Antoine’s POVI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Sophia’s words hit me like a sledgehammer, and for the first time in a long while, I felt completely out of control. Isabelle had been feeding me information for weeks, feeding me lies. I formed my fists into tight balls, the rage within me building to a dangerous level.Isabelle had been contacting me frequently, always with something new to say about Emily. Her reports were consistent, always painting Emily in the worst possible light. She’d even sent me photos—ones that made my blood boil. Emily, cozying up to Chris, kissing him like she didn’t have a care in the world. It reminded me of that day at Elijah’s house when I caught them together. The way Chris looked at her, the way she smiled at him... it drove me mad.And then there was Elijah. Isabelle’s accusations about Emily’s supposed affair with him had been hard to swallow at first, but the photos made it impossible to ignore. Emily and Elijah, always together, even hugging
Antoine’s POVI pounded my fists against the weathered wooden door, the thud echoing through the empty street. The chill in the air did nothing to calm the rage boiling inside me. Isabelle had pushed me too far this time. My fists clenched tighter as I muttered under my breath, “Where the hell is she? Isabelle!!!”The door creaked open just enough for one of her goons to peer out. The thug’s eyes widened at the sight of me, and without a word, he stepped aside, letting me storm into the faintly illuminated room beyond. The heavy, musty scent of old cigar smoke and dampness hit me like a wall.I barreled through the narrow hallway, my heart pounding with every step. I was so focused on finding Isabelle that I almost didn’t see her lounging on a worn leather couch, as if she had all the time in the world. She was casually flipping through a magazine, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.“Isabelle!” I roared, my voice echoing off the bare walls. “What the hell do you think you’re
Sophia’s POV“This is sooo beautiful and amazing!” Reese exclaimed, her little voice filled with awe as she pressed her face against the cabin’s large window. The panoramic view of the Swiss Alps spread out before us, majestic and breathtaking. “Thank you, Daddy, for bringing us here. I’m glad you’re okay now.”Elijah chuckled softly, crouching down beside her. “I’m glad too, sweetie,” he said, his voice gentle as he wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. The last few months had been full of ups and downs that had tested us in ways I never imagined. But now, as we settled into this beautiful cabin nestled in the mountains of Switzerland, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.“This place is perfect,” I said, breathing in the crisp mountain air as I stepped further into the cozy living room. The warm wood tones of the cabin interior, combined with the soft, inviting furniture, made it feel like a true sanctuary. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a war
Elijah’s POVAnother day in the Swiss Alps. Sophia’s right, it’s supposed to be a family trip and I should make an effort to be present in all ways. This morning, guilt seemed to burden me as I recalled how I’d acted yesterday. The cable car ride with Sophia had been tense and quiet, neither of us saying much. The silence between us felt like a chasm, growing wider with each passing minute. At least Reese had enjoyed it—she was so worn out afterward that she fell asleep right after lunch. We decided to skip the village festival and reschedule it for today, planning to go after our ice skating activity.As we walked toward the ice skating area, I placed my arm around Sophia’s shoulders and planted a kiss on her cheek. “I’m sorry about yesterday,” I whispered, hoping we could put it behind us and salvage the rest of our vacation.She gave me a faint smile, but then pulled away to hold Reese’s hand, moving ahead of me. The distance between us wasn’t just physical; I could tell she was
Elijah’s POVLater that evening, after a day that felt more like walking on eggshells than enjoying a vacation, I decided it was time to make things right. The guilt from how I’d treated Sophia was gnawing at me, and I knew I had to do more than just apologize—I needed to show her how much she meant to me.As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, I led Sophia to a secluded spot overlooking the Alps, a place I’d discovered earlier. I’d arranged for a small bonfire to be set up, with cozy blankets and a bottle of her favorite wine waiting for us. Reese was already tucked into bed after an exhausting day, giving us the perfect opportunity to reconnect.“Sophia,” I said softly, taking her hand as we sat down on the blanket, the warmth of the fire warding off the evening chill. “I know I’ve been distant, and maybe irritable at times. I haven’t been the easiest person to be around. But I want you to know that I’m sorry—for everything.”She looked
Emily’s POVI hastily walked through the doors of the NICU, holding my breath and hoping for some good news. I’ve been waiting for them to tell me that Jared would be strong enough to finally go home with me. “Good morning, Jared,” I whispered, leaning over to peer at my tiny miracle. “Mommy’s here again. I hope you had a good sleep.”A nurse approached, her eyes twinkling with a smile. “Miss Emily, I’ve got some wonderful news for you.”I looked up, my breath catching in my throat. “What is it?”“Jared has made tremendous progress over the past few days,” she said in a warm, eager voice. “He's strong enough to be transferred to the regular nursery today. And after one more day of observation, he’ll be ready to go home with you.”The world seemed to blur around me as I absorbed her words. “Really?” I gasped, tears springing to my eyes. “He can finally come home?”The nurse nodded. “Yes. He's a fighter, just like his mom.”I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. They spilled down my
