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
Sophia’s POVElijah's words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with regret.A lump formed in my throat and I stepped away from his embrace. Before I could muster a response, Elijah began to reminisce about our early days, when we were newlyweds moving into this very bedroom. It had been a little awkward because we barely knew each other then. But he had been caring during that time, especially since I was pregnant with our first baby, the one who was never born. It was a vague memory to me because I’d spent years trying to erase it and the other memories of Elijah from my head. But I could remember how I’d felt — a bit shy and conscious, but eager to show him that I could be a very good wife and that I was capable of making him happy. I did try my best, I thought sadly. I learned to really love him, but he never loved me back. Since my miscarriage, everything went downhill and he didn’t seem to care about anything else except his business.He then drifted back further, to the first t
Sophia’s POVI frowned, my concern growing. “What happened? Why can't you go home?”He shook his head, his eyes avoiding mine. “I can't tell you right now, Sophia. Please, just let me stay for tonight.”I bit my lip, torn between my sympathy for him and my instinct to protect Reese, who was sleeping soundly in her bedroom. “Are you in some kind of trouble? I can't let you stay here if you won't tell me.”Adrian looked pained, his shoulders slumping. “It's nothing that will put you or Reese in danger, I promise. Nothing illegal, either. It's just a family problem, and I can't be home right now.”I sighed, stepping aside to let him in. “Fine, you can stay tonight. But tomorrow, you need to tell me what's really going on. I can't keep doing this, Adrian.”He nodded gratefully, stepping inside and sinking onto the couch. “Thank you, Sophia. I'll explain everything soon, I promise.”As I watched him settle in for the night, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Adrian had a habit of show
Sophia’s POVThe sun was shining brightly through the curtains, but inside my home, it seemed like a gigantic shadow was looming ahead. I stood there in shock, watching Adrian and the strange men talking in hushed tones, my mind spinning with confusion and unease. Adrian’s expression was tense, but his eyes softened when he glanced my way. I didn’t trust him, not entirely, not yet. Especially now that I’ve discovered this about him. The creak of a bedroom door made me whip around. Reese appeared, her small figure framed in the doorway. She was in her favorite pink pajamas, rubbing her eyes and looking adorably sleepy.“Uncle Adrian?” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. She looked up at me with wide, curious eyes. “Who are they, Mommy?”Panic surged through me. I rushed to Reese’s side, scooping her up in my arms. “It’s okay, sweetie,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice calm. “Go back to bed, alright?”Reese blinked at me, confused. “But it’s already morning!” she exclaimed.
Sophia’s POVMy heart was pounding wildly as I ran toward the building. Once inside, I made my way to Elijah's office, barely registering the greetings from my colleagues. I knocked on his door, my hand shaking, and pushed it open without waiting for a response.Elijah looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern as he saw my face. “Sophia, what's wrong?”I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. “Elijah, I think someone was following me on my way here.”He stood up, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure?"I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. A black sedan. It followed me for miles. I tried to lose it, but it didn't work. I'm scared it might be related to...to Reese's kidnapping."Elijah's jaw tightened, and he walked around his desk to stand in front of me. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. I'll send you home for now. I'll accompany you to make sure you're safe.”Elijah stayed beside me as we rode the elevator to the building lob
Sophia’s POVAs I followed Troy down the stark hospital corridor, I felt Elijah’s steady presence beside me. My mind whirled with a thousand thoughts, but the loudest was my concern for Brenda. She had never been the mother I needed, not like my foster father had been before he passed. Now, with Troy’s desperate plea and his claims that Brenda was at death’s door, I felt a gnawing sense of guilt and responsibility.“Sophia, you have to understand, Brenda’s condition has gotten so much worse,” Troy insisted, his voice tinged with urgency. “We’re buried in debt. The guys I owe money to, they’re the ones who I came with to your office. They’re waiting in the lobby right now. If we don’t pay them, they’ll hurt me and Brenda.”I stole a glance at Elijah. His jaw was set, eyes dark with concern. He hadn’t said much since we’d arrived, but his hand occasionally brushed mine, offering silent support.“Troy,” I began, my voice trembling, “this is a lot to take in. Why didn’t you tell me sooner