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 POVThe drive to the suburbs felt interminable, and I just couldn’t stop my mind from spinning with thoughts of what lay ahead. I had no doubt that Morgana was at fault for what had occurred many years ago, causing me as a child to be separated from my loved ones. However, I wouldn’t be able to rest and feel any closure without confronting her about it and hearing what she had to say. The neighborhood was quiet and serene, the kind of place where people knew each other's names and waved from their driveways. Not exactly Morgana's usual scene, but perhaps this was all she could afford right now.We pulled up to a modest, well-kept house with a small garden out front. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I couldn’t tell how I’d end up reacting once we were face to face again. Kayla turned to me from the driver's seat, looking very concerned. “Do you want me to come with you, Sophia?”I shook my head, managing a small smile. “It's alright. I have to do t
Elijah’s POVThe evening air in Durbuy was thick with tension. The outskirts of this quaint Belgian town, known for its picturesque beauty, had taken on a sinister edge under the twilight sky. Towering trees cast long shadows across the narrow dirt roads, and the only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the crunch of gravel under our boots. It was hard to believe that this idyllic landscape might be harboring the two people we’d been hunting for days: Henry and Julia.I glanced at Joe, his face hard as stone. He was a veteran, a man who had seen more in his life than I could ever imagine, but even he seemed on edge tonight. The local team we’d hired—six men, each as rough and ready as the next—moved with quiet efficiency, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. Each of us was armed; we couldn’t afford to take any chances.The farmhouse came into view, tucked away behind a line of thick hedges, its silhouette barely discernible against the darkening
Elijah’s POVThe tunnel was narrow and claustrophobic, barely wide enough for one person to move through at a time. The air was damp, carrying the scent of earth and decay. I could hear the others behind me, their footsteps echoing softly as we descended further into the darkness.The path twisted and turned, eventually leading us to a small, hidden chamber—a cellar, perhaps, buried deep beneath the farmhouse. It was lit by a single, flickering bulb. And there, huddled in the corner, was Julia.She looked different—gaunt, her face pale and lined with exhaustion. Her once-vibrant hair hung limply around her shoulders, and her eyes, wide with fear, locked onto mine the moment I entered the room. For a split second, time seemed to freeze.“Elijah,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Please… don’t do this.”My grip tightened on the gun, but something in her voice gave me pause. This wasn’t the Julia I remembered—the cunning, manipulative woman who had caused so much pain. She seemed… br
Sophia’s POVThe silence in my office was deafening. My eyes were fixed on the stack of papers in front of me, but my mind was far away. I remembered how I’d almost slapped Morgana in my anger. But luckily, I was able to control myself in the end. She just wasn’t worth it. But more than that issue, something else was bothering me greatly. “Three days without hearing from Elijah,” I murmured. Three days of nothing but silence after that last message, just before they were about to raid the safe house where Henry and Julia were supposedly hiding. My heart ached with worry, my thoughts spiraling into all the things that could have gone wrong. I shook my head, trying to clear the anxiety that clung to me like a second skin. This wasn’t the time to lose focus. I had a lot of work to catch up on.Suddenly, the door to my office creaked open, and Trevis poked his head in. “Hey, you okay in here?”I blinked, snapping out of my reverie. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, trying to sound convincin
Sophia’s POV“There you go,” I murmured happily as I added the finishing touches to my design, the light from my desk lamp illuminating the sketches and digital renderings sprawled across my workspace. This design for our special client at Urban Next had taken up most of my week, but today, I felt content and relaxed. Everything was falling into place—both in my work and in life.At least I’m somehow assured that Henry and Julia won’t be coming back anytime. They wouldn’t dare, being wanted by the police not just in the U.S. but across the whole of Europe too. They’re probably still on the run somewhere.The idea of them being hunted down like the criminals they were brought me a sense of satisfaction. They had caused enough chaos, and the fact that they’d likely be hiding out for the rest of their miserable lives filled me with relief. There was no way they'd ever appear again. They’d be out of our lives for good.Just then, a soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. "Com
Sophia’s POVI was in the middle of packing Reese’s snacks when I noticed something was off. She usually chirped away in the mornings, but today she was unusually quiet, her little shoulders slumped as she sat at the kitchen table.“Hey, sweetie, you okay?” I asked, walking over to her. She looked up at me with tired eyes, and I immediately noticed the pallor in her cheeks. My heart skipped a beat. I leaned down and pressed the back of my hand to her forehead, then to her neck. She was burning up.“Reese, you feel hot, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” I asked, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.“Not good, Mommy,” she mumbled, her voice small and weak.I quickly grabbed the thermometer from the medicine cabinet and gently took her temperature. The numbers flashed on the screen—101.5°F. My stomach tightened with concern."Looks like you have a fever," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair away from her clammy forehead. “I think we’re going to stay home today.”“But, scho
Elijah’s POV As Sophia closed the door to her bedroom behind her and went with Reese to the other room, I was left with an odd, awkward feeling. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but look forward to spending the entire night with her. Alone in one bedroom. I had to admit, this is triggering the unforgettable memories from those heated nights we spent together in that small hotel during a storm. When Sophia returned, I glanced at her, attempting to gauge her mood. “If you’d like,” I said softly, “I can go back to the couch in the living room. Reese doesn’t need to know.”She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. “No, it’s fine, really. You can stay here.”I nodded, then added, “Or I could sleep on the floor, if you have an extra mattress or something?”Sophia’s eyes softened. “I do have one, but it’s not necessary. You can sleep on the bed.”A thrill of excitement ran through me. It had been so long since I’d shared a bed with Sophia, felt her warmth beside me. My heart ra
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