Elijah’s POVWe raced through the streets in the ambulance, the siren blaring, and my heart pounding in sync with the flashing lights. Every bump in the road seemed magnified, and every second felt like an eternity. Excitement and worry clashed inside me as I held my wife’s hand. “We’re almost there,” I whispered to her and she gave me a faint smile even amidst her pain. Her breathing was labored and her face was pale. I reached over, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I love you, Sophia,” I whispered. “And I can’t wait to meet our little one.” She turned her head slightly to look at me, a small, strained smile forming on her lips. “I love you too,” she managed to say before a contraction hit her, causing her to grip the edges of the bed she was lying on. As we pulled up to the hospital, the emergency team was already waiting. They swiftly wheeled Sophia away, and I watched, helplessly, as they took her into the delivery room. My heart ached to see her in pain but was buoyed b
Elijah’s POV“Welcome to the world, little Roxy,” I said, gently bouncing our newborn in my arms as Reese tugged on my pant leg. She beamed up at me excitedly. “Daddy, can I hold her now? Please?”“Maybe later, sweetie,” I replied with a chuckle. “So many people are eager to see and hold her now… But you, you’ve got plenty of time to be the best big sister in the world.”Reese giggled, spinning around in her little dress. She had been over the moon since we brought Roxy home, proudly announcing her new role as big sister to anyone who would listen.Sophia sat across from us on the patio couch, her face glowing as she watched Reese run toward the garden to greet our guests. It had been two weeks since Roxy’s arrival, but the excitement in our house hadn’t worn off. This was why until now, I haven’t told Sophia about that dreadful message from Julia on the day Sophia had given birth to Roxy. I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary stress and worry. I looked around at the decorations—gl
Elijah's POVSoon the smell of food from the buffet table beckoned everyone to the garden. The chef I’d hired, one of my personal favorites, had gone all out. The spread was a perfect mix of gourmet and comfort—grilled meats, fresh salads, finger foods for the kids, and even a few fancy dishes that caught everyone’s attention.“Time to eat!” I called out, and the guests eagerly made their way to the table, plates in hand.The pièce de résistance was the cake—a stunning masterpiece that sat in the middle of the dessert table. The cake was a soft pastel blue with fluffy clouds swirling around the sides. At the top, there was a miniature hot air balloon, and the words “Welcome to the World, Roxy!” were written in delicate gold lettering. Sophia stood beside me, holding Reese’s hand as we all gathered around the cake. Reese, of course, was bouncing with excitement, tugging at my shirt. “Daddy, can we eat it now?”I chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “In just a minute, Reese.”As th
Sophia’s POV“Throw it out,” I whispered, barely able to get the words past the tightness in my throat. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I held Roxy closer, her small, warm body nestled against mine. It was irrational, I knew that, but the fear that settled inside me felt too real, too immediate. The moment I saw those initials, it was as if Julia and Henry were right there, in our home, threatening everything we had rebuilt.Elijah didn’t move right away. He just stood there, staring at the music box in his hands, his expression unreadable. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his knuckles whitened as he gripped it tighter.“Throw it out,” I repeated, louder this time, feeling more desperate. “I don’t want it anywhere near her.”Before Elijah could respond, Kayla rushed over, her eyes darting between us and the silver box. When she saw the initials, her face twisted with anger. “Those bastards,” she spat, her voice trembling with fury. “They’re still stirring up troub
Emily’s POVWhen I opened the door to my apartment, there was Phoebe, stretched out on the couch, one arm draped over her face as she slept soundly. And there, in the corner of the living room, was Jared’s crib, the soft blanket half-kicked off by his tiny feet as he squirmed in his sleep. I stood there for a moment, focusing on the little things I was grateful for. For one, I was thankful that Phoebe was here, safe, with me in the States. After what Isabelle had put her through in France, I knew the road to recovery wasn’t easy. But at least the truth had come out. I walked over to the crib and leaned down, gently adjusting Jared’s blanket. “Hello, my little Jared,” I whispered.He sighed softly, his tiny fingers twitching in his sleep. My heart overflowed with love, stronger and fiercer than ever.This little boy is now my world. My strength. My reason to keep going. “I don’t care what it takes, Jared. I’ll give you the best life.”I straightened up, glancing back at my older sis
Emily's POVI reached across and took her hand in a comforting gesture. “You’ll find something. I know you will. You’re smart, talented, and one of the hardest-working people I know. It’s only a matter of time before someone sees that.”Phoebe nodded, her shoulders relaxing a bit. “Thanks, Em. I hope you’re right.”“I am right,” I said firmly. “And if you need help with anything—reviewing applications, preparing for interviews—whatever it is, I’m here.”We shared a quick hug, brief but full of understanding and sisterly love. When we pulled apart, Phoebe seemed a little lighter, and so did I. “Don’t worry,” I told her. “Let me also ask Kayla and Sophia if they may know of any job openings for you. They do have plenty of connections.” “Thanks so much, Emily.” I could feel something negative rising within me then, something very familiar. Guilt. After all, it was my fault that all this had happened to her. If I hadn’t gotten entangled with Isabelle in the first place, our parents wou
Antoine’s POVI stood at the entrance of Emily's apartment building, my hands shoved deep into my pockets to stop them from trembling. My heart raced as I looked up at her window, and I could feel the anxiety clawing at my chest. I wasn’t sure how she’d react to seeing me here. But when I heard Phoebe was settling down in the city, looking for a job, I thought maybe... just maybe, I could help. Not just for her sake, but for Emily’s. I wanted to show her I wasn’t the same person I used to be. That I cared about her and her family, about the people she loved.And Jared. God, I want to be a part of his life, not just a fleeting visitor in the background.I swallowed hard and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. My hand lingered in the air for a second, hesitating, before it landed on the wood.A moment later, the door opened. Emily stood there, staring at me in surprise. She looked shaken. Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say a word.“Emily,” I started uncertainly. She did
