Sophia’s POV“Hey, sweetie,” I said, trying to sound jolly despite the blaze of emotions inside me. I forced a smile, my heart aching as I saw Reese standing in the doorway, her small face a mixture of fear and confusion. I quickly moved to her side and wrapped her in a comforting hug. “Daddy and Uncle Elijah are just really excited about an action movie they watched. They’re acting out some of their favorite scenes, and they got a little carried away.”Reese looked up at me, her wide eyes not fully convinced. Her gaze shifted back to Elijah and Daniel, and I could tell she was still unsure about the situation. I squeezed her a little tighter, willing her to feel safe despite everything. Elijah approached and gently pulled Reese into a hug. “Hey, pumpkin,” he said softly, his voice warm and filled with genuine affection. “I missed you.”I let him hold her, seeing the happiness in her eyes as she clung to her daddy. It was hard not to let my emotions show as I watched the brief, tend
Elijah’s POVI was in the middle of reviewing some proposals with Trevis at the Urban Next office when the door swung open, and Sophia walked in. She looked shaken but was trying to put on a brave face. Her usual calm demeanor was replaced with a slight tremor in her hands and a forced smile.“Hey, Elijah. Hi, Trevis,” she greeted us, her voice slightly wavering.“Hi, Sophia,” Trevis responded, barely glancing up from his laptop. I, on the other hand, couldn't tear my eyes away from her. Something was definitely off.“Everything okay, Sophia?” I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.“Yeah, just a busy morning,” she replied quickly, but her eyes betrayed her.I decided not to press further in front of Trevis. “Alright, well, if you need anything, you know where to find us.”She nodded and hurried off to her office. I watched her retreating figure, my concern growing with every step she took.“Trevis, I'll be right back,” I said, standing up.“Sure thing,” he muttered, still engrossed
Elijah’s POVAs we sat in that cafe which was barely illuminated, we began to feel the situation’s intensity heightening. Troy’s plan to bribe Henry’s men felt like a desperate move. But more than that, I felt like he could just be fooling us again. “Are you sure about this?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at Troy.He nodded, looking more resolute than I’d ever seen him. “It’s our best shot. Trust me.”Just as we were about to delve deeper into the plan, Troy’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and went pale. “It’s my mother,” he said, answering the call. “Mother?”I could hear her frantic, terrified voice on the other end. “Troy! Help me, come quick!”His face drained of color, and he stood up abruptly. “We need to go. Now.”Sophia and I exchanged a quick, concerned glance, then followed Troy out of the café. We drove as fast as we could to his house, my thoughts spinning with all the worst-case scenarios.When we arrived, Brenda was sitting on the front steps, clutching the side of
Henry’s POVI watched the gentle sway of the yacht from where I sat inside, the faint creak of the vessel almost soothing against my frazzled nerves. The only light in the small cabin came from the smoldering end of my cigarette, the embers casting a dull orange glow that danced across the wooden walls.My fingers drummed restlessly against the polished mahogany table, the rhythmic taps barely masking the anxiety that gnawed at my insides.“Julia, I'm so sorry,” I whispered into the void, my voice barely audible over the lapping waves outside. “I can’t be with you now, but I have to plan this well so we can both be free.”I drew in a deep breath, the smoke filling my lungs as if it might somehow clear away the weight of the situation. I knew every day that passed without being able to help her made it harder. The walls of this yacht felt like a cage of their own, despite its opulence. The comfort of the surroundings did little to ease the turmoil inside me.Just as I was about to tak
Henry’s POVI closed my eyes, trying to push away the haze of my current predicament, as I recalled various incidents in my childhood when I had to protect Julia. In my mind, I could picture the house where we both grew up. Julia was only eight years old then, a tiny figure dwarfed by the expanse of our family’s opulent home. I remembered walking into the living room just as she stood frozen beside the shards of a broken vase.The vase, an heirloom of sorts, lay in jagged pieces on the marble floor. The room was eerily silent, save for the ticking of the grandfather clock.Our mother’s footsteps echoed from the hallway, each step growing louder, more menacing. I could hear the tension in her stride, the anger crackling like static in the air. Julia’s face was a mask of fear, her small hands trembling as she tried to gather the pieces, each fragment a reminder of her mistake. I knew the punishment would be harsh, and my heart ached at the thought of her suffering.I stepped forward, u
Elijah’s POVI froze as Sophia’s scream pierced the afternoon heat, blending with the thundering sound of a gunshot. The shot missed Sophia but struck the window, causing the glass to explode into a shower of shards. “Sophia! No!” I yelled as I sprang into action, yanking Sophia to safety upon seeing the gun leveled at her, readying for another shot.Inside, chaos erupted as more heads turned. I could hear the sound of shouting voices and scurrying footsteps. “Run!” I shouted, grabbing Sophia and leading her away from the building. She stumbled but managed to keep up as we sprinted down the overgrown path. The sound of gunshots echoed behind us, sharp and jarring. Branches clawed at our clothes as we tore through the underbrush. I glanced back to see flashes of gunfire streaking through the dense foliage, and my pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed at me to keep moving, to get us out of there before we became sure targets.As we neared the car, a man suddenly emerged from behi
