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.
Julia’s POVAs the accusations flew, the tension in the garden grew thick. Serena’s voice swished through the air, followed by Sophia and Adrian chiming in, their faces contorted with anger. This was supposed to be my day, my wedding, and here they were, dragging my name through the mud. I wanted to scream. I could feel the eyes of the guests puncturing into me, the whispers starting to spread through the crowd. My heart raced, but I forced my face into an expression of shock and hurt, tears welling up at the corners of my eyes.“Why is this happening to me?” I cried, my voice breaking. “I haven’t done any of these things! How can you accuse me of such horrible actions?”I turned to Elijah, my hands clutching his arm desperately. “Elijah, you have to believe me. I’m innocent.”Elijah’s eyes were filled with confusion, torn between the love he thought he had for me and the weight of the accusations.The Bakers, who had welcomed me as Sabrina, looked on, stunned and helpless. I though