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
Emily’s POVThe cab pulled up, and I almost didn't have the strength to lift my arm to hail it. My fingers were trembling, and the tears that had stained my cheeks felt like they’re drying into salt, a permanent reminder of the storm raging inside me. The driver opened the door, and I dragged my suitcase over the curb, my legs feeling like lead.I was supposed to return to France only when I’m super successful and Antoine is completely out of my life, I thought bitterly. Mom, Dad, Phoebe and I were supposed to have an amazing reunion. The cobblestone streets, the smell of fresh croissants wafting from nearby bakeries, the chatter of people speaking in rapid French—everything that used to feel like home now felt like a cruel joke.I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror as I got into the cab. My eyes were swollen and red, and my makeup was smeared, but I barely registered it. It was as if I was looking at a stranger, someone who had lost their way.The cab ride felt endles
Emily’s POV"I can’t believe they’re really gone," Phoebe whispered, her words scarcely heard over the subdued, sorrowful murmur that filled the space. I nodded, unable to meet her gaze. My eyes were too swollen from the tears, my face too blotchy to look at myself in the mirror, let alone at anyone else. The room was heavy with grief, and every breath I took seemed to come from a place deep within my chest, weighed down by the crushing reality of our loss.The funeral home was filled with people. Faces I barely recognized came and went, offering condolences that hardly registered in my numb mind. My parents’ caskets were closed and surrounded by flowers that seemed too bright, too lively for the somberness of the occasion. Each arrangement was a stark contrast to the darkness I felt inside.Phoebe stood beside me, her hand occasionally brushing against mine as if to offer comfort. I felt her eyes on me, filled with concern, but I couldn’t bear to look at her. I was too exhausted fro
Emily’s POVAs the funeral drew to a close, the mourners were slowly dispersing. I was still standing near the edge of the crowd, trying to gather my composure, when I saw her—Isabelle—striding toward us with an unsettling confidence, wearing a bright red dress. Obviously she’s here to rub it in my face, to cause trouble, and disrespect my parents. Her entourage of gangster-looking men surrounded her, each of them exuding a menacing aura. I could barely contain my shock and fury. What was she doing here? The sheer audacity of her presence was like a slap in the face. And then, the mocking, insincere smile she plastered on her face was the last straw.Her words were like acid, burning through the last vestiges of my composure. I felt my hands form into fists, my body trembling with anger. How dare she come here and try to rub it in my face? How dare she act as if she was here to comfort me when I knew the role she played in all this?I couldn’t hold it in any longer. With a roar of f
Emily’s POVI stood there, the past burdening me as I stared at the charred remains of the house where I had spent so many years of my life. The structure, now nothing more than a skeletal frame of blackened wood and twisted metal, seemed to mourn the loss as much as I did. I could barely recognize my childhood home, which had been reduced to ashes and memories. Phoebe stood beside me, her arm wrapped around my shoulders. We were both crying, the tears mingling with the soot-streaked wind that swept through the ruins. Her presence was a comfort, yet also a reminder of everything we had lost.“I can’t believe it,” Phoebe choked out. “I know,” I whispered back, trying to steady my voice. “I keep thinking I’ll wake up and this will all be some horrible nightmare.”We stood in silence, letting the enormity of our loss sink in. The house had been more than just a building. It held every important moment of our lives, every joy and sorrow etched into its walls. And now, those walls were g
Sophia’s POVKayla practically floated through the aisles, her hand grazing over the plush towels and soft blankets as if she were in a dream. Her smile hadn't left her face since we walked into the store, and I couldn't help but grin at her. “You look like you're about to burst from all that happiness,” I teased, nudging her playfully.She laughed, a bright sound that matched the sparkle in her eyes. “What can I say? I'm a married woman now, and I've got the best husband in the world.”I reached for a vase with intricate blue patterns, imagining it on a mantle in her new home. “And you just got back from your honeymoon. You’re practically glowing. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you might have a little Connor J on the way.”Kayla’s cheeks flushed, and she giggled, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. “Well, let's hope so. Or a little Kayla Jr.! How amazing would it be if our babies were the same age and grew up as best friends, just like we did?”I couldn't help but
Sophia’s POVThe living room was filled with the scent of pine as we gathered around the Christmas tree, the twinkling lights reflecting in Reese's eyes. Elijah was next to me, holding up a box of ornaments while Reese, her small hands busy with a shiny red ball, hummed a Christmas tune.“This one goes here, Mommy!” Reese exclaimed, carefully placing the ornament on a low branch.“Perfect, sweetheart,” I said, smiling at her enthusiasm. Her joy was infectious, and I could feel my earlier worries slowly melting away.Elijah handed me a delicate glass angel, and I carefully hung it on a branch near the top. “It’s really coming together, don’t you think?”“It is,” I agreed, stepping back to admire our work. But my mind kept wandering back to Adrian. “Kayla couldn’t reach Adrian, and I’m getting worried about him,” I confided in Elijah. “Do you think he might’ve had a confrontation with Serena? Or maybe she finally told him she really doesn’t want him?”Elijah frowned slightly, consideri