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 POV“Wow, this place is unbelievable,” I murmured with awe as I stepped into the villa’s grand entrance.The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the earthy aroma of the vineyard that stretched out behind the house, creating a perfume that was both intoxicating and calming. The villa itself was a masterpiece—rustic yet elegant, with stone walls that seemed to have soaked up centuries of sunlight, and wooden beams that spoke of a time long past. The warm Tuscan sun streamed through the tall arched windows, casting a golden glow over everything it touched.Elijah came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his lips brushing against my neck. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?” he whispered into my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.“Perfect doesn’t even begin to cover it,” I said, turning in his arms to face him. His eyes sparkled with the same excitement I felt bubbling inside me. “I can’t believe we’re actually here in Tuscany.”He smiled, that slow, heart-stopping
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I gripped the phone tighter. "Mom? What’s wrong?"There was a moment of silence, just soft, uneven breaths on the other end of the line. My stomach twisted painfully. "Mom, talk to me!""S-Sophia…" her voice cracked, and I felt my chest constrict. "They’re here."I blinked, my mind struggling to keep up. "Who’s here?""Chris and Emily. They’re home."I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. For a second, I couldn't move, couldn't think. My pulse raced as my mind fought to process what she had just said.Chris and Emily are back.My grip on the phone loosened, my knees nearly buckling from the sudden rush of emotions. Relief, disbelief, overwhelming gratitude."Oh my God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. "Are they okay?""I… I don’t know," my mother admitted, still sounding shaken. "They haven’t said much. But you need to come quick."I didn’t hesitate. "I’ll be right there."As I ended the call, I turned to see Elijah watching me,
Sophia’s POVThe kitchen was quiet except for the faint sizzle of eggs in the pan. It was still very early in the morning, and I could see the sun rising through the window. Normally, I would have stopped to admire the view. But my mind was still preoccupied with a lot of chaotic things. I had barely slept.Everything Lucas had told me last night still lingered in my mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions and uneasy truths. Hugo Tournier. He had been part of my family's past all along, a ghost lurking in the shadows, and now he was back. It settled over me like a heavy fog, impossible to shake.But as much as my thoughts circled around Hugo, it was Elijah’s reaction that unsettled me more. The way he had looked at me. The sharpness in his voice when he told me I didn’t need to talk to Lucas anymore, that Joe would handle the investigation.He hadn’t accused me outright, but I could feel the tension beneath his words. The distance. Lucas was a sensitive issue between us—alwa
Sophia’s POVLucas stood in front of me, his face partially shadowed by the porch light, his eyes unreadable but filled with something that made my stomach twist—regret, sorrow, maybe even guilt.“I don’t even know where to start,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair.I crossed my arms, bracing myself. “Just tell me what you found.”He exhaled sharply, nodding. "I started looking into the records of missing children around the time you disappeared. A lot of reports were vague, but… I found something." He hesitated before continuing, his voice tight. "There was an old witness statement—a retired cop who had once suspected a man named Hugo Tournier."My breath hitched. The name. I had heard it before. Grandpa George had mentioned it when we talked about the man who might have taken me.Lucas continued, unaware of my growing realization. "The name meant nothing to me at first, but when I dug deeper, I realized it was connected to your family."My pulse quickened. “Connected how?
