Sophia’s POVI stood outside Julia's hospital room, my heart pounding in my chest. My bag slipped from my shoulder and hit the floor with a loud thud. Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. Elijah's eyes widened in surprise, and Julia's tear-streaked face twisted in confusion. I forced a smile, even though my insides felt like they were shattering into a million pieces.“Sorry about that,” I said, bending down to pick up my bag. Trevis was behind me, his hand on my shoulder in a show of support.I took a deep breath and stepped into the room, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze. “Hey, Julia,” I said softly. “How are you feeling?” Julia's sobs had quieted, but tears still streamed down her face. “Not good, Sophia. My hand... the doctor said…”“It's not final,” I interrupted gently, moving to her bedside. “I heard what he said a while ago. Believe in miracles, Julia. Your hand might still heal with long-term therapy and other treatments. Don't lose hope, okay?”Julia shook her head, her ey
Sophia’s POVMy mind was stuck in that hospital hallway, replaying the scene between Julia and Elijah over and over. By the time I parked and walked into the Italian restaurant, I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.I spotted Kayla at our usual corner table, slightly secluded from the rest of the diners. She stood up with a warm smile, and we hugged tightly.“Soph! It’s been too long,” she said, pulling back to look at me. Her smile faltered slightly. “You okay? You don't seem like your usual jolly self.”I waved a hand dismissively, trying to brush off her concern. “It's nothing, really.”Kayla frowned, her eyes narrowing. "I know something's up. Come on, tell me."We sat down, and I took a deep breath, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. “I was at the hospital earlier,” I began, my voice shaking slightly. “Julia was screaming and crying because the doctor told her she might never be able to use her right hand again. Elijah was there comforting her. Then she… she asked him to
Sophia’s POVKayla's mention of Morgana snapped me out of my daze. The dim lighting of the restaurant cast shadows on Kayla’s face, making her look more mysterious. Intrigued, I leaned in closer. “What secret about Morgana?” I asked.Kayla glanced around the restaurant, her eyes scanning the room for any eavesdroppers. Then she leaned in, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “You know my grandmother lives in Lyon, right? My parents and I went to visit her for a week. While we were there, we spent a lot of time at Place Bellecour, one of the largest open squares in Europe. It's this beautiful, bustling place with a statue of Louis XIV right in the center.”I nodded, urging her to continue. “Yeah, I’ve been there once.” Memories of the picturesque square flashed in my mind, the lively atmosphere and the grandeur of the statue.“One afternoon, while we were at Place Bellecour, I heard this familiar voice that made me turn around. That’s when I saw Morgana walking with a man. She
Sophia’s POVUnlocking the door to my apartment, images of Elijah and Julia at the hospital flashed again through my mind, their raw emotions lingering in my thoughts. What’s more, I kept thinking about Morgana and the conversation she had with that strange man. As I stepped inside, laughter from the living room caught me off guard. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Elijah on the floor, playing with Reese. They were both laughing, completely absorbed in their game. Elijah looked up and smiled warmly. “Hey, Sophia.”I forced a smile, feeling my heart race. “Hi, Elijah.” I then remembered what Kayla had said to me — I needed to face him, to talk this out with him. Besides, I had to get used to the idea of Elijah being around often even if he did marry Julia; after all, he would always be a part of my life because of Reese.Quickly, I turned my attention to Reese, who was beaming with excitement.“Mommy, look! Daddy and I are playing a game!” Reese exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with
Elijah’s POVI stood outside Julia's hospital room, taking a deep breath before entering. My mind raced with thoughts of how to approach her delicately, how to reassure her that I cared deeply for her but only as a sister. It was a conversation I was dreading, especially now with everything she was going through.As I pushed the door open, Julia's cries filled the room. She was inconsolable, her emotions swinging wildly from fear to anger to moments of sweetness. “Julia,” I said softly, approaching her bedside. “I'm here. It's going to be okay.”She looked up at me with tear-streaked cheeks, her eyes filled with a mix of desperation and accusation. “You're tired of me, aren't you? You don't want to take care of me anymore,” she sobbed.“No, Julia, that's not true,” I replied gently, sitting down beside her and taking her hand. “I care about you so much. You're like family to me.”Her expression softened briefly, and she squeezed my hand. “I know you do, Elijah. I'm sorry for being lik
Elijah’s POVI carried the tray of medicine and water to the guest room where Julia was staying. The doctor had discharged her from the hospital that morning, and now she was comfortably settled in my home. I pushed open the door and found her sitting up in bed, her smile bright despite everything she’d been through.“Hey there,” I said, crossing the room to her side. “Time for your medicine.”“Thanks, Elijah,” Julia replied, her voice warm. “I’m feeling much better already.”I handed her the pills and a glass of water. “Here you go. Make sure you take these.”She took the medicine obediently, then handed the glass back to me. I set it on the bedside table and propped up her pillows, ensuring she was comfortable.“How’s that? Comfy enough?” I asked, adjusting the pillows a bit more.“Perfect,” she said, her smile widening. “You’re spoiling me.”“I’m happy to take care of you, Julia. You know that.”She sighed contentedly and leaned back. “The new treatments the doctor mentioned, they
Sophia’s POVThe hospital was quieter than usual today. I held Reese's hand as we walked down the sterile, white hallway toward Dr. Lansing's office. It had only been a few days since they removed my cast, and this follow-up check-up was to ensure everything was healing properly. Reese skipped beside me, her wavy hair bouncing with each step.“Mommy, can I get a chocolate drink after this?” Reese asked, her eyes lighting up as she spotted a vending machine at the end of the hallway.“We'll see, sweetie,” I replied, squeezing her hand gently.Dr. Lansing's check-up was thorough but quick. He reassured me that my arm was healing well and gave me a few exercises to help regain my strength. With a fresh set of instructions and a reminder to schedule another appointment in a few weeks, we were on our way out.As we walked down the now-empty hallway, Reese's attention was caught by the vending machine. She let go of my hand and ran ahead, her small footsteps echoing.“Reese, wait!” I called
Sophia’s POVI took a deep breath before I knocked on the door of Elijah's house. I hadn’t been here many times since our divorce, but today felt even weirder. I knew Julia was staying here, and I wasn't sure what to expect. The door swung open, and the maid, Maria, greeted me with a polite nod.“Good morning, Miss Bennett. Mr. Sinclair is in his office. Please, come in.”“Thank you, Maria,” I said, stepping inside. The house felt different too, colder somehow, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being unwelcome.As I walked toward Elijah's office, I heard the unmistakable sound of Julia's voice. I rounded the corner and there she was, standing in the hallway with her hand still bandaged. Her eyes narrowed as soon as she saw me.“Well, well, if it isn't Sophia Bennett,” Julia sneered. “What are you doing here?”I held up the document I needed Elijah to sign. “I'm here for work, Julia. I need Elijah's signature on this.”Julia scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “You just can
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