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
Elijah’s POVI sat beside Joe in the helicopter, almost breathless amidst my mounting anxiety. “What the hell happened?” Joe asked. Quickly, I recounted about the strange man trying to kill me in the elevator. “Surely it was one of Henry’s men.”“You have to be careful, Elijah. Maybe they’re doing this because they know we’re getting closer.”“You’re right,” I agreed. I had already called the police and told Kayla to get out of my hotel room, as she might become a target too. I needed to transfer somewhere else for the moment. “What the heck are we missing here?” Joe muttered as his attention went back to the emailed records from his contacts. Despite our efforts, there was no trace of the elusive chateau on an island.“Nothing in these records points to any chateau,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “I’m getting really worried here. What if we’re skipping something crucial?”Joe glanced over at me, his face lined with concern. “I know it’s frustrating. I’ve got more people working on it, b
Elijah’s POVThe small boat cut silently through the dark waters, its loud engine seeming like a whisper against the backdrop of the crashing waves. I guided it carefully to the shore of Montbriant Island, the dense, moonlit forest coming into view in the distance. It was just past three hours after midnight, and I hoped the darkness would work in my favor.I pulled the boat up onto the beach and quickly disembarked, careful not to make any noise. My backpack felt heavy on my shoulders, packed with tools and supplies, including a gun hidden in my belt and a knife concealed in the lower part of my pants. The last thing I wanted was to be caught unprepared.The dense forest stretched out before me, just as we’d hoped. We had guessed right—this part of the island seemed to be unguarded. I moved quickly but cautiously, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement or surveillance.Once I reached the cover of the trees, I stopped to catch my breath. I pulled out the map we ha
Sophia’s POVI stirred awake, wondering if it was already morning. It seemed like I heard someone say my name, and the voice sounded like Elijah.“Sophia,” the voice called again, softer this time.I must be dreaming, I figured. Elijah wasn't here. He couldn't be. The cemented floor beneath me was cold, and I felt very uncomfortable. But nevertheless, I had fallen asleep from exhaustion.I opened my eyes slightly, but it was still dark. The faint light from a small window high up on the wall didn't provide much comfort. I closed my eyes again, hoping that morning would come soon so there would be light again, and perhaps I could figure out a way to have someone get me out of here.I must have fallen back asleep because when I awoke again, the light streaming through the small window was much brighter. It seemed like it was already late morning. I had overslept, and now my stomach grumbled from hunger.I forced myself to stand, my legs aching from the cold floor. I walked over to the
Elijah’s POVI watched from my hiding spot as the guards led Sophia and Daniel toward the docks. My heart pounded in my chest. I had to move quickkly, but I couldn’t risk being seen. As soon as the guards were out of sight, I sprinted toward the docks.Sophia and Daniel were already boarding the small motorboat. I reached the edge of the dock just as they were about to push off.“Wait!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the air.Sophia turned, her eyes wide with shock and relief. “Elijah!”I leaped onto the boat, grabbing the edge to steady myself. “The rescue team is almost here. We’ve got a helicopter waiting to take us back.”Sophia stood up, reaching out to take my hand. But before our hands could touch, Daniel yanked her back, rocking the boat violently.“Daniel, what the hell are you doing?” I shouted, barely keeping my balance as Sophia screamed.“We need to get out of here, Sophia,” Daniel insisted, his eyes wild with desperation. He fumbled with the motor, trying to start i
Sophia’s POVThe icy shock of the water hit me like a jolt as I was hauled into the sea. I felt a moment of disorientation before instinct kicked in, and I began to thrash, desperately trying to stay afloat. The surface of the water, once my refuge, now seemed to close in around me. I heard Elijah’s voice through the chaos, his frenzied yell of my name barely reaching my ears before I plunged beneath the surface.The water was dark and cold, swirling violently around me. I tried to swim, but the current was merciless, pulling me further down. My lungs screamed for air, and I felt my strength waning. My movements grew weaker, each stroke more futile against the relentless pull of the water.Then, just as I felt my consciousness beginning to slip, strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the crushing depths. I was hoisted upwards, and my head broke through the surface. I gasped greedily for air, the sensation of oxygen filling my lungs almost overwhelming after the suffocating des
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