Emily’s POVDarkened streets stretched endlessly ahead as we sped through the city, the glow of neon signs flickering across the windshield. The sound of other cars was distant, almost muffled, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. My grip tightened on the edge of my seat, eyes darting to every shadowed alley, every figure on the sidewalk. It felt like eyes were on us—watching, waiting.Chris’s grip on the wheel was tight, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn’t said much since we got the warning. The burner phone lay silent between us, the last message still glowing on the screen:“Do not go to the docks. You are being watched.”I swallowed hard. "Who sent it?""No idea," Chris muttered. "Could be someone helping us. Could be someone luring us into another trap."My stomach twisted. "So what do we do?"He exhaled sharply, eyes darting to the rearview mirror. "We can’t risk it. If someone’s waiting for us at the docks, we won’t stand a chance. We haven't been able to reach Crimson Ve
Sophia’s POVJared was safe. That was all that mattered.We were gathered in the house, the weight of the night still pressing heavily on our shoulders. But at least Jared was asleep now, curled up in his bed like nothing had happened. He hadn’t seemed afraid, hadn’t even realized the gravity of what Antoine had done. And for that, I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to carry fear because of this.But once he woke up, I knew I would have to face the reality of telling him about his father. And why it was only now that he was finding out about Antoine. “We’re not pressing charges,” I had told Elijah. But we did have to watch our backs more carefully, to stay guarded and alert all the time. And we needed to make sure never to let Jared out of our sights again. Still, we had made Antoine promise never to pull something like this again. Not that his word meant much. I didn’t trust him, and I knew Elijah didn’t either. This wasn’t over. Not really.Phoebe sat beside me,
Sophia’s POVElijah and I sprinted through the mall, dodging past confused shoppers and security personnel as the urgency of the moment drove us forward. My heart pounded in my ears, my breaths coming fast and shallow.“We need to check the parking lot exits,” Elijah said, his voice tight with controlled fury. “If Antoine took Jared, he won’t risk staying here much longer.”Elijah nodded, pulling out his phone and dialing Joe. The moment Joe answered, Elijah got straight to the point. “Antoine’s here. He took Jared. We need to know if he has a car registered in his name or any known places he might go.”I looked at Elijah in anticipation. He nodded then ended the call. "He said he'll get back to us soon."My eyes darted around the busy corridor, searching for any sign of our son.Jared, my sweet boy. Where are you?Phoebe ran alongside me, her face streaked with tears. “He must’ve followed us,” she choked out. “I swear, I didn’t think— I mean, I saw someone watching, but I wasn’t sure
Sophia’s POVI pushed through the crowded mall, my heart hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. The world around me blurred into a haze of faces and voices, none of them the one I was searching for. Oh, god, Jared. Please be okay.My mind screamed his name with every step I took, my hands trembling as I grabbed Phoebe’s arm, trying to keep both of us steady.“He has to be here,” Phoebe said, her voice shaking as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. “He has to be here somewhere.”I wanted to believe her. I had to believe her. But the sheer panic clawing at my throat made it hard to hold on to hope. Jared wasn’t just missing—he seemed to have vanished into thin air. And the longer he was gone, the worse the possibilities became.“Elijah’s talking to security,” I said, scanning every store, every passerby, searching for even a glimpse of him. “They’re checking the cameras. We just have to keep looking.”Phoebe nodded frantically, but guilt was etched into every
Elijah’s POVAcross from me, I gazed lovingly at my wife. Sophia looked beautiful, her hair framing her face perfectly as she sipped her wine. For a moment, I let myself pretend that this was just a regular dinner date, that everything was normal.But it wasn’t.“The food’s amazing,” I said, taking another bite of my steak. “You picked a great place.”Sophia smiled faintly, but the crease between her brows betrayed the worry she was trying to hide. “I’m glad you like it,” she said softly. Her fork hovered over her plate for a moment before she set it down. “Elijah… do you think Chris and Emily are okay?”I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. “They’ll be fine,” I said firmly, though the weight in my chest made me doubt my own words. “The mob’s on its last legs. Even if there are survivors, they’re scattered and in no position to orchestrate anything.”She nodded, but her eyes didn’t meet mine. “I can’t help but worry. What if… what if some of them intercepted Chris and E
Sophia’s POVLennon, who had recently been transferred to a local hospital in the city, sat up in his bed, looking pale but stronger than I’d expected. Morgana sat by his side, her hand clutching his as if letting go would make him disappear. Her eyes were wet with happy tears, her face a mix of relief and joy that she was finally reunited with him.Elijah stood at the foot of the bed, his posture stiff, but his expression was open, filled with something I rarely saw: vulnerability. He cleared his throat, his voice low but steady as he spoke. “Lennon, I need to say something.”Lennon looked at him calmly. “Go on.”“I…” Elijah hesitated, then sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. For doubting you. For questioning your motives. You’ve done so much for all of us, for Morgana, for our family. And… I didn’t trust you the way I should have.”Lennon smiled faintly, shaking his head. “You don’t have to apologize, Elijah. I understand. With everything that’s happened, with all t