Sophia’s POVI woke up with a dull ache in my arm and the sterile scent of the hospital surrounding me. As I glanced at the cast encasing my arm, memories of the accident flashed through my mind.At least I don’t have to stay another night, I thought. I was eager to see Reese again. She must be so worried about me, even though Kayla said they hadn’t really specified what had happened to me. When I was finally discharged, I was surprised to see Daniel waiting for me. His face lit up with worry and relief as he approached.“Sophia! How are you feeling?” he asked, his eyes scanning me for any sign of pain.“I'm okay,” I assured him with a small smile. “It's just a broken arm. It'll heal fast.”“Sorry I only came now,” he apologized. “I wanted to visit you yesterday when I heard the news, but I couldn’t get a flight back from San Francisco where I had a few meetings.”“It’s fine, Daniel. Don’t worry about it.”“Kayla wanted to come, but she's staying with Reese,” he explained. “She thoug
Sophia’s POVI looked up to see Morgana standing there with her usual cold expression, her eyes narrowing as they locked onto mine. The sea breeze seemed to carry her disdain closer, amplifying the tension between us.“What a surprise,” I muttered, more to myself than to her, trying to compose myself despite the rising unease.Morgana didn’t waste any time. “Sophia, you really have a knack for causing misfortune to everyone you get close to. Just like what happened to Evelyn,” she sneered, her voice dripping with accusation. My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Evelyn. I stood up, brushing the sand off my hands. “You have no right to talk to me that way, Morgana. You weren’t there. You don’t know what happened.” I tried to control the tide of emotions threatening to wash over me. She scoffed, crossing her arms. “Oh, I know enough. Bad luck seems to follow you wherever you go. You never do anything right, Sophia! You’re a walking disaster!”Anger flared within me. I had to fight
Elijah’s POVI hit the road, the sun already dipping low on the horizon. Sophia's message flashed in my mind—I was supposed to meet them at her apartment, but plans changed. “She’s at the beach with Kayla and Reese,” I mused aloud, a smile tugging at my lips. “Can't wait to see them!”Whistling a tune, I turned onto the winding coastal road, excitement coursing through me. The ocean breeze teased through the window, a welcome change from the city's stifling heat. My mind wandered to Reese's laughter and Sophia's smile, both etched vividly in my memory.I’m so glad Sophia is well enough to play with our daughter at the beach. Then, I noticed it—a dark sedan, its windows ominously tinted, tailgating me. Suddenly, I remembered the same kind of car that had followed Sophia and later on appeared at the office. Can this be her brother Troy again, causing trouble?!My heartbeat quickened. What's going on? I tried to shake it off, focusing on the road ahead. But the car persisted, swerving
Elijah’s POVThe emergency room lights were too bright. I felt the throbbing in my head, the sting of scratches on my arms, but the doctor assured me nothing was broken. I strained to listen amid the bustle, and then I heard her voice—Sophia.“Hey, Sophia,” I called out weakly, trying to sit up despite the ache.Suddenly, to my surprise, she was there rushing to me, one arm in a cast, tears streaming down her face as she enveloped me in a tight hug. Her relief was evident, overwhelming. “I thought…” she began to say, sobbing. “I thought that you…” “Hey, it's okay,” I murmured, holding her close. “I'm okay.”“I thought it was you on that stretcher over there,” she finally managed to say, not able to contain her sobs. Then she couldn’t speak anymore, just burying her face into my shoulder. Behind her, I saw Kayla and little Reese hurrying over. Reese reached me first, her eyes wide with worry. “Daddy, you're alive!”Sophia managed a smile through her tears as she composed herself. I
Sophia’s POVAs I left Elijah's hospital room, my heart felt heavy with worry. Seeing him and Julia lying there, bandaged and bruised, was almost too much to bear. I’ll visit them tomorrow again, I promised myself. For now, Reese has to rest. It wasn’t good for her to be exposed to such a messy situation, and to have that encounter at the beach with her stepmother!Kayla walked ahead of me, carrying Reese who was already very sleepy. The cool evening air hit me as we stepped outside the hospital. I tried to focus on the rhythmic sound of Kayla’s footsteps, but my thoughts were scattered. Elijah had been hurrying to the beach to meet us when the accident happened. And Julia, who was just passing by, had gotten caught up in the chaos, ending up with a severely injured hand.I wonder who did this to them, I suddenly thought, thinking about the dark sedan that had chased Elijah off the road and almost hit Julia too. Could it be my brother Troy? Is he trying to scare us so that he can ge
