heart felt raw, aching with the knowledge that I’d hurt the one person who meant everything to me.He wasn’t asleep—I knew him well enough to sense that. And knowing he was lying there, just as restless as I was, made the ache in my chest even worse.I couldn’t take it anymore.“Elijah,” I whispered. Turning slowly, I faced him, my eyes adjusting to the faint light filtering through the curtains. His back was still to me, but I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against his shoulder. “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can’t stand this distance between us.”For a moment, he didn’t move, and I thought he might ignore me. But then, he rolled over, his face etched with both exhaustion and pain. His eyes met mine, and the sight of his hurt broke me.“I’m sorry,” I said, tears pooling i
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool silk of my nightgown brushing against my legs, I immediately noticed Elijah standing near the bed, his back to me. His posture was rigid, his head slightly tilted as he studied something in his hands. My breath caught when I realized what it was.The chocolate wrapper.My heart sank as I recognized it instantly. I’d completely forgotten about it after stashing it away. How had it ended up here?“Elijah?” I said hesitantly, my voice quieter than I intended.He turned, his face calm but his eyes sharp, like he was holding back a storm. He held up the wrapper. “Where did this come from?”I froze, my mind racing. “I—”“I found it in Reese’s bag,” he said evenly, cutting me off. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach churn.For a split second, I considered lying, brushing it off as something our daughter must have gotten from a classmate or a friend. But the look in Elijah’s eyes stopped me. He d
Elijah’s POVI sank into the couch, remote still in hand, as the credits of some late-night documentary rolled across the screen. The faint hum of the television was lulling me into that in-between state of wakefulness and sleep when my phone buzzed on the coffee table. The name Camille lit up the screen.Frowning, I picked it up. “Hello?”“Elijah,” came her voice, slightly slurred, accompanied by background noise—music, chatter, the unmistakable din of a party still in full swing. “Hey... I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”“No,” I said cautiously, sitting up straighter. “Are you okay? You sound... off.”She let out a soft laugh that sent warning bells ringing in my head. “Just had a little too much fun tonight, that’s all. I’m about to leave the party.”“You shouldn’t drive,” I said immediately. “Find someone sober to take you home or call a ride. Seriously.”“Oh, so protective,” she teased, her words laced with flirtation. “I’m so flattered you care.”“Camille,” I said firmly,
Sophia’s POVI sipped from my glass of champagne, the bubbles fizzing on my tongue and giving me a fleeting sense of lightness. Kayla’s concerned voice cut through the haze.“Are you okay? That’s your third glass already,” she said, a shadow of worry crossing her face as she moved closer.I waved her off with a forced smile. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just so... happy. The event was a huge success. We deserve this, don’t you think?”Kayla hesitated, her gaze scanning my face. “Yeah, but don’t go overboard. You’ve got a family waiting for you at home.”“Elijah went ahead,” I said quickly, my tone dismissive. “He’s tired.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she wanted to press further, but Connor appeared beside her, sliding an arm around her waist. The moment passed as she turned her attention to him, and I took the opportunity to slip away into the crowd.The bass thumped through the speakers, reverberating in my chest as I joined a group of familiar faces on the dance floor. The alcohol co
Sophia’s POVThe energy of the fashion show was electric. The applause was thunderous as the models made their final walk down the runway in Emily’s stunning tribute collection. Kayla and I stood near the stage, watching as the curtains closed on months of hard work.“We did it,” Kayla whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She squeezed my hand tightly, her smile brighter than the spotlights above.I nodded, unable to suppress the overwhelming joy bubbling inside me. “We really did. It’s perfect, Kayla.”The after-party was in full swing now, a celebration of what we had pulled off. Everyone seemed to be riding the high of the evening. Elijah had surprised me earlier with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, a sweet and thoughtful gesture that made my heart swell. His warm kiss on my cheek and whispered, “I’m so proud of you,” had been the cherry on top of a perfect night.But now, as I moved through the crowd, my excitement dulled slightly. I couldn’t find him.“Elijah?” I called
Sophia’s POV"Kayla, can you double-check the lighting cues for the finale?" I asked, glancing at the stage where models were gliding down the runway, their movements rehearsed to perfection.Kayla, clipboard in hand, barely glanced up. "Already done. Now spill. How was the night with Lucas?"My heart jumped, the question catching me off guard. I kept my tone breezy as I adjusted a hemline on one of the dresses. "Oh, it was fine. We caught a movie and grabbed dinner. Nothing special."Kayla lowered the clipboard and arched a brow. "Uh-huh. And where was Luana during all of this?"I busied myself with the dress, my hands suddenly fidgety. "She... got caught up with something at home. A repair, I think. She couldn’t make it."Kayla’s lips parted in mock surprise as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Wait. Are you telling me you and Lucas—alone—watched a movie and had dinner together? No Luana? Just the two of you?""Shh!" I hissed, glancing nervously around the backsta
Elijah’s POV“All the permits and licenses are in order,” Victoria began, her tone suddenly professional again as her eyes scanned the screen. I felt relieved. “But I’ll double-check the fire safety certifications and food handling records to make sure we’re fully covered.”“Good,” I replied, keeping my tone brisk. “I’ll work on connecting with a few experts to get additional certifications if necessary. It won’t hurt to go above and beyond for now.”She nodded, typing something into her device. “That’s a smart move. It’ll help to counter any claims before they gain traction.”As she spoke, she reached across the desk to grab her pen, her fingers brushing mine. I pulled my hand back instinctively, but she barely seemed to notice—or pretended not to.“Sorry,” she murmured with a faint smile, her eyes briefly flicking to mine before returning to her tablet.I shifted in my seat, brushing it off as an accident until, moments later, she reached up to unclip her hair. The cascading strands