Daniel’s POVI hadn't slept well the past few nights. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of Sophia's face, tinged with that faint sadness, kept appearing in my head. The text she sent—"It's fine, just busy lately"—felt like a dismissal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had messed things up beyond repair. It had been three days since our encounter at her place, and I was desperate to make things right.Today, I was at the development site, pacing around the place as if that would make time pass faster. We’re supposed to have a meeting here today, and I really hope she shows up and things get back to normal between us. When Sophia finally walked through the gate, my heart skipped a beat. Her presence triggered an electric charge inside me. I tried to calm my nerves, but seeing her standing there, with her hair falling perfectly over her shoulders and that confident stride of hers, made it hard to concentrate.“Hi, Daniel,” she said, offering a polite but reserved smile.“H
Sophia’s POVI felt like I was on top of the world as I walked through the swanky hotel, my eyes ogling at the sleek presentation boards and interactive displays sprinkled all over the main function hall. Being part of the International Architecture and Design Conference in New York was certainly a dream come true for me!Everywhere I looked, the room was bustling with innovative ideas and creative energy from professionals all over the world.I eagerly mingled with other attendees, soaking in the wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives. Each session offered something new, and I found myself inspired by the groundbreaking projects and cutting-edge techniques being discussed.It’s a shame Trevis couldn’t make it at the last minute, I thought sadly. He would have loved everything here! I do hope he feels better soon. During one of the sessions, a coordinator unexpectedly approached me with a request that both flattered and unnerved me. “Ms. Sophia Bennett? One of our panelists can't
Emily’s POVI barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Jared’s voice again—calling for Sophia instead of me. It shouldn’t have hurt this much. But it did.I stared at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing on me, but my mind refused to rest. It kept replaying the moment at the park—Jared’s hesitation, his little hands reaching for Sophia instead of me. I told myself I understood. He didn’t know me. But understanding it didn’t make it hurt any less.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, my sister Phoebe peeked in, holding two steaming mugs of coffee.“Morning,” she said gently, stepping inside and handing me a cup.I pushed myself up against the headboard, taking the mug with shaky hands. “Thanks.”She sat beside me, studying my face. “You didn’t sleep, did you?”I shook my head, staring into the dark liquid. “Not really.”Phoebe sighed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you yesterday. Work was crazy, and I couldn’t get out of it.”I looked at her
Sophia’s POV"Mom! Look at the rabbits!" Reese’s excited voice rang out as she dashed ahead, her little sister Roxy giggling as she tried to keep up. Jared wasn’t far behind, his laughter ringing through the air. I smiled, watching my children run toward the petting zoo, their energy contagious.Beside me, Emily tensed.I glanced at her, noticing how her shoulders tightened, how her eyes darted around like she was scanning for threats. She was supposed to be enjoying this—a simple afternoon in the botanical garden, surrounded by friends, fresh air, and laughter. It was the perfect opportunity for Emily to bond with Jared, without him feeling nervous or out of place. But years of running, hiding, and surviving had wired her differently.She wasn’t relaxed. She seemed to be waiting for something to go wrong. And I really couldn’t blame her. I reached for her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “You’re safe here,” I murmured.Emily forced a small smile, nodding, but her fingers still trem
Sophia’s POVThe warmth of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a scent that felt so familiar, so comforting, that for a moment, it was easy to forget all the fear and uncertainty of the past few days.My mother bustled around the kitchen, setting out plates and pouring tea, determined to make this a small celebration, in spite of her still being a bit rattled. But more than anything, I could see that she was very, very happy. Emily and Chris had showered and changed, looking far better than they had when I first walked in. The exhaustion was still there, written in the lines of their faces, but they were standing tall, present, and—most importantly—home.Elijah arrived shortly after, his presence filling the room with steady reassurance. When he saw Chris, he didn’t hesitate, pulling him into a tight embrace. They had been best friends since childhood, and after everything Chris had been through, I could see the relief in Elijah’s eyes. He held onto Emily for a moment, too, murmuri
