Sophia’s POVI pushed open the glass doors of Kensington Capital, my heels echoing against the polished marble floors of their downtown office. It was hard to believe I was here, asking for help, negotiating on behalf of Sinclair Realty. For so long, that had been Elijah’s realm, his life’s work—the company he had poured everything into.And now, despite having somehow competed with this company for Elijah’s attention before, here I was, doing whatever it took to keep it afloat.Kensington Capital was known for its aggressive investment in real estate ventures, particularly in distressed properties. The irony wasn’t lost on me; Sinclair Realty had once been the shining star of the industry, the company others looked up to.Now, we were in trouble, and I was here, humbly seeking an investor who might just see the value in us that others seemed to doubt.I took a deep breath, straightening my posture. My mind drifted back to when Elijah first built Sinclair Realty from the ground up.Ba
Sophia’s POVElijah and I paused outside the function room, where a gentle murmur of voices filtered through the doors.Tonight, this dinner would mark an important chapter in the history of Sinclair Realty, paving the way for a journey toward overcoming challenges and rising higher despite being pulled down. Elijah took my hands in his, looking at me with a rare softness. And in that moment, all the apprehension and anxiety gripping my heart seemed to melt away. “Sophia,” he said quietly, his voice steady but full of feeling, “thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. For everything you’ve done, the late nights, the endless calls… and just for being here. You’re the best partner, the best wife, anyone could ask for.”I felt a rush of emotion, a mix of pride and love that made my voice catch. “Elijah, I believe in you. I’ve seen what Sinclair Realty means to you, how hard you’ve worked. You’ve been an amazing husband, and if anyone deserves to see their dreams thrive, i
Sophia’s POVElijah’s face twisted in mock horror. “I thought she’d given you a break after the last round of changes. What could she possibly want now?”I chuckled, rolling my eyes. “Knowing her, she’s thought of yet another revision to the design. Honestly, I’m expecting it at this point.”Elijah laughed. “Well, let’s find out.”I answered the call, my voice light. “Morgana! What can I do for you tonight?”There was a moment of silence after I greeted her, and then Morgana’s voice came through, sounding… delighted?“Sophia! I just wanted to let you know that we’ve begun implementing your design at the first restaurant, and it’s looking wonderful. Better than I could have imagined. I’d love for you to come down soon and oversee a few of the final details.”I blinked, completely thrown off. Did she just say wonderful? For a second, I wondered if she was being sarcastic, maybe missed having someone to boss around. But there was no trace of her usual edge in her voice. She actually soun
Elijah’s POV“Adrian,” I said, standing as he walked into my office. We shook hands, his grip firm but friendly.“Good to see you, Elijah,” he replied, offering a relaxed smile. “Sorry I missed the dinner for the investors. Scheduling got crazy, you know how it is. But I hope there’s still a slot open for me and my father?”I nodded, gesturing for him to sit across from me. “Sophia mentioned you’d confirmed, so we reserved a spot for both of you. Wouldn’t want to miss out on adding your name to our roster. Of course, a well-known international celebrity such as yourself can do wonders for good publicity.”Adrian chuckled, settling into his seat as I handed him the paperwork. “Glad to hear it. I have to say, I’m looking forward to this. Helping out and growing my investment with Sinclair Realty? Sounds like a win-win to me.”We went over the paperwork, signing page after page. As he signed the final document, I felt a genuine sense of gratitude. “Adrian… thank you. For believing in thi
Elijah’s POVI sat in an old metal chair in what felt like the back room of a forgotten building, a place no one would look twice at.The silence was thick, broken only by the occasional drip of water from somewhere in the darkness. If The Arcane Network wanted to create an atmosphere of secrecy, they were doing a hell of a job.I checked my watch again, glancing toward the door, half-expecting this “meeting” to be some kind of elaborate prank. But a minute later, it creaked open, and a figure stepped in, moving with the quiet assurance of someone who knew every inch of the place.He wore a dark coat, his face obscured by the hood. As he approached, he pulled it back, revealing a sharp gaze beneath a low brow, studying me intently.“Elijah Sinclair,” he said, his voice low and measured. “I’m Julian from The Arcane Network. I understand Adrian has referred us to you.”I stood, extending a hand, but he merely gestured for me to sit again. “We keep things… discreet here. The less you kno
Elijah’s POVThe safe house loomed in silence, its dark, vacant windows staring back at us like empty eyes. My bodyguards flanked me on either side, blending into the shadows but close enough to reach me at a moment’s notice.Their silent presence was both reassuring and unsettling—proof that I wasn’t just here as an observer but as someone who needed protection.Julian gestured for the team to hold, his hand raised in a silent command. He exchanged a glance with Nolan, who nodded, tapping into his earpiece. “No movement inside,” he whispered, his voice barely a breath. “It’s as if they knew we were coming.”I scanned the empty windows, instincts flaring. “Are we sure this is the right place?” I murmured. One of The Arcane Network’s men turned to me and nodded. Julian’s eyes narrowed as he glanced down at the scanner. “Intel confirmed it. This place has been their main hub in the area. They’ve been using it for regional operations until very recently.” He lowered his voice as he adde
