Sophia’s POVAn awkward silence followed as Elijah and I tried to figure out how to explain our actions to our little child. Then out of the blue, Reese walked up to Elijah and hugged him. This surprised us all. “Don’t you care about Mommy?” she asked afterwards. Elijah looked startled, and I felt my heart pounding like crazy as I waited for him to answer. “Yes, of course I do,” he said, though I couldn't tell if he meant it. He hadn't wanted to listen to me earlier and I clearly remembered how he’d stared at me in doubt and had chosen to believe and attend to Julia. Reese stepped back and looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Don’t you trust Mommy?”It was odd and almost insane how she knew to ask these questions, and I wondered what was going on in her mind. But she had always been more mature and intelligent for her age, and she was almost four years old now. Elijah looked hesitant and puzzled, but he eventually nodded.“Are you mad at Mommy?” Reese asked directly. Elijah
Elijah’s POVThe walk back to the hospital was a blur. My mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions, all centered around Sophia and Reese. For that brief time with them, I had felt that same joy and fulfillment again. I yearned to experience more of it, but everything was complicated right now. I kept replaying my conversation with Sophia in my mind, trying to decipher what it all meant. I was so lost in thought that I almost didn't notice Julia as I approached the doctor's clinic.She was standing outside, looking around with a panicked expression. But as soon as her eyes landed on me, her face brightened. She rushed towards me, her smile wide, and before I could react, she hugged me tightly and kissed me on the cheek.“Elijah!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of relief and happiness. “I’m so glad you’re here. Where have you been? Why did you leave me alone with the doctor?”“Sorry, I just needed to take care of a few things,” I answered vaguely. I couldn’t tell her I’d talk
Sophia’s POVI had been working overtime at the company this weekend, burying myself in paperwork and endless tasks. I guess it’s been my way of escaping the depression that threatened to drown me. But today, it was too much. I needed a break, a breath of fresh air. I made my way to the roof of the building, hoping the open sky and bustling city below would clear my mind and provide some solace.As I stood there, staring down at the busy streets, I could feel the dissonance of the city blending with my agitated thoughts and feelings. The wind blew my hair into my face, and as I turned to fix it, I saw him.Elijah. He’s like a mere vision from the past. And at the same time, he’s also a ghost of my present. Elijah was standing in one corner of the roof deck, looking lonesome and sad. I didn’t expect him to be up here. But there he was, looking as depressed as I felt. I realized then that we haven’t spoken for days since that day at the park outside the hospital.Suddenly, I felt a
Julia’s POVCautiously, I followed Elijah through the familiar corridors of Evelyn's house, my mind swimming with my future plans. At the same time, my heart pounded with fear and agitation. Elijah simply walked ahead with purposeful steps, oblivious to my internal turmoil. He probably suspects something, I thought, feeling paranoid. I could feel it in the way he looked at me, in the questions he didn't voice. Sophia must have told him something, or maybe he had pieced together fragments of truth on his own. I can't afford for him to find out the whole story. Perhaps I need to come up with another plan to make him trust me again completely. I must talk to Henry soon!Evelyn's recovery was both a blessing and a curse. It was rattling and surprising that she had emerged from her coma with an unexpected sharpness of mind. And while I had initially feared her awakening, she had actually been kind, almost unsettlingly so.She even seemed to recall flashes of my supposed childhood as Sab
Serena’s POVI slipped through the back door very carefully and very quietly, my footsteps barely making a sound on the polished tiles. The house was eerily quiet at that hour, everyone tucked away in their rooms. It’s a good thing George had insisted on separate quarters during this ordeal, so I could meet up with Evelyn secretly. Evelyn's room was softly lit when I entered. She was sitting upright in bed, looking quite composed despite the circumstances. “Serena,” she greeted me with uneasiness in her voice. “You're here.”“Yes, I really had to see you,” I replied quietly, crossing the room to stand by her bedside. “And as I’ve told you before, it's about Julia.”Evelyn's brow furrowed slightly, worry etching lines on her face that made her seem older. “Tell me,” she urged, her voice a hushed plea. “I can really sense how much you dislike her, perhaps even hate her…”I scoffed and snorted. “That’s an understatement.”“Well, what is it?"I took a moment to gather my thoughts, tryin
Sophia’s POVI leaned back against the plush seat of my car, grateful for the quiet after a long, hectic night at the office. I wonder how Grandma Evelyn’s doing…With a sigh, I dialed her number. I really needed to see her. It rang twice before she answered, her voice fragile yet filled with warmth. “Hello, dear? Sophia, is that you?”“Hi, Evelyn,” I replied, relief flooding through me at the sound of her voice. “Yes, it’s me. How are you feeling tonight? How have you been since you got home?”“Oh, I’m recovering fast, dear,” Evelyn responded, her tone upbeat despite the weariness I detected. “Don’t worry too much, alright? I’m just eager and happy to hear your voice now. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”“Oh, of course not,” I said, smiling. But there was also a familiar ache in my chest that stemmed from guilt. At times, I still couldn’t help feeling that it was my fault she had been in a coma. “It was quite a boring day, I must say,” Evelyn added. I was surprised she was being
