Chris’s POVThe goofy smile on my face faded the moment I saw Antoine. He was standing by the pool, staring right at me with a serious expression that didn’t sit well.What the hell is this man doing here? Is he going to cause trouble again?!Emily, standing next to me, tensed. “Don’t do it,” she whispered fearfully. She looked up at me with wide, anxious eyes. “Please, Chris. He looks… I don’t like this.”I reached out and gently squeezed her hand. “It’s fine, Emily. I’ll be fine,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “He wouldn’t dare do anything here, not in Kayla and Connor’s house.”She shook her head, clearly not convinced. “But he’s had much to drink, I think. I know how he looks like when he’s drunk a lot. You don’t know what he might do.”I glanced over at Antoine again, his posture unsteady, his eyes glassy. She wasn’t wrong about the drinking. I could practically smell the whiskey on him from here.“I’ll be right back,” I assured her, climbing out of the pool. Emily made a move
Emily’s POVI couldn’t help but smile at the dresses on display. The dreamscape-themed fashion show was finally taking shape, and it felt like magic. Each mannequin inside my studio wore a piece I had lovingly crafted, some of them transforming Sophia’s intricate designs into reality. I took a step back, adjusting a delicate lace overlay on one of the dresses, my heart brimming with joy and pride. “It’s perfect,” I whispered to myself, tracing my fingers along the hem of a gown that glimmered like starlight. I glanced over at Reese’s dress, a whimsical creation adorned with colorful butterflies that seemed to flutter with life. This had incorporated the little girl’s idea herself, but it was Sophia who had designed it from scratch. I was so proud of them both. Everything turned out so beautifully; the fabrics danced in the gentle breeze from the open window, as if celebrating with me.Just then, my phone rang, waking me up from my reverie. I saw Elijah’s name flashing on the screen
Emily’s POV“Emily, can you describe your relationship with Antoine?” The lawyer’s voice sliced through the tension in the courtroom like a knife.I swallowed hard, my heart pounding fast. I never imagined I would come back to France for a situation like this. I glanced at Antoine, seated a few feet away. He looked pale, both apprehension and resignation evident on his face. I felt a pang of sympathy, even as dread chewed at my insides. Tearing my eyes from Antoine, I scanned the audience. My sister Phoebe sat there in the center, her reassuring nod and warm smile giving me a sliver of comfort.“Um, we were... married for a time,” I said in almost a whisper. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, judging, waiting. “We had our ups and downs, like any couple.”“Ups and downs?” The lawyer pressed, leaning forward. “Can you elaborate on that? For instance, how often do you fight? Remember, you’re under oath.”I hesitated, my thoughts swirling. “Uh, almost everyday. Just about little things
Emily’s POVThe judge cleared his throat, and the courtroom fell into a heavy silence, every heartbeat reverberating like a drum in my ears. I leaned in closer, my breath catching as I waited for the final verdict. My heart raced, pounding in my chest like a caged bird desperate to escape.“After careful consideration of the evidence presented and the testimonies heard throughout this trial,” the judge began, his voice steady but resonating with gravity, “I find that the prosecution has not met the burden of proof required to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”My heart felt as if it was being squeezed hard. I could feel the tears filling my eyes. “Therefore,” the judge continued, his tone shifting to a powerful crescendo, “I hereby declare Antoine Dupont not guilty of the charges against him. He is free to go.”A wave of disbelief swept over the courtroom, and for a moment, everything was still. Antoine’s face transformed, shock woven into every line of his f
Emily’s POVThe doorbell rang, startling me from my thoughts. Antoine’s guilty verdict had hit hard, but deep down, I knew it was what had to happen. His crimes—his choices—were things he had to answer for, no matter how much he had changed recently. Taking a deep breath, I crossed the room and opened the door.Chris stood there, his familiar face filled with concern. I gasped in surprise. “Chris! You’re here,” I said in awe, wondering for a while if my mind was just playing tricks on me. Before I could say anything more, he stepped forward, wrapping me in his arms. The warmth of his embrace was immediate, and the tension in my body began to melt. I hadn’t realized just how much I needed this—needed him—until now.“Hey,” he murmured softly into my hair. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”I clung to him, my head resting against his chest as I tried to steady my breathing. “I’m just glad you’re here now,” I whispered. Chris pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes.
