Emily’s POV“Antoine!” I gasped, my heart leaping into my throat as I rushed to Chris’s side, instinctively shielding him with my body. “What are you doing?”Antoine’s eyes blazed with anger as he pointed at Chris, his chest heaving with rage. “Stay away from her, you hear me? You don’t deserve her! And she is still mine!”Chris, still reeling from the punch, straightened up, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at Antoine with a mix of confusion and defiance, but he didn’t retaliate.“Antoine, stop it!” I said, my voice shaking with both fear and anger. “This isn’t the way to handle things.”The evening, which had felt so perfect just moments ago, had taken a sudden and violent turn, and I didn’t know what to do. The tension in the air was thick as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my emotions a chaotic blend of fear, anger, and confusion. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, Elijah came
Sophia’s POVI awoke to the tantalizing aroma of something delicious wafting through the house. My groggy mind struggled to process the scent as I stretched and rubbed my eyes. It was the kind of smell that promised a good day, and my curiosity got the better of me.When I got into the kitchen, still in my pajamas, my heart skipped a beat at the sight before me. There, standing by the stove in a bright red apron that was way too big for him, was Elijah. His hair was a bit tousled, and he was intently focused on something sizzling in the pan. I couldn't help but chuckle as I took in the scene."What on earth are you doing?" I teased, unable to suppress my laughter.Elijah looked up, his eyes widening in mock surprise. "Well, you caught me," he said with a sheepish grin. "I wanted to surprise you and make breakfast."My heart melted at the sight of him like this—so charming and endearing. I walked over to him, still giggling. "You don’t know how to cook, and that’s okay. I love you none
Sophia’s POVI stepped out of the taxi and onto the cobblestone streets of Florence, the city that seemed to shimmer with a golden hue under the afternoon sun. I took a deep breath, trying to let go of the anxiety I had felt about leaving Kayla behind. She had insisted I come to this workshop, despite her heartache. “You need this, Sophia,” she had said. “I know you’ve been waiting for this for so long. It’s an amazing opportunity, and it’s only by invitation. So go! I’ll be okay.”I was relieved to see that Kayla seemed more stable now, throwing herself into work even though both of us hadn’t heard from Connor. I knew he was on leave from Elijah’s company, and the silence from him was troubling. But for now, I had to focus on the task at hand.The workshop was being held at a stunning villa on the outskirts of Florence, surrounded by lush gardens and rolling hills. Inside, the villa was an architectural marvel. High ceilings with ornate moldings, elegant chandeliers, and tasteful fu
Sophia’s POVIt was interesting to see Adrian looking so eager to share his story with Serena. I could tell that he really had fallen in love with her. “We ended up spending more time together,” Adrian continued. “I flew back to Italy a few more times for concerts, and she would join me whenever she could. Eventually, we both decided to make a go of it. She moved to be closer to me, and things were going well, or at least I thought they were. Lately, though, it feels like the pressures of my career and her own ambitions are pulling us in different directions.”I could sense the gravity of Adrian’s words, the frustration and sadness underlying his otherwise composed exterior. “I’m sorry to hear that,” I said softly. “Relationships can be so challenging, especially when you’re both pursuing your own dreams.”My heart went out to him. Serena’s very complicated, and I’m not sure that she has fully changed for the better. Adrian sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve never
Sophia’s POVI had just returned from my workshop in Italy, and I couldn’t wait to apply all the new strategies I’d learned. “I’m so excited to put what I learned in Italy into practice. It’s going to make a huge difference for Urban Next and Sinclair Realty,” I said, glancing at Elijah, as we walked up the path heading to Reese’s school. He gave me a supportive smile, his eyes reflecting his pride. “I’m sure it will. I’m really proud of you, Sophia.”His encouragement filled me with warmth. “Thanks, Elijah. It means a lot to hear that from you.”Reese skipped up beside us, her eyes bright with excitement. “Mommy, can I go to the playground now?”I looked towards the playground and then back at her. “Yes, honey, but remember to stay where the nanny can see you.”“Okay!” Reese’s face lit up as she dashed off towards the swings, her small figure soon lost in the morning play. Her nanny followed her there. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and saw a message from Kayla: Conn
Sophia’s POV“It seems that Reese has been easily annoyed by a little boy named Roy. Even if he’s just trying to sit beside her, she frowns and moves away. One day, he put a cookie on her table, and she got very upset.”The story left Elijah and me both confused and puzzled. I struggled to reconcile this with the cheerful and easygoing child I knew. I had always seen Reese as someone who could get along with anyone, and the idea of her being so upset over something like a cookie seemed out of character.“I’m really surprised,” I said, my voice reflecting my concern. “Reese has always been so friendly and kind. Why do you think this is happening?”Mrs. Parker nodded sympathetically. “It’s hard to say for certain. Children’s reactions can sometimes be triggered by things we might not immediately understand. I’ve talked with Reese about this incident, but it would be helpful if you could also discuss it with her at home. Understanding her feelings about the situation and why Roy’s action
