Sophia’s POV“Mommy, look at that big roller coaster!” Reese squealed, her little feet bouncing off the pavement as she tugged on my hand. The balloon bobbed happily above her head, its bright colors reflecting the sunlight.“I see it, sweetie! Isn’t it amazing?” I said, smiling as I glanced over at Daniel. He was walking beside us, looking happy and content as he observed Reese’s excitement.“Yeah, I haven’t seen a roller coaster that big in ages,” Daniel said, chuckling as he adjusted his sunglasses. “I’m glad you two are having a great time.”“I really appreciate you bringing us here, Daniel,” I said, squeezing his arm gratefully. “Reese is having the time of her life.”“No problem at all,” Daniel replied with a warm grin. “It’s been a while since I had a chance to hang out like this. I’m glad I could be part of it.”The amusement park stretched out before us, showing off a vibrant tapestry of colorful stalls, thrilling rides, and cheerful crowds. Brightly lit attractions towered a
Elijah’s POV“Sophia? Are you here?” I called out after the nanny had let me in, but Sophia’s apartment remained silent. “Ahh she stepped out for a while, Mr. Sinclair,” the nanny told me. “She needed to do some errands.”I felt disappointed, but nonetheless, it was understandable. I had not informed her that I was coming. I just wanted to see them before I left the country. Just then, I heard a cheerful squeal from the other room. “Daddy!” Reese burst into the living room, her face lighting up as she ran toward me. Her small arms wrapped around my legs, and I bent down to scoop her up.“Hey, kiddo,” I said, holding her close. Her laughter was a welcome break from my otherwise rough day.Reese’s eyes twinkled as she wriggled free and started showing me her toys. “Guess what? Mommy and Uncle Daniel took me to the amusement park yesterday! We had so much fun. Uncle Daniel made the best cotton candy!”I forced a smile, though inside, a tight knot of unease was forming. “That sounds lik
Elijah’s POV“I didn’t expect to see this place again,” I murmured, my eyes tracing the grandeur of the Goldwell Institute of Art’s signage. The familiar letters seemed to mock me with their presence, a bittersweet reminder of the past.I had checked into my hotel a few hours earlier, barely pausing to rest before I found myself wandering through the Goldwell Business School campus.The investigators had mentioned Henry was here once, and now that I was here, I couldn’t help but notice the nostalgia stirring within me. This was the same campus where Daniel had once walked with Sophia, a place so intertwined with our shared history.After checking some records and interviewing a few of Henry’s former professors, I still hadn’t gathered any significant information. As I walked further, the path led me to the Institute of Art. My heart ached with an odd mix of sadness, pride, and joy. I remembered Sophia’s determination when she came here to study, pregnant and alone, after our divorce.
Sophia’s POVI glanced at my watch, realizing it was almost time for my meeting with Trevis. With a deep breath, I gathered my designs for Daniel's project and headed toward his office. Knocking softly on the door, I waited for his voice to invite me in.“Come in,” Trevis called out, his tone warm and welcoming.Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and walked over to his desk, spreading out my designs. “Trevis, I have the latest designs for Daniel's project. I wanted to show them to you first.”Trevis leaned forward, adjusting his glasses as he carefully examined each page. A smile slowly spread across his face. “Sophia, these are incredible. Truly, this is some of your best work so far.”I felt a wave of relief and pride wash over me. “Thank you, Trevis. That means a lot.”He continued to admire the designs, shaking his head in disbelief. “You've really come a long way. I'm proud of you.”My heart swelled with gratitude. “I couldn't have done it without your guidance and support.”
Sophia’s POVDaniel pulled up in front of the small, cozy coffee shop. I could see the soft glow of the interior lights through the windows, making the place look inviting despite the tension building inside me. He turned off the engine and looked at me, concern etched across his face.“Are you sure you don't want me to stay for support?” Daniel asked, his voice gentle yet firm.I managed a small smile, trying to reassure him. "You've already done more than enough, Daniel. I'm not afraid of Morgana."He reached out and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You don't have to do this, you know. You have the right to say no to her and never see her again. She's not your mother-in-law anymore.”I sighed, glancing at the coffee shop's entrance. “Yes, but I'm also curious about what she has to say after all the drama that's happened.” I looked back at him, my expression more determined. “I'll be fine. I'm braver and stronger now.” I said the last words jokingly, but Daniel still l
Sophia’s POVI walked into Raven Media the next day, eager to talk to my best friend. The creative department office was just as vibrant as I remembered, the walls lined with artwork and the air filled with creative energy. Kayla spotted me the moment I walked in and waved enthusiastically.“Sophia! Over here!” she called out, her voice cutting through the clamor of the office.I made my way to her private space, where she greeted me with a warm hug and closed the door so we could have some privacy. “Hey, Kayla. You won’t believe the meeting I had yesterday.”“Oh, spill it! What happened?” Kayla’s eyes were wide with curiosity.“I met with Morgana yesterday. She asked to meet me just to tell me not to mess with her daughter!”“What?” Kayla exclaimed in shock. “What was she talking about?” I took a deep breath and plunged on. “Her daughter’s name is Lila and you’ve supposedly met her already? Do you know her?”Kayla gasped. “Oh, no freaking way! Lila can’t be her daughter!” She stood
Sophia’s POVI couldn’t help but laugh softly at the dynamic between them. “Okay, enough about that already. I think we have to stop considering what Morgana or Anderson or even Elijah wants. This is Lila’s life after all. And it’s Kayla’s company. So there.”Connor chuckled and threw his hands up. “Alright, alright, I give up. You’ve convinced me. I’m officially out of this debate.”Kayla smirked triumphantly, then leaned back in her chair. “Thanks, Sophia. It’s good to know I’ve got your support.”Suddenly, I decided to switch gears. “Speaking of Elijah, what has he been up to lately?” I tried to sound casual, but I could feel my curiosity creeping in.Kayla’s eyebrow shot up, a knowing look flashing across her face. I ignored it, more focused on the fact that Elijah hadn’t been in touch with me as much recently. Reese had mentioned a few days ago that Elijah had dropped by the apartment, but since then, I hadn’t heard a peep from him.Connor leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful e
Sophia’s POVWe rushed to the car, and Connor drove swiftly through the streets. My thoughts were a jumbled mess of fear and worry. I could barely breathe, the panic constricting my chest.When we arrived at the school, I ran straight to the office, my voice urgent. “I need to speak to whoever’s in charge. My daughter is missing.”The principal, a stern-looking woman, came out to meet us. “We’re doing everything we can,” she assured us. “We’ve checked all the security footage and asked all the teachers and staff. No one has seen her leave the premises.”Kayla and Connor fanned out, speaking with the teachers and parents who were still lingering around. The responses were disheartening—no one had seen Reese leave or noticed anything out of the ordinary.“We’re going to drive around the neighborhood,” Kayla said, her voice filled with determination. “Maybe someone saw something.”We all piled into the car, driving slowly through the area, scanning every corner. My eyes were blurred with
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