Antoine's POVI knew I was asking a lot. She hadn’t let me hold Jared since he was born, and even though I’d come by to see him once or twice a week, I had only ever been allowed to watch him play or sleep or eat. Emily bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting from me to Jared. I could see the internal struggle on her face, and I knew she was torn. She had every reason to say no. I had given her more reasons than I’d care to admit. But I couldn’t help but wonder if helping Phoebe had put her in a position where saying no wasn’t as easy. A bitter thought crept into my mind—maybe that was why I did it. Maybe I had intended it that way, subconsciously, and that realization made me feel sick.For a long moment, Emily didn’t say anything. She stood there, her eyes full of conflict, but then, slowly, she nodded. “Okay... but just for a little while.”I couldn’t believe it. My heart raced as I stepped forward, reaching out cautiously. Emily lifted Jared from the crib, holding him close for a se
Sophia’s POV"Mom! Look at the rabbits!" Reese’s excited voice rang out as she dashed ahead, her little sister Roxy giggling as she tried to keep up. Jared wasn’t far behind, his laughter ringing through the air. I smiled, watching my children run toward the petting zoo, their energy contagious.Beside me, Emily tensed.I glanced at her, noticing how her shoulders tightened, how her eyes darted around like she was scanning for threats. She was supposed to be enjoying this—a simple afternoon in the botanical garden, surrounded by friends, fresh air, and laughter. It was the perfect opportunity for Emily to bond with Jared, without him feeling nervous or out of place. But years of running, hiding, and surviving had wired her differently.She wasn’t relaxed. She seemed to be waiting for something to go wrong. And I really couldn’t blame her. I reached for her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “You’re safe here,” I murmured.Emily forced a small smile, nodding, but her fingers still trem
Sophia’s POVThe warmth of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a scent that felt so familiar, so comforting, that for a moment, it was easy to forget all the fear and uncertainty of the past few days.My mother bustled around the kitchen, setting out plates and pouring tea, determined to make this a small celebration, in spite of her still being a bit rattled. But more than anything, I could see that she was very, very happy. Emily and Chris had showered and changed, looking far better than they had when I first walked in. The exhaustion was still there, written in the lines of their faces, but they were standing tall, present, and—most importantly—home.Elijah arrived shortly after, his presence filling the room with steady reassurance. When he saw Chris, he didn’t hesitate, pulling him into a tight embrace. They had been best friends since childhood, and after everything Chris had been through, I could see the relief in Elijah’s eyes. He held onto Emily for a moment, too, murmuri
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I gripped the phone tighter. "Mom? What’s wrong?"There was a moment of silence, just soft, uneven breaths on the other end of the line. My stomach twisted painfully. "Mom, talk to me!""S-Sophia…" her voice cracked, and I felt my chest constrict. "They’re here."I blinked, my mind struggling to keep up. "Who’s here?""Chris and Emily. They’re home."I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. For a second, I couldn't move, couldn't think. My pulse raced as my mind fought to process what she had just said.Chris and Emily are back.My grip on the phone loosened, my knees nearly buckling from the sudden rush of emotions. Relief, disbelief, overwhelming gratitude."Oh my God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. "Are they okay?""I… I don’t know," my mother admitted, still sounding shaken. "They haven’t said much. But you need to come quick."I didn’t hesitate. "I’ll be right there."As I ended the call, I turned to see Elijah watching me,
Sophia’s POVThe kitchen was quiet except for the faint sizzle of eggs in the pan. It was still very early in the morning, and I could see the sun rising through the window. Normally, I would have stopped to admire the view. But my mind was still preoccupied with a lot of chaotic things. I had barely slept.Everything Lucas had told me last night still lingered in my mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions and uneasy truths. Hugo Tournier. He had been part of my family's past all along, a ghost lurking in the shadows, and now he was back. It settled over me like a heavy fog, impossible to shake.But as much as my thoughts circled around Hugo, it was Elijah’s reaction that unsettled me more. The way he had looked at me. The sharpness in his voice when he told me I didn’t need to talk to Lucas anymore, that Joe would handle the investigation.He hadn’t accused me outright, but I could feel the tension beneath his words. The distance. Lucas was a sensitive issue between us—alwa
Sophia’s POVLucas stood in front of me, his face partially shadowed by the porch light, his eyes unreadable but filled with something that made my stomach twist—regret, sorrow, maybe even guilt.“I don’t even know where to start,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair.I crossed my arms, bracing myself. “Just tell me what you found.”He exhaled sharply, nodding. "I started looking into the records of missing children around the time you disappeared. A lot of reports were vague, but… I found something." He hesitated before continuing, his voice tight. "There was an old witness statement—a retired cop who had once suspected a man named Hugo Tournier."My breath hitched. The name. I had heard it before. Grandpa George had mentioned it when we talked about the man who might have taken me.Lucas continued, unaware of my growing realization. "The name meant nothing to me at first, but when I dug deeper, I realized it was connected to your family."My pulse quickened. “Connected how?
