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 POVI couldn’t tell how long I’d been asleep, but when I finally woke up, the room was draped in darkness. I rubbed my eyes, squinting at the faint light streaming through the blinds. My stomach growled in protest, reminding me how starved I was.Elijah was sitting in the chair beside my bed, his gaze soft and watchful. “The doctor said you might be able to go home tomorrow,” he said, his voice gentle and filled with hope.I stretched my limbs, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. “I feel a lot better,” I admitted, “except that I’m so hungry.”Elijah’s grin widened. “Figured as much. I brought you something.” He gestured to a tray of food on the bedside table, and I blinked in disbelief. The sight of a steaming bowl of soup, a perfectly cooked steak, vegetables, and a selection of fresh fruits made my mouth water.My stomach gave a louder growl, and I felt a flush of embarrassment as Elijah chuckled softly. “I’m glad you’re awake. I wasn’t sure how long you’d sleep
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded furiously, and I struggled to keep my breath steady, fighting to contain the growing fury within me. Lila’s words still echoed in my mind, blending with the sudden memory that had hit me hard. It all came rushing back, too vivid, too real.I shut my eyes tightly, trying to block out the images, but the thumping in my head grew sharper, more insistent. A headache surged, pressing against my temples like a vise.“Elijah,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I need... I need to rest.”Elijah’s grasp on my hand tightened as he turned to the screen, his face showing a bit of exasperation. “Kayla, Lila, I think we should cut this call short. It may be too stressful for Sophia and she really needs to rest.”Kayla’s face turned sympathetic. “Of course, Elijah. We’ll talk later. Take care of yourself, Sophia.”Lila nodded in agreement. “Yes, please get some rest. We’ll catch up soon.”With a few taps, the video call ended, and the room fell silent. Elijah gently guide
Sophia’s POVThe moment I started to stir awake, I could sense my mind still in a cloud. I gently opened my eyes, taking in the white ceiling and the plain hospital walls around me. But somewhere deep in my head, I could sense the lingering effects of a vague dream. As I rubbed my eyes, fragments of memories from my childhood surged back with startling clarity. It was as if the walls separating Sabrina from Sophia were dissolving, merging my past with my present in a bizarre way. I sat up slowly, the excitement and oddity of the moment making my heart race. It was exhilarating to feel this connection to my past self, yet unsettling to think of how much I’d changed since then. Oh, gosh! This is amazing. But I’ll have time to deal with it later. I stretched my arms above my head and climbed out of the hospital bed. For now, I want to see Daniel. Elijah was already awake, sitting by the window with a coffee cup in hand, scrolling through something on his phone. “Good morning,” I sai
Elijah’s POV“This is just another beginning…” I whispered to myself, feeling the adrenaline pulsing through my bloodstream. The news of Vito Romano’s arrest was definitely a small victory, but it was far from over. Interrogating Vito was our one shot to pry out the answers we desperately needed before he slipped away into the hands of the French authorities. Thinking about facing him had my nerves on edge, but along with it was a fierce determination to finally get answers and hopefully a resolution to close this chapter. I glanced back at Daniel and Sophia. I knew they probably needed some time to talk things through on their own. Daniel was visibly troubled, and Sophia was trying her best to be supportive. It was important that I give them some space, so I decided to step out into the hallway and make a call.I found a quiet corner, away from the busy hospital noise, and dialed Joe’s number. The phone rang a few times before Joe answered.“Hey, Elijah,” Joe’s voice came through,
Elijah’s POVI walked into the faintly illuminated holding room, my footsteps echoing off the cold, concrete walls. Joe had Vito secured in handcuffs, surrounded by his men. Vito's sneer was the first thing I saw as I entered. I steeled myself, keeping my expression calm and cool.“Vito Roman,” I began. “It’s good to finally meet you in person. How do you know Henry?”Vito chuckled, leaning back in his chair as much as his restraints allowed. “Elijah Sinclair… It’s a pleasure to see you…” His tone was sarcastic. “We go a long way back, Elijah. That's all you're gonna get from me.”I kept my temper in check, leaning forward slightly. “When did you start working together?”“Like I said,” Vito smirked, “a long way back. That's all you're gonna get.”I felt a flicker of irritation but maintained my composure. “Where is he now?”Vito's chuckle turned into a low, mocking laugh. “Haven't been in contact. I didn’t go with him to the chateau. How should I know?”I was well aware that Vito and
