Sophia’s POV I was glad when Elijah and Daniel came back in, so that I did not have to deal with Serena anymore. Yet at the same time, I was worried and curious about what they had talked about. Glancing at Daniel, I noticed he avoided meeting my eyes. Elijah, on the other hand, seemed composed but his gaze on me was intense, as if he had something important to say. “We better go now, Elijah,” Serena suddenly quipped, sounding more cheerful now. She grabbed his hand and began pulling him to the door. “Bye, everyone. It was great talking to you.” I looked at her incredulously, wondering how she could act like that after everything that had occurred. I let out a sigh of relief as soon as they were out of sight. I felt tired and stressed, so I plopped down on the sofa and leaned back, closing my eyes for a little bit. “Are you alright?” Daniel asked with concern, sitting beside me. I opened my eyes and gave him a faint smile. “Just tired, but I’ll be fine.” He nodded. “Maybe I
Elijah’s POV “Let her go!” Those were the words that came out of Daniel’s mouth when he stormed into Sophia’s apartment. The way he rushed to her protectively and how he looked at her lovingly, was just all too familiar. Sophia’s boyfriend, I thought bitterly. As I watched them interact, I could tell how close they were and how deeply in love this man was with my wife. I wanted to push him away from her, to punch him in the face repeatedly until he bled. But I knew it wouldn’t help my situation with Sophia. So instead, I looked away and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. I tried to control the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. Finally, I told Daniel, “You and I have got to talk. Outside.” As Daniel and I stood in the hallway outside Sophia's apartment, I couldn't hold back the question burning in my mind. "Are you and Sophia... dating?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual despite the knot of emotions in my chest. He didn’t answer at once, so
Sophia’s POV “Oh, boy…” I whispered with great excitement and nervousness as I clicked on the email from Urban Next Design Studio. This is it, my dream internship! I truly admired their work and have heard how interns were always treated wonderfully and given great opportunities. I’m eager to meet new people in the field and learn from them. It’ll be amazing! Plus, I’ll get a monthly salary too! I scanned the email with eager anticipation. The company was impressed with my portfolio and wanted to schedule an interview during their presentation this weekend at the Goldwell Institute of Art. Excitement bubbled up inside me. Oh, gosh! Some good news, finally! The weekend was approaching, and I was looking forward to the design presentation on campus. It had become a place I loved, almost like a second home. Daniel was supposed to come with me, but he had to cancel at the last minute due to an important school project. As I entered the auditorium, I could feel the buzz of exciteme
Sophia’s POV As Trevis sat across from me in a small office near the exhibit hall, his eyes keen with interest, I felt a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. This interview was my chance to secure an internship at his prestigious interior design studio, and I was determined to make a good impression. “So, Sophia,” he began, flipping through my portfolio, “what inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?” I smiled, feeling a rush of passion for my craft. “I've always been fascinated by the way spaces can evoke emotions and enhance experiences. I believe that thoughtful design can truly improve people's lives, and I want to be a part of creating those meaningful spaces.” Trevis nodded, clearly impressed. “And how do you approach a new design project?” I explained my process, emphasizing the importance of understanding the client's needs and vision while incorporating elements of functionality and aesthetics. Trevis seemed pleased with my response, nodding along as I
Elijah’s POV As I entered the dimly lit bar, the slap mark burning on my cheek, I spotted my friend Trevis at the far end of the counter, starting the drinking without me. When he caught sight of me, he waved with a grin, looking cheerful and apparently not noticing the mark on my face. “Hey,” I greeted, sliding into the seat next to him. Trevis glanced up, and that’s when I saw the shock registering on his face. “What happened to you?” I shrugged, trying to play it off. “Just a little misunderstanding.” “Who did it?” Trevis asked, concern lacing his voice as he leaned in closer. I hesitated, remaining quiet. The bartender approached me, asking for my order. “I’ll have a whiskey neat.” “Coming right up,” the bartender replied, quickly preparing my drink. Trevis continued to look at me curiously. He could tell at once that something was up, and he seemed to stifle his amusement at the way I was reacting. I sighed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration. “Long story