Emily’s POVIsabelle's smirk made my skin crawl, and the courtroom seemed to freeze at that moment. After a few minutes of questioning, she leaned forward calmly as she spoke. “Yes,” she said, her tone almost too casual for the weight of her confession. “I set the fire. I killed them.”The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. A gasp escaped from somewhere behind me, but I couldn’t move. My body felt like stone, my breath frozen in my chest. I turned slowly toward Phoebe, who was staring straight ahead, her eyes wide with disbelief.The prosecutor didn’t flinch. “You admit to the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. You deliberately set that fire.”Isabelle’s lips curved into a small, twisted smile. “I admit it. I had my reasons.”The prosecutor stepped closer, his voice tightening with intensity. “And what about your ties to Les Ombres Écarlates? The criminal organization that’s been linked to attacks just like this one? Are you saying they had no hand in this?”“Les Ombres Écar
Sophia’s POV“Did you just say Roxy’s finally sleeping through the night?!” Elijah exclaimed from the living room, his voice filled with disbelief. I chuckled softly as I adjusted Jared on my hip, his chubby arms wrapping around me for support.“Yes! Can you believe it? We might actually get some rest!” I replied, feeling a wave of exhaustion sweep over me. Roxy was nestled in her crib, her tiny fingers twitching as she dreamt.Reese, our lively five-year-old, burst into the nursery with a toy in her hand. “I can help, Mommy! I can be the best big sister, even to Jared!” she announced proudly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.I smiled at her enthusiasm. “You already are the best big sister, sweetheart. Can you show Roxy her teddy bear?”Just as Reese started to wiggle into action, the door swung open, and Kayla burst in, her presence instantly brightening the room. “Sorry! The househelp let me in. I couldn’t wait any longer to see you!”I blinked, momentarily taken aback by how rad
Chris’s POVI sprinted down the hallway, my heart pounding in sync with my footsteps. Reaching Phoebe's door, I pounded on it with urgency. “Phoebe! Open up!” Panic laced my voice, and I could hear her rustling around inside.“Hold on!” she called, her voice shaking. The wait felt like an eternity, but finally, the door creaked open. Phoebe stood there, her hair tousled and eyes wide with fear.“What happened?” I asked, my heart racing, but I was really glad to see her looking unharmed. “I... I was having a nightmare,” she stammered, and my worry began to ease.“Just a nightmare?” I repeated, needing to hear it again.“Yes,” she nodded vigorously, color slowly returning to her cheeks. “I thought something was coming for me!”I felt relieved, but I still held her shoulders firmly. “You’re okay now,” I reassured her, my grip softening.Just then, Emily rushed toward us, looking quite anxious. She swept Phoebe into her arms, hugging her tightly. “Oh, thank God you’re okay!” Emily exclai
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped into my car, the cold leather seats sent a sharp chill through me. The afternoon sun, shy but persistent, peeked through scattered clouds, bathing the pristine snow in a gentle radiance. Thankfully, the blizzard had blown over quickly, and the roads were clear enough to navigate. It was the kind of crisp day that made the world feel brand new, but my thoughts were far from fresh.Lucas stood near the entrance of the ski resort, his hands shoved into his coat pockets. He waved, a warm smile on his face as I rolled down my window.“Thanks for coming, Sabrina,” he called, his voice carrying easily in the still air. I forced a polite smile, not knowing how to feel about him still calling me Sabrina up to now, especially after what I'd just discovered about my childhood. “Thanks, Lucas. The resort has so much potential. I’ll send over the updated designs soon.”“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, stepping back. “Drive safe. Roads might still be icy in some spot
Emily’s POVThe biting cold wrapped around me like a vice as the forest settled into an eerie stillness. The sounds of the chase from the night before had faded, but they seemed to continue echoing in my head. My legs ached, my hands were raw, and my breath fogged in the frigid air as I stumbled forward, searching for something—anything—that could serve as a refuge.It’s getting late. I have to find shelter first. The darkness was suffocating, but then, faintly, through the trees, I saw a glimmer of light. My heart leaped as I cautiously approached, praying it wasn’t a trap. What I found instead was a small, dilapidated hunting shack, nearly swallowed by the forest. Its wooden walls were warped, the roof sagging in places, but it was shelter. For now, it was enough.Inside, the air was stale and cold, but at least it shielded me from the howling wind. I found a dusty lantern and managed to light it with trembling hands, its soft glow pushing back the shadows. There was an old cot in
Sophia’s POVThe memory hung in my mind like a shadow, vivid and unsettling. Lucas’s voice—the one I had heard in my dream, the one calling for Sabrina—now felt too real to dismiss as just a fragment of my imagination.I tried to focus on the snow, its mesmerizing dance beyond the glass, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing.And then Lucas stepped closer, his presence pulling me from my turmoil. His eyes searched mine. “What are you remembering?” he asked carefully. I turned to face him fully, my heart thundering in my chest. “It’s… hard to explain,” I began, forcing the words out through the lump in my throat. “I had a dream—a nightmare, really—about when I got lost in the snowstorm as a child. I mean, I already know that it was Morgana who actually left me behind because she’d met with her lover then. But now…”Lucas’s eyes narrowed. “Now what?”“Well, in my dream, I thought I heard Elijah calling my name. He’d been there with his family too, so…”Lucas’s expression tightened, but he s
