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
Elijah’s POVI was rattled, my heart pounding not just from the adrenaline but from the shock of having used the weapon in my hand. It was the first time I’d ever fired a gun at someone. My training had kicked in—thankfully—but the reality of the situation was sinking in fast.Thank God I carry a gun all the time now, I thought as my racing heart began to calm down. Ever since Sophia had been captured by Henry and Julia, I’d chosen to bring a gun with me everywhere I went. Better safe than sorry. Emily was safe now, though, and that was what mattered most. I glanced over at her, still struggling to process what had just happened. Her eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down her face. She looked confused, almost hysterical. “Emily, it’s okay. You’re safe now,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Where’s Sophia?”Her sobs were shaky as she looked up at me, clutching my arm. “Sophia… Kayla… they’re still inside.”“Okay, let’s go in,” I said firmly despite the tremor I felt
Elijah’s POV“Emily, we need to get you to a hospital now!” I said, my voice urgent.Emily’s eyes were wide with fear, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “No… no, not now. Please, I can’t…”Sophia’s face was pale with worry. “Elijah, what do we do?”I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm despite the overwhelming panic. “We need to get Emily medical help immediately. I’ll call for an ambulance right now.”As I fumbled with my phone, trying to dial emergency services, I could see Emily’s fear and desperation. Kayla held her tightly, whispering reassurances as tears streamed down her face.“Stay with me, Emily. We’re going to get you through this,” I said. “You’re going to be okay. We’re all here for you.”The wail of the approaching sirens was a welcome sound amid the chaos. As the ambulance arrived, I watched Kayla climb in with Emily, her face a mask of determination as she stayed by her side.Sophia and I followed closely behind, making our way to the hospital. When we arrived the
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.