Elijah’s POVWhen I walked into the cold room of the prison, the first thing I saw was Isabelle sitting at the table, her usual smug expression on her face. Her confidence radiated through the glass, but I knew better. Beneath the surface, she was rattled, even if she was trying her best to hide it.I sat down across from her, leaning back in my chair, keeping my expression neutral. I didn’t need to play her games.“Elijah,” she said, her voice dripping with that haughty arrogance I knew all too well. “Come to gloat? Or is this another one of your pathetic attempts to feel like a hero?”I didn’t bite. “I just got some good news,” I started, my tone steady. “You can’t bail out. Not yet, at least.”Her smile faltered for just a second, barely noticeable, but I caught it. She quickly regained her composure, flipping her hair back, like she had no care in the world.“Oh, please,” Isabelle scoffed. “This is just temporary. Do you honestly think I’ll stay locked up? My connections—”“Won’t
Elijah’s POVIsabelle’s mask of composure shattered, her eyes darting to the side as if searching for an escape. She recovered quickly, forcing a smirk back onto her face, but I had already seen the fear flash in her eyes.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. I leaned back, crossing my arms, the smallest smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “Is that so?” I asked, keeping my voice calm, controlled. “Because it seems like they’ve been quite busy lately. Hiding out, keeping their heads low. I’m sure you’ve noticed. And I heard that the Scarlet Shadows could even be the one helping them here.” She glared at me, not responding right away, but the way her jaw tightened told me I was on the right track. She wasn’t going to make this easy, but I didn’t need her to.“Funny thing,” I continued, casually as if discussing the weather. “Authorities are cracking down on the Scarlet Shadows—every major player is being tracked. It’s only a matter of time before Henry and Julia sli
Sophia’s POVI sat at the kitchen table, my hands wrapped around the warmth of a cup of tea. The steam rose lazily, curling into the air, but I barely noticed it. My mind was too busy, tangled in a mess of thoughts I couldn’t seem to untangle no matter how many cups of tea I drank.Work was its usual chaos. Morgana was being impossible, more demanding than ever, as if she thrived on seeing me bend over backward to accommodate her endless list of “urgent” changes.And then there was Elijah, who had gone to see Isabelle in prison today. Just thinking about it made my grip tighten on the mug. I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened in that grim prison room. Could they really keep her locked up, or would she slither out and be set free again?I sighed, leaning back in my chair. The thought of Isabelle walking free again sent a shiver down my spine. Emily and Jared... even Chris… none of them would be safe if she got out. Isabelle wasn’t the kind of person to just disappear quietly. N
Sophia’s POVThe next morning, I hovered over Roxy’s crib, watching her peaceful breaths. The panic from the night before had faded, and although she’d had a slight fever, she seemed fine now. Still, I couldn’t shake the worry completely. Reese had been beside herself when Roxy wouldn’t stop crying, and for a moment, I had panicked too. But this morning, Roxy was back to her usual, sweet self.I gently touched her forehead, relieved to feel it cool under my fingers. She stirred a little but stayed asleep, and I let out a soft breath.“She’s okay,” Elijah said from behind me, his voice calm and reassuring. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, watching me gently. “Her fever broke last night. You don’t have to worry.”“I know,” I replied, though I couldn’t help but still feel that tug of hesitation. “But what if it comes back? I don’t want to leave her today, not when she’s just getting better.”Elijah stepped into the room and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I’m stayi
Sophia’s POVGod, she’s really testing my patience, I thought as I took a deep breath. But I must stay calm and professional. I proceeded to click through the design renderings, showcasing each updated detail. Lisa, who had helped with the color palette, was on edge, shifting in her seat. Matt leaned in, looking eager to hear Morgana’s thoughts, while Carla gave me a small nod of encouragement.The room fell silent as everyone waited for Morgana’s reaction. Her eyes moved over the images slowly, her expression unreadable. I could feel the tension mounting, especially from the team, who had been dealing with her never-ending demands for weeks. I noticed Lisa’s fingers drumming nervously on the table and caught Matt exchanging a subtle glance with Carla—an eye roll that mirrored the frustration we all felt.Finally, Morgana leaned back in her chair and sighed. “It’s... fine, I guess. But something’s still missing.”Fine? Something missing?!I resisted the urge to clench my fists. After
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