Sophia’s POVI stared at the clock on the wall, its hands mocking me with each passing second. At this hour, everyone was probably gathered at the venue, waiting for the ceremony to begin.I could almost hear the whispers, the rustling of dresses, the nervous laughter. And Trevis... Trevis wouldn’t be looking for me. He didn’t even mention the wedding ever to me.I wondered if Morgana had the gall to show her face. Kayla, who went with Connor, would surely fill me in later on all the juicy details.For now, I was stuck in my apartment, pacing back and forth, flipping through TV channels without really watching, scrolling online absentmindedly. It was a good thing Reese was in school. I wasn’t at my best; far from it. On the outside, I might look fine, but inside, I’m a freakin’ mess.“I need to get out of here,” I muttered to myself. “I’ll go nuts if I stay cooped up all day.”I grabbed my car keys and headed down to the building lobby. I needed to get out of my apartment, or I was g
Serena’s POVThe garden was a vision of romance. Twinkling fairy lights wrapped around delicate branches, casting a soft glow over the perfectly manicured lawns. Roses in every shade of red and pink lined the path, their sweet fragrance filling the air.I crept through the shadows, my eyes scanning the surroundings. Everything was set up so beautifully, it almost made me forget the reason I was here.Almost.At the front, a sign in elegant calligraphy read, “Elijah & Julia.” I wrinkled my nose in disgust. I couldn't believe this was actually happening. The ceremony was already underway; I could hear the murmur of the pastor's voice and the soft, lilting sound of Julia’s giggle.I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get there before it was too late. The aisle was lined with white petals, and the guests were seated in rows of gold chairs, their backs to me.Julia stood at the altar, looking like a lovesick puppy, her giggles like nails on a chalkboard to my ears.
Sophia’s POVThe warmth of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a scent that felt so familiar, so comforting, that for a moment, it was easy to forget all the fear and uncertainty of the past few days.My mother bustled around the kitchen, setting out plates and pouring tea, determined to make this a small celebration, in spite of her still being a bit rattled. But more than anything, I could see that she was very, very happy. Emily and Chris had showered and changed, looking far better than they had when I first walked in. The exhaustion was still there, written in the lines of their faces, but they were standing tall, present, and—most importantly—home.Elijah arrived shortly after, his presence filling the room with steady reassurance. When he saw Chris, he didn’t hesitate, pulling him into a tight embrace. They had been best friends since childhood, and after everything Chris had been through, I could see the relief in Elijah’s eyes. He held onto Emily for a moment, too, murmuri
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I gripped the phone tighter. "Mom? What’s wrong?"There was a moment of silence, just soft, uneven breaths on the other end of the line. My stomach twisted painfully. "Mom, talk to me!""S-Sophia…" her voice cracked, and I felt my chest constrict. "They’re here."I blinked, my mind struggling to keep up. "Who’s here?""Chris and Emily. They’re home."I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. For a second, I couldn't move, couldn't think. My pulse raced as my mind fought to process what she had just said.Chris and Emily are back.My grip on the phone loosened, my knees nearly buckling from the sudden rush of emotions. Relief, disbelief, overwhelming gratitude."Oh my God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. "Are they okay?""I… I don’t know," my mother admitted, still sounding shaken. "They haven’t said much. But you need to come quick."I didn’t hesitate. "I’ll be right there."As I ended the call, I turned to see Elijah watching me,
Sophia’s POVThe kitchen was quiet except for the faint sizzle of eggs in the pan. It was still very early in the morning, and I could see the sun rising through the window. Normally, I would have stopped to admire the view. But my mind was still preoccupied with a lot of chaotic things. I had barely slept.Everything Lucas had told me last night still lingered in my mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions and uneasy truths. Hugo Tournier. He had been part of my family's past all along, a ghost lurking in the shadows, and now he was back. It settled over me like a heavy fog, impossible to shake.But as much as my thoughts circled around Hugo, it was Elijah’s reaction that unsettled me more. The way he had looked at me. The sharpness in his voice when he told me I didn’t need to talk to Lucas anymore, that Joe would handle the investigation.He hadn’t accused me outright, but I could feel the tension beneath his words. The distance. Lucas was a sensitive issue between us—alwa
Sophia’s POVLucas stood in front of me, his face partially shadowed by the porch light, his eyes unreadable but filled with something that made my stomach twist—regret, sorrow, maybe even guilt.“I don’t even know where to start,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair.I crossed my arms, bracing myself. “Just tell me what you found.”He exhaled sharply, nodding. "I started looking into the records of missing children around the time you disappeared. A lot of reports were vague, but… I found something." He hesitated before continuing, his voice tight. "There was an old witness statement—a retired cop who had once suspected a man named Hugo Tournier."My breath hitched. The name. I had heard it before. Grandpa George had mentioned it when we talked about the man who might have taken me.Lucas continued, unaware of my growing realization. "The name meant nothing to me at first, but when I dug deeper, I realized it was connected to your family."My pulse quickened. “Connected how?