Elijah’s POV I shook my head, not wanting to delve into any more details about Sabrina or Julia. The rest of the night, my conversation with Trevis was distracted. "Hey, man, you seem really off tonight. Everything okay?" Trevis asked with concern. I sighed, swirling the drink in my glass. “I don't know, Trevis. Just a lot of stuff on my mind.” “Emotional stuff?” he probed, raising an eyebrow. “Something to do with that slap mark on your cheek, perhaps?” He was making it light, but I knew that he was becoming greatly concerned because I’d never been like this around him. “Because I don’t think it’s work-related,” Trevis added. He was really quite perceptive. “You’re never like this when it’s about business. You would have tackled it head-on already.” I shrugged, finishing my drink again and signaling to the bartender for a refill. I denied any issues but found myself drinking glass after glass, trying to numb everything that was bothering me. As Trevis pulled out his cell p
Sophia’s POVI woke up with a start, my body tense. I had just drifted into a light sleep when the knock on the door jolted me awake. I glanced at the clock — past midnight.For a moment, I lay still, listening intently, trying to make sense of the late-night disturbance. Burglar? Visitor? Or just a mistake?I grabbed my phone, its soft glow illuminating the dark room, and dialed the police’s number. But I didn’t tap on the call button yet. Slowly I tiptoed to the door, my heart pounding. The knock came again, louder this time, echoing through the silent apartment. I hesitated, unsure whether to answer. But a burglar wouldn't knock, right? I looked through the peephole and saw the man standing there outside my door. “Elijah!” I gasped in surprise. What the hell is he doing here again, and at this time of the night?!Taking a few deep breaths, I was about to walk away and go back to sleep when I heard him call my name. For a while, I’d wanted to pretend it was just some bad dream. But
Serena’s POVRrriiiinnngggg!I woke up with a start. For a while, I thought it was morning already. But it was still dark outside. It’s almost 3 am. Who the hell could be calling me? The number was unfamiliar. I answered it, anyway. “Hello?” I said in a sleepy voice, sitting up on my hotel bed. “Hi,” a low male voice greeted. “I’m so sorry to call you at this hour. My name is Trevis, and I’m a friend of Elijah’s. I got your number from his assistant Connor.”“Oh, okay…” “Listen, Serena, I was just wondering if you know whether Elijah got back to your hotel already?” He sounded worried. “It’s just that we were together earlier and I noticed that his mood was a little off. He wasn’t his usual self, and I’m just a bit worried about him.”I had already climbed off the bed and put on my slippers. “Let me check,” I told Trevis. “Hold on.” I quickly went to the room beside mine and knocked several times on the door. There was no answer. “He just suddenly took off while we were at the bar
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
Elijah’s POVI walked into Bella Sera, happy to see that it was packed with guests at this time in the afternoon. Fresh from closing a successful business deal, I was in a good mood, but there was a nagging concern for Morgana at the back of my mind. It was why I’d decided to stop by the cafe—to check in and see how she was holding up after she’d left me a series of frantic voicemails.Since I didn’t see her in the dining area, I went straight to her office. The door was ajar, and I could already feel the tension and anger leaking through it. I found Morgana pacing like a caged lioness, her hands gesturing wildly as she muttered to herself. The sight reminded me of the old Morgana— my stepmother who never minced her words or held back when someone crossed her.“I cannot believe this! The audacity, the gall!” she ranted, slamming a folder onto the desk. “This is a targeted attack, Elijah. It has to be. Who else would stoop this low?”“Morgana,” I greeted cautiously, stepping inside. “
Adrian’s POVThe Roosevelt mansion came into view as the car eased into the circular driveway, its stately facade bathed in the setting sun. Growing up here, I’d long since grown accustomed to its grandeur—the towering columns, the meticulously trimmed hedges, the way it seemed to command attention. Yet tonight, I barely noticed it. My thoughts were entirely on the woman sitting beside me, her fingers absently toying with her bracelet. “Relax,” I said, throwing her a reassuring smile. “My father’s not as intimidating as he looks. He’s actually… well, decent these days.”Lila gave me a skeptical glance. “Decent? I’ve read about your family, Adrian. You’re practically royalty in this country.”I laughed at her dramatic tone. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”“Tell me again why you’re bringing me to see him?” she asked as we both stepped out of the car. Laughing, I simply answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.” One of the staff greeted us and led us inside. The interior was just as imposin