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
Sophia’s POVThe moment we arrived at the cafe, tension filled the room, tangible and suffocating, as if it had a life of its own. Morgana opened the door, her face pale, her hands twisting nervously in front of her. “Thank you for coming,” she said quickly, stepping aside to let us in. The normally vibrant glow she’d been emitting lately had vanished, replaced with an anxious energy. “I’m so sorry for calling you like this, but I couldn’t reach Elijah, and Lila… she was asking for the two of you.”“It’s fine, Morgana,” I said gently, though my heart was already racing. “What happened? Are you okay? Is Lila okay?”Morgana swallowed hard, closing the door behind us. “She’s in my office resting, but… here.” She handed me a crumpled flyer, her hand shaking slightly. “This was left outside the cafe this morning. And it’s… it’s been passed around the neighborhood. Posted on walls. Stuffed into mailboxes. It’s everywhere.”I took the flyer from her, my stomach sinking further with every wo
Sophia’s POV“THIS CAFE IS FOR WHORES!”The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught as I stepped closer, the metallic smell of paint strong in the air. Morgana turned toward us, her face pale, her lips trembling.“Who… who would do this?” she whispered. Kayla let out a low whistle, shaking her head as she stared at the mirror. “This isn’t just a threat anymore. This is public humiliation.”My fists clenched at my sides as I struggled to contain my anger. “We shouldn’t take this lightly anymore. It’s not just a prank or a rumor. This is serious.”Clara stepped back, hugging herself tightly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. “Do you think… they were here recently? I mean, we’ve had customers all day. Anyone could’ve done this.”Lila’s face crumpled as she took in the hateful message scrawled across the mirror. Her breaths grew shallow, and her hand flew to her chest, her knees buckling slightly.“Oh my god…” she whispered, her voice breaking. Her eyes fluttered
Sophia’s POVAn hour had passed since the chaos in the restroom, and the cafe had settled back into its usual rhythm. The maintenance staff had scrubbed the mirror clean, the restroom remained closed off with a polite sign explaining renovations, and none of the patrons seemed to have noticed the earlier commotion. It was as if nothing had happened.But I knew better.I sat with Kayla and Lila in a cozy corner booth, surrounded by the chatter of diners that filled the air. However, our table felt like an island of unease amidst the calm.Lila stirred her drink absentmindedly, her gaze distant. “I just don’t get it,” she said, her voice heavy with frustration. “Who would want to do this to us? I don’t know of any enemies I might have.”Kayla leaned back, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the room. “You’re a public figure, Lila,” she said pointedly. “It could be anyone. Jealous fans, internet trolls, someone trying to make a name for themselves by taking you down.”Lila sighed, her
Sophia’s POV“Gotcha,” I murmured under my breath, my heart skipping as I swiped through the photos on my phone. There she was, the woman who had called me Sabrina. She appeared in several shots, always on the edges of the room, blending in but never quite engaging fully with anyone. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, and she had the kind of presence that felt understated but deliberate.I didn’t waste another second. I headed straight to Morgana, finding her at the counter as she finished a conversation with a barista. “Morgana, can I show you something?”She turned to me, her expression still lined with stress but curious. “Of course. What is it?”I handed her my phone, scrolling to one of the clearest photos of the woman. “Do you recognize her? She was at the party. Apparently, she was invited.”Morgana furrowed her brow, leaning in to get a better look. “Hmm… she does look familiar,” she said slowly, her fingers drumming on the counter. “Give me a moment.”I waited, watching as h
Sophia’s POVI stood outside the modest two-story house, its neat garden lined with blooming flowers and a white picket fence. The afternoon sun was brightly shining, and yet I could not manage a relaxed and friendly smile. I was too much on edge. My hand hovered over the doorbell, unsure if I was truly ready for this. I hadn’t planned what to say, but something deeper than logic had pushed me to come here. Luana Miller held a thread of my past—one I desperately wanted to untangle.Finally, I pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed faintly from within, and my heart thumped hard as footsteps approached the door. It opened to reveal Luana, a warm smile spreading across her face.“Sabrina,” she greeted, her voice carrying a familiar softness that tugged at something deep inside me. “It’s so nice to see you.”I managed a smile, though my nerves made it shaky. “Hi, Luana. I hope I’m not intruding.”“Not at all,” she said, stepping aside to let me in. “Come on in, make yourself at home.”I
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
Sophia’s POVJared was safe. That was all that mattered.We were gathered in the house, the weight of the night still pressing heavily on our shoulders. But at least Jared was asleep now, curled up in his bed like nothing had happened. He hadn’t seemed afraid, hadn’t even realized the gravity of what Antoine had done. And for that, I was grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to carry fear because of this.But once he woke up, I knew I would have to face the reality of telling him about his father. And why it was only now that he was finding out about Antoine. “We’re not pressing charges,” I had told Elijah. But we did have to watch our backs more carefully, to stay guarded and alert all the time. And we needed to make sure never to let Jared out of our sights again. Still, we had made Antoine promise never to pull something like this again. Not that his word meant much. I didn’t trust him, and I knew Elijah didn’t either. This wasn’t over. Not really.Phoebe sat beside me,
Sophia’s POVElijah and I sprinted through the mall, dodging past confused shoppers and security personnel as the urgency of the moment drove us forward. My heart pounded in my ears, my breaths coming fast and shallow.“We need to check the parking lot exits,” Elijah said, his voice tight with controlled fury. “If Antoine took Jared, he won’t risk staying here much longer.”Elijah nodded, pulling out his phone and dialing Joe. The moment Joe answered, Elijah got straight to the point. “Antoine’s here. He took Jared. We need to know if he has a car registered in his name or any known places he might go.”I looked at Elijah in anticipation. He nodded then ended the call. "He said he'll get back to us soon."My eyes darted around the busy corridor, searching for any sign of our son.Jared, my sweet boy. Where are you?Phoebe ran alongside me, her face streaked with tears. “He must’ve followed us,” she choked out. “I swear, I didn’t think— I mean, I saw someone watching, but I wasn’t sure
Sophia’s POVI pushed through the crowded mall, my heart hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. The world around me blurred into a haze of faces and voices, none of them the one I was searching for. Oh, god, Jared. Please be okay.My mind screamed his name with every step I took, my hands trembling as I grabbed Phoebe’s arm, trying to keep both of us steady.“He has to be here,” Phoebe said, her voice shaking as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. “He has to be here somewhere.”I wanted to believe her. I had to believe her. But the sheer panic clawing at my throat made it hard to hold on to hope. Jared wasn’t just missing—he seemed to have vanished into thin air. And the longer he was gone, the worse the possibilities became.“Elijah’s talking to security,” I said, scanning every store, every passerby, searching for even a glimpse of him. “They’re checking the cameras. We just have to keep looking.”Phoebe nodded frantically, but guilt was etched into every