Elijah’s POVWrapped in shadows, the estate blended into the quiet gloom of the evening. It’s been confirmed that this property in the suburbs was registered under one of the companies owned by a member of Les Ombres Écarlates. And this is where Henry and Julia have recently been hiding. My shoulder throbbed from weeks of nonstop operations with The Arcane Network, but the pain barely registered. Tonight, it was all coming to a head—Henry and Julia were cornered, and this chase was finally reaching its end.Julian signaled for silence as we moved in, my bodyguards positioned tightly around me, their weapons drawn, their eyes sharp. We slipped past the gates and into the dense trees, advancing quietly toward the main building. The place was too quiet, a feeling I’d come to recognize as dangerous.Through my earpiece, Nolan’s voice crackled, “East wing. Two voices. Confirmed sighting.”I motioned for my guards to follow as we moved along the edge of the building, the low murmur of vo
Elijah’s POVThe grinding hum of the machinery grew louder, echoing off the concrete walls. Sparks flew as the team cut through the reinforced door, everyone on high alert, anticipating what might lie on the other side. My heart pounded, my eyes fixed on the door. Julian and I exchanged a quick look—he knew the stakes were high tonight.Finally, with a hiss of steam and a heavy groan, the door gave way, revealing a narrow, darkened passage stretching deep into the estate’s lower levels.We entered carefully, my bodyguards close by, their weapons drawn. The stale air reeked of neglect, mixed with a faint metallic tang. Julian motioned to the operatives to move forward, covering every angle.“Stay sharp,” he whispered, and we pushed deeper into the passage, the corridor twisting and narrowing until we reached a closed door at the end—a simple, unmarked entry, almost too plain for its significance.Inside, the room was faintly illuminated by the glow of multiple computer monitors, casti
Sophia’s POVElijah’s silence pressed down on me like a physical force, heavier than the comforter I was clutching. I lay on my side, my back turned to him, staring into the darkness. My heart felt raw, aching with the knowledge that I’d hurt the one person who meant everything to me.He wasn’t asleep—I knew him well enough to sense that. And knowing he was lying there, just as restless as I was, made the ache in my chest even worse.I couldn’t take it anymore.“Elijah,” I whispered. Turning slowly, I faced him, my eyes adjusting to the faint light filtering through the curtains. His back was still to me, but I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against his shoulder. “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I can’t stand this distance between us.”For a moment, he didn’t move, and I thought he might ignore me. But then, he rolled over, his face etched with both exhaustion and pain. His eyes met mine, and the sight of his hurt broke me.“I’m sorry,” I said, tears pooling i
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool silk of my nightgown brushing against my legs, I immediately noticed Elijah standing near the bed, his back to me. His posture was rigid, his head slightly tilted as he studied something in his hands. My breath caught when I realized what it was.The chocolate wrapper.My heart sank as I recognized it instantly. I’d completely forgotten about it after stashing it away. How had it ended up here?“Elijah?” I said hesitantly, my voice quieter than I intended.He turned, his face calm but his eyes sharp, like he was holding back a storm. He held up the wrapper. “Where did this come from?”I froze, my mind racing. “I—”“I found it in Reese’s bag,” he said evenly, cutting me off. His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach churn.For a split second, I considered lying, brushing it off as something our daughter must have gotten from a classmate or a friend. But the look in Elijah’s eyes stopped me. He d
Elijah’s POVI sank into the couch, remote still in hand, as the credits of some late-night documentary rolled across the screen. The faint hum of the television was lulling me into that in-between state of wakefulness and sleep when my phone buzzed on the coffee table. The name Camille lit up the screen.Frowning, I picked it up. “Hello?”“Elijah,” came her voice, slightly slurred, accompanied by background noise—music, chatter, the unmistakable din of a party still in full swing. “Hey... I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?”“No,” I said cautiously, sitting up straighter. “Are you okay? You sound... off.”She let out a soft laugh that sent warning bells ringing in my head. “Just had a little too much fun tonight, that’s all. I’m about to leave the party.”“You shouldn’t drive,” I said immediately. “Find someone sober to take you home or call a ride. Seriously.”“Oh, so protective,” she teased, her words laced with flirtation. “I’m so flattered you care.”“Camille,” I said firmly,
