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
Sophia’s POVThe week that followed was a roller-coaster as Kayla and Elijah’s respective PR teams moved swiftly, their strategy unfolding like a well-orchestrated symphony.Serena’s once-saccharine narrative began to crumble under the weight of carefully leaked photos—images of her with different men, the most damning being her cozying up to a much older professor. The public, so quick to rally behind her, started to see the cracks in her story. Sympathy shifted, and suddenly, Adrian was no longer the villain in this tale.I sat with Elijah on the patio near our garden, both of us checking our phones. Every news outlet, every social media platform was buzzing with the latest revelations. The tide had turned, and for once, it was in Adrian’s favor.“The strategy worked,” I said with satisfaction and gratefulness. Elijah nodded. “It was risky, but it worked. Now Adrian just needs to seal the deal with his statement.”As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a notification. I swiped to open
Sophia’s POVDaniel isn’t here yet, I thought as I surveyed the party scene. Maybe he’s not coming and that could be a good thing, even if Elijah said it’s fine with him. I looked around our living room with a smile, trying not to think about the awkwardness of having Elijah and Daniel together in one room again. Every corner shimmered with festive decorations, from the lush evergreen garlands draped over the mantel to the perfectly decorated tree standing tall in the corner. The smell of delicious food wafted through the air—roast beef, baked ham, and a mix of sweet and savory dishes prepared by a top-notch chef Elijah had insisted on hiring. The sound of laughter and cheerful conversation filled the room as our friends enjoyed the party, their glasses clinking in celebration.I can’t believe it has come to this after everything. A perfect Christmas with so much love around me. Elijah approached me with a glass of champagne, his smile warm and reassuring. Nearby, Reese was by the
Sophia’s POV“Mommy, do you think there will be more gifts at the Bakers'?” Reese’s voice was filled with a blend of sleepiness and excitement as she padded into the kitchen, her eyes still half-closed. She’d stayed up late last night opening all her presents. I glanced over, stifling a laugh. “Well, sweetheart, I think the Bakers always have a few surprises up their sleeves. It’s Christmas Day, after all, and you are their favorite.”Reese grinned, suddenly looking alert. “Yay!” she cheered. Elijah, adjusting his shirt collar with a thoughtful look, added, “Heather seemed really nice last night. I’m glad she makes Daniel happy.”I nodded, smiling as I poured us all some orange juice. “Me too. It’s great to see Daniel so content. I’m glad Heather makes her happy.”Reese, already dressed in her festive outfit, let out a dramatic yawn and stretched her arms as wide as she could. “I’m so tired, Mommy, but I can’t wait to see what’s next!”Her energy was infectious, and I found myself g
Sophia’s POVA hush of golden light slipped through the curtains, draping the room in warmth and calm. It felt like the kind of morning that only came after surviving the storm.Weeks had passed since the chaos faded, and for once, the quiet didn’t feel temporary—it felt earned. I stirred slowly, eyes drifting open to find Elijah beside me, his hand resting lightly over mine. I studied him in the silence, taking in the softened edges of a man who’d carried us through fire and finally found peace.I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His eyes fluttered open, and when they focused on me, he smiled sleepily."Morning," he murmured."Morning," I whispered back, letting my fingers trace the line of his jaw. "Can you believe we actually get to wake up like this? No chaos, no danger—just us."He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. "I could get used to this."Just as I was about to say something, the door burst open."Mommy! Daddy!" Reese called out, followed quickly by Roxy an
Elijah’s POVWe weaved through the cracked streets, deeper into a part of the city that felt like time had forgotten it. Boarded-up windows, rusted signage, buildings collapsing in on themselves. This was the kind of place where ghosts lingered, and today, we were chasing one of them."We’re close," Joe muttered from the front seat, his eyes scanning the GPS on his phone. "This is the last possible location that fits Hugo's hideouts."Antoine sat beside me in the back, silent but focused. His jaw was tight, hands clenched. I still didn’t know if I fully trusted him, but I couldn’t deny this: he was here, risking his neck like the rest of us. And right now, I’d take any edge we could get.I have to find Grandpa George. For Sophia.When we pulled up to the burned-out remains of what once looked like a chapel, a chill shot down my spine. The stone structure still stood, half-charred, the wooden beams above blackened and skeletal. Nature had tried to reclaim it—vines curling around scorch
Elijah’s POV“Sophia…”Her name was the only thing in my mind as I stormed through the decaying hallway, boots slamming against rotting wood, gun drawn. My pulse thundered in my ears. The floor creaked beneath every step, but I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t.Joe and his men fanned out behind me, covering corners, checking every room.We were running out of time.Then—A scream.My heart nearly stopped. It was her.I charged forward, slamming my shoulder into the door at the end of the hall. It burst open—and I saw red.Morgana was on the ground, gasping for air as Hugo’s hand squeezed her throat, and across the room, Sophia was trying to drag herself toward them, her face pale and streaked with tears.“NO!” I shouted, and without hesitation, I raised my gun.Hugo turned just as I fired.The bullet tore through his shoulder. He howled, stumbling back and releasing Morgana, who crumpled to the floor, coughing violently.I crossed the room in three strides and tackled Hugo before he could