Emily’s POVDarkened streets stretched endlessly ahead as we sped through the city, the glow of neon signs flickering across the windshield. The sound of other cars was distant, almost muffled, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. My grip tightened on the edge of my seat, eyes darting to every shadowed alley, every figure on the sidewalk. It felt like eyes were on us—watching, waiting.Chris’s grip on the wheel was tight, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn’t said much since we got the warning. The burner phone lay silent between us, the last message still glowing on the screen:“Do not go to the docks. You are being watched.”I swallowed hard. "Who sent it?""No idea," Chris muttered. "Could be someone helping us. Could be someone luring us into another trap."My stomach twisted. "So what do we do?"He exhaled sharply, eyes darting to the rearview mirror. "We can’t risk it. If someone’s waiting for us at the docks, we won’t stand a chance. We haven't been able to reach Crimson Ve
Sophia’s POVJared was safe. That was all that mattered.We were gathered in the house, the weight of the night still pressing heavily on our shoulders. But at least Jared was asleep now, curled up in his bed like nothing had happened. He hadn’t seemed afraid, hadn’t even realized the gravity of what Antoine had done. And for that, I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to carry fear because of this.But once he woke up, I knew I would have to face the reality of telling him about his father. And why it was only now that he was finding out about Antoine. “We’re not pressing charges,” I had told Elijah. But we did have to watch our backs more carefully, to stay guarded and alert all the time. And we needed to make sure never to let Jared out of our sights again. Still, we had made Antoine promise never to pull something like this again. Not that his word meant much. I didn’t trust him, and I knew Elijah didn’t either. This wasn’t over. Not really.Phoebe sat beside me,
Sophia’s POVElijah and I sprinted through the mall, dodging past confused shoppers and security personnel as the urgency of the moment drove us forward. My heart pounded in my ears, my breaths coming fast and shallow.“We need to check the parking lot exits,” Elijah said, his voice tight with controlled fury. “If Antoine took Jared, he won’t risk staying here much longer.”Elijah nodded, pulling out his phone and dialing Joe. The moment Joe answered, Elijah got straight to the point. “Antoine’s here. He took Jared. We need to know if he has a car registered in his name or any known places he might go.”I looked at Elijah in anticipation. He nodded then ended the call. "He said he'll get back to us soon."My eyes darted around the busy corridor, searching for any sign of our son.Jared, my sweet boy. Where are you?Phoebe ran alongside me, her face streaked with tears. “He must’ve followed us,” she choked out. “I swear, I didn’t think— I mean, I saw someone watching, but I wasn’t sure
Sophia’s POVI pushed through the crowded mall, my heart hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. The world around me blurred into a haze of faces and voices, none of them the one I was searching for. Oh, god, Jared. Please be okay.My mind screamed his name with every step I took, my hands trembling as I grabbed Phoebe’s arm, trying to keep both of us steady.“He has to be here,” Phoebe said, her voice shaking as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. “He has to be here somewhere.”I wanted to believe her. I had to believe her. But the sheer panic clawing at my throat made it hard to hold on to hope. Jared wasn’t just missing—he seemed to have vanished into thin air. And the longer he was gone, the worse the possibilities became.“Elijah’s talking to security,” I said, scanning every store, every passerby, searching for even a glimpse of him. “They’re checking the cameras. We just have to keep looking.”Phoebe nodded frantically, but guilt was etched into every
Elijah’s POVAcross from me, I gazed lovingly at my wife. Sophia looked beautiful, her hair framing her face perfectly as she sipped her wine. For a moment, I let myself pretend that this was just a regular dinner date, that everything was normal.But it wasn’t.“The food’s amazing,” I said, taking another bite of my steak. “You picked a great place.”Sophia smiled faintly, but the crease between her brows betrayed the worry she was trying to hide. “I’m glad you like it,” she said softly. Her fork hovered over her plate for a moment before she set it down. “Elijah… do you think Chris and Emily are okay?”I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. “They’ll be fine,” I said firmly, though the weight in my chest made me doubt my own words. “The mob’s on its last legs. Even if there are survivors, they’re scattered and in no position to orchestrate anything.”She nodded, but her eyes didn’t meet mine. “I can’t help but worry. What if… what if some of them intercepted Chris and E