Sophia’s POVI tried to keep my panic in check as I shifted Roxy in my arms, her tiny body wriggling and her face flushed red from crying. “It's okay, baby girl,” I whispered, bouncing her gently as the sound of her cries seemed to echo off the walls. My heart was racing, but I needed to stay calm. “Did you help her burp after she drank her milk?” I suddenly asked Elijah. His eyes widened and he looked as if he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. “What’s wrong with her, Mommy? Why won’t she stop crying?” Reese asked with great worry. I forced a smile, even though my insides were twisted in knots. “She might just have some gas trapped in her tummy, sweetheart. Babies get uncomfortable sometimes.” I hoped that was all it was. I had to hope.I adjusted Roxy, propping her upright against my shoulder and gently rubbing her back in slow, firm circles. “Come on, Roxy,” I whispered softly. “Let’s get that little bubble out.”Her cries continued growing louder, piercing throu
Sophia’s POVThe next day, Emily and I arrived at my parents’ house, the tension between us increasing as we tried to make sense of Isabelle’s sudden interference. As we pulled up the driveway, Grandma Evelyn was already at the door, her face lighting up when she saw us.“Sophia! Emily! It’s so good to see you girls,” she greeted warmly, her arms stretched wide for a hug.“Hi, Grandma,” I said, embracing her tightly, grateful for the familiar comfort. Emily gave her a polite nod, smiling as Evelyn ushered us inside.As we entered, my mom appeared from the hallway, her face turning gentle the moment she saw me. She wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said quietly before turning to Emily, giving her a simple nod of acknowledgment. The air between them was cordial but distant, and I could tell Emily felt slightly uneasy.“Dad and Chris aren’t here,” my mom explained as we settled in the living room. “They both had appointments today.”“That’s fine
Sophia’s POVChris’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, sensing that something was off. “What’s up? Why do you all look so serious?”Finally, I cleared my throat. “We were just... talking about some things that came up,” I said, glancing at Emily.Emily swallowed hard, then slowly handed Chris the envelope with the photos. His face grew serious as he opened it, flipping through the images of the two of them together. The confusion on his face deepened, and when he looked up, it was clear he didn’t understand why these seemingly innocuous pictures were causing so much trouble.“What are these?” he asked, his tone edged with uncertainty. “I don’t understand…”“They’re from last week, Chris,” Emily said quietly. “Isabelle gave them to your mom.” “I remember this,” Chris said slowly. “We were at that cool coffee shop near Sophia and Elijah’s place. But I don’t know why it’s such a big deal.” Then his eyes widened with mixed fear and anger. “But the real issue here is the fact that Isabe
Emily’s POVAs I spooned the warm chicken soup into my bowl, the rich, savory aroma filled the kitchen. Chris had been determined to make me feel better, which I truly appreciated. “This is really good,” I said after tasting it. Admittedly, the soup was greatly comforting. Chris settled on the stool across from me, looking concerned. “Emily,” he began, his voice tentative, “why did you suddenly come to my house without telling me? Is everything okay?”I chuckled softly, finding his nervousness both endearing and a bit amusing. “I just wanted to see if I could grab some of your famous chicken soup,” I joked. Chris grinned for a while, but then turned serious again. His eyes darted to the window and back to me. “You seemed pretty tense back there. I’m sorry Isabelle had to pop up like that again and cause problems.”I took another sip of the soup, savoring its warmth. Slowly I chose my words and explained, “The photos Isabelle gave to your mother were a bit of a shock, so Sophia and
Antoine’s POVI crouched behind the bushes outside the Bakers' house, my breath coming in shallow bursts as I peered through the windows. The quiet suburban street seemed too calm. My heart pounded against my ribs, not from the chill in the air but from the threats Isabelle had leveled at me. I scanned the area, half-expecting to see her lurking in the shadows, or one of her henchmen making their rounds. But the street remained eerily empty.The call from Isabelle a few days ago replayed in my head. Her voice had been dripping with malice and smugness as she flaunted her freedom. “The police can’t find me even if I’m standing right in front of them,” she’d said. “They’re too busy chasing their own tails.”I had tried to play it cool, but then she said some things that really got me. “Emily’s getting pretty cozy with Chris, don’t you think? If you’re not careful, you might just find yourself out of luck. You better do something soon, or she’ll be gone, and you’ll never get another cha
Antoine’s POVI tried to twist around, to plead my case, but I caught sight of Emily. She stared down at me, her eyes filled with confusion and something else—disgust, maybe. Bewilderment. This wasn’t how I wanted her to see me. I wasn’t the enemy here. I was trying to protect her.“Antoine?” Chris’s voice said furiously. “What the hell are you trying to do?!” His fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw was tight with anger.“I was trying to warn you all!” I protested again, squirming under the weight of the man still holding me down. “There was someone outside! I saw them raise a gun—”“There was no gunshot,” Chris interrupted coldly. He took another step closer, his face hard with disbelief. “You’re just causing trouble again, just like Isabelle. The two of you belong with each other. Stop bothering Emily, please.”“Enough!” The man who had me pinned finally spoke, his tone calm but firm. “I’m the bodyguard Mr. Sinclair sent. You’re not getting anywhere.”“Elijah.” The name slipped