Emily’s POVI stood quietly in the small extra room in my new apartment that I had turned into a nursery, cradling my beloved Jared in my arms and humming a lullaby. He’d finally fallen asleep after hours of fussing. “You make me so happy, little one,” I whispered to him as I carefully laid him down in his crib. I was just starting to rest in the living room, stretching out my legs in front of me as I sat on the sofa, when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Chris standing there, looking both relieved and apologetic. His suit was rumpled from travel, and he carried a small duffel bag slung over one shoulder.“Hey, Emily,” he said with a smile. “I’m really sorry I wasn’t here these past few days. The trip ran longer than I expected. And I’m sorry to come here without sending a message.”I stepped aside to let him in, smiling widely. “It’s alright. And why are you sorry about the trip? I was the one who insisted you go ahead with your plans. Besides, you gave me a bodyguard which i
Sophia’s POV“Sophia! Elijah! And little Reese!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she opened the door to her apartment, letting us in. “It’s so great to see you all!”I gave her a quick hug, happy to see her two days after we got back from our family trip. I motioned to the bag of goodies that we’d brought, filled with Swiss chocolates and other presents, which Elijah was carrying. “These are for you.”“Oh, thanks so much,” Emily said with a smile, though she looked quite tired and a little bit distracted. “You didn’t have to bring all this.”I grinned with a wave of my hand. “It’s no big deal. I bet Kayla has a lot for us too when she gets back from Bali.” We entered the cozy apartment, and Emily led us to the living room. Elijah set down the bags and went over to Jared’s crib to take a peek. Reese, ever curious, followed closely behind.“He’s so little!” Reese exclaimed. I joined my daughter, happy to see Jared whose eyes were open. He was murmuring soft coos, which was quite
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped into my car, the cold leather seats sent a sharp chill through me. The afternoon sun, shy but persistent, peeked through scattered clouds, bathing the pristine snow in a gentle radiance. Thankfully, the blizzard had blown over quickly, and the roads were clear enough to navigate. It was the kind of crisp day that made the world feel brand new, but my thoughts were far from fresh.Lucas stood near the entrance of the ski resort, his hands shoved into his coat pockets. He waved, a warm smile on his face as I rolled down my window.“Thanks for coming, Sabrina,” he called, his voice carrying easily in the still air. I forced a polite smile, not knowing how to feel about him still calling me Sabrina up to now, especially after what I'd just discovered about my childhood. “Thanks, Lucas. The resort has so much potential. I’ll send over the updated designs soon.”“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, stepping back. “Drive safe. Roads might still be icy in some spot
Emily’s POVThe biting cold wrapped around me like a vice as the forest settled into an eerie stillness. The sounds of the chase from the night before had faded, but they seemed to continue echoing in my head. My legs ached, my hands were raw, and my breath fogged in the frigid air as I stumbled forward, searching for something—anything—that could serve as a refuge.It’s getting late. I have to find shelter first. The darkness was suffocating, but then, faintly, through the trees, I saw a glimmer of light. My heart leaped as I cautiously approached, praying it wasn’t a trap. What I found instead was a small, dilapidated hunting shack, nearly swallowed by the forest. Its wooden walls were warped, the roof sagging in places, but it was shelter. For now, it was enough.Inside, the air was stale and cold, but at least it shielded me from the howling wind. I found a dusty lantern and managed to light it with trembling hands, its soft glow pushing back the shadows. There was an old cot in
Sophia’s POVThe memory hung in my mind like a shadow, vivid and unsettling. Lucas’s voice—the one I had heard in my dream, the one calling for Sabrina—now felt too real to dismiss as just a fragment of my imagination.I tried to focus on the snow, its mesmerizing dance beyond the glass, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing.And then Lucas stepped closer, his presence pulling me from my turmoil. His eyes searched mine. “What are you remembering?” he asked carefully. I turned to face him fully, my heart thundering in my chest. “It’s… hard to explain,” I began, forcing the words out through the lump in my throat. “I had a dream—a nightmare, really—about when I got lost in the snowstorm as a child. I mean, I already know that it was Morgana who actually left me behind because she’d met with her lover then. But now…”Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Now what?”“Well, in my dream, I thought I heard Elijah calling my name. He’d been there with his family too, so…”Lucas’s expression tightened, but he s
