Sophia’s POVI rushed through the hospital corridors, my heart pounding wildly. I whispered a little prayer of thanks to God that Reese hadn't ended up in the wrong hands. It was a parent's worst nightmare, the thought of losing sight of your child, even for a moment.I kept remembering how Reese had seemed so sad and disappointed when I’d told her that her dad wouldn’t be able to come. Perhaps I was wrong to assume that. I should have called Elijah and we could have avoided all this trouble. As I hurried to the hospitality wing of the hospital where Elijah had been staying recently, the surroundings began to change. It seemed like I’d been transported to a hotel. All this for Julia, I thought. He really used his connections to get a room here, and he’s sacrificing his business for her. Gosh, he must care about her that much!But then, I recalled their earlier conversation, the one that I’d overheard. Why did Elijah reject her when she confessed her love? Maybe he’s still confused
Sophia’s POVFriday arrived faster than I expected. As I walked into the play school grounds, holding Reese's hand tightly in mine, I felt a blend of excitement and nervousness. Elijah was on Reese's other side, holding her hand too. It was surreal to see us like this, together, even if just for a moment. As we passed by a mirror in the hallway, I couldn't help but steal a glance at our reflection.We looked like a picture-perfect family—Reese, Elijah, and me. It touched something deep within me, stirring a bittersweet feeling. For a brief moment, it felt real, and that scared me. It wasn't reality. It was just a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.“Mommy, look! I drew this for you!” Reese exclaimed, pulling me out of my thoughts as she excitedly showed me her colorful drawing of our home that was displayed on a bulletin board.“It's beautiful, sweetheart,” I smiled, kneeling down to her level.Elijah stood beside us, smiling. “She's quite the artist, isn't she?” he remarked so
Elijah’s POVI was stunned. But of course, it was a great opportunity that I would never pass up. Bringing back Sophia and our daughter Reese to my house would be a wonderful way to conclude such an amazing day. After all, the Family Day was a success beyond my expectations. Reese was still bubbling with excitement about her friends and the activities, and Sophia—Sophia was more relaxed and open than I'd seen her in a long time. We chatted effortlessly about the event, about Reese, about everything and nothing at all. It felt so natural and easy to be together. Back at my house, I offered to cook. Sophia's surprised look was priceless. “You cook?” she asked, a mix of disbelief and curiosity in her eyes.“Yeah,” I chuckled, a bit self-conscious. “I picked it up... well, after you left. I guess I had too much time on my hands.”There was a second of silence as we both remembered that painful part of our relationship. “You know, I always thought it was the house help doing all the coo
Elijah’s POVSophia's words hung in the air like a thunderclap. “Troy may have something to do with what happened to you and Julia,” she repeated, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety.I thought about what Troy had said to her. He could have been bluffing, but there could still be some truth there. “I’ll have to find out. We need to inform the investigators.”Before we could discuss further, a small whirlwind in the form of Reese rushed over to us, holding a handful of colorful drawings. “Look, look! I made these today!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.Sophia and I exchanged a glance, the gravity of our conversation momentarily forgotten. “These are great, Reese,” I said, taking one of the drawings and examining it. “You never fail to amaze us. And it seems that you just keep getting better!”Reese beamed with pride, then let out a big yawn. Sophia glanced at the clock and sighed. “We should get going. It's getting late. Thank you for dinner, Elijah.”“Of course,” I rep
Elijah’s POVJulia’s been sending me messages yesterday and today, wondering where I had gone. I told her that I needed to attend to some important matters, but I didn’t specify what it was. I did not want to stress her out by saying that I’d gone to Reese’s school with Sophia after she just confessed her real feelings for me. So this afternoon, after dropping by the office to check on things, I went back to the hospital. The hallways seemed quieter than usual, which made me feel like I could hear myself think. I made my way to Julia's room, my mind preoccupied with the unexpected turn of events that had brought her back into my life.When I reached her door, I paused, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by a sight I hadn't anticipated: a man standing beside Julia's bed, engaged in a low conversation with her.The man looked familiar, and it took me a moment to place him. His sharp features and confident stance sparked a memory—business ga
Julia’s POVI stared at the ceiling, my thoughts spiraling into a dark vortex of desperation and fear. Elijah had just left, his words echoing in my mind. “I need to do something at work for a while, but I'll be back tonight.” He'd said it so casually, as if he didn't notice the rising panic in my eyes. His presence had been my only anchor in this sterile, suffocating room, and now that anchor was slipping away.I turned my head to the side, watching the door through which he had exited. It felt like a finality, a cruel punctuation mark on the sentence of our relationship. He'd been different lately, a little distant, almost aloof. The caring, sweet Elijah he’d been since my “accident” seemed to be fading, replaced by someone more detached and perhaps even eager to get away from me. I can’t let this happen. No way.Was it because I had confessed my love for him? The words had spilled out of me, raw and vulnerable, but his reaction had been lukewarm at best. Or was it something else
Sophia’s POVSince Family Day, Elijah has been coming over every single day to check on Reese and me. It's strange, really. I remember how he barely acknowledged my existence when we were married. Now, he's here all the time, playing with Reese, hanging out, or just chatting with me. Part of me wonders if he's trying to make up for lost time, or maybe he's finally realized what he lost.It gave me a sense of satisfaction, seeing him make this effort. But more than anything, I was just happy that Reese gets to spend so much time with her dad.I've also noticed that Elijah hasn't been spending as much time at the hospital lately. Instead, he would be here with us. We would even go to the park together or grab food as a trio. It was becoming almost routine, his presence in our lives.Still, I remain cautious. After everything that happened, I can't help but be careful. Yet, seeing Reese's face light up when Elijah walks through the door—it's worth it. For her sake, I'm willing to give t
Sophia’s POVReturning to Urban Next after more than a week felt like coming home after a long, exhausting journey. My colleagues, faces beaming with genuine warmth, surrounded me, welcoming me back with open arms and cheerful banter.“Hey, look who's back!” shouted Kelly from the corner, her smile as bright as ever.“It's great to see you, Sophia!” said Mark, giving me a quick hug. “We've missed you!”I laughed, feeling a rush of happiness. “I missed you all too. It's good to be back.”I flexed my arm, no longer confined to a cast, and felt a surge of relief. I felt great, ready to dive back into the projects and the hustle of the office.As I made my way to my desk, Trevis approached me, his usual confident stride evident. “Sophia, can I have a word with you in my office?”“Of course,” I replied, following him. His office was the same as ever, meticulously organized and exuding an air of calm efficiency.“How are you feeling?” he asked as we settled into our chairs.“Much better, th
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