Sophia’s POVJared squirmed in my arms, distracting me from my thoughts. I set him down, smiling as he took off again, this time circling around me in playful loops.As I watched him, my gaze drifted back to the table where Elijah was talking with Kayla, and I noticed his expression—serene but thoughtful, as if he, too, was carrying an invisible weight.Les Ombres Écarlates had fallen silent in the U.S. since Henry and Julia were locked away, but whispers remained that the syndicate still operated in France. No one knew who might be leading them now.Isabelle had remained in prison, and for all we knew, she’d been cut off from her network… or perhaps she was working wonders from the shadows, keeping her influence alive from a distance. No one could tell for sure.“Mommy?” Jared tugged on my hand, bringing me back to the present. “Can I go play with Roxy and Reese?”“Of course, sweetheart,” I said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “They’re right over there with Daddy.”Jared darted fo
Sophia’s POVI was trying to steady my racing heart, unable to get back to the festivities yet, when my husband Elijah approached me. “Sophia, where have you been? Everyone’s been asking about you,” he said, his tone gentle but laced with worry.I forced a small smile. “I just… needed a moment to think. But actually, I have to talk to you.” I reached out, grasping his arm, and pulled him aside into a quieter corner of the hallway, far from prying ears.“What’s going on?” he asked, his gaze intense.“Lennon,” I whispered, casting a glance down the hallway to make sure no one was listening. “I just ran into him by the restroom. He was carrying an envelope…” My voice trembled as I continued. “It had the Les Ombres Écarlates emblem on it.”Elijah’s eyes widened. “Wait—are you sure?”“Yes. I’m sure. He even hurried away when he saw me glancing at it.” I bit my lip, trying to calm the anxiety clawing at my insides. “What could he possibly want with them? And if Lennon’s involved… does that
Sophia’s POVThe following morning, as sunlight streamed through our bedroom window, I lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, the events of last night playing on an endless loop in my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of Lennon clutching that ominous envelope… or the strange woman and her little boy, who somehow felt so familiar.Lost in thought, I barely heard Elijah enter the room until he sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’re up early,” he noted, studying me with a concerned expression.I managed a weak smile. “Couldn’t sleep. I keep thinking about last night. Lennon and that… envelope.” I hesitated, lowering my voice. He reached out, taking my hand in his. “Well, maybe we’ll have a chance to find out. Mom invited us for brunch at the cafe today. She said she’d love to see the kids again.”I sat up, my heart pounding at the prospect. “Maybe… maybe we could use it as a chance to ask her. About Lennon, I mean. If she’s hiding something, I think you’d be
Sophia’s POVVictoria Langston’s face tightened with surprise as she glanced back at us, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m so sorry for the disruption, and if Kian made the little girl cry,” she said hurriedly, addressing Morgana with a tight smile. “Uh, I’m sure he didn’t mean to,” Morgana answered. Victoria nodded, looking worried. “I’ll just give you a call soon to discuss the rest.”Without waiting for a reply, Victoria turned on her heel and left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she hurried out of the cafe.I knelt down beside Roxy, pulling her into my arms and rubbing her back soothingly. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. Just breathe.”Roxy’s sobs slowly quieted as I rocked her gently, her little fingers clutching onto my shirt. She buried her face in my shoulder, but she still wouldn’t say a word. Her tiny shoulders heaved, and I could feel the tension in her body as I continued to calm her.I glanced over my shoulder at my eldest child Reese, who was stan
Elijah’s POVAs I watched Morgana carefully, I took note of every reaction—every emotion that crossed her face. Her surprise seemed genuine, but I couldn’t afford to be careless. After all, I’d learned long ago that my stepmother was a master at masking her true thoughts when it suited her.Morgana looked up, genuinely mortified. “Why would you think that, Elijah? What would Lennon have to do with that mob?” She leaned in, her tone laced with worry. “Isn’t that the same group responsible for so many crimes here and in France?”“Yes,” I replied sharply, feeling the weight of the topic pressing down on me. “They’ve caused… a lot of harm. And they’re responsible for the disappearance of…” I caught myself before I could say more, my gaze sliding to Jared, who was happily grinning and absorbed in his latest creation—a mountain sketched onto his napkin.I swallowed back the words, feeling Sophia’s gaze on me as well, her eyes widening with silent understanding. She knew exactly where my tho
Elijah’s POVMorgana’s eyes narrowed slightly, a shadow of hurt appearing on her face. She leaned in closer, her voice barely a whisper, just enough for me to hear. “It seems that you still don’t trust me, Elijah.”She sat back, looking away as her eyes grew misty, her voice trembling with emotion. “But I understand. I can’t blame you.” She paused, swallowing, then met my gaze again, her tone softer. “To me, you’re my son, and I’ll always care about you. I just hope that someday… someday we can mend things fully.”Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I felt the great burden of our past—the misunderstandings, the betrayals, and the quiet resentment that had simmered between us for so long. She took a shaky breath, her fingers gently tapping the table as she continued, “I promised myself I would never lie to you again, Elijah. I hope you believe that.”I studied her for a moment, not entirely sure how I felt, but I nodded slowly. “That’s good,” I replied simply, keeping my voice
Elijah’s POVAs we stepped out of the cafe and headed to the car, I was feeling the weight of everything we’d just discussed with Morgana. My mind was already calculating the best way to set up security for her cafe, running through names of trusted guards who could handle any threat.Just as I opened the car door to get the kids settled in, I noticed Sophia suddenly freeze. Her gaze was locked on someone in the distance, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and urgency.Before I could react, she broke into a sprint, calling out, “Wait!”A jolt of alarm shot through me. Who was she chasing? I quickly ushered the kids into the car. “Reese, watch out for Jared and Roxy. Stay here, alright? I’ll be back quickly.”She nodded, looking confused but responsible, as she pulled Jared and Roxy into the backseat. I shut the door and took off after Sophia, my heart pounding as I tried to catch up.I finally spotted her, standing just a few paces away from a woman who had turned around, meeting S
Sophia’s POVCooking had always been my therapy. No matter what weighed on my mind, the rhythm of chopping vegetables, the sizzle of garlic and onions in the pan, and the fragrant waft of spices never failed to calm me. Today, I was making Elijah’s favorite—a rich, savory beef stew with roasted vegetables. I wanted everything to be perfect, excited to see his face light up when he tasted it.As the stew simmered, filling the kitchen with its warm, mouthwatering aroma, I could hear Roxy and Jared in the living room, laughing as they played with their nanny. Their happy voices added to the comforting hum of our home.Just then, I heard the familiar rumble of the school bus pulling up outside. A minute later, the front door opened and closed, and I heard the sound of small footsteps padding through the hallway. Reese must be home. She’d been insisting on taking the bus lately, thrilled with the freedom of riding home with her friends, even though it was just a short ride from school. Sh
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