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I gripped the phone tighter. "Mom? What’s wrong?"There was a moment of silence, just soft, uneven breaths on the other end of the line. My stomach twisted painfully. "Mom, talk to me!""S-Sophia…" her voice cracked, and I felt my chest constrict. "They’re here."I blinked, my mind struggling to keep up. "Who’s here?""Chris and Emily. They’re home."I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. For a second, I couldn't move, couldn't think. My pulse raced as my mind fought to process what she had just said.Chris and Emily are back.My grip on the phone loosened, my knees nearly buckling from the sudden rush of emotions. Relief, disbelief, overwhelming gratitude."Oh my God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. "Are they okay?""I… I don’t know," my mother admitted, still sounding shaken. "They haven’t said much. But you need to come quick."I didn’t hesitate. "I’ll be right there."As I ended the call, I turned to see Elijah watching me,
Sophia’s POVThe kitchen was quiet except for the faint sizzle of eggs in the pan. It was still very early in the morning, and I could see the sun rising through the window. Normally, I would have stopped to admire the view. But my mind was still preoccupied with a lot of chaotic things. I had barely slept.Everything Lucas had told me last night still lingered in my mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions and uneasy truths. Hugo Tournier. He had been part of my family's past all along, a ghost lurking in the shadows, and now he was back. It settled over me like a heavy fog, impossible to shake.But as much as my thoughts circled around Hugo, it was Elijah’s reaction that unsettled me more. The way he had looked at me. The sharpness in his voice when he told me I didn’t need to talk to Lucas anymore, that Joe would handle the investigation.He hadn’t accused me outright, but I could feel the tension beneath his words. The distance. Lucas was a sensitive issue between us—alwa
Sophia’s POVLucas stood in front of me, his face partially shadowed by the porch light, his eyes unreadable but filled with something that made my stomach twist—regret, sorrow, maybe even guilt.“I don’t even know where to start,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair.I crossed my arms, bracing myself. “Just tell me what you found.”He exhaled sharply, nodding. "I started looking into the records of missing children around the time you disappeared. A lot of reports were vague, but… I found something." He hesitated before continuing, his voice tight. "There was an old witness statement—a retired cop who had once suspected a man named Hugo Tournier."My breath hitched. The name. I had heard it before. Grandpa George had mentioned it when we talked about the man who might have taken me.Lucas continued, unaware of my growing realization. "The name meant nothing to me at first, but when I dug deeper, I realized it was connected to your family."My pulse quickened. “Connected how?
Emily’s POVDarkened streets stretched endlessly ahead as we sped through the city, the glow of neon signs flickering across the windshield. The sound of other cars was distant, almost muffled, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. My grip tightened on the edge of my seat, eyes darting to every shadowed alley, every figure on the sidewalk. It felt like eyes were on us—watching, waiting.Chris’s grip on the wheel was tight, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn’t said much since we got the warning. The burner phone lay silent between us, the last message still glowing on the screen:“Do not go to the docks. You are being watched.”I swallowed hard. "Who sent it?""No idea," Chris muttered. "Could be someone helping us. Could be someone luring us into another trap."My stomach twisted. "So what do we do?"He exhaled sharply, eyes darting to the rearview mirror. "We can’t risk it. If someone’s waiting for us at the docks, we won’t stand a chance. We haven't been able to reach Crimson Ve
Sophia’s POVJared was safe. That was all that mattered.We were gathered in the house, the weight of the night still pressing heavily on our shoulders. But at least Jared was asleep now, curled up in his bed like nothing had happened. He hadn’t seemed afraid, hadn’t even realized the gravity of what Antoine had done. And for that, I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to carry fear because of this.But once he woke up, I knew I would have to face the reality of telling him about his father. And why it was only now that he was finding out about Antoine. “We’re not pressing charges,” I had told Elijah. But we did have to watch our backs more carefully, to stay guarded and alert all the time. And we needed to make sure never to let Jared out of our sights again. Still, we had made Antoine promise never to pull something like this again. Not that his word meant much. I didn’t trust him, and I knew Elijah didn’t either. This wasn’t over. Not really.Phoebe sat beside me,
Sophia’s POVElijah and I sprinted through the mall, dodging past confused shoppers and security personnel as the urgency of the moment drove us forward. My heart pounded in my ears, my breaths coming fast and shallow.“We need to check the parking lot exits,” Elijah said, his voice tight with controlled fury. “If Antoine took Jared, he won’t risk staying here much longer.”Elijah nodded, pulling out his phone and dialing Joe. The moment Joe answered, Elijah got straight to the point. “Antoine’s here. He took Jared. We need to know if he has a car registered in his name or any known places he might go.”I looked at Elijah in anticipation. He nodded then ended the call. "He said he'll get back to us soon."My eyes darted around the busy corridor, searching for any sign of our son.Jared, my sweet boy. Where are you?Phoebe ran alongside me, her face streaked with tears. “He must’ve followed us,” she choked out. “I swear, I didn’t think— I mean, I saw someone watching, but I wasn’t sure