Sophia’s POVAs we approached the chateau, I couldn’t help but marvel at its grandeur. The massive stone structure was nestled in a valley surrounded by lush hills, its tall windows glinting in the waning light. This place was the epitome of elegance and luxury, far removed from the dire circumstances Daniel and I now found ourselves in.We pulled up to the entrance, and Henry and Julia stepped out of the car with a haughty, satisfied air. I followed reluctantly alongside Daniel, my heart thumping hard as I felt the cold pistol touching my back. Henry’s men had us surrounded all the time. There were a lot of them, and there was no way we could escape this. Inside, the chateau was even more impressive. High ceilings embellished with chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and richly furnished rooms greeted us at every turn. The floors were made of polished marble, and the walls were decorated with intricate tapestries and paintings.Julia’s eyes twinkled with delight as she looked around. “
Elijah’s POVI disembarked from the plane, my heart pounding with urgency and frustration. The Paris airport pulsed with its usual activity, but for me, it felt like a chaotic maze. I was determined to find Sophia, no matter the cost. When I noticed a group of security officers and police officials, I quickly headed over there and introduced myself. “Mr. Sinclair?” the officer asked, his accent thick with French inflections.“Yes, that’s me,” I replied sharply. “I need to speak with the head investigator in charge of the search.”The officer nodded and led me to a small office just off the main terminal. Inside, a tall man with a well-tailored suit and a sharp gaze sat behind a desk cluttered with maps and reports.“Mr. Sinclair, I’m Inspector Laurent,” he said, extending a hand. His tone was calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of frustration.“Inspector Laurent, I need to know what you’ve found,” I said, barely managing to keep my composure. “Have you seen any sign of Henry, Julia,
Elijah’s POVJoe led me to a sleek helicopter waiting on the tarmac, its rotors already spinning. The cold wind whipped around us, blowing on our faces. As we climbed aboard, I couldn’t help but feel the adrenaline rushing through me.Joe settled into the pilot’s seat, his movements precise and practiced. I took a seat beside him as I thought about the implications of the photos and Daniel’s betrayal. Joe handed me a tablet displaying a map with various locations marked in red.“These are potential locations where Henry and Julia could have gone,” Joe said, pointing to the screen. “We’ve got several leads: remote airstrips, private estates, and even a few places where we suspect they might try to lay low.”I scanned the map quickly. “Any particular locations that stand out?”Joe nodded, tapping a few points on the map. “There’s a secluded villa in the south of France that’s been known to host high-profile individuals under the radar. Another is a private airstrip in the countryside. A
Julia’s POVI stepped onto the balcony, feeling the cool, crisp breeze brush against my skin. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the ocean, the sky, and the distant mountains. I threw my arms out wide, letting out a scream of pure, unadulterated joy. “I’m free!” I shouted, my voice echoing against the stone walls of the chateau. “I’m finally free!”I had almost lost hope. There were moments when the darkness seemed impenetrable, when escape felt impossible. But here I was, at the top of the world, reveling in the freedom Henry and I had fought so hard to reclaim. I twirled around with my eyes closed, feeling a sense of exhilaration course through me.Henry soon joined me, his presence as reassuring as ever. I ran to him, throwing my arms around him in a tight embrace. “You’re the best, Henry. You’ve always had my back, even when things seemed impossible.”He laughed, a twinkle in his eye that made my heart skip a beat. “Of course, Jules. I’ve always been her
Henry’s POVI stood at the edge of the docks that afternoon, gazing at the rippling water. As the cry of seagulls sounded in the distance, my thoughts shifted back to the memories I thought I had buried. Julia was a small figure in the distance, her laughter carried by the breeze. She looked so carefree, almost like the girl I used to know, the one who would drag me to the beach or up to the mountains to forget our troubles, even if just for a little while.I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her. Those were simpler times, times when we thought our problems could be left behind with a change of scenery. Now, everything was different. Complicated.“Mr. Stanford,” a voice called from behind me, breaking my reverie.I turned to see Marco approaching, looking so concerned but sounding frustrated. He was always so loyal, so dependable. It was why I kept him close.“What is it, Marco?” I asked. “We couldn't stop Elijah,” Marco said, his tone forbidding. “He's reached France.”I clen
Sophia’s POVThe room was dimly lit by a small window high on the wall, barely allowing any sunlight to filter through. It was a slight improvement from the previous room—more spacious, less suffocating—but the damp cold still seeped into my bones. The walls were clammy and smelled of mold, and the flickering light from a single bulb cast eerie shadows that seemed to move on their own.I shivered uncontrollably, wrapping my arms around myself in a futile attempt to stay warm. At least they had fed me, but now my throat was parched from thirst again. I had no idea how long I’d been here now. I leaned against the wall, staring at the small window. If only I could reach it, maybe I could signal for help. But it was too high, and I was not strong or agile enough. The faint light coming through was a cruel tease, offering a glimpse of freedom that was just out of reach.Quickly I looked around. There was nothing I could use to push myself up. Not even a chair or anything else I could step
Daniel’s POVI pounded on the door, my fists sore and my frustration mounting with each blow. My throat was parched, and my stomach growled with hunger, but my mind was fixated on one thing—Sophia. Hours had passed since they’d taken her out of the room, and with each minute that ticked by, my anxiety grew. “Hey! Let me out! Where’s Sophia? What have you done with her?” I roared, my voice cracking with desperation. I pounded again, my fists hurting from the impact on the metal door. But I didn’t stop. The silence that followed was maddening. It was probably night now, and the realization only added to my distress. I leaned my forehead against the door, my breath uneven and ragged. “Please,” I pleaded loudly. “Someone answer me please! Just tell me she’s okay. I need to know she’s okay.”The door creaked open suddenly, and I stumbled back, squinting against the harsh light that spilled into the dim room. Two of Henry’s men stood there, guns slung casually at their sides. The sight of
Elijah’s POVI splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would knock me into clarity. The hotel room was hardly illuminated by the morning light filtering through the thin curtains. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes bloodshot and my stubble unshaven. Two days of relentless searching and sleepless nights had left their mark.My phone buzzed on the counter, and I grabbed it, noting the missed call from Connor. I dialed him back immediately.“Elijah,” Connor's voice crackled through the speaker with exhaustion. “Any updates on your end?”“Nothing concrete,” I replied, rubbing my eyes. “We've been combing through every possible lead, but it feels like we're hitting dead ends everywhere. The authorities are coming up empty too.”“We’re facing the same problem in Iceland,” Connor informed me with disappointment and worry. “No one’s seen or heard anything. It’s like they vanished off the face of the Earth.”“We need to step up our efforts. I can’t keep sitting around. I’m head