Kayla’s POVThe hotel function hall was alive with activity as models rehearsed their strut down the runway, the sound of heels clicking against the polished floor blending with the murmur of conversation and the clatter of last-minute setup.I stood near the edge of the stage, directing a group of decorators to adjust the floral arrangements around the archway. The ramp was ready, its sleek design illuminated by the gentle light from overhead, but there was still so much to finalize. Every detail had to be perfect."Move that bouquet a little to the left," I called out, gesturing toward the display. "We need to balance the colors with the backdrop."As the decorators adjusted the arrangement, I checked the lighting setup, ensuring that the soft, ethereal glow we planned for the opening segment was just right. I could feel the pressure mounting, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. Everything needed to come together flawlessly, and I was the one holding it all togeth
Emily’s POVI stepped into the function hall with Sophia by my side, and the sight that greeted us stopped me in my tracks. There, in the center of the room, was Connor, down on one knee, proposing to Kayla. My heart leapt in my chest as I watched Kayla throw her arms around his neck, tears of joy streaming down her face.“Oh my God, he’s proposing!” Sophia gasped beside me. We exchanged a look of shock and pure excitement before turning our attention back to the couple in the middle of the hall.Kayla was radiant, her happiness lighting up the entire room. As Connor lifted her off the ground, their embrace was so full of love and promise that it made my own eyes well up with tears. The workers who had been taking a break were slowly filtering back into the room, drawn by the commotion. One by one, they started clapping and cheering, filling the space with applause and celebration.Without thinking, Sophia and I rushed forward, barely able to contain our excitement. As soon as Connor
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, tapping a pen absently against the edge of my desk. My mind was a mess, tangled in thoughts of last night—of Sophia’s quiet, tearful face, of the widening gap between us.I shouldn’t have agreed to meet Camille today. Hell, I shouldn’t have even taken her call last night. But when she’d been crying on the phone, asking to meet, saying she wanted to quit modeling and come back to Sinclair Realty, I’d felt cornered. There was desperation in her voice, and while I didn’t trust her motives entirely, I didn’t feel right dismissing her outright.Still, I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that this was a mistake. Sophia must have overheard the call last night—I’d caught the faintest shift of movement in the hallway after I’d hung up. But she hadn’t said a word, neither last night nor this morning. We’d gone about our routines in silence, our conversations limited to the kids and logistics. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I
Sophia’s POVWe reached the car, and as soon as I settled into the passenger seat, I leaned my head back, pressing my fingers to my temples in a futile attempt to dull the pounding. Elijah slammed the door shut on his side, the sound making me flinch. He didn’t start the engine right away. Instead, he turned to face me, his jaw tight and his eyes blazing with fury.“You were meeting him,” he said, his voice low but sharp. “Weren’t you? After Kayla left, you knew he’d show up.”“What?” I snapped, sitting up despite the dull ache pulling at me. “Are you serious right now?”“I trusted you, Sophia,” he continued, his voice rising. “And you—what, you think I’m stupid? You think I wouldn’t figure it out?”My chest tightened, anger and disbelief surging. “If you trusted me, you’d believe me when I tell you the truth. I didn’t plan any of this. Lucas just showed up. What was I supposed to do? Ignore him and pass out on the floor?”“You could have called me,” he shot back. “Or Kayla. Hell, any
Sophia’s POV“I’m fine,” I said quickly, waving him off even though my legs felt like jelly. “Just a little dizzy, that’s all. Nice to see you, but I’m heading out now.”I took a shaky step forward, determined to get outside and wait for Elijah. But the room tilted again, and I swayed dangerously. Before I could catch myself, Lucas’s hands shot out, gripping my arms and balancing me. “You’re not fine,” he said firmly. His hands were warm against my skin, and I hated how grounded they made me feel. “Come on, let’s sit down. You need water. Let me help you.”“Lucas, no. I’m okay,” I insisted, trying to pull away, but my legs betrayed me, another wave of dizziness forcing me to lean on him. My heart raced, not just from the physical sensation but from the sinking fear of what Elijah would think if he walked in right now.“Stop arguing,” Lucas said, his voice soft but insistent. “You can barely stand. Just sit down for a minute. I’ll get you some water.”I had no choice but to let him gu
