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
Elijah’s POVI couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Serena standing there, looking as if she had just stepped out of a high-end fashion magazine. Her hair was different, shorter and chic, but that unmistakable confidence, that self-assured air, was exactly the same. She was in her element, exuding the same effortless charm that had drawn people to her before, including me. She smiled at me in surprise. “Fancy seeing you here, Elijah,” she said lightly. “I’m on vacation, just enjoying a little break from my studies. I had no idea you and Sophia planned to have your honeymoon here.”“Yeah,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though I could feel the old memories stirring, memories I’d rather leave buried. I glanced toward the boutique, catching a glimpse of Sophia through the window. She was looking our way, and the last thing I wanted was for her to think this was anything like before. I waved at her eagerly, hoping to ease her mind. The last thing I needed was Serena sowing an
Sophia’s POV“Back to reality,” I whispered to myself as I stared at the stack of project files on my desk. The vibrant colors of the folders were a sharp contrast to the soft, dreamy glow that had enveloped me for the past few weeks. I could still feel the warmth of the Tuscan sun on my skin as precious memories of our sweet, eventful honeymoon kept coming back. But now, as I sat in my office, reality settled in, reminding me that the honeymoon was over.Yet, I couldn't help but smile. A genuine, contented smile that seemed to have a life of its own. People had noticed, of course. Even Tina, who rarely paid attention to personal matters, had commented on it just yesterday.“You've got that glow,” she'd said, her eyes narrowing playfully as she handed me another set of files. “Married life suits you.”I had blushed, ducking my head to hide the grin that threatened to spill over. But at the same time, it seemed funny. No one would have said the same thing that first time Elijah and I
Sophia’s POVChris and I had settled in for a lazy afternoon at the Bakers' house, and it felt comforting to be here. I had brought Reese as well because Grandma Evelyn and my mom have been wanting to spend time with her. I could hear her giggles and squeals from the kitchen as she’s making cupcakes with the two. It made me smile. But then, Chris turned serious. “Trevis told me Antoine went to your office.”“Oh, yeah,” I said, frowning. I recounted it to him, and he looked really bothered. “You should be careful,” he warned. “He’s bad news.”I nodded, trying to push down the unease that had been creeping up. “I know. I just... I can't shake the feeling that something's going to happen. But enough about that. Have you heard from Emily lately?”Chris shook his head. “No, I haven’t. But Kayla mentioned something about Emily moving to a different apartment. I don't know much more than that.”A fleeting shadow crossed Chris's face, and I could sense the depth of his feelings for Emily.
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
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