Sophia’s POVI sipped from my glass of champagne, the bubbles fizzing on my tongue and giving me a fleeting sense of lightness. Kayla’s concerned voice cut through the haze.“Are you okay? That’s your third glass already,” she said, a shadow of worry crossing her face as she moved closer.I waved her off with a forced smile. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just so... happy. The event was a huge success. We deserve this, don’t you think?”Kayla hesitated, her gaze scanning my face. “Yeah, but don’t go overboard. You’ve got a family waiting for you at home.”“Elijah went ahead,” I said quickly, my tone dismissive. “He’s tired.”Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she wanted to press further, but Connor appeared beside her, sliding an arm around her waist. The moment passed as she turned her attention to him, and I took the opportunity to slip away into the crowd.The bass thumped through the speakers, reverberating in my chest as I joined a group of familiar faces on the dance floor. The alcohol co
Sophia’s POVThe energy of the fashion show was electric. The applause was thunderous as the models made their final walk down the runway in Emily’s stunning tribute collection. Kayla and I stood near the stage, watching as the curtains closed on months of hard work.“We did it,” Kayla whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She squeezed my hand tightly, her smile brighter than the spotlights above.I nodded, unable to suppress the overwhelming joy bubbling inside me. “We really did. It’s perfect, Kayla.”The after-party was in full swing now, a celebration of what we had pulled off. Everyone seemed to be riding the high of the evening. Elijah had surprised me earlier with a bouquet of my favorite flowers, a sweet and thoughtful gesture that made my heart swell. His warm kiss on my cheek and whispered, “I’m so proud of you,” had been the cherry on top of a perfect night.But now, as I moved through the crowd, my excitement dulled slightly. I couldn’t find him.“Elijah?” I called
Sophia’s POV"Kayla, can you double-check the lighting cues for the finale?" I asked, glancing at the stage where models were gliding down the runway, their movements rehearsed to perfection.Kayla, clipboard in hand, barely glanced up. "Already done. Now spill. How was the night with Lucas?"My heart jumped, the question catching me off guard. I kept my tone breezy as I adjusted a hemline on one of the dresses. "Oh, it was fine. We caught a movie and grabbed dinner. Nothing special."Kayla lowered the clipboard and arched a brow. "Uh-huh. And where was Luana during all of this?"I busied myself with the dress, my hands suddenly fidgety. "She... got caught up with something at home. A repair, I think. She couldn’t make it."Kayla’s lips parted in mock surprise as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Wait. Are you telling me you and Lucas—alone—watched a movie and had dinner together? No Luana? Just the two of you?""Shh!" I hissed, glancing nervously around the backsta
Elijah’s POV“All the permits and licenses are in order,” Victoria began, her tone suddenly professional again as her eyes scanned the screen. I felt relieved. “But I’ll double-check the fire safety certifications and food handling records to make sure we’re fully covered.”“Good,” I replied, keeping my tone brisk. “I’ll work on connecting with a few experts to get additional certifications if necessary. It won’t hurt to go above and beyond for now.”She nodded, typing something into her device. “That’s a smart move. It’ll help to counter any claims before they gain traction.”As she spoke, she reached across the desk to grab her pen, her fingers brushing mine. I pulled my hand back instinctively, but she barely seemed to notice—or pretended not to.“Sorry,” she murmured with a faint smile, her eyes briefly flicking to mine before returning to her tablet.I shifted in my seat, brushing it off as an accident until, moments later, she reached up to unclip her hair. The cascading strands
Elijah’s POVI walked into Bella Sera, happy to see that it was packed with guests at this time in the afternoon. Fresh from closing a successful business deal, I was in a good mood, but there was a nagging concern for Morgana at the back of my mind. It was why I’d decided to stop by the cafe—to check in and see how she was holding up after she’d left me a series of frantic voicemails.Since I didn’t see her in the dining area, I went straight to her office. The door was ajar, and I could already feel the tension and anger leaking through it. I found Morgana pacing like a caged lioness, her hands gesturing wildly as she muttered to herself. The sight reminded me of the old Morgana— my stepmother who never minced her words or held back when someone crossed her.“I cannot believe this! The audacity, the gall!” she ranted, slamming a folder onto the desk. “This is a targeted attack, Elijah. It has to be. Who else would stoop this low?”“Morgana,” I greeted cautiously, stepping inside. “
Adrian’s POVThe Roosevelt mansion came into view as the car eased into the circular driveway, its stately facade bathed in the setting sun. Growing up here, I’d long since grown accustomed to its grandeur—the towering columns, the meticulously trimmed hedges, the way it seemed to command attention. Yet tonight, I barely noticed it. My thoughts were entirely on the woman sitting beside me, her fingers absently toying with her bracelet. “Relax,” I said, throwing her a reassuring smile. “My father’s not as intimidating as he looks. He’s actually… well, decent these days.”Lila gave me a skeptical glance. “Decent? I’ve read about your family, Adrian. You’re practically royalty in this country.”I laughed at her dramatic tone. “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”“Tell me again why you’re bringing me to see him?” she asked as we both stepped out of the car. Laughing, I simply answered, “You’ll find out soon enough.” One of the staff greeted us and led us inside. The interior was just as imposin