Sophia’s POVStanding at the crowded airport in France, I tried to calm my uneasy heart. The myriad of announcements and hurried footsteps around us seemed to fade into the background as I looked up at Elijah. His eyes burned with what I recognized as strong willpower, something that will not have him backing down anytime soon. “Be careful,” I whispered, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to sound strong. He gave me a tight smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “I will.”“Are you absolutely sure you can't come with us now?” I asked, desperation creeping into my tone. “I mean, Joe and his team can handle the rest, can't they?”Elijah shook his head, a shadow of sorrow crossing his features. “I'm sorry, Sophia, but I need to see this through. It’s too important.”I bit my lip, fighting back tears. We hugged each other fiercely, clinging to the moment, to the hope that this wasn’t the last time. Over his shoulder, I saw Daniel turning away, trying to give us some privacy and per
Sophia’s POVA hush of golden light slipped through the curtains, draping the room in warmth and calm. It felt like the kind of morning that only came after surviving the storm.Weeks had passed since the chaos faded, and for once, the quiet didn’t feel temporary—it felt earned. I stirred slowly, eyes drifting open to find Elijah beside me, his hand resting lightly over mine. I studied him in the silence, taking in the softened edges of a man who’d carried us through fire and finally found peace.I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His eyes fluttered open, and when they focused on me, he smiled sleepily."Morning," he murmured."Morning," I whispered back, letting my fingers trace the line of his jaw. "Can you believe we actually get to wake up like this? No chaos, no danger—just us."He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. "I could get used to this."Just as I was about to say something, the door burst open."Mommy! Daddy!" Reese called out, followed quickly by Roxy an
Elijah’s POVWe weaved through the cracked streets, deeper into a part of the city that felt like time had forgotten it. Boarded-up windows, rusted signage, buildings collapsing in on themselves. This was the kind of place where ghosts lingered, and today, we were chasing one of them."We’re close," Joe muttered from the front seat, his eyes scanning the GPS on his phone. "This is the last possible location that fits Hugo's hideouts."Antoine sat beside me in the back, silent but focused. His jaw was tight, hands clenched. I still didn’t know if I fully trusted him, but I couldn’t deny this: he was here, risking his neck like the rest of us. And right now, I’d take any edge we could get.I have to find Grandpa George. For Sophia.When we pulled up to the burned-out remains of what once looked like a chapel, a chill shot down my spine. The stone structure still stood, half-charred, the wooden beams above blackened and skeletal. Nature had tried to reclaim it—vines curling around scorch
Elijah’s POV“Sophia…”Her name was the only thing in my mind as I stormed through the decaying hallway, boots slamming against rotting wood, gun drawn. My pulse thundered in my ears. The floor creaked beneath every step, but I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t.Joe and his men fanned out behind me, covering corners, checking every room.We were running out of time.Then—A scream.My heart nearly stopped. It was her.I charged forward, slamming my shoulder into the door at the end of the hall. It burst open—and I saw red.Morgana was on the ground, gasping for air as Hugo’s hand squeezed her throat, and across the room, Sophia was trying to drag herself toward them, her face pale and streaked with tears.“NO!” I shouted, and without hesitation, I raised my gun.Hugo turned just as I fired.The bullet tore through his shoulder. He howled, stumbling back and releasing Morgana, who crumpled to the floor, coughing violently.I crossed the room in three strides and tackled Hugo before he could
Sophia’s POVThe first thing I felt was cold.A biting chill that wrapped around my arms and legs like a second set of restraints. Then came the pressure—tight, scratchy ropes cutting into my wrists. My head pounded like a drum, fog thick behind my eyes. Everything smelled like mildew and dust.My eyes struggled to make sense of the shadows.The room was dim, lit only by a weak bulb overhead that flickered like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to stay on. I was on a metal chair, hands tied behind my back, ankles secured to the legs. The air tasted stale and old, like the walls had been sealed off from the world for decades.Panic bloomed in my chest.My brother Chris. What had become of him?I jerked forward, straining against the ropes. “Chris!” I called, my voice hoarse and raw. “Where is he?!”I noticed some movement in the darkness. A shadow stirred in the corner of the room. I froze as a figure stepped out into the light. Tall. Gray-streaked beard. Sunken eyes like old coals. A d