Sophia’s POVThe view outside the window was breathtaking—snow-dusted hills stretching endlessly under a pale blue sky. The cozy lounge, with its crackling fire and soft golden lighting, felt like the perfect setting for a romantic moment. It should have been calming, but my mind was anything but calm.That photo of Elijah and Victoria burned in my memory. Her sitting so close to him, their laughter captured at just the right moment. It made my chest tighten with anger and something I didn’t want to name—jealousy. The thought alone made me queasy, but it also left me vulnerable. Vulnerable to Lucas.I glanced at him. He stood just a few feet away, his expression soft but intent, watching me like I was the only person in the world. His confession still echoed in my ears, and I couldn’t deny the pull of the moment. It was too perfect, too charged. For a brief, fleeting second, I let myself wonder what it would feel like to bask in his affection, to let myself be swept up in something s
Elijah’s POVThe silence in my office was deafening. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the half-empty coffee cup on my desk. The bitterness clung to my tongue, a reminder of the recent situation in my marriage. Oh, Sophia. What’s happening to us?She’d been consuming my every thought lately. And not in the way she used to. Not with warmth or laughter, but with cold uncertainty. We hadn’t spoken properly since I sent her those flowers. It was my way of saying: I still care about you. She’d thanked me, of course, but there was no follow-up. No deep conversation. I really miss her. God knows how much I miss my wife. We used to talk about everything. The kids. Work. The stupid little things that made up our days. Now? She was busy. Always busy. Late nights at the office. Early mornings. And when she was home, she was either buried in her laptop or tiptoeing around me like I was made of glass. And it wasn’t just work. It was that damn Lucas who found a way to be with her more. Just
Sophia’s POVThe image of Elijah and Victoria stayed with me, eating away at my thoughts like an unyielding tempest. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t just Victoria’s presence that unnerved me—it was the way Elijah seemed to let her get close. Is he falling for her? No. No, it’s impossible. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and it was growing faster than I could contain it.We need to talk. Soon. Heart to heart, I resolved, my chest tightening as I fought back a surge of emotion. The silence of the room around me only made the ache sharper, more vivid.Just then, Lucas’s footsteps broke through the quiet, and I quickly pushed my phone back into my pocket. He entered the lounge with a tray balanced in his hands, two mugs of steaming hot chocolate sending up tendrils of inviting warmth.The image of Elijah and Victoria lingered in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts like a relentless storm. They looked so comfortable together, so... familiar. It wasn’t j
Sophia’s POV“Lucas,” I called out, stepping onto the cobblestone path that led to the resort’s grand, albeit faded, entrance. “You’ve got a prime location here.”He emerged from the double doors, his familiar grin warm against the chilly mountain air. “Sophia, welcome. How was the drive up?”“Long,” I admitted, adjusting my scarf as the wind tugged at it. I was bundled up in a navy wool coat, a pair of tan ankle boots, and a thick cream-colored knit scarf. The frosty air bit at my cheeks, and I shoved my gloved hands into my coat pockets for warmth. “But worth it. This place…” I gestured to the sprawling ski resort behind him, its old-world charm dulled by time and neglect. “It’s stunning. Or at least, it has the bones to be.”Lucas chuckled, his gaze lingering on me. “That’s why you’re here. To make it amazing again.”As I stepped closer, I caught the faint scent of pine and woodsmoke clinging to the air, mingling with the crispness of the snow-dusted ground. For a brief moment, the
Sophia’s POVThe sight of Phoebe standing in the doorway took my breath away. She looked so different from the last time I’d seen her—thinner, her cheekbones more pronounced, her posture subdued. But her eyes, wide and shimmering with unshed tears, carried a familiar depth of emotion that struck me instantly. Before I could speak, she stepped forward and wrapped both Kayla and me in a tight embrace.“Phoebe,” I murmured, still stunned. “You’re here.”Her hug felt prolonged, as if she were drawing strength from it. When she pulled back, her hands rested firmly on my arms, her smile wavering slightly. “I couldn’t stay away any longer,” she said, her voice soft but laden with feeling. “I needed to see you.”“We’ve missed you so much,” Kayla said, adjusting Asha on her hip. Asha reached out with a tiny hand, patting Phoebe’s cheek, as if sensing the tension in the air. Kayla smiled gently, her tone as soothing as always. “How have you been?”Phoebe hesitated, brushing a tear from her chee
Sophia’s POV“This is where she works?” Jared asked in awe, looking around Emily’s fashion boutique and studio. Last night, I dreamed of Emily. The memory stayed with me through the morning, compelling me to take Jared to her studio today. I wanted him to see her world, to connect with the pieces of his mother’s life, and perhaps, in the process, learn more about the woman who had given him life.“Yes, sweetie,” I said, kneeling beside him and pointing to a mannequin draped in a half-finished gown. “Your mom spent hours here, creating beautiful designs. She always said fashion was her way of telling a story without words.”Jared tilted his head, studying the unfinished dress. “Did she make this one for someone special?”A lump formed in my throat. “Maybe,” I whispered. “She had so many dreams... and you were always her biggest one.” I guided him to a small table near the sewing area. I pulled out a box filled with swatches of fabric and colorful buttons, things Emily had once used t