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 POV“Elijah, you should be more careful,” I said, my tone firmer than usual as I handed him his crutches. “Julian and his team are trained for these operations. You don’t have to throw yourself into the middle of every chase.”He took the crutches from me, his jaw tight, eyes darkened with that look I’d come to know too well—determination tangled with anger, frustration still raw after weeks of healing.“If I don’t go after them myself, Sophia, they’ll keep slipping away.” His knuckles whitened around the crutches, the tension almost vibrating off him. “They’re out there, regrouping, plotting, and I can’t just sit here waiting for updates.”“Elijah, you’re still recovering,” I said, doing my best to keep my own voice calm. “What matters is that you made it out alive. It could’ve been so much worse.”“That’s exactly the problem,” he snapped, more to himself than to me. “It should’ve ended that night. They were within reach, and I let them slip through my fingers. Again.” He le
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I looked at Kayla, her words sending a shiver down my spine. “Julia?” I repeated. “What about her?”From the corner of my eye, I could see my husband fidgeting in his seat, eager to know the details too. Kayla exchanged a glance with Connor, who gave her a subtle nod, encouraging her to continue. She shifted Asha in her arms, then took a deep breath. “I ran into Lila in the office earlier today. She’d just returned from Mexico, and she… she swore she saw Julia there.”I felt my breath catch in my throat. “Mexico?” I repeated, trying to process the shock, the disbelief that followed it. Elijah sat forward, his brows knitted in fierce concentration.“Did Lila say where exactly she saw her?” he asked, his voice low, intense. I could see the fire sparking back in his eyes, the urgency building.Kayla shook her head. “She didn’t give me the details. She was in a hurry, and I had to get back to Asha, so we couldn’t talk more. But she was adamant it was Jul
Elijah’s POV“This is good news, Sophia,” I said, turning to my wife who was sitting up in bed next to me. Outside our bedroom window, the full moon shone brightly.“If Henry’s arm is in a cast and he’s limping, that means they’re weakened. They can’t move easily, and if they’re in Mexico, it’s only a matter of time before they’re found.”Sophia nodded, but her eyes were filled with caution. “So, you think they’re lying low because they’re injured?”“Exactly. They’ll need time to recover. Connor already contacted the local police here and also down there. They’re keeping an eye out, and I just got off the phone with Julian—he’s got people on the ground in Mexico, ready to track them as soon as they get a solid lead.”She placed a reassuring hand on my arm, but I could feel her worry. “So they’re closing in?”“Yes,” I replied, nodding. “But…” My voice trailed off, the frustration clawing at me.Sophia’s eyes met mine, a silent understanding passing between us. She knew me too well; she
Sophia’s POVI gently laid Roxy down, her tiny face peaceful as she drifted off into a deep sleep. Her soft breathing filled the quiet room, and I brushed a finger along her cheek, feeling a pang in my heart.My thoughts drifted immediately to Elijah—he was probably in Mexico by now, fully absorbed in their mission to track down Henry and Julia. It’s been two weeks since we found out that information from Lila. And just yesterday, Elijah had flown to Mexico to join Joe’s and Julian’s teams. The thought filled me with an equal mix of pride and worry.He’d been so determined, so resolved to see this through, but knowing he was out there in danger made me feel helpless.I closed my eyes, sending up a silent prayer. Please let him be safe. Keep my husband safe and make this operation successful. Henry and Julia have to be brought to justice. A soft giggle pulled me back, and I looked over to see Jared, his chubby fingers reaching for the toy blocks I’d set up on the play mat. I joined h
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