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 POVThe cheerful chatter faded, replaced by shocked silence as the heavy lyrics filled the air. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, but no one said anything. Mr. and Mrs. Baker looked over at Chris with surprise and worry. Elijah gave Mr. Baker a pat on the shoulder, whispering, “We’ll handle it.”“Okay, who’s hungry?” Mr. Baker suddenly asked loudly with a forced smile. “Let’s go enjoy our delicious Christmas Day lunch!” The rest of the family, sensing the tension, got back to their jolly chit-chat as they made their way to the dining table, leaving Elijah and me to approach Chris.“Hey, Chris,” I said casually as we joined him. He was slouched on the chair and had a faraway look on his face. Elijah dropped into the chair beside him. He nudged Chris lightly with his elbow, trying to keep things casual. “Hey, I get it. Love’s a real jerk sometimes. You’re allowed to feel crappy, especially when the person you care about isn’t ready for what you are. But, man, you’ve got to
Sophia’s POVThe night pulsed with energy, the park alive with the excitement of thousands gathered to welcome the new year. Elijah's arm was casually slung around my shoulders as we swayed in time with the music, our voices mingling with the crowd as we sang along to Lila and Adrian's Christmas duet. The stage lights flashed in sync with the beat, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the cheering audience.Beside me, Kayla practically bounced on her toes, her face alight with enthusiasm. “Can you believe it? The public is obsessed with Adrian now!” she exclaimed, trying to be heard above the roar of the crowd.I shot her a knowing grin, the thrill of vindication sparking in my chest. “Yeah, well, someone like Serena can’t get away with her lies forever,” I replied, my words laced with satisfaction. The way Adrian had risen above it all, emerging more beloved than ever, was nothing short of poetic justice.Just then, Kayla’s hand shot out, pointing through the throng of people. “Soph
Julia’s POVAs I caught my breath, I finally made my way back to Henry, who was waiting for me near the edge of the crowd. I’d removed my scarf and sunglasses, hoping to blend in better with the revelers around us. The fireworks were about to start, and I needed to be there with him, as if we were just another couple celebrating the new year.Henry's face was filled with concern, and some irritation too, as I approached. “Where have you been?” he asked, his voice low but urgent. “I told you to stay close. You might get caught. We can’t risk being recognized.”I forced a smile, though it felt stiff on my face. “I just went to get a drink,” I said, trying to sound casual. But inside, I was seething. Seeing Sophia and Elijah, Kayla and Connor, and Daniel with his new girlfriend, all together and so obviously happy—it made my blood boil. They all seemed to have moved on, to be living these perfect lives, while I had to remain in hiding, constantly looking over my shoulder. It wasn’t fair.
Emily’s POV“This is unbelievable,” I whispered. “Totally amazing.” I stood in the middle of my new studio, taking in the sight with a mixture of disbelief and awe. The room was a dream come true: walls lined with racks of my designs, elegant displays showcasing my latest creations, and a bustling back room filled with sewing machines and all the tools of my trade. Kayla and Sophia flanked me, their faces lit up with joy. I couldn’t help but smile as I looked around, letting the reality of it all sink in. This space was mine—my own boutique and studio. It was a testament to all my hard work, sleepless nights, and an endless drive to succeed. This is for you, Mom and Dad, I said in silence. I know you’re always watching over me. Thank you for teaching me never to give up. Kayla nudged me playfully, her eyes twinkling. “So, does this mean you’re really going to resign from Raven Media, huh?”I laughed. “Yes, it does. It’s time for a new chapter. But I’ll always be grateful to you, K