Emily’s POVThe situation was dire, and I appreciated his offer. But as he stepped closer, his expression filled with a desperate kind of resolve, I knew I couldn’t accept his help.“Your house?” I repeated, still trying to process what he was suggesting.I shook my head firmly. “Thank you, Antoine, but Phoebe and I are fine. We’re already planning to move to a bigger apartment soon. It will give us more space, and I can set up a work area there.”Antoine’s face fell, looking very disappointed. “I see,” he said quietly. “I just wanted to make things easier for you.”“I appreciate that,” I said sincerely. But in my head, a hundred possibilities and questions were running. I certainly can’t stay under one roof with him again! No way! That would never work under any circumstances. And what about Phoebe? Also, that could be risky because it might be easier for Isabelle to have access to Jared!Antoine took a deep breath and nodded reluctantly. “Okay. I understand. If that’s what you need
Sophia’s POVAs I parked outside Emily’s boutique that morning, I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about the matching dresses I was about to discuss. Reese needed one for her upcoming school recital—it was a big event, one of those “proud mom” moments where every child would shine on stage. Reese had been talking about it for weeks, except lately when she’d become a bit quiet and disturbed because of the bullying incidents in schoolWell, all the more that I want her to feel special!I had this idea for her and Roxy to wear matching dresses. I could just imagine how adorable they would look. And of course it may help Reese feel that they’re really equally loved and that there’s no competition for their parents’ love at all. “Hhmm… Maybe we should all wear matching outfits,” I said out loud with a grin. “Emily can surely pull it off wonderfully.”Just as I was about to step out of the car, a familiar figure caught my eye. My hand froze on the door handle.No. It can’t be. I didn’t re
Sophia’s POV“Ah, ah, ah,” Isabelle cooed, her voice mocking as she waved the gun slightly. “Let’s not make any hasty decisions, shall we?”I stared at the gun, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. Every ounce of fear I’d been suppressing rushed in all at once. This wasn’t just some petty grudge. This was real. Dangerous.The world seemed to slow as I stood there, trapped, staring down the barrel of the gun, knowing there was no easy way out of this.Suddenly, I heard the animated chatter and some footsteps coming closer. Several people were approaching the studio. Isabelle’s eyes shifted to the group in alarm. She lowered the gun quickly, her expression changing into one of frustration. Without another word, she turned and bolted, her dark coat flaring out behind her as she sprinted down the street.I stood there, frozen, my breath shallow and uneven. My hands trembled, and it took everything in me not to collapse right there on the sidewalk.The group passed me, com
Sophia’s POVTwo years of marriage, and I'd never set foot in my husband Elijah's office until now.After all this time, why was I suddenly entrusted to deliver these important documents? Could it be possible that they’re finally learning to accept me?Taking a deep breath, I gently placed my hand on my stomach. The emptiness from losing my baby lingered, even though it had been a long time since that accident. I still felt lost and fragile, wishing for solace that never came.I missed my husband's presence, longing for a comforting word or touch. But he and his family remained distant and uninvolved, leaving me to recover on my own.Now, I was about to step into Elijah’s world — his beloved company.My heart skipped a beat as I entered Elijah's large, elegant office. The room was tastefully decorated, with rich mahogany furniture and a large sign that said Sinclair Realty Group. But what made me stop in my tracks was the sight of my husband huddled with an attractive blonde over som
Sophia’s POVThe divorce agreement was written after I accidentally lost my baby. During that time, I couldn’t even look at Elijah’s face without thinking about our baby. The pain was unbearable, so I believed divorce was my salvation. Looking back, preparing the divorce agreement was not a mistake, now that leaving was my only option.My hands shook as I held the papers in my hand. I could hear Morgana’s voice outside. “Sophia!” she called in a sharp tone. She probably heard me come in and was now wondering where I was. Quickly, I hid the divorce agreement and washed my face in the bathroom. That’s when the door swung open. I dried my face with a towel and looked at my mother-in-law. She responded with a cold gaze. She immediately instructed me to do the housework, her tone full of disdain. As I began my chores, she stood there taunting me. “Elijah told me not to ask you to deliver things in the future,” she said with a scoff. “You can’t even be relied on for such a simple task.”
Sophia’s POVI could sense his mind reeling from the unexpected news. He opened his mouth as if to say something. I expected him to respond, to react, to ask questions. Anything at all! But he never said anything. My heart thumped hard against my chest as we gazed at one another — strangers who’d been forced to live together. I had tried so hard to make this marriage work even after we had lost the baby. But it takes two to succeed at this, I realized. “I want a divorce,” I repeated, keeping my voice steady. “I’m serious.”Slowly he nodded. “Yes, sure,” he answered before getting up and disappearing into the bathroom. My chest felt like it was about to explode. I pulled my open shirt around me, desperately covering myself up, as I coiled into a fetal position with my head throbbing. A tear dropped down my cheek, and I quickly brushed it away. This is it. I’m going to be free. And yet somehow, I didn’t feel that ecstatic. His reaction only confirmed my worst suspicions. Now I kn
Sophia’s POV“Aaarrgghh! I so hate that guy for doing this to you!” Kayla hissed. “If I had known he’d treat you like that, I wouldn’t have allowed you to even come near him during our grad celebration! And I wouldn’t have kept pushing you to hook up with him, no matter how gorgeous he was!”Being the daughter of Raven Media’s renowned CEO, Kayla Davis always hung out with high society. She saw Elijah a lot at parties since they belonged to the same circle. We also all happened to attend Fairview University where Kayla and I had majored in Interior Design. Hence, she not only knew Elijah but Serena too. “You should have seen them at the party last night!” she cried out, causing some people to give us a dirty look. Lowering her voice, she leaned forward with a repulsed look. “They didn’t even care that I was there! They were just… Aaahhh! I really couldn’t take it, so I went over there and gave them a piece of my mind. I told them they ought to be ashamed of themselves!”“Oh, wow,” I
Sophia’s POVMy chest felt like it would explode any time now. “It doesn’t matter,” I eventually said to Troy. “It’s none of my business now. I don’t care what he does with that woman or with whomever.”Then staring hard at him and my foster mother, I said sharply, “We’re definitely not getting back together, so the two of you should just stop going to him for money! Just stop!”“But…” Brenda began to protest. I raised my hand to stop her. “Elijah and I are over. Besides, I’ll soon move to France and study there. And since you only contacted me again because of Elijah’s money, then now you won’t have any more need for me, right?”They were both shocked at my words because I had never spoken like that in the past. But it was time for me to step up and put myself first for once. “All the money that you swindled out of my ex-husband’s pocket, consider it as your payment for raising me,” I went on in a steady voice. “We don’t have to see or talk to each other ever again.”On the way hom