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 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