Elijah’s POVMrs. Baker looked shocked at my answer. Then her expression turned to disappointment. It tore at my insides, knowing that she was just doing this too for the sake of her daughter. But I can’t lie to her, to Julia, or to myself. Julia’s face crumpled as if my refusal had physically struck her. “I don’t have to marry anyone!” she cried out, her voice trembling. “I can’t do anything right now anyway. I’m no use to anyone, and I’ll just be a disgrace!”“Julia, that’s not what —” I began to say. But she wouldn’t listen to me. “No!” she cried out. “You’re right in refusing because I won’t make a good wife. I’m helpless and useless now.” She began to sob, her shoulders racking uncontrollably. Mrs. Baker reached out to console her, but Julia shook her off and hastily walked away, her tears glistening under the harsh fluorescent lights.“Julia, wait!” I called after her, quickly mumbling an apology to Mrs. Baker before rushing to catch up. “Julia, please, let me explain.”She
Sophia’s POVI couldn’t help but gasp. The sound seemed to echo in my head, louder than it really was. Morgana’s eyes locked onto mine. Her initial surprise mirrored my own, but before either of us could react, the man spoke.“Darling, I think we can order something like this for our daughter’s 19th birthday. She’ll love this. Or we can have the party in this restaurant. What do you think?”The words made my heart thump harder and faster. Elijah’s stepmother is having an affair, and she has a daughter with this man!I saw Morgana’s eyes narrow, her expression shifting rapidly from shock to guilt, then to something more sinister. Anger flickered across her face, a menacing glint in her eyes. I felt rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak.Morgana stood up slowly, her movements deliberate, and faced me. The room seemed to close in around us, the chatter of other diners fading into a distant hum. I could feel my pulse quicken, my mind racing to process what I had just witnessed.“Sop
Sophia’s POVI sat at my desk, the blueprints of the latest project spread out before me. The lines and measurements blurred together, refusing to form a coherent design in my mind. I sighed, tapping my pen against the paper in frustration. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to Elijah and Julia's upcoming wedding. The news had been a punch to the gut, and I couldn't shake the image of them together. Does it mean that Elijah had changed his mind? Perhaps because Julia has been staying at his house, he has developed real romantic feelings for her already“Focus, Sophia,” I muttered to myself, but it was no use.I glanced at the sketches for Daniel's project. Daniel was a good friend, and his enthusiasm for the project had been contagious. I wanted to do my best for him, but my mind was elsewhere. And then there was Henry, Julia's brother, who had also insisted that I be the head designer for his project. Working for Henry felt like a cruel tw
Sophia’s POVThe article was full of pictures of Adrian and Kayla together at various events, looking every bit the glamorous couple. They were both smiling, radiating happiness.It seemed they were officially in a relationship, and the news had taken the media by storm.I stared at the screen, a mix of emotions churning inside me. Kayla had always been there for me, a constant support through all the ups and downs.Seeing her with Adrian, who’d recently been pestering me to start a relationship with him and even to marry him, felt strange. Is this even real? I thought, knowing very well that celebrity news was usually exaggerated. Kayla hadn’t even mentioned anything to me. Or maybe she’s hesitant to share about it because Adrian had recently declared his love for me publicly? Well, she knows for certain that he’s just a friend to me. There was also a video interview embedded in the article. I hesitated for a moment before pressing play.The screen showed Adrian, looking dapper in
Sophia’s POVI nearly screamed into the phone, “You didn’t tell me about Connor, and I find out from the internet?! What kind of best friend are you?!”Kayla's laughter rang out on the other end. “Sorry, sorry!” she said between giggles. “I’m coming over. We have a lot to talk about.”“I’ll hold you to that,” I replied, a wide grin spreading across my face. I was eager to see her. She sounded happy, so I was happy for her and excited to hear the story of how it happened between her and Connor. Not long after, Kayla arrived, joining us for dinner. Reese, our nanny, and I were already at the table when she walked in, her usual energetic self lighting up the room.“Where’s Connor?” I asked, my grin widening.Kayla chuckled as she took a seat and helped herself to some salad. “He’s home. We were together earlier because he was helping me shop for some stuff for my office.”I raised an eyebrow and gave her a teasing look. “Sounds serious.”We both laughed, and even Reese joined in, her ey
Elijah’s POVTwo weeks had passed since I’d last seen Reese. I’d taken her to the park, but Sophia had not wanted to join us. And when I went to pick up Reese and drop her off at the apartment, Sophia had also not been there. It was only Reese’s nanny. Sophia is clearly avoiding me, I thought with worry and sadness. Even when I tried dropping by the Urban Next office, Trevis informed me that Sophia was doing mostly fieldwork now, something she had insisted on.At present, I stood in the spacious living room of our home as the couturier measured and adjusted the suit that would supposedly mark the happiest day of my life. So why do I feel so gloomy?My stepmother and Julia’s mom flitted around like excited hummingbirds, their chatter a fusion of wedding plans and exclamations over every minute detail. They were in their element, fussing over the wedding gown, debating lace patterns and veil lengths with great enthusiasm. “Make sure the lace detail is just perfect,” Julia said, her
