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 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.