Sophia’s POVI fumbled with my keys as I finally unlocked the door. My feet ached from the long day at the Bakers, and my head still buzzed with questions. I couldn’t shake the image of the hooded figure from earlier.Who was that person lurking around the house?It couldn’t have been Antoine. From what I remembered, it was really a woman. Is it Isabelle? Or maybe it could be Julia too. The thought made me shudder. I shook my head, trying to brush the eerie feeling away. There was no point obsessing over it now.All I wanted was to see Roxy, hold her, and forget about everything for a while. I dropped my bag by the door and headed straight for her nursery, eager to see my baby girl.As I walked down the hallway, a faint sound made me freeze in my tracks. I heard it again — definitely a giggle! “Oh, wow,” I whispered, rushing to the room to see if it was really her making that sound. I stepped into the nursery, and my breath caught in my throat. There, standing by the crib, was Elija
Elijah’s POVI stood on the green, the crisp autumn air brushing against my skin, golf club in hand. The course was nearly empty—off-peak season had its perks, especially at a place as exclusive as this. It gave me the privacy I needed, away from prying eyes. I tapped my club against the ground, scanning the area again. My guest was late, though I wasn’t too worried. He always had a way of showing up when you least expected him.Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of movement in the distance. There he was, walking toward me with that familiar confident stride—Joe, all the way from France. He hadn’t changed much since the last time I’d seen him. Still sharp, still as calculating as ever.As he approached, I met him halfway, and we exchanged a firm handshake. “Joe,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips. “Good to see you here in the U.S. And I'm glad to know you're not too busy these days.”Joe chuckled, his grip strong. “How can I say no to you, Elijah? After everything we’ve been through befor
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
Elijah’s POV“All the permits and licenses are in order,” Victoria began, her tone suddenly professional again as her eyes scanned the screen. I felt relieved. “But I’ll double-check the fire safety certifications and food handling records to make sure we’re fully covered.”“Good,” I replied, keeping my tone brisk. “I’ll work on connecting with a few experts to get additional certifications if necessary. It won’t hurt to go above and beyond for now.”She nodded, typing something into her device. “That’s a smart move. It’ll help to counter any claims before they gain traction.”As she spoke, she reached across the desk to grab her pen, her fingers brushing mine. I pulled my hand back instinctively, but she barely seemed to notice—or pretended not to.“Sorry,” she murmured with a faint smile, her eyes briefly flicking to mine before returning to her tablet.I shifted in my seat, brushing it off as an accident until, moments later, she reached up to unclip her hair. The cascading strands
Elijah’s POVI walked into Bella Sera, happy to see that it was packed with guests at this time in the afternoon. Fresh from closing a successful business deal, I was in a good mood, but there was a nagging concern for Morgana at the back of my mind. It was why I’d decided to stop by the cafe—to check in and see how she was holding up after she’d left me a series of frantic voicemails.Since I didn’t see her in the dining area, I went straight to her office. The door was ajar, and I could already feel the tension and anger leaking through it. I found Morgana pacing like a caged lioness, her hands gesturing wildly as she muttered to herself. The sight reminded me of the old Morgana— my stepmother who never minced her words or held back when someone crossed her.“I cannot believe this! The audacity, the gall!” she ranted, slamming a folder onto the desk. “This is a targeted attack, Elijah. It has to be. Who else would stoop this low?”“Morgana,” I greeted cautiously, stepping inside. “
Adrian’s POVThe Roosevelt mansion came into view as the car eased into the circular driveway, its stately facade bathed in the setting sun. Growing up here, I’d long since grown accustomed to its grandeur—the towering columns, the meticulously trimmed hedges, the way it seemed to command attention. Yet tonight, I barely noticed it. My thoughts were entirely on the woman sitting beside me, her fingers absently toying with her bracelet. “Relax,” I said, throwing her a reassuring smile. “My father’s not as intimidating as he looks. He’s actually… well, decent these days.”Lila gave me a skeptical glance. “Decent? I’ve read about your family, Adrian. You’re practically royalty in this country.”I laughed at her dramatic tone. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”“Tell me again why you’re bringing me to see him?” she asked as we both stepped out of the car. Laughing, I simply answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.” One of the staff greeted us and led us inside. The interior was just as imposin