Elijah’s POVThe rain had finally let up as I left the Goldwell Business School, the sky a gloomy canvas of gray. I slipped the list of contact numbers Peter had given me into my jacket pocket, my thoughts a tangled mess. Peter was a professor there now, but he used to be a close friend of Henry during their university days. “Henry’s very intelligent and responsible,” he’d told me. “He simply breezed through school without having to work that hard. However, he did tend to mix with the wrong crowds.” When I’d asked him to explain further, he told me he didn’t know the details and it would be better if I called Henry’s other friends. All of them basically said the same things. But one of them mentioned that Henry had been suspended for beating up a guy who was dating his sister Julia.“He’s very protective of her,” the friend told me. “They’re quite close, but kinda opposites. Julia’s very friendly and outgoing.”On my way to Henry’s former workplace where I learned he’d stayed the lo
Elijah’s POVOver the past few days, I was able to speak to more of Henry’s college professors and friends, as well as some more former colleagues and bosses. I also had the chance to chat with former employees in his companies. Their stories painted a complex picture of a man driven by massive ambition, willing to do anything and everything to get to the top. I even had a chance to meet with the police investigators who had handled Henry's case before. They informed me that they planned to form a new team to resume the investigation and catch him once and for all. Thank God for that. At least the authorities here will also be looking for him, along with those back home. Maybe we’ll have some answers soon. But today, there was another very important task on my schedule — I intended to talk to Henry and Julia’s parents. And pretty soon, I was driving to the Stanford family estate in Meaux. It was a long drive, but the French countryside was serene and lovely. As I approached the gr
Elijah’s POVI had barely unpacked my bags when I dialed Connor’s number, eager to push the new leads from France into action. The call connected, and his voice came through, upbeat and professional.“Mr. Sinclair! I heard you’re back. Congratulations on the new information. It was a fruitful investigation, wasn’t it?”“Yes, it was,” I said, my voice betraying none of the urgency I felt. “I need you to forward everything I emailed you to the police and the private investigators. Make sure they follow up on it right away.”“Consider it done,” Connor replied. “So, what’s next for you? Any more globe-trotting?”I hesitated. “I’ve got something urgent to attend to back home. I can’t go into details, but it’s important.”“Alright, just let me know if you need anything else. And once again, congrats.”“Yeah, thanks, Connor. Talk soon.”I hung up and glanced around my office, the familiar space now seeming oddly distant. My thoughts were already on Sophia. I needed to find her, but she wasn’
Daniel’s POV“So,” I began that afternoon as Sophia and I munched on the cookies I’d brought to her apartment, “we need to make another site visit soon. There are a few changes that my engineer and architect want to go over.”Sophia looked up from the kettle, her eyes brightening with interest. “Really? That sounds good. When were you thinking?”“How about later this week?” I suggested, eager to spend more time with her while we worked on the project. “We can go through the changes and see how it all fits together.”She nodded eagerly as she poured hot chocolate for both of us. “I’d love that. I actually talked to Kayla about the project earlier today when we went shopping. She’s really excited about it, too.”“Oh, that’s great to hear!” I replied, genuinely pleased. “What did she think of the design?”Sophia’s smile widened. “She loved it. She even gave me a few suggestions that I think will work well. I’ll bring them up with the engineer and architect, too.”“Perfect. Thanks so much
Elijah’s POVThe jarring blare of my alarm clock jolted me awake, dragging me out of a restless sleep that had been plagued with thoughts of Sophia and Daniel. Oh, damn. I stared up at the ceiling, trying to soothe my troubled mind — to no avail. The image of them hugging, the way they seemed so close, replayed in my head like a bad loop. I had left the apartment abruptly, feeling an uncomfortable weight in my chest that deeply burdened me. I hate this. Why can’t I get that picture out of my head?!I rubbed my eyes, trying to banish the memory. It wasn’t like me to not fight for something I yearned for. But the last thing I wanted was to give Sophia another reason to be upset with me. At home, I tossed and turned in bed, the events of the past few days swirling in my mind. The information I’d gathered about Julia and Henry in France just added to the chaos of my thoughts. Sleep had been elusive, and by morning, I dragged myself out of bed feeling like a zombie.I arrived at my off
Elijah’s POVThe sports bar thrummed with energy, and the familiar sounds seemed to distract me for a little bit. On the screens, a soccer game played, the commentators' excited voices and the crowd's roars adding to the thrilling atmosphere. “Let’s go check out Elijah’s date, guys!” Chris said cheerfully, massaging my shoulders in a teasing way. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering if he was actually serious. Trevis just kept laughing the entire time. Soon we occupied our usual corner booth, a spot that had witnessed countless laughs and late-night debates over the years. Trevis then motioned for the waiter to get our orders. “One beautiful date for my buddy here, please!” he jokingly said. “Make sure she’s a hot, talented, successful designer!”Chris burst out laughing, and I threw the table napkin at Trevis, making us all laugh. Inside, I felt quite relieved. I certainly wasn’t in the mood for any “date”. Later on, I took a sip of my beer, savoring the cold, crisp taste. Chris l
Elijah’s POVI slouched back in my chair, feeling the warmth of the whiskey spread through my veins, a pleasant haze blurring the edges of the sports bar. Trevis and Chris were deep in a heated discussion about some football game, their laughter loud and infectious.I joined in, tossing my two cents in now and then, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. It had been a great evening, filled with camaraderie and the kind of easy conversation that flowed effortlessly between old friends.The only downside was that I’d had one too many drinks. I wasn’t in any shape to drive, and neither were Trevis or Chris. “Guys, I think it’s time to call it a night,” I said, trying to suppress a hiccup.Chris grinned, raising his glass. “Agreed, but who’s driving?”I shook my head. “No one here. I’ll call Connor. He owes me one.”After a quick call, Connor agreed to pick me up. Trevis and Chris hailed cabs, slapping me on the back and making me promise to do this again soon. I watched them go, feel
Sophia’s POVI didn’t know what to say, how to react. It was shocking, to say the least. I felt my mind spinning, like a reel of old film flashing scenes from our past. I saw us meeting for the first time, the initial spark and the whirlwind of emotions that followed.I remembered him marrying me because he got me pregnant. But then, I had a miscarriage, and he began ignoring me afterwards. I thought of the time since then, how he’d drifted out of my life and how I had tried to move on.It felt like his confession had just hit me with a sudden, jarring impact. I had waited so long for him to say it, to hear him declare his love. But why am I not ecstatic, jumping up and down? Why do I just feel confused and anxious? Did I still love him? It had been so long since I’d let myself think about that possibility. I had resigned myself to moving on, and though I knew I still cared for him, I wasn’t sure if what I felt could still be considered love. The air between us felt charged, and I
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