Sophia’s POVThe view outside the window was breathtaking—snow-dusted hills stretching endlessly under a pale blue sky. The cozy lounge, with its crackling fire and soft golden lighting, felt like the perfect setting for a romantic moment. It should have been calming, but my mind was anything but calm.That photo of Elijah and Victoria burned in my memory. Her sitting so close to him, their laughter captured at just the right moment. It made my chest tighten with anger and something I didn’t want to name—jealousy. The thought alone made me queasy, but it also left me vulnerable. Vulnerable to Lucas.I glanced at him. He stood just a few feet away, his expression soft but intent, watching me like I was the only person in the world. His confession still echoed in my ears, and I couldn’t deny the pull of the moment. It was too perfect, too charged. For a brief, fleeting second, I let myself wonder what it would feel like to bask in his affection, to let myself be swept up in something s
Elijah’s POVThe silence in my office was deafening. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the half-empty coffee cup on my desk. The bitterness clung to my tongue, a reminder of the recent situation in my marriage. Oh, Sophia. What’s happening to us?She’d been consuming my every thought lately. And not in the way she used to. Not with warmth or laughter, but with cold uncertainty. We hadn’t spoken properly since I sent her those flowers. It was my way of saying: I still care about you. She’d thanked me, of course, but there was no follow-up. No deep conversation. I really miss her. God knows how much I miss my wife. We used to talk about everything. The kids. Work. The stupid little things that made up our days. Now? She was busy. Always busy. Late nights at the office. Early mornings. And when she was home, she was either buried in her laptop or tiptoeing around me like I was made of glass. And it wasn’t just work. It was that damn Lucas who found a way to be with her more. Just
Sophia’s POVThe image of Elijah and Victoria stayed with me, eating away at my thoughts like an unyielding tempest. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t just Victoria’s presence that unnerved me—it was the way Elijah seemed to let her get close. Is he falling for her? No. No, it’s impossible. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and it was growing faster than I could contain it.We need to talk. Soon. Heart to heart, I resolved, my chest tightening as I fought back a surge of emotion. The silence of the room around me only made the ache sharper, more vivid.Just then, Lucas’s footsteps broke through the quiet, and I quickly pushed my phone back into my pocket. He entered the lounge with a tray balanced in his hands, two mugs of steaming hot chocolate sending up tendrils of inviting warmth.The image of Elijah and Victoria lingered in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts like a relentless storm. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t j
Sophia’s POV“Lucas,” I called out, stepping onto the cobblestone path that led to the resort’s grand, albeit faded, entrance. “You’ve got a prime location here.”He emerged from the double doors, his familiar grin warm against the chilly mountain air. “Sophia, welcome. How was the drive up?”“Long,” I admitted, adjusting my scarf as the wind tugged at it. I was bundled up in a navy wool coat, a pair of tan ankle boots, and a thick cream-colored knit scarf. The frosty air bit at my cheeks, and I shoved my gloved hands into my coat pockets for warmth. “But worth it. This place…” I gestured to the sprawling ski resort behind him, its old-world charm dulled by time and neglect. “It’s stunning. Or at least, it has the bones to be.”Lucas chuckled, his gaze lingering on me. “That’s why you’re here. To make it amazing again.”As I stepped closer, I caught the faint scent of pine and woodsmoke clinging to the air, mingling with the crispness of the snow-dusted ground. For a brief moment, the
Sophia’s POVThe sight of Phoebe standing in the doorway took my breath away. She looked so different from the last time I’d seen her—thinner, her cheekbones more pronounced, her posture subdued. But her eyes, wide and shimmering with unshed tears, carried a familiar depth of emotion that struck me instantly. Before I could speak, she stepped forward and wrapped both Kayla and me in a tight embrace.“Phoebe,” I murmured, still stunned. “You’re here.”Her hug felt prolonged, as if she were drawing strength from it. When she pulled back, her hands rested firmly on my arms, her smile wavering slightly. “I couldn’t stay away any longer,” she said, her voice soft but laden with feeling. “I needed to see you.”“We’ve missed you so much,” Kayla said, adjusting Asha on her hip. Asha reached out with a tiny hand, patting Phoebe’s cheek, as if sensing the tension in the air. Kayla smiled gently, her tone as soothing as always. “How have you been?”Phoebe hesitated, brushing a tear from her chee
Sophia’s POV“This is where she works?” Jared asked in awe, looking around Emily’s fashion boutique and studio. Last night, I dreamed of Emily. The memory stayed with me through the morning, compelling me to take Jared to her studio today. I wanted him to see her world, to connect with the pieces of his mother’s life, and perhaps, in the process, learn more about the woman who had given him life.“Yes, sweetie,” I said, kneeling beside him and pointing to a mannequin draped in a half-finished gown. “Your mom spent hours here, creating beautiful designs. She always said fashion was her way of telling a story without words.”Jared tilted his head, studying the unfinished dress. “Did she make this one for someone special?”A lump formed in my throat. “Maybe,” I whispered. “She had so many dreams... and you were always her biggest one.” I guided him to a small table near the sewing area. I pulled out a box filled with swatches of fabric and colorful buttons, things Emily had once used t