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
Chris’s POVFor a split second, I stood frozen, trying to make sense of it. She had just been there, smiling at me, waving, the candlelight dancing in her eyes. But now… nothing.A cold chill ran down my spine as I quickly scanned the surrounding area. People were walking by, casually enjoying their evening. No one seemed alarmed, no one seemed to have noticed anything unusual.“Emily?” I called out, taking a few steps toward the table while scanning the area. I tried to stay calm, telling myself she’d maybe gone inside the café or taken a quick bathroom break. But something in the air felt wrong. Off.I hurried toward the entrance of the café, peeking inside. “Emily?” I called again, louder this time. Heads turned in my direction, but none of them were hers.I moved quickly through the café, checking each corner, each table, hoping to see her, but Emily was nowhere in sight. The soft murmur of conversations around me felt muffled as panic crept in. Where could she have gone?“Emily?
Sophia’s POVI sat at the sleek conference table, my hands folded in front of me as Morgana rattled off yet another list of revisions. Another set of changes. My team had already poured months of work into this project, offering every possible option and angle, yet nothing ever seemed to satisfy her.The words blurred together as I struggled to remain composed. I had rehearsed this in my head so many times, the polite but firm boundary I’d been meaning to set. Today was the day I would finally say it.Morgana’s voice droned on, "...and I was thinking we should rework the lighting concept again, make it warmer, no, wait—cooler—but not too cold, just a hint of warmth—"I cleared my throat softly, interrupting her for the first time. “Morgana,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I understand you want this to be perfect. But we’ve already provided you with countless options. If we keep making changes like this, we’ll never get to the implementation stage, and the restaurant won’t open in tim
Elijah’s POVI stared at the dim light of my phone, the message from the former investigators pulsing in my mind. They had contacted me out of the blue after a long time of silence, saying they had a lead on Henry and Julia. I had almost dismissed it as another wild goose chase, but something tugged at me.I have to follow up every lead, see where it gets me.When Sophia came home later that evening, I could see the fatigue on her face. She dropped her bag by the door and looked at me with curiosity. “Hey, what’s got you so tense?” she asked, walking over to where I sat at the kitchen table. “Is it about Henry and Julia?”I stared at her in surprise. “How did you know?”“Trevis mentioned it but he didn’t go into any details. What did you find out?”I explained the situation. “Somebody saw them at a café a few towns over, and heard something suspicious. I want to check it out tomorrow.”“You really think this will go anywhere? They’re criminals on the run, Elijah. What if you get in o
Chris’s POVI sat at the police station in Paris, my heart racing as I leaned forward to review once again the security footage from the cafe. It was the last place Emily had been seen, and I had to find something—anything—that could lead me to her.“Pause it there,” I instructed the officer, who had been going through the footage with me. As the video froze, I pointed at the screen. “See that guy? The one in the black hoodie? Look at his arm.”The officer squinted at the screen. “What about it?”“Check out the tattoo. It looks familiar.” I felt a chill run down my spine as I recalled a conversation I had overheard.The officer leaned closer, then nodded slowly. “I know that symbol. It’s the mark of Les Ombres Écarlates. They’re a dangerous mob group operating in the area.”My heart dropped. “Les Ombres Écarlates?” I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady. “That’s connected to Isabelle. Fuck, she’s still pulling strings, even from behind bars.”“Looks that way,” the officer replied,
Chris’s POV“What? Murder? I—I don’t even know anyone named Jonathan Rousseau! This has to be a mistake! I’m just visiting the country!” One of the officers stepped closer, his expression unmoved. “We have evidence that ties you to the crime scene. You’ll be taken in for questioning.”“Wait! This is insane! I didn’t kill anyone!” I shouted, my heart racing as I tried to process the situation. How had this happened? I was here to find Emily, to rescue her from God knows what, and now I was being accused of murder? It felt like I had fallen into a nightmare.The officers weren’t listening. One of them was already guiding me toward the police car, while the other picked up my phone from the ground.“You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say can be used against you in court,” the officer recited in a monotone voice.“Chris! What’s happening?” Phoebe’s panicked voice cut through the chaos as she rushed out of the apartment building, her eyes wide with fear. She reached the
Phoebe’s POV“Save my sister!” I screamed, my voice raw. “Please! Please save my sister!” Suddenly, I jerked awake, my chest heaving, soaked in sweat. I blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, the harshness of my nightmare slowly giving way to reality. My heart was still racing, and I could feel the fear sticking to me, refusing to let go.Everything rushed back to me all at once. The call from Lance last night, the fragments of hope he’d offered. Lance—my old friend turned journalist—had mentioned that he knew someone, an ex-member of Les Ombres Écarlates. His contact had ideas on where Emily might be. He had given me the names of three possible places, and today, that old connection was supposed to lead us through those dark corners of Paris.I wiped my eyes, pulling myself together, and jumped out of bed. My legs felt shaky as I rushed to the bathroom, turning on the shower. I needed to move fast. As the hot water poured over me, I went over Lance’
Phoebe’s POVThe guy’s eyes darted between us, his breathing ragged. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, alright? We’re just moving some merchandise. No girls here, I swear.”Chris shoved him harder against the wall. “Merchandise? You better be telling the truth, or I swear—”Before Chris could finish, we heard it—sirens, faint at first but growing louder by the second. The police.“Damn it,” Rémy hissed under his breath. “We need to go.”I froze, panic flooding my veins. “What? No, we can’t leave. What if Emily’s still—”“She’s not here,” Rémy cut me off, his voice cold and certain. “They tipped off the cops. This place is a dead end.”Chris looked like he was about to argue, but the flashing lights outside told us we didn’t have time. The police would be swarming the place any second.With one last shove, Chris let the guy go, his frustration evident. “If I find out you lied…” He didn’t need to finish the threat.We bolted, slipping out through a side door just as the fir
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.
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