Sophia’s POV“This is insane,” Elijah muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “We’re relying on Antoine to lead us to Hugo. Does no one else see how crazy that is?”Joe, who had been checking messages on his phone, barely looked up. “We don’t have another choice.”I watched Elijah pace the room, his frustration clear. He wasn’t wrong, but I knew that if there was even the smallest chance of finding Grandpa George, we had to take it.Joe sighed and turned to Antoine. “You sure you can make him bite?”Antoine shrugged. “I know Hugo. He’s a cockroach—he won’t go down without a fight. But if he thinks his last hiding spot is compromised, he’ll make a move. That’s when we strike.”Elijah muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t catch it. Joe’s phone buzzed. As he studied the screen, he said, “We got something. Two possible locations.”Elijah straightened. “Then let’s move.”They all hurried out, and I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to call Elijah back—to make sure he’d pick up
Sophia’s POVMy mother sat on the couch, clutching Grandma Evelyn’s hands, trying to calm her down. My father stood near the window, staring out into the darkness, his face pale and unreadable.Chris and Connor were huddled over a laptop at the dining table, analyzing security footage.Joe was already there, speaking into his phone, barking orders to his contacts.But no one had any answers yet.And Grandpa George was still missing.I turned to my grandmother, kneeling in front of her. “Grandma—did you see anything? Anyone suspicious? A car, a stranger?”Her red-rimmed eyes filled with fresh tears as she shook her head. “No… nothing. I don’t know how this happened.” Her voice broke. “George was just in his study… and then he was gone.”Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me, but I could feel the rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. He wasn’t just worried—he was furiousJust then, Chris snapped his fingers at the screen. “We’ve got something.”Connor turned the laptop t
Sophia’s POVWe had been trying to track down both Antoine and Hugo, but they had vanished like ghosts.No leads. No sightings. Nothing.Lucas had called me earlier, still searching, still digging. Even Elijah and his contacts have been working doubly hard. But so far, they’d come up empty too. It was frustrating—knowing the danger was out there, lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.But tonight…Tonight, we weren’t going to think about it.Tonight, we were here to celebrate.After all, Lila and Adrian’s joint concert was finally happening. This was their moment, their dream unfolding before them.And for the first time in what felt like forever, we were all together, enjoying something good.Kayla was everywhere at once, her headset on, clipboard in hand, barking last-minute instructions into her earpiece. She was stressed, frantic… but glowing. Even though there could have been other people to take care of all this from her company, she wanted to be in charge, to personal
Emily’s POV“Walk away, Hugo,” Antoine said sharply, stepping in front of us as if to shield us from the strange man.The name triggered a memory.Chris had mentioned it just yesterday—Hugo Tournier. Suddenly, I remembered. It’s the name Sophia and Elijah had been trying to track down. The man who had supposedly changed Sophia’s life forever.And now he’s here. Why?!My hands instinctively balled up as my heart slammed against my ribs. Could this really be the same man?Hugo’s expression darkened with satisfaction as he took another step, exuding an air of quiet arrogance.“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with something sinister. “You’re not as fun outside of prison, Antoine.”Phoebe’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Emily, let’s go,” she muttered under her breath.I wanted to. Every instinct screamed at me to turn and leave. But I couldn’t—not yet.Hugo came forward, his eyes staring straight at me. He gave a low chuckle, mocking. “It’s interesting to meet Sabrina Ba
Emily’s POVI refused to flinch. Even as Antoine stood in front of me, blocking my way, I forced my body to stay still, to stay firm.I squared my shoulders, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “Move.”Antoine didn’t budge. His gaze shifted between me and Phoebe, like he wasn’t sure if I’d actually listen or turn and run.“I’m not here to fight,” he said, his voice calm. “I just want to talk.”Phoebe’s grip on my arm tightened, and her anger was immediate, sharp.“Oh, hell no,” she snapped. “What are you even doing here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm. I wasn’t going to let him see me feeling nervous or affected by him. Antoine exhaled, his face unreadable. “I just wanted to talk.”Phoebe laughed coldly. “Talk? You took Jared, Antoine. Without permission. Do you have any idea what you put us through?”“I know,” he admitted. “I made a mistake.”Phoebe scoffed. “A mistake?”I stepped forward, my gaze hardening. “Please, Antoine.