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,
Sophia’s POVMarry Adrian?!The suggestion to marry Adrian hit me like a sudden summer storm, unexpected and disorienting. I struggled to grasp the enormity of it all, wondering if Adrian himself was aware of this wild proposal. Across the table, Mr. Roosevelt reclined confidently, a cup of freshly brewed coffee steaming between us, his demeanor expectant.This man’s crazier than I thought!“I... I don't know what to say,” I managed finally, my voice slightly trembling. “This is all happening so fast.”Mr. Roosevelt nodded sagely, taking a sip of his coffee before responding. “Think about it, Sophia. You have the opportunity to be part of something greater, to help Adrian realize his full potential. You'll have all the support you need, and we will ensure your comfort and security.”My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. I cared for Adrian as a friend and I owed him my life, but marriage? That was out of the question. “Does Adrian know about this?” I asked, my voice quivering a litt
Sophia’s POVI sat there, stunned by Mr. Roosevelt's audacity. His proposal still echoed in my mind like an unwelcome refrain. Marry Adrian? The thought was preposterous, yet here we were, discussing it over drinks in a quaint cafe.I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’ve never received such a bizarre proposal in my entire life!He leaned back in his chair, a hint of irritation flickering across his face. Without missing a beat, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a checkbook and pen, his gesture casual yet loaded with implication.“And how much would it take as a signing bonus to make you consider this seriously?” His voice was cool, business-like, but beneath it simmered an undercurrent of arrogance.I couldn't believe his nerve, trying to buy my compliance. My jaw tightened as I struggled to maintain composure. “Mr. Roosevelt,” I began, my tone measured, “I appreciate the offer, but money isn't the issue here. Adrian and I are friends. Nothing more.”I paused, steeling my
Adrian’s POV“What’s going on?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended.My mother and I were sitting in the sunroom, the soft light filtering through the sheer curtains. She had called me over, saying she had something important to discuss. I thought it was another lecture about my responsibilities within the family business, but the grave expression on her face told me this was different.“Adrian, look carefully,” she said, sliding a photograph across the glass table toward me.I picked it up, my eyes narrowing as I recognized the two figures in the picture. My father, looking as stern as ever, was seated across from Sophia in a café. They seemed to be in the middle of an intense conversation.“Why is Dad with Sophia?” I asked with dread. My mother sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Adrian, your father has certain expectations of you. He believes that you should follow his lead, and if you don’t… well, let’s just say it might not turn out well for Sophia.”A chill ran down my
Elijah’s POVI woke up to the gentle touch of fingers stroking my hand and hair. The soft, rhythmic movement brought me out of my slumber, and I blinked my eyes open to see Julia lying in the hospital bed beside me. Her face lit up with a tired but warm smile as she saw me stir.“Good morning,” she said softly, her voice still carrying the weight of fatigue.“Morning,” I mumbled, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. My eyes wandered around the room, and I noticed a basket of fruits and a plastic container of food on the table by the door. “Where did that come from?”Julia's smile widened. "I had it delivered. Thought you might be hungry."My stomach growled in response, and I chuckled. “You were right. Thanks so much.”Julia beamed, looking pleased with herself. “You know I always think of everything.”I stood up and walked over to the basket, inspecting its contents. Fresh fruits! I began munching on an apple. “Mmmm… delicious.” And in the plastic container, there was salad tha
Elijah’s POVAs I stared out the window, lost in thought, a knock on the door pulled me back to reality. I assumed it was Dr. Matthews returning with more information, but to my surprise, Chris and Trevis walked in, grinning from ear to ear.“Hey, man,” Chris greeted, his tone light and cheerful. “How's the patient doing?”I managed a smile. “I've been better, but I'm hanging in there.”Trevis chuckled, giving me a playful nudge. “You better get well soon, Elijah. We’ve got plans. We need you out and about so we can hit the bars again. It’s been a long time, bro. We’ve been all work and no play.”“Yeah, that’s right,” Chris agreed. “Maybe this was a wake-up call for you to loosen up a bit and learn to have some fun again, huh?”I laughed, remembering the good times we all had growing up together. We had been friends since childhood. Trevis added, “Besides, we miss you at the office. No one’s there to bark orders, and the employees are practically throwing a party since the big boss i
Sophia’s POVReturning home, I couldn't shake the image of Morgana with that strange man. Does she really have a daughter and Elijah doesn’t know about it? I wonder who the father is, and if her husband Anderson knows. The question gnawed at my mind as I drove, but my thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sight of a crowd outside my apartment building.Dozens of people swarmed the entrance, cameras flashing, reporters jostling for position. What on earth is going on? My heart raced as I slowed the car, keeping a safe distance. My mind raced through possibilities. Who were they waiting for? I knew Reese was safe with Kayla, but still, the sight of the media frenzy made me uneasy.Should I push on or wait? The thought of facing that crowd was daunting. Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Kayla. I quickly glanced at it: a link. Curiosity piqued, I opened it. The video started playing, and I felt my stomach drop.Adrian. Standing at a podium, looking every bit the hands
Sophia’s POV“Don’t worry, Sophia,” Kayla assured me, giving me a quick hug. “I have to go now, but I’ll keep trying to get in touch with Adrian. “I promise I'll have him call you as soon as possible.” She squeezed my hand reassuringly. “And I’ll update you on what’s happening with Adrian’s family.”“Thank you, Kayla,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. Connor stepped forward, nodding at both of us. “I’ll drive for Kayla. Take care, Sophia.”“Thanks, Connor,” I replied, watching them head toward the door. My mind wandered briefly, wondering how close Kayla and Connor had become. But with everything that was happening, I pushed the thought aside, deciding to ask Kayla about it another time. Right now, my heart was a mess, and I needed to focus on Reese and on staying safe.I turned back to find Daniel standing nearby, a calm and protective presence. “You’re safe here, Sophia. I’ve got everything under control,” he said softly. “I asked someone to monitor your house. Most of the m
Elijah’s POVThe cafe was brimming with energy as I sat across from my wife, happily sharing a relaxed conversation with her over lunch. Potted plants hung from the ceiling, their vibrant greens adding a refreshing touch to the cozy interiors and putting me in a rather good mood despite my recent discoveries. Sophia animatedly described her latest design project, her hands moving in lively gestures. “It’s for a seaside mall,” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “They want something modern but that still incorporates natural elements—wooden textures, open spaces, lots of natural light.”I smiled, admiring the passion in her voice. “Sounds like the perfect job for you. You’ve always had a knack for making things both elegant and practical. I know you’ll do an amazing job.”Her cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and she laughed softly. “Thank you. I’ve already started sketching out some ideas, but there’s so much to consider. I’m just hoping I can balance everything.
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