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 POVI had just finished reading Reese her bedtime story, her little eyelids growing heavy as she nestled into her pillow. I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead, but my mind was elsewhere. Elijah should’ve been home by now. He usually called if he was going to be late, but tonight, there was nothing—no text, no call. I began to get worried. As I tucked Reese in, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Relief washed over me—maybe it was Elijah finally calling. But when I saw the name on the screen, my heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t him.“Hello?” I answered, my heart pounding against my chest. “Mrs. Sinclair? This is the night guard at Mr. Knight’s office building,” came the urgent voice on the other end. “I’m afraid there’s been an incident. Mr. Elijah Sinclair was attacked in the parking lot. We found him unconscious.”My blood ran cold. “What? Oh my God… Is he… Is he okay?” My voice shook, panic threatening to take over.“We’ve already called an ambulance,” Ma
Emily’s POVI sat there, overwhelmed by guilt and self-reproach. I should have never let Antoine into our lives. If only I had been more careful, maybe none of this would have happened. The weight of responsibility felt crushing, and I couldn’t escape the blame that was gnawing at me.Sophia, seeing my distress, reached out and gently placed her hand on mine. “It’s not your fault, Emily. None of this is your doing,” she said softly, her voice full of empathy.Her words did little to ease the guilt that clung to me. Sophia had been nothing but kind to me since the day we met, and now she was dealing with this nightmare because of me. The silence that followed was heavy and laden with unspoken fears and regrets.Eventually, I knew I needed to explain, to offer some semblance of understanding. Taking a deep breath, I began to recount my story.“I met Antoine at a party,” I started, my voice slightly quivering. “I was working part-time as a waitress while in college. It was supposed to be
Emily’s POV“I didn’t want anyone to know,” I shared with Sophia, not being able to stop the tears from streaming down my face. “I was ashamed and scared. I kept hoping he’d change, that things would get better. But it only got worse. I felt trapped and powerless.”Sophia shook her head in disbelief, her eyes filled with sorrow and sympathy for me. “One day, out of the blue, Antoine showed up at my doorstep,” I continued with a shaky breath. “He was so different from the man I knew—sweet, affectionate, loving. He asked me to marry him right then and there. I was crazy for giving in, but he seemed so sincere, and he’d been showing me this side of him for a week.”Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, her heart clearly breaking for me.“We got married in some random place,” I said, my voice breaking as I relived the painful memories. “I thought we were starting a new chapter, a fresh start. But it was far from that. Earlier on the very same day, he’d had another massive fight with Isabelle.
Sophia’s POVI can’t lose you, Elijah. Please…My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt like the world was closing in on me. “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this,” the doctor began, his voice grave. “Mr. Sinclair’s injuries are quite severe. He’s sustained multiple fractures and internal bleeding. We’re doing everything we can to stabilize him, but it will be a long road to recovery.”My breath caught in my throat, and I felt tears sting my eyes. The thought of Elijah suffering, of him being so close to losing his life, was unbearable.But then, the doctor’s tone softened slightly. “However, I want to assure you that he is currently safe and stable. We’ve managed to control the immediate threats to his life, and he’s in capable hands. We’ll keep monitoring him closely and provide you with updates as we know more. His condition is critical, but we are optimistic about his recovery.”Relief mingled with my fear, and I clung to the doctor’s words. At least he was safe now, even if the
Elijah’s POVThe metallic clang of the prison gates behind me sent a chill through the air, though the day was warm and bright. Joe walked beside me, his expression set in its usual mask of calm determination, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. I wasn’t exactly at ease myself—this wasn’t the kind of place anyone walked into lightly.“Charlotte Vega,” I said quietly, more to myself than Joe, as we followed a guard down the sterile corridors. “She’s been visiting both Julia and Henry frequently. That alone is suspicious.”After what we had discovered from Vito’s visitor logs, I’d decided to check into the ones for Henry and Julia. And that was how I’d come across Charlotte Vega. Joe nodded, keeping his voice low. “The guards I spoke to say she’s supposedly an investigative journalist. Claims she’s writing some big exposé on international mobs. Sounds plausible enough on the surface.”“But?”“But,” he said, giving me a sideways glance, “they also mentioned she’s always very
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
