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
Elijah’s POVI felt like a tidal wave was crashing over me as I stood there in utter shock, watching the chaos unfold in front of me. I just can’t believe it. Julia, my supposed future wife and childhood best friend, was being accused of unimaginable things—kidnapping, attempted murder. The words hung in the air, heavy and surreal. It couldn't be true, could it?But as each accusation hit me, a nagging feeling grew stronger. It was as if pieces of a puzzle I had been blind to were suddenly falling into place. The evidence and the accusations all pointed to Julia. The woman I’d tried to protect and take care of, the woman I was about to marry, was the real culprit behind everything that had caused us so much pain and suffering. It felt like a movie playing out in slow motion, scenes of our time together flashing before my eyes, now tinted with suspicion. How had I missed the signs? Those little details, the doubts that I had brushed aside—now they seemed glaringly obvious.“She's fak
Serena’s POVI wanted to burst out laughing. It’s even better than I pictured it!With great satisfaction, I watched Julia being dragged away by the police officers, her makeup all ruined and her disheveled hair sticking out in all directions. Being in her wedding gown as she screamed insanely only made it funnier and more gratifying for me. Oh, Julia. Finally! Sweet revenge!I glanced at Elijah, who was staring at Julia with intense disgust and anger. Disappointment shone in his eyes too. Julia pleaded with him to believe her, but he’d finally woken up to the truth. “Fantastic,” I murmured under my breath, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Suddenly, Julia and the officers passed right in front of me. I took advantage of this opportunity, of course! “Hey, Julia! It’s good to see you again after such a long time!” I called out, sneering at her and then waving my fingers in a mocking gesture. “Enjoy prison! It’s your turn now, and surely you will never be able to get out!”
Sophia’s POVThe garden was almost deserted now. All the guests had gone home after yet another failed wedding ceremony. Evelyn, tired and stressed, clung to me as George hurried off to fetch some food for her. I stroked Evelyn's hair, soothing her into a sleepy calm.I looked around and saw Elijah speaking with Connor. Meanwhile, my best friend Kayla appeared like a beacon of comfort amid the quiet after the storm. Her arms wrapped around me in a tight hug, her warmth and concern a balm to my soul.“Hey,” she murmured softly, “everything’s going to be alright, Soph.”I nodded against her shoulder, grateful for her steadfast support. Just as I began to relax into Kayla's embrace, Serena approached. Kayla stiffened beside me, her trust in Serena still tentative.“Sophia, can we talk privately for a moment?” Serena's tone was earnest, her eyes searching mine.Kayla's gaze flickered between us, a silent plea for caution. Despite our tumultuous history, I felt an unexpected calm settle o
Elijah’s POVThree days had passed since my second failed wedding. I hadn't slept well, barely ate, and work seemed like a distant obligation. My mind kept replaying the revelations and what it all meant. I couldn't bring myself to contact Sophia yet; there were too many emotions to sort through first.What’s more, Julia's face kept appearing in my thoughts, amid the chaos. Memories, good and bad, tugged at my heart. If I can just talk to her, really talk, maybe she'll open up. Maybe she'll confess and let me help her heal, turn her life around.Eventually, I found myself driving to the police station where Julia was being held. Soon she sat across from me with a stubborn expression on her face. Though she was restrained, she remained defiant.“Why, Julia?” I asked in a sad, strained voice. “Why hurt so many people? Why lie? Why deceive us all?”Julia met my gaze without blinking. “I didn't do what they say,” she replied firmly, her eyes locked on mine. “Believe what you want, but I’
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