Serena’s POVThe hospital corridor stretched into shadowed uncertainty as I hurried past closed doors and muted lights. It was late, well past visiting hours, but urgency propelled me forward.Julia Stanford. The name echoed in my mind, wrapped in layers of resentment and anger and even fear. I approached the nurse's station, my heart pounding against the facade of calm I tried to maintain.“Excuse me,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The nurse behind the counter looked up, fatigue etched into her features.“Yes, how can I help you?” Her tone was polite but tinged with weariness.“I'm looking for Julia Stanford,” I began, my pulse quickening. “I'm her sister, and I just arrived from abroad. I tried reaching her but couldn't get through. I heard there was an accident like two months ago maybe…”The nurse consulted her computer screen, fingers tapping softly on the keyboard. “Julia Stanford... Yes, she was discharged a few weeks ago. But she recently came in for a c
Sophia’s POVThe lobby of Raven Media buzzed with energy as I stepped through the glass doors. I took a deep breath, savoring the sense of purpose and excitement that filled the air.Today was a welcome change of scenery, a chance to immerse myself in something different than my usual routine. I was here to help Kayla with a magazine shoot design for Adrian's new album, and I couldn't wait to dive in.Though I had done this for a time here, it felt like so long ago. And besides, we’re doing a different concept this time so I was very excited. “Sophia!” Kayla's voice rang out as she rushed over to greet me, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Even though she was the creative department director and Adrian's manager, she was still as hands-on as ever. Her parents owned Raven Media, but she had earned her place here through sheer talent and hard work.“Kayla, it's so good to see you again!” I hugged her tightly, feeling a surge of joy even though it’s only been a few days since she’d co
Sophia’s POVThe warm scent of baked rosemary chicken and freshly baked bread greeted me as I stepped into Phoebe’s cozy apartment, immediately putting me at ease. Roxy and Jared scurried ahead, their laughter bouncing off the walls. Reese was the first to greet them, her face lighting up as she jumped up from the playmat in the corner.“Mommy!” Reese ran over, wrapping her arms around me in a quick hug before joining her siblings. “We’re playing house! Jared is the baby!”I laughed, kissing the top of her head. “You all behave, alright? And no bossing Jared around too much, Reese.”Kayla emerged from the small kitchen, balancing baby Asha on her hip. Her warm smile widened when she saw me. “Sophia! Finally. I was starting to think you’d gotten stuck in another snowstorm.”“Trust me, I almost did,” I said, exhaling as I set down my bag. “Thanks for picking up Reese. You’re a lifesaver.”“No problem,” Kayla replied, adjusting Asha in her arms. “You know I love spending time with your l
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped into my car, the cold leather seats sent a sharp chill through me. The afternoon sun, shy but persistent, peeked through scattered clouds, bathing the pristine snow in a gentle radiance. Thankfully, the blizzard had blown over quickly, and the roads were clear enough to navigate. It was the kind of crisp day that made the world feel brand new, but my thoughts were far from fresh.Lucas stood near the entrance of the ski resort, his hands shoved into his coat pockets. He waved, a warm smile on his face as I rolled down my window.“Thanks for coming, Sabrina,” he called, his voice carrying easily in the still air. I forced a polite smile, not knowing how to feel about him still calling me Sabrina up to now, especially after what I'd just discovered about my childhood. “Thanks, Lucas. The resort has so much potential. I’ll send over the updated designs soon.”“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, stepping back. “Drive safe. Roads might still be icy in some spot
Emily’s POVThe biting cold wrapped around me like a vice as the forest settled into an eerie stillness. The sounds of the chase from the night before had faded, but they seemed to continue echoing in my head. My legs ached, my hands were raw, and my breath fogged in the frigid air as I stumbled forward, searching for something—anything—that could serve as a refuge.It’s getting late. I have to find shelter first. The darkness was suffocating, but then, faintly, through the trees, I saw a glimmer of light. My heart leaped as I cautiously approached, praying it wasn’t a trap. What I found instead was a small, dilapidated hunting shack, nearly swallowed by the forest. Its wooden walls were warped, the roof sagging in places, but it was shelter. For now, it was enough.Inside, the air was stale and cold, but at least it shielded me from the howling wind. I found a dusty lantern and managed to light it with trembling hands, its soft glow pushing back the shadows. There was an old cot in
