Sophia’s POV“Alright, everyone, time to celebrate!” Trevis announced, raising his glass high. His voice boomed over the lively chatter in the room, capturing everyone's attention. “To Sophia and her incredible work on the Horizon Group project and the new boutique design. Let's enjoy this moment!”Applause filled the spacious hall as my colleagues turned toward me, raising their glasses in unison. The large hall inside the Sinclair Realty office building had been transformed for the occasion, the usual stark and professional atmosphere replaced with something far more vibrant.Music played in the background, a catchy tune that made me want to sway along with it. Tables were laden with a small feast—platters of finger foods, bowls of fresh fruit, and an assortment of sweets. Drinks flowed freely, and the clinking of glasses punctuated the cheerful conversations.I felt a warm flush of pride as I looked around the room. It was surreal seeing everyone so happy, knowing that they were ce
Sophia’s POV“I’m so happy for you, and I’m proud of you, Sophia.”As Elijah’s words sunk in, a warm, fuzzy feeling bloomed in my chest, catching me off guard. Back when we were married, Elijah had rarely acknowledged my ambitions, often seeing me only as a homemaker rather than someone with her own dreams and achievements. Hearing those words from him now, after everything we’d been through, felt surreal. It was something I never thought I’d hear from him, and it touched me more deeply than I could have imagined.Before I could say anything, Kayla appeared beside us, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Hey, get a room!”I burst out laughing, and so did Elijah. Kayla and Connor went on to tease us, and even hinted about how we’d gotten together in the first place — in a party just like this so many years ago!We all laughed, and it felt so good. I never thought I’d see the day that getting pregnant after college and marrying someone who didn’t lo
Elijah’s POVIt was late, and the apartment building was silent. I stood beside Sophia, feeling the gentle sway of the elevator beneath my feet. The air between us was electric, a silent pull that had been growing stronger all evening.I reached out, taking her hand in mine, and slowly rubbed my thumb across her skin. She turned her head slightly and smiled up at me, her eyes soft and a little hazy from the champagne.She wasn’t drunk—just tipsy enough for her guard to be down. I’d had a few drinks myself, but my thoughts were clear. Crystal clear. I want you, Sophia. Ever since that day you left me, I never stopped wanting you. And I’m hoping you feel the same way, even just for tonight. My heart pounded with a fierce intensity, each beat echoing in my ears as I tried to read her expression. The warmth of her body so close to mine was almost unbearable, igniting something primal inside me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her—especially not from the curve of her neck, so close, s
Sophia’s POVElijah and I turned to her, the moment between us dissolving like mist in the morning sun. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing as I smiled at our daughter.“What are you doing?” Reese wondered. “Uh, we were just talking, kiddo,” Elijah said as he moved toward her and hugged her. “Are you okay?”I moved toward Reese, scooping her up into her arms. “What are you doing up, baby girl?” I asked, pressing a kiss to Reese's forehead.“I’m okay,” she mumbled, still looking sleepy. “I had a dream, but I forgot what it was.”I smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Well, some dreams may wake us up because they’re scary or exciting. But see, Mommy and Daddy are here with you in our home. How about you say goodnight to Daddy and then we’ll get you back to bed, okay?”Reese nodded, turning to Elijah. “Goodnight, Daddy,” she said, her voice small and sweet.Elijah smiled warmly and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, my little princess. Sleep tight.”I carr
Elijah’s POVThe morning light streamed through the curtains, gently waking me. My eyes fluttered open, and for a split second, I was disoriented. Wait a minute… This isn't my room. The sheets were softer, the air warmer, and the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. As my gaze traveled across the room, I realized where I was—Sophia’s place.A playful smile tugged at my lips as last night's memories came rushing back. The laughter, the teasing, the way we fell into each other’s arms, the wild and passionate night—it was all so vivid, so real. I turned to my side, ready to greet Sophia, but the space beside me was empty. The sheets were slightly crumpled, a hint that she'd been there but had already left the bed.Sitting up, I ran a hand through my hair, the realization that I was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers hitting me. Before I could do much more, I noticed a small figure standing at the door. Reese.My heart skipped a beat. There she was, her wide eyes taking in th
Sophia’s POVI sat on the edge of the tub, the cool porcelain against my skin providing little comfort. My heart ached, not just from the sadness but from the burden of past memories I hadn’t fully understood until now.The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Elijah’s worried face peering in. His expression shifted from concern to alarm when he saw me. He stepped inside, his voice slightly stammering. “Sophia, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for things to get out of hand last night. I mean, we both got carried away… But maybe, you felt like I took advantage of you…”His apology was barely a whisper, but his words began to confuse me. It took a minute for me to realize that he was apologizing for what happened last night. He squeezed my hand, his eyes gazing into mine. “We both had a lot to drink, but I meant everything I said. I’m sorry if I made you feel…”I stood up, walked over to him, and threw my arms around him, needing his warmth and strength.“No, Elijah,” I choked out. “It
Sophia’s POVI can’t believe he stayed here again another night. What the hell am I doing?I had jolted upright in bed, my heart pounding as I glanced over at the other side of the bed, where Elijah lay sprawled comfortably, entirely nude, his body glistening in the Sunday morning light. The sheets were a mess, and I felt my body heating up as I recalled the previous night. We’d done it again, I thought with a thrill. I also felt slightly embarrassed as the images of our lovemaking flashed in my mind. Elijah stirred beside me, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “Morning,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble.Before I could fully process the shock of his nakedness and the vivid memories of last night, the shrill ring of the doorbell sliced through the quiet. My heart skipped a beat, and I scrambled out of bed, quickly wrapping a robe around myself.“What is it now?” I muttered, pulling the robe tight and heading toward the door.When I opened it, I was met with the cheerful face
Sophia’s POV“Oh my god, Elijah,” I managed to say, my voice breaking slightly as I took the bouquet from him and glanced toward the yacht. “This is… this is beyond amazing.”Elijah’s smile widened as he took my hand and guided me up the steps onto the yacht. My heart pounded with excitement and awe as I stepped aboard. The moment my feet touched the deck, I was enveloped by the magical ambiance Elijah had created.The yacht’s deck was a breathtaking blend of luxury and nostalgia, capturing the essence of our childhood treehouse with a touch of elegance. Wooden accents and lush greenery decorated the space, evoking the warmth of the special place where we’d spent countless hours dreaming together.Delicate twinkling lights draped from the overhead structures, and the air was filled with the soothing sounds of live music, a string ensemble playing soft instrumental versions of our favorite songs back in the day. The melodies created a serene and enchanting backdrop.The deck was transf