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
Emily’s POV“You look like you’re waiting for someone to burst through that door and drag you back into hiding.”Phoebe’s voice was light, teasing, but I still flinched. We were sitting in a cafe near Emily’s house, trying to relax and simply enjoy our time together. But it was still challenging for me. I forced a smile, stirring my coffee even though I wasn’t planning to drink it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Phoebe snorted, popping another bite of pastry into her mouth. “Em, I’ve known you since birth. That’s your I’m on edge but pretending I’m fine face.”I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I just… I don’t know. It feels too good to be true. Jared is finally warming up to me. I have you here. I should be happy. I am happy.”“But?” Phoebe pressed.“But I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”She gave me a knowing look. “Because that’s all you’ve known for years.”I nodded, staring down at the swirl of foam in my untouched coffee. “I don’t know how to turn it off.”Before
Emily’s POVI barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Jared’s voice again—calling for Sophia instead of me. It shouldn’t have hurt this much. But it did.I stared at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing on me, but my mind refused to rest. It kept replaying the moment at the park—Jared’s hesitation, his little hands reaching for Sophia instead of me. I told myself I understood. He didn’t know me. But understanding it didn’t make it hurt any less.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, my sister Phoebe peeked in, holding two steaming mugs of coffee.“Morning,” she said gently, stepping inside and handing me a cup.I pushed myself up against the headboard, taking the mug with shaky hands. “Thanks.”She sat beside me, studying my face. “You didn’t sleep, did you?”I shook my head, staring into the dark liquid. “Not really.”Phoebe sighed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you yesterday. Work was crazy, and I couldn’t get out of it.”I looked at her
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,