Sophia’s POVThe memory hung in my mind like a shadow, vivid and unsettling. Lucas’s voice—the one I had heard in my dream, the one calling for Sabrina—now felt too real to dismiss as just a fragment of my imagination.I tried to focus on the snow, its mesmerizing dance beyond the glass, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing.And then Lucas stepped closer, his presence pulling me from my turmoil. His eyes searched mine. “What are you remembering?” he asked carefully. I turned to face him fully, my heart thundering in my chest. “It’s… hard to explain,” I began, forcing the words out through the lump in my throat. “I had a dream—a nightmare, really—about when I got lost in the snowstorm as a child. I mean, I already know that it was Morgana who actually left me behind because she’d met with her lover then. But now…”Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Now what?”“Well, in my dream, I thought I heard Elijah calling my name. He’d been there with his family too, so…”Lucas’s expression tightened, but he s
Sophia’s POVThe view outside the window was breathtaking—snow-dusted hills stretching endlessly under a pale blue sky. The cozy lounge, with its crackling fire and soft golden lighting, felt like the perfect setting for a romantic moment. It should have been calming, but my mind was anything but calm.That photo of Elijah and Victoria burned in my memory. Her sitting so close to him, their laughter captured at just the right moment. It made my chest tighten with anger and something I didn’t want to name—jealousy. The thought alone made me queasy, but it also left me vulnerable. Vulnerable to Lucas.I glanced at him. He stood just a few feet away, his expression soft but intent, watching me like I was the only person in the world. His confession still echoed in my ears, and I couldn’t deny the pull of the moment. It was too perfect, too charged. For a brief, fleeting second, I let myself wonder what it would feel like to bask in his affection, to let myself be swept up in something s
Elijah’s POVThe silence in my office was deafening. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the half-empty coffee cup on my desk. The bitterness clung to my tongue, a reminder of the recent situation in my marriage. Oh, Sophia. What’s happening to us?She’d been consuming my every thought lately. And not in the way she used to. Not with warmth or laughter, but with cold uncertainty. We hadn’t spoken properly since I sent her those flowers. It was my way of saying: I still care about you. She’d thanked me, of course, but there was no follow-up. No deep conversation. I really miss her. God knows how much I miss my wife. We used to talk about everything. The kids. Work. The stupid little things that made up our days. Now? She was busy. Always busy. Late nights at the office. Early mornings. And when she was home, she was either buried in her laptop or tiptoeing around me like I was made of glass. And it wasn’t just work. It was that damn Lucas who found a way to be with her more. Just
Sophia’s POVThe image of Elijah and Victoria stayed with me, eating away at my thoughts like an unyielding tempest. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t just Victoria’s presence that unnerved me—it was the way Elijah seemed to let her get close. Is he falling for her? No. No, it’s impossible. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and it was growing faster than I could contain it.We need to talk. Soon. Heart to heart, I resolved, my chest tightening as I fought back a surge of emotion. The silence of the room around me only made the ache sharper, more vivid.Just then, Lucas’s footsteps broke through the quiet, and I quickly pushed my phone back into my pocket. He entered the lounge with a tray balanced in his hands, two mugs of steaming hot chocolate sending up tendrils of inviting warmth.The image of Elijah and Victoria lingered in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts like a relentless storm. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t j
Sophia’s POV“Lucas,” I called out, stepping onto the cobblestone path that led to the resort’s grand, albeit faded, entrance. “You’ve got a prime location here.”He emerged from the double doors, his familiar grin warm against the chilly mountain air. “Sophia, welcome. How was the drive up?”“Long,” I admitted, adjusting my scarf as the wind tugged at it. I was bundled up in a navy wool coat, a pair of tan ankle boots, and a thick cream-colored knit scarf. The frosty air bit at my cheeks, and I shoved my gloved hands into my coat pockets for warmth. “But worth it. This place…” I gestured to the sprawling ski resort behind him, its old-world charm dulled by time and neglect. “It’s stunning. Or at least, it has the bones to be.”Lucas chuckled, his gaze lingering on me. “That’s why you’re here. To make it amazing again.”As I stepped closer, I caught the faint scent of pine and woodsmoke clinging to the air, mingling with the crispness of the snow-dusted ground. For a brief moment, the
Sophia’s POVThe sight of Phoebe standing in the doorway took my breath away. She looked so different from the last time I’d seen her—thinner, her cheekbones more pronounced, her posture subdued. But her eyes, wide and shimmering with unshed tears, carried a familiar depth of emotion that struck me instantly. Before I could speak, she stepped forward and wrapped both Kayla and me in a tight embrace.“Phoebe,” I murmured, still stunned. “You’re here.”Her hug felt prolonged, as if she were drawing strength from it. When she pulled back, her hands rested firmly on my arms, her smile wavering slightly. “I couldn’t stay away any longer,” she said, her voice soft but laden with feeling. “I needed to see you.”“We’ve missed you so much,” Kayla said, adjusting Asha on her hip. Asha reached out with a tiny hand, patting Phoebe’s cheek, as if sensing the tension in the air. Kayla smiled gently, her tone as soothing as always. “How have you been?”Phoebe hesitated, brushing a tear from her chee