Elijah’s POVThe heavy oak doors creaked open as Sophia and I stepped into the ballroom, and my breath caught in my throat.The room was straight out of a fairy tale, with its high ceilings soaring overhead, adorned with intricate gold trimmings that gleamed under the warm light of grand chandeliers. The floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side of the room, their old-school glass panes framing the view outside like a living portrait, while the light streaming in bathed the space in a soft, golden hue.“Wow,” Sophia whispered, her voice filled with awe. She took a few steps forward, her eyes wide as she took in every detail. “It’s like… a ballroom inside a castle.”I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her. The wonder in her eyes made my heart swell, and in that moment, I could suddenly picture us right there, in the center of the room, sharing our first dance as husband and wife. The image was so vivid, it was almost as if I could feel her in my arms, swaying slowly to the music.“It’
Sophia’s POVWeeks had flown by in a frenzy of wedding preparations and work commitments, and I was more than ready for a little break.I found myself at the Bakers' home, sinking into the comfortable familiarity of their living room, the scent of freshly baked cake lingering in the air. Chris sat across from me, a satisfied grin on his face. “I spoke to my florist and event stylist friend,” he began excitedly. “He’s agreed to handle the wedding. Trust me, Soph, he’ll transform the venue into something magical. You won’t recognize it.”I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “That sounds amazing, Chris. I mean, the venue’s already spectacular but this is a fantastic bonus. Thank you!”“Anytime! Anything for you and Elijah, of course.” Mr. Baker, who had been quietly sipping his tea, set his cup down and looked at me with a warm expression. "You know, I’ve got a former classmate who runs a photo-video coverage business now. We went ahead and reserved the date for you. He’s the b
Sophia’s POVIt’s time, I thought, smoothing down the flowy skirt of my wedding gown, feeling my heart beating hard against my chest. The big day is finally here. I could hear the soft, melodic strains of the violin as the door slowly opened, and it felt as if time itself was holding its breath. I stood on the threshold, peeking through the ornate wooden doors of the historic ballroom, my heart pounding like a drum. The music changed, flowing from the classical notes of the violin into the tender, resonant tones of Lila’s voice. Her singing, delicate and evocative, wove through the air like a gentle caress.Everything inside the ballroom was a dream come to life—flowers cascading in every hue imaginable, candles flickering in a symphony of light, and chandeliers dripping with crystals that shimmered like stars. With each deliberate step toward the front, I let my radiant smile shine brightly. The gasps, and claps of the crowd faded into the distance, eclipsed by the rhythmic poundi
Chris’s POVI watched with amusement as Emily, a pretty woman with flowing brown hair, took another generous bite of my mother’s cake. Her eyes fluttered closed in bliss, and she murmured, “This is oh so heavenly.”Kayla, seated beside her, grinned from ear to ear. “Isn’t it just the best? Sophia and Chris’s mom baked it.”Emily looked up, her expression a blend of delight and surprise. “Oh, really? Please thank her for me. I could eat this all day.”As she gazed into my eyes, I found myself feeling enamored by her presence. Kayla chuckled, then turned to me, her eyes sparkling. “Chris, I just realized, you two haven’t met yet. Emily, this is Chris. Chris, meet Emily.”I was glad for the introduction. Dinner had been going on for a while, and as much as I enjoyed the company of the people around the table, Emily had been a particularly intriguing presence. With the meal wrapping up and everyone else drifting off to mingle or fetch drinks, I seized the chance.Emily extended her hand
Emily’s POV“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it’s party time!” the emcee’s voice finally announced after the entire program was done. A wave of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd as the mood of the celebration shifted. The live band took the stage, filling the room with upbeat, danceable tunes, while strobing lights began to flash, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.I couldn't help but smile as I glanced at the newlyweds. Sophia and Elijah twirled on the dance floor, their daughter Reese nestled between them, laughing as they danced in unison. I shook my head in disbelief. Their love story was like something from a romance novel, and yet here it was, unfolding before my eyes.I can’t imagine ever getting back with Antoine. But Sophia felt the same way years ago, and now, here they are. My hand instinctively moved to my belly, a small, secretive gesture that no one would notice. I wondered if I’d ever let Antoine be part of this baby’s life. I guess only time will tell. J
Elijah’s POVI stood near the edge of the historic ballroom, my gaze fixed on Sophia as she moved gracefully among the remaining guests.Sophia was surrounded by her family—her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, and her grandparents, Evelyn and George. She dazzled with her glowing beauty, her smile lighting up the room as she laughed at something her dad had said. It was a sight that filled me with indescribable joy.I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have her back in my life, to be standing here with her, savoring this second chance. The evening had been nothing short of magical, and seeing her so happy, so in her element, was all I could have hoped for.“Hey, Elijah, you look lost in thought,” Trevis’s voice cut through my reverie. I turned to find him standing beside me with a concerned look. “Everything alright, man?”“I’m just taking it all in,” I said, gesturing to the lively scene. “It’s hard to believe this is really happening.”Trevis followed my gaze and nodded. “Sophia looks i
Chris’s POVThe hallway was beginning to fill up with people as the party wound down, leaving behind a trail of disheveled glamor and laughter.Emily stood by the exit, her hands trembling as she hastily wiped at her tears. Her mascara had smeared, creating dark streaks down her cheeks. I could see the distress in her eyes and the effort she was making to pull herself together.“Emily, let’s get out of here,” I said, gently taking her arm. “Come with me.”She looked at me, her eyes red and swollen. “Chris, I—I don’t think I can—”“Just trust me,” I urged.We walked briskly down the hall, the muffled sounds of the party fading behind us. I guided her through a side door and as we reached the stairwell, I took her hand, leading her up to the rooftop. The security guards had long since left, and the area was supposed to be off-limits. But who cares? I just had to get her out of there fast. When we got there, Emily looked around, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She looked a bit conf
Sophia’s POVThe wedding party had come to an end, and I couldn’t stop smiling. The night had been everything I’d hoped for, filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of friends and family. As the last guests said their goodbyes and wished us well, Elijah and I stood side by side, our hands intertwined. We exchanged a glance, the kind that said more than words ever could: the real journey was just beginning.Elijah squeezed my hand as we watched the final guests leave. “Ready to check on our little one?” he asked softly.“Yes,” I nodded, my heart swelling with joy and contentment. A while ago, Kayla had mentioned that Reese was getting sleepy, so she and Connor had taken her to the holding room to rest.We made our way down the hallway, our footsteps echoing in the quiet, now-empty venue. When we reached the room, I gently pushed the door open. There she was, my sweet Reese, fast asleep on the couch, still in her pretty gown. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each peaceful breath, he
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