Sophia’s POVThe first thing I felt was cold.A biting chill that wrapped around my arms and legs like a second set of restraints. Then came the pressure—tight, scratchy ropes cutting into my wrists. My head pounded like a drum, fog thick behind my eyes. Everything smelled like mildew and dust.My eyes struggled to make sense of the shadows.The room was dim, lit only by a weak bulb overhead that flickered like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to stay on. I was on a metal chair, hands tied behind my back, ankles secured to the legs. The air tasted stale and old, like the walls had been sealed off from the world for decades.Panic bloomed in my chest.My brother Chris. What had become of him?I jerked forward, straining against the ropes. “Chris!” I called, my voice hoarse and raw. “Where is he?!”I noticed some movement in the darkness. A shadow stirred in the corner of the room. I froze as a figure stepped out into the light. Tall. Gray-streaked beard. Sunken eyes like old coals. A d
Sophia’s POV“This is insane,” Elijah muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “We’re relying on Antoine to lead us to Hugo. Does no one else see how crazy that is?”Joe, who had been checking messages on his phone, barely looked up. “We don’t have another choice.”I watched Elijah pace the room, his frustration clear. He wasn’t wrong, but I knew that if there was even the smallest chance of finding Grandpa George, we had to take it.Joe sighed and turned to Antoine. “You sure you can make him bite?”Antoine shrugged. “I know Hugo. He’s a cockroach—he won’t go down without a fight. But if he thinks his last hiding spot is compromised, he’ll make a move. That’s when we strike.”Elijah muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t catch it. Joe’s phone buzzed. As he studied the screen, he said, “We got something. Two possible locations.”Elijah straightened. “Then let’s move.”They all hurried out, and I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to call Elijah back—to make sure he’d pick up
Sophia’s POVMy mother sat on the couch, clutching Grandma Evelyn’s hands, trying to calm her down. My father stood near the window, staring out into the darkness, his face pale and unreadable.Chris and Connor were huddled over a laptop at the dining table, analyzing security footage.Joe was already there, speaking into his phone, barking orders to his contacts.But no one had any answers yet.And Grandpa George was still missing.I turned to my grandmother, kneeling in front of her. “Grandma—did you see anything? Anyone suspicious? A car, a stranger?”Her red-rimmed eyes filled with fresh tears as she shook her head. “No… nothing. I don’t know how this happened.” Her voice broke. “George was just in his study… and then he was gone.”Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me, but I could feel the rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. He wasn’t just worried—he was furiousJust then, Chris snapped his fingers at the screen. “We’ve got something.”Connor turned the laptop t
Sophia’s POVWe had been trying to track down both Antoine and Hugo, but they had vanished like ghosts.No leads. No sightings. Nothing.Lucas had called me earlier, still searching, still digging. Even Elijah and his contacts have been working doubly hard. But so far, they’d come up empty too. It was frustrating—knowing the danger was out there, lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.But tonight…Tonight, we weren’t going to think about it.Tonight, we were here to celebrate.After all, Lila and Adrian’s joint concert was finally happening. This was their moment, their dream unfolding before them.And for the first time in what felt like forever, we were all together, enjoying something good.Kayla was everywhere at once, her headset on, clipboard in hand, barking last-minute instructions into her earpiece. She was stressed, frantic… but glowing. Even though there could have been other people to take care of all this from her company, she wanted to be in charge, to personal
Emily’s POV“Walk away, Hugo,” Antoine said sharply, stepping in front of us as if to shield us from the strange man.The name triggered a memory.Chris had mentioned it just yesterday—Hugo Tournier. Suddenly, I remembered. It’s the name Sophia and Elijah had been trying to track down. The man who had supposedly changed Sophia’s life forever.And now he’s here. Why?!My hands instinctively balled up as my heart slammed against my ribs. Could this really be the same man?Hugo’s expression darkened with satisfaction as he took another step, exuding an air of quiet arrogance.“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with something sinister. “You’re not as fun outside of prison, Antoine.”Phoebe’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Emily, let’s go,” she muttered under her breath.I wanted to. Every instinct screamed at me to turn and leave. But I couldn’t—not yet.Hugo came forward, his eyes staring straight at me. He gave a low chuckle, mocking. “It’s interesting to meet Sabrina Ba
Emily’s POVI refused to flinch. Even as Antoine stood in front of me, blocking my way, I forced my body to stay still, to stay firm.I squared my shoulders, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “Move.”Antoine didn’t budge. His gaze shifted between me and Phoebe, like he wasn’t sure if I’d actually listen or turn and run.“I’m not here to fight,” he said, his voice calm. “I just want to talk.”Phoebe’s grip on my arm tightened, and her anger was immediate, sharp.“Oh, hell no,” she snapped. “What are you even doing here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm. I wasn’t going to let him see me feeling nervous or affected by him. Antoine exhaled, his face unreadable. “I just wanted to talk.”Phoebe laughed coldly. “Talk? You took Jared, Antoine. Without permission. Do you have any idea what you put us through?”“I know,” he admitted. “I made a mistake.”Phoebe scoffed. “A mistake?”I stepped forward, my gaze hardening. “Please, Antoine.