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
Sophia’s POVI checked my reflection in the mirror, feeling giddy with excitement. Yet I felt on edge at the same time. It had been ages since I'd dressed up like this. The deep emerald gown hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my curves and making my green eyes pop. Tonight was the gala night for the conference, and I wanted to make a good impression.A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I walked over, my heart racing a little faster than usual. When I opened the door, my breath caught in my throat. There stood Elijah, looking as handsome and dashing as ever in his perfectly tailored suit. His eyes widened as he took in my appearance, and I could see genuine admiration in his gaze.“Sophia,” he blurted out, his voice full of awe. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, suddenly self-conscious under his intense stare. “Thank you, Elijah,” I replied softly, trying to calm my racing heart.For a moment, we just stood there, taking in the sight of
Sophia’s POVI stirred my tea latte absentmindedly, watching the foam swirl into intricate patterns. The coffee shop was pretty busy, but I hardly noticed it. I was too lost in my own dreamy world. Kayla sat across from me, sipping her cappuccino and eyeing me curiously. “So, how was the design and architecture conference?” Kayla asked, leaning in with genuine interest.“It was amazing,” I said with a huge smile, my enthusiasm shining through. “I learned so much and can't wait to apply some of the techniques at work. The speakers were incredibly inspiring.”Kayla nodded, a hint of regret in her eyes. “I was supposed to go too, but there were so many things I needed to attend to at Raven Media. I couldn't get away.”“That's a shame,” I replied, taking a sip of my drink. “You would have loved it.”Kayla studied me for a moment, a playful smirk forming on her lips. “You seem... different. Happier, maybe? There's something about you today, like you're glowing or radiating.”I felt a war
Elijah’s POVWalking into Raven Media with Sophia, I felt very determined to find out more. And yet, I couldn’t shake off the unease within me. The lobby was bustling, with people rushing about, clutching papers and talking into headsets. I kept my focus on the task at hand: finding out more about Henry Stanford.We made our way to Kayla's office, the anticipation building with each step. Inside, Kayla was chatting casually with a beautiful teenage girl who bore a striking resemblance to Morgana. My eyes narrowed, feeling a twinge of awkwardness. But I quickly set those feelings aside, reminding myself that this investigation was crucial. All potential leads were important.“Elijah, Sophia, this is Lila,” Kayla said, gesturing to the girl.Lila's gaze lingered on me, and I sensed a flicker of recognition. But she didn’t say anything except a polite "Hello" to both of us.“Hi, Lila,” I responded, keeping my tone friendly and professional.Kayla cleared her throat. “Lila, could you sha
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
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