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
Sophia’s POVThe warmth of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a scent that felt so familiar, so comforting, that for a moment, it was easy to forget all the fear and uncertainty of the past few days.My mother bustled around the kitchen, setting out plates and pouring tea, determined to make this a small celebration, in spite of her still being a bit rattled. But more than anything, I could see that she was very, very happy. Emily and Chris had showered and changed, looking far better than they had when I first walked in. The exhaustion was still there, written in the lines of their faces, but they were standing tall, present, and—most importantly—home.Elijah arrived shortly after, his presence filling the room with steady reassurance. When he saw Chris, he didn’t hesitate, pulling him into a tight embrace. They had been best friends since childhood, and after everything Chris had been through, I could see the relief in Elijah’s eyes. He held onto Emily for a moment, too, murmuri
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