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 POVEmily’s studio was once again alive with energy, a controlled chaos of bustling staff, racks of flowing dresses, and the constant sound of conversation. I stood by one of the long tables, reviewing the latest sketches for the upcoming fashion show while Kayla worked beside me, her usual sharp, efficient self.“Alright,” she called to a group of assistants who were sorting through fabric samples. “The cobalt gown goes with the amber accessories, not the pearl set. Let’s keep it consistent with Emily’s original palette, people.”The assistants nodded quickly and got to work, their hands moving deftly through the fabrics. Kayla turned to me, arching an eyebrow. “Sophia, are you with me, or are you somewhere far, far away?”I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at the sketches without really seeing them. “Sorry,” I said with a sheepish smile. “I’m here. Sort of.”“Sort of,” she echoed, crossing her arms. “What’s going on? You’ve been zoning out since we got here.”Before I co
Sophia’s POV“Jared?” I called gently, kneeling to his level. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”He didn’t answer, but his defiance wavered for just a moment. Enough for me to know something had happened. Reese stepped forward, her expression serious. “Mommy, I saw what happened,” she said, her voice small but certain. “Jared was teasing Asha. Maybe he was trying to make her cry.”I turned back to Jared, who shifted on his feet, his defiance giving way to guilt. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he stared at the floor, silent.“Jared,” I said softly, my tone even and calm. “Is that true? Were you teasing Asha?”He hesitated, but after a moment, he shrugged, looking unsure and still not meeting my eyes.I reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sweetheart, I think you just wanted to play with her, right? But Asha’s just a baby. Babies can’t always understand when someone’s playing. Sometimes, our words and actions might upset them, even if we don’t mean to.”His lip t
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