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 POVI stood there, trembling, as the resuscitation efforts seemed to drag on forever. Daniel lay motionless on the ground, and every second felt like an eternity. My heart pounded in my chest, and the uproar around me faded into a dull hum.“Daniel... no, please,” I whispered, barely able to breathe.Elijah was beside me, his hand gripping mine tightly. “Sophia, stay with me. We need to be strong,” he said, his voice steady but strained.Joe's voice suddenly broke through. “Elijah, Henry and Julia still haven't been caught. My men are pursuing them in the forested area.”Elijah nodded, looking grim. “Keep me updated, Joe.”Just then, the sound of rotor blades grew louder. A helicopter ambulance descended, sending gusts of wind that whipped my hair around my face. Paramedics rushed out, providing me with a glimmer of hope.“Make way!” one of them shouted, pushing through the small crowd that had gathered.I watched as they attended to Daniel, my hands shaking uncontrollably. O
Sophia’s POVThe nurse leaned closer, her expression concerned. “Sophia, you're in the hospital. You had a bit of a scare, but you're safe now.”I nodded slowly, the pieces of the present moment coming together. “How about Daniel... and Elijah?” I croaked, my throat dry.“Daniel is in stable condition,” the nurse reassured me. "Elijah stepped out for a while, though. Perhaps he’ll be back shortly. Why don’t you just stay here and rest for now? I’ll check on you again after an hour.”“Okay, thank you.” As she left the room, I tried to shake off the confusion. The memory of that birthday was so vivid, so real. It was like I had been transported back in time, feeling the joy and simplicity of childhood once more. What’s even more striking was being reminded of my relationship with my biological mom before. I sensed the closeness and the love, and it enveloped me with hope and affection. My eyes widened as the realization hit me. Are my childhood memories as Sabrina finally returning?!
Sophia’s POVWhen I reached my room, I found Elijah pacing anxiously outside the door. His face lit up with relief when he saw me. “Sophia, where did you go? I was worried.”“I’m sorry,” I said, walking up to him. “I needed some fresh air and I was looking for you too when I ended up talking to someone who needed help.”He took my hand, his worry fading into understanding. “You always had a way of helping others, even when you were going through your own struggles.”I smiled, thinking about Emily who was just about to go through the same thing I did. I was certain, though, that she would make it with flying colors. Elijah led me back inside. “You have to get more rest, Sophia.” I squeezed his hand, feeling grateful for his presence. “Thank you for always being here for me, Elijah.”Indeed life had a way of coming full circle, bringing people back together when they least expected it. Elijah and I had a complicated past, but now, in this moment, it felt like we were building somethin
Emily’s POV“You look like you’re waiting for someone to burst through that door and drag you back into hiding.”Phoebe’s voice was light, teasing, but I still flinched. We were sitting in a cafe near Emily’s house, trying to relax and simply enjoy our time together. But it was still challenging for me. I forced a smile, stirring my coffee even though I wasn’t planning to drink it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Phoebe snorted, popping another bite of pastry into her mouth. “Em, I’ve known you since birth. That’s your I’m on edge but pretending I’m fine face.”I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I just… I don’t know. It feels too good to be true. Jared is finally warming up to me. I have you here. I should be happy. I am happy.”“But?” Phoebe pressed.“But I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”She gave me a knowing look. “Because that’s all you’ve known for years.”I nodded, staring down at the swirl of foam in my untouched coffee. “I don’t know how to turn it off.”Before
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,