Sophia’s POVThe hospital walls were adorned with generic paintings meant to be calming but did little to ease my nerves. I should just visit Grandma Evelyn, see how she’s doing. I was well aware that she was still in a coma, but she has never left my mind. Everyday, I continued to pray for her recovery. I wished she could wake up already. It was a huge burden to think that her life was now at risk because of me. To add to that, I couldn’t help blaming myself too for what happened to Elijah and Julia. It was all too much to bear, really. Relax, Sophia. Just take a deep breath. I tried to calm myself down as I made my way toward Evelyn’s hospital room. When I got there, I hesitated briefly, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.The room was quiet except for the sound of the medical equipment. Two maids were present, one adjusting Evelyn’s blanket while the other arranged flowers on a nearby table. Evelyn lay still, her frail form barely making an impression on the bed
Sophia’s POVI stared at my phone, my hand trembling slightly as I tried to process the conversation that had just taken place. The unfamiliar man's voice echoed in my mind, haunting and urgent.“Who is this?” I had demanded, but he had only replied, “We need to talk about Adrian,” before the line went dead with a final, chilling click.Adrian! Hearing his name again made me feel alarmed. I remembered how strange men in black had entered my house, looking for him. He’d willingly gone with him and told me he’d tell me everything soon. But until now, I hadn’t heard from him yet. I wondered if he was in some kind of trouble. I need to meet that man, I thought. I have to find out what happened to Adrian. A warning bell went off in my head. This could be dangerous. I didn’t know who the man was. But it’s a public place, anyway, I convinced myself. I glanced at the clock on the wall of Grandma Evelyn's hospital room. It was 4:30 PM. Cafe Elysee was nearby, but time was running out.I tur
Sophia’s POVI sat across from Mr. Roosevelt, feeling the weight of his presence like a heavy cloak. The cafe buzzed around us in a lively manner, which was the opposite of the intense, suffocating atmosphere at our table. “I let Adrian enjoy some time to bask in his newfound freedom and singing career,” Mr. Roosevelt told me, his voice low and authoritative. “But now it's enough. It's time for Adrian to man up and own up to our family name, to become who he's meant to be.”I struggled to find my voice as he continued, his tone tinged with frustration. “Adrian is intelligent, always on top of his class, and he used to be responsible, a good son. But suddenly, he just left one day… and to become what? Some kind of entertainer that people will get tired of one day? It's a very small dream for someone who comes from the Roosevelt clan.”His words stunned me, leaving me momentarily speechless. But then, gathering my courage, I spoke up. “But it's his dream. Can't he choose his own dream,
Elijah’s POVThe metallic clang of the prison gates behind me sent a chill through the air, though the day was warm and bright. Joe walked beside me, his expression set in its usual mask of calm determination, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. I wasn’t exactly at ease myself—this wasn’t the kind of place anyone walked into lightly.“Charlotte Vega,” I said quietly, more to myself than Joe, as we followed a guard down the sterile corridors. “She’s been visiting both Julia and Henry frequently. That alone is suspicious.”After what we had discovered from Vito’s visitor logs, I’d decided to check into the ones for Henry and Julia. And that was how I’d come across Charlotte Vega. Joe nodded, keeping his voice low. “The guards I spoke to say she’s supposedly an investigative journalist. Claims she’s writing some big exposé on international mobs. Sounds plausible enough on the surface.”“But?”“But,” he said, giving me a sideways glance, “they also mentioned she’s always very
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