Emily’s POVDarkened streets stretched endlessly ahead as we sped through the city, the glow of neon signs flickering across the windshield. The sound of other cars was distant, almost muffled, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. My grip tightened on the edge of my seat, eyes darting to every shadowed alley, every figure on the sidewalk. It felt like eyes were on us—watching, waiting.Chris’s grip on the wheel was tight, his jaw set in a hard line. He hadn’t said much since we got the warning. The burner phone lay silent between us, the last message still glowing on the screen:“Do not go to the docks. You are being watched.”I swallowed hard. "Who sent it?""No idea," Chris muttered. "Could be someone helping us. Could be someone luring us into another trap."My stomach twisted. "So what do we do?"He exhaled sharply, eyes darting to the rearview mirror. "We can’t risk it. If someone’s waiting for us at the docks, we won’t stand a chance. We haven't been able to reach Crimson Ve
Sophia’s POVJared was safe. That was all that mattered.We were gathered in the house, the weight of the night still pressing heavily on our shoulders. But at least Jared was asleep now, curled up in his bed like nothing had happened. He hadn’t seemed afraid, hadn’t even realized the gravity of what Antoine had done. And for that, I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to carry fear because of this.But once he woke up, I knew I would have to face the reality of telling him about his father. And why it was only now that he was finding out about Antoine. “We’re not pressing charges,” I had told Elijah. But we did have to watch our backs more carefully, to stay guarded and alert all the time. And we needed to make sure never to let Jared out of our sights again. Still, we had made Antoine promise never to pull something like this again. Not that his word meant much. I didn’t trust him, and I knew Elijah didn’t either. This wasn’t over. Not really.Phoebe sat beside me,
Sophia’s POVElijah and I sprinted through the mall, dodging past confused shoppers and security personnel as the urgency of the moment drove us forward. My heart pounded in my ears, my breaths coming fast and shallow.“We need to check the parking lot exits,” Elijah said, his voice tight with controlled fury. “If Antoine took Jared, he won’t risk staying here much longer.”Elijah nodded, pulling out his phone and dialing Joe. The moment Joe answered, Elijah got straight to the point. “Antoine’s here. He took Jared. We need to know if he has a car registered in his name or any known places he might go.”I looked at Elijah in anticipation. He nodded then ended the call. "He said he'll get back to us soon."My eyes darted around the busy corridor, searching for any sign of our son.Jared, my sweet boy. Where are you?Phoebe ran alongside me, her face streaked with tears. “He must’ve followed us,” she choked out. “I swear, I didn’t think— I mean, I saw someone watching, but I wasn’t sure
Sophia’s POVI pushed through the crowded mall, my heart hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. The world around me blurred into a haze of faces and voices, none of them the one I was searching for. Oh, god, Jared. Please be okay.My mind screamed his name with every step I took, my hands trembling as I grabbed Phoebe’s arm, trying to keep both of us steady.“He has to be here,” Phoebe said, her voice shaking as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. “He has to be here somewhere.”I wanted to believe her. I had to believe her. But the sheer panic clawing at my throat made it hard to hold on to hope. Jared wasn’t just missing—he seemed to have vanished into thin air. And the longer he was gone, the worse the possibilities became.“Elijah’s talking to security,” I said, scanning every store, every passerby, searching for even a glimpse of him. “They’re checking the cameras. We just have to keep looking.”Phoebe nodded frantically, but guilt was etched into every