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
Sophia’s POVI stared at Daniel's still form, my heart aching with each shallow breath he took. Soon a doctor walked in, his face filled with a solemn expression. I tried to muster a brave face, but my hands trembled uncontrollably.“Good afternoon,” the doctor said, his voice a calm anchor in the storm. “I’m Dr. Reynolds. I’m here to give you an update on Daniel.”Elijah tightened his grip around my shoulders, and I could feel the warmth of his concern through the fabric of my shirt. He glanced at me, his eyes filled with an unspoken worry. I managed a shaky nod.Dr. Reynolds cleared his throat, his gaze flicking to Daniel before meeting mine. “Daniel has been unconscious for over twenty-four hours now after the drowning incident. His body went through significant trauma, and we’ve been working to stabilize him since he was admitted.”I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. “What does that mean? Will he... will he wake up soon?”Dr. Reynolds took a deep breath, his eyes compas
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
Elijah’s POVI walked into Bella Sera, happy to see that it was packed with guests at this time in the afternoon. Fresh from closing a successful business deal, I was in a good mood, but there was a nagging concern for Morgana at the back of my mind. It was why I’d decided to stop by the cafe—to check in and see how she was holding up after she’d left me a series of frantic voicemails.Since I didn’t see her in the dining area, I went straight to her office. The door was ajar, and I could already feel the tension and anger leaking through it. I found Morgana pacing like a caged lioness, her hands gesturing wildly as she muttered to herself. The sight reminded me of the old Morgana— my stepmother who never minced her words or held back when someone crossed her.“I cannot believe this! The audacity, the gall!” she ranted, slamming a folder onto the desk. “This is a targeted attack, Elijah. It has to be. Who else would stoop this low?”“Morgana,” I greeted cautiously, stepping inside. “
Adrian’s POVThe Roosevelt mansion came into view as the car eased into the circular driveway, its stately facade bathed in the setting sun. Growing up here, I’d long since grown accustomed to its grandeur—the towering columns, the meticulously trimmed hedges, the way it seemed to command attention. Yet tonight, I barely noticed it. My thoughts were entirely on the woman sitting beside me, her fingers absently toying with her bracelet. “Relax,” I said, throwing her a reassuring smile. “My father’s not as intimidating as he looks. He’s actually… well, decent these days.”Lila gave me a skeptical glance. “Decent? I’ve read about your family, Adrian. You’re practically royalty in this country.”I laughed at her dramatic tone. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”“Tell me again why you’re bringing me to see him?” she asked as we both stepped out of the car. Laughing, I simply answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.” One of the staff greeted us and led us inside. The interior was just as imposin