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
Chris’s POV“Is dinner almost ready?” Emily’s voice floated from the other room, sounding cheerful as she finished up tidying the house.“Almost,” I called back, stirring the stew simmering on the stovetop. “Just needs a few more minutes.”Life here in the small, remote village in the French Alps had been both a blessing and a challenge. Our stone cottage was modest but sturdy, its walls thick enough to keep out the biting cold of the high altitude. The village itself was tiny, no more than a cluster of houses dotting the mountainside, isolated from any major town. There was no cell reception, no internet, just us and the few villagers who lived their lives undisturbed by the outside world.As I stirred the stew, my thoughts drifted back to Sophia. Over the past year, I’d allowed myself to risk only one letter—one that I’d sent to her, hoping it would reach her without raising any alarms. It had been a gamble, and I hadn’t dared to send another since. The mob had eyes everywhere, and
Chris’s POVEmily and I sat in tense silence, keeping watch on the figures outside. The snow sparkled faintly under the moonlight, but the two shadows stood out, dark and ominous. My pulse was racing, the steady thudding in my chest matching the rhythm of Emily’s nervous breaths beside me.“Chris,” she whispered, gripping my arm. “What are we going to do?”I weighed our options, each one grimmer than the last. “We can’t just sit here,” I murmured. “We don’t know who they are or what they want, but we can’t let them get any closer.”She nodded, her face determined but pale. I motioned for her to stay back and quietly unlocked the door, taking a step outside. The cold night air bit into my skin, but I ignored it, focusing on the two men. They moved slowly toward us, and I braced myself, ready to fight if I had to.“Stay back!” I called out, my voice hard, aiming to mask the fear beneath. “You’ve got the wrong place. We don’t know you.”One of the men raised his hands, his voice surprisi
Elijah’s POV“Mr. Sinclair, we’re ready to move on to the project figures,” one of the executives said, snapping my attention back to the present. I’d been listening, nodding along as they reviewed quarterly reports, but my mind was elsewhere—always drifting back to Chris and Emily, to whatever slim chance remained of finding them alive.Just then, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw Joe’s name. My heart skipped a beat. Joe was in France, tracking the mob’s every move, and he only called when there was news—either good or bad. And today, it could only mean one thing.“Excuse me,” I said, pushing back my chair and standing, doing my best to keep my tone steady. “I need to take this. Important call.”I stepped out of the room and quickly found a secluded corner, shielding myself from the murmur of the meeting room. Taking a deep breath, I answered, “Joe?”“Elijah,” came Joe’s calm but urgent voice. “I know how to contact them.”My heart raced. “Chris and Emily?”“Yes. I’ve
Chris’s POVThe cabin in the Ardennes was larger than our last place, with more rooms and enough space to actually stretch out for a change. Hidden deep in the dense forest, it felt safer—remote, isolated, far from the eyes and ears of anyone who might try to track us. The only sounds here were the whisper of the trees and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush.Emily and I were both exhausted from the journey, but Marc and Luc insisted that we couldn’t rest until they had set up the system they’d devised for us to contact our loved ones. So, as I unpacked, they busied themselves at the large wooden table in the center of the cabin, assembling the shortwave radio they’d somehow gotten hold of. Marc glanced over at me, his expression serious. “This radio,” he said, holding it up, “is the only way you’ll be able to contact Elijah safely. It’s low-tech but effective for our purposes. It doesn’t rely on cell towers or internet, which makes it difficult to trace.”Luc nodded,
Sophia’s POVI stood in Emily’s studio, amidst the familiar flurry —the soft whir of sewing machines, the quiet chatter of the design team as they pored over fabrics and patterns. It was strange, almost surreal, how much had changed in the time since Emily had gone into hiding. Yet, in some ways, it felt like she was still here, her presence still felt in every stitch, every design choice, every carefully crafted piece.Beside me, my best friend Kayla was flipping through a sketchbook, her focus sharp as she reviewed the latest designs. We’d both taken it upon ourselves to oversee the operations of Emily’s studio, to make sure her vision continued, even if she couldn’t be here. We owed her that much.I leaned in closer to Kayla, lowering my voice. “Kayla,” I began, unable to keep the excitement from my tone, “there’s something I need to tell you.”She glanced up, immediately catching on to the seriousness in my voice. “What is it?” she asked, setting the sketchbook down.“They’re ali
Elijah’s POVI ended the call with Emily and let out a long, slow breath, leaning back in the chair. Her pain lingered in my chest like an echo. The weight of everything—the mob, Jared, keeping everyone safe—pressed heavily on my shoulders.“You okay?” Joe asked, his sharp eyes scanning me from across the room.I nodded, though the tightness in my chest hadn’t eased. “Yeah. Just a lot to think about.”I glanced at him then, leaning against his desk, his ever-present sharpness softened just a fraction. “Emily’s strong,” I said, more to myself than to him. “But even she has her breaking point.”Joe nodded, picking at the corner of a file on his desk. “She’s got Chris, though. Guy’s solid, if a little rough around the edges. They’ll hold out.”“Chris isn’t used to this kind of life, but he’s never loved someone like how he loves Emily. It’s really admirable that he’s doing all this for her. She needs him by her side.”Joe rubbed the back of his neck, his face tight with thought. “The mob
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, glancing at the neatly organized business reports in front of me. Normally, mornings like these were a steady grind, but today, I couldn’t keep the small smile off my face.Last night replayed in my mind, unbidden but welcome. The warmth of Sophia’s touch, her whispered promises, and the way we’d melted into each other as though the rest of the world didn’t exist. It had been intense, much more than the usual. Definitely one of the most memorable. The sound of my phone shattered the moment, pulling me back to the present. I picked it up, spotting Joe’s name flashing on the screen. His timing was rarely coincidental.“Joe,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “What’s the update?”“Got something big,” he said, his voice urgent, but low enough that I knew he was being cautious. “I managed to connect with Emily and Chris. Used a secure satellite line. They’re safe for now.”Relief washed over me. “That’s good to hear. And Marc and Luc? What are
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