Sophia’s POVThe dim glow of the club’s neon lights danced across our table as Kayla and I leaned in, laughing over the rim of our cocktail glasses. The music thumped in the background, a pulsing beat that seemed to sync with the energy of the room.“See?” Kayla grinned, tossing her hair back. “Aren’t you glad you came out?”I took another sip of my drink, nodding. “I’ll admit, this is fun. It’s been forever since I just let loose like this.”Kayla gave me a playful nudge. “Good. That’s the whole point. Forget your worries for a bit.”A few minutes later, we were on the dance floor, swaying to the music. The crowd around us moved as one, and for the first time in weeks, I felt free—untethered by work, responsibilities, and the heavy weight of my recent thoughts.As we returned to our table, a man approached Kayla, flashing a charming smile. “Hey there. Can I buy you a drink?”Kayla raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. “Appreciate the offer, but I’m good, thanks.”He h
Sophia’s POVKayla and I settled into the plush chairs at the nail salon, the soothing melody of soft music blending with the faint scent of lavender in the air. It was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of life, and I could already feel some of the tension lifting from my shoulders.“This is exactly what I needed,” I sighed as the nail technician began working on my hands. “Just some peace and quiet with my best friend.”Kayla grinned from the chair next to me, her toes soaking in warm, bubbly water. “Tell me about it. Between Asha’s teething and Connor’s latest work crisis, I feel like I haven’t sat down for five minutes in days.”I chuckled. “Motherhood. Marriage. The joys of adulting, right? Remember when our biggest problem was whether our outfits matched for the weekend parties?”“Or whether that cute guy from history class would notice us,” Kayla added with a laugh. “Life was so simple back then.”We both laughed, and for a moment, it felt like we were back in those carefree day
Elijah’s POVI stretched out on the couch, letting out a slow breath as I stared at the ceiling. Saturday mornings were supposed to be a time to recharge, but my mind was a tangled web of doubts, plans, and suspicions. Between Lennon’s shady dealings and Sophia’s decision to work with Lucas, I felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying to balance everything without falling apart.The sound of laughter drifted in from the garden, pulling me out of my thoughts. The kids were giggling about something, their voices light and carefree. Sophia’s laughter mingled with theirs, warm and melodic.Maybe this is what I need. Just one day without suspicion or frustration. One day to relax and have fun with my family, just like before. Pushing myself off the couch, I headed toward the garden. The sight that greeted me made my chest loosen for the first time in days. Reese, Jared, and Roxy were seated around a small table, their hands smudged with paint as they worked on terracotta pots. Sophia wa
Elijah’s POVJoe’s voice came through again. “Elijah, we’ve got movement. That SUV is circling back, and they’re unloading something heavy. You need to wrap it up.”I cursed under my breath. “Understood. Get me an exit route.”The PI beside me nodded sharply, sealing the crate back up with quick, practiced hands. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, my eyes locking onto the approaching headlights of a forklift. Its beam swept across the rows of containers, illuminating patches of the shadows we were hiding in. We crouched lower, pressed against the cold metal of a nearby container, holding our breath as the vehicle rumbled past, its operator none the wiser.“Exit to your left,” Joe said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. “There’s a service road leading to a back lot. Minimal cameras. You’ve got a clear path, but move fast.”I gave a small nod to the PI, and we slipped out of our hiding spot, moving swiftly but quietly. Every footstep felt like it echoed in the oppres
Elijah’s POV“The surveillance is live,” Joe’s voice said through the speakerphone in my office. “We’ve got drones in the air and eyes on the docks. If Lennon’s hiding something, we’ll find it.”“Good,” I muttered, leaning forward. My fingers drummed against the desk as the satellite feed from the docks came into focus. The grainy image showed cargo containers stacked high, workers moving in synchronized chaos under the amber glow of floodlights.The private investigation firm I’d hired had already combed through the basics—shipping manifests, customs declarations, and transaction records. Too much of it didn’t add up. Confidential shipments. Redirected goods. And partnerships with shell companies linked to known mob fronts.“Any movement?” I asked.Joe’s keyboard clattered on the other end. “Not yet. But if Lennon’s got anything going on tonight, it’ll be here. These docks are his central hub for domestic shipments.”I rubbed my temples. “Keep me posted. I’ll head out soon.”It’s bee
Sophia’s POV“Sophia, I need you to come to my office now for a meeting. Big client. High-profile. This could be a game-changer for Urban Next.” Trevis sounded very excited over the phone. I sat up straighter in my chair, my curiosity instantly piqued. “Who is it?” I asked, already flipping open my notebook to jot down details.“Not over the phone,” Trevis said, his tone conspiratorial. “Just get here. Trust me, you’re going to love this.”His enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile as I grabbed my things and made my way to his office. This was exactly the distraction I needed. Something to throw myself into, to focus on, to leave everything else behind for the meantime. When I stepped into the room, Trevis was pacing by the windows, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke with another colleague. As soon as he saw me, his face lit up. “Ah, there she is—the star of Urban Next.”I laughed, shaking my head as I took a seat. “Flattery already? This must be big.”“Oh,