Sophia’s POVElijah’s silence pressed down on me like a physical force, heavier than the comforter I was clutching. I lay on my side, my back turned to him, staring into the darkness. My heart felt raw, aching with the knowledge that I’d hurt the one person who meant everything to me.He wasn’t asleep—I knew him well enough to sense that. And knowing he was lying there, just as restless as I was, made the ache in my chest even worse.I couldn’t take it anymore.“Elijah,” I whispered. Turning slowly, I faced him, my eyes adjusting to the faint light filtering through the curtains. His back was still to me, but I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against his shoulder. “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can’t stand this distance between us.”For a moment, he didn’t move, and I thought he might ignore me. But then, he rolled over, his face etched with both exhaustion and pain. His eyes met mine, and the sight of his hurt broke me.“I’m sorry,” I said, tears pooling i
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool silk of my nightgown brushing against my legs, I immediately noticed Elijah standing near the bed, his back to me. His posture was rigid, his head slightly tilted as he studied something in his hands. My breath caught when I realized what it was.The chocolate wrapper.My heart sank as I recognized it instantly. I’d completely forgotten about it after stashing it away. How had it ended up here?“Elijah?” I said hesitantly, my voice quieter than I intended.He turned, his face calm but his eyes sharp, like he was holding back a storm. He held up the wrapper. “Where did this come from?”I froze, my mind racing. “I—”“I found it in Reese’s bag,” he said evenly, cutting me off. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach churn.For a split second, I considered lying, brushing it off as something our daughter must have gotten from a classmate or a friend. But the look in Elijah’s eyes stopped me. He d
Elijah’s POVI sank into the couch, remote still in hand, as the credits of some late-night documentary rolled across the screen. The faint hum of the television was lulling me into that in-between state of wakefulness and sleep when my phone buzzed on the coffee table. The name Camille lit up the screen.Frowning, I picked it up. “Hello?”“Elijah,” came her voice, slightly slurred, accompanied by background noise—music, chatter, the unmistakable din of a party still in full swing. “Hey... I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”“No,” I said cautiously, sitting up straighter. “Are you okay? You sound... off.”She let out a soft laugh that sent warning bells ringing in my head. “Just had a little too much fun tonight, that’s all. I’m about to leave the party.”“You shouldn’t drive,” I said immediately. “Find someone sober to take you home or call a ride. Seriously.”“Oh, so protective,” she teased, her words laced with flirtation. “I’m so flattered you care.”“Camille,” I said firmly,
Sophia’s POVI sipped from my glass of champagne, the bubbles fizzing on my tongue and giving me a fleeting sense of lightness. Kayla’s concerned voice cut through the haze.“Are you okay? That’s your third glass already,” she said, a shadow of worry crossing her face as she moved closer.I waved her off with a forced smile. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just so... happy. The event was a huge success. We deserve this, don’t you think?”Kayla hesitated, her gaze scanning my face. “Yeah, but don’t go overboard. You’ve got a family waiting for you at home.”“Elijah went ahead,” I said quickly, my tone dismissive. “He’s tired.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she wanted to press further, but Connor appeared beside her, sliding an arm around her waist. The moment passed as she turned her attention to him, and I took the opportunity to slip away into the crowd.The bass thumped through the speakers, reverberating in my chest as I joined a group of familiar faces on the dance floor. The alcohol co
Sophia’s POVThe energy of the fashion show was electric. The applause was thunderous as the models made their final walk down the runway in Emily’s stunning tribute collection. Kayla and I stood near the stage, watching as the curtains closed on months of hard work.“We did it,” Kayla whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She squeezed my hand tightly, her smile brighter than the spotlights above.I nodded, unable to suppress the overwhelming joy bubbling inside me. “We really did. It’s perfect, Kayla.”The after-party was in full swing now, a celebration of what we had pulled off. Everyone seemed to be riding the high of the evening. Elijah had surprised me earlier with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, a sweet and thoughtful gesture that made my heart swell. His warm kiss on my cheek and whispered, “I’m so proud of you,” had been the cherry on top of a perfect night.But now, as I moved through the crowd, my excitement dulled slightly. I couldn’t find him.“Elijah?” I called
Sophia’s POV"Kayla, can you double-check the lighting cues for the finale?" I asked, glancing at the stage where models were gliding down the runway, their movements rehearsed to perfection.Kayla, clipboard in hand, barely glanced up. "Already done. Now spill. How was the night with Lucas?"My heart jumped, the question catching me off guard. I kept my tone breezy as I adjusted a hemline on one of the dresses. "Oh, it was fine. We caught a movie and grabbed dinner. Nothing special."Kayla lowered the clipboard and arched a brow. "Uh-huh. And where was Luana during all of this?"I busied myself with the dress, my hands suddenly fidgety. "She... got caught up with something at home. A repair, I think. She couldn’t make it."Kayla’s lips parted in mock surprise as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Wait. Are you telling me you and Lucas—alone—watched a movie and had dinner together? No Luana? Just the two of you?""Shh!" I hissed, glancing nervously around the backsta