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 POV“Her name is Luana,” I said, staring up at the soft ceiling lights of Dr. Lawson’s clinic. “She knew me as Sabrina. She remembered things about my life, about people I’ve forgotten completely. And she seems… kind, like she genuinely wants to help me.”Dr. Lawson’s calm voice came from just beyond my line of sight. “That’s a good sign, Sophia. Reconnecting with someone from your past can be a powerful trigger for recovering memories. The more you engage with her, the better chance you have of uncovering the missing pieces.”I turned my head slightly, glancing at her. “Do you really think it’s possible? That I could remember everything again?”Dr. Lawson’s expression was thoughtful but encouraging. “The mind is resilient, and memory is complex. While I can’t promise full restoration, I believe reconnecting with people, revisiting places, and being open to the process will help. Your determination will make all the difference.”Her words filled me with hope, and as the sessi
Sophia’s POV“You’re glowing,” Elijah teased as we headed back to the car, nudging me gently.I laughed. “Can you blame me? This was amazing. I’m so touched you did this for me.”He grinned, but then a playful glint entered his eye. “Well, I’m not done yet.”My eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean you’re not done?”“One more stop before we head home,” he said, leading me to the car.I climbed into the passenger seat, grinning as anticipation bubbled up. “You’re really pulling out all the stops today, aren’t you?”He chuckled as he started the engine. “Let’s just say I’ve had this planned for a while.”As we drove, I watched the familiar streets roll by, my curiosity growing with every turn. Suddenly, recognition hit me like a wave. The road. The trees. The white picket fence up ahead. I burst out laughing.“You’re taking me to my parents and grandparents?” I asked, unable to hide my excitement.Elijah glanced at me with a knowing smile. “Of course. We haven’t visited the Bakers in a wh
Elijah’s POVSophia’s hand rested lightly on my arm as we walked up the steps toward the front door of the mansion — Morgana and Lennon’s abode. Tonight wasn’t just a casual dinner—it was a calculated opportunity. One where I intended to finally confront Lennon and see if there was more to his connection with Les Ombres Écarlates than he was letting on.Morgana greeted us at the door, her smile warm but a hint of nervous energy beneath it. “Elijah, Sophia, come in! I’m so glad you could make it.”Sophia leaned in to give her a quick hug, and I followed with a polite nod. “Thank you for having us.”As we stepped into the foyer, the familiar aroma of roasted spices and caramelized onions wafted through the air. I caught the faintest trace of saffron—a hint of one of my favorite dishes. Morgana caught my expression and smiled knowingly.“I may have asked the cafe chef to prepare a little something special tonight,” she said, her tone light and casual as she led us further inside. “I rem
Emily’s POV“I think it’s your turn to chop the firewood,” I called out to Chris, balancing a basket of freshly picked herbs on my hip. The crisp air nipped at my cheeks, the forest surrounding our cabin alive with the rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of birds. It was peaceful here, simple. But simplicity often came with a price: vigilance.Chris looked up from the small stack of logs near the cabin’s edge, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “I did it yesterday,” he replied with mock indignation, his lopsided grin breaking through his tired expression. “Besides, I’m busy perfecting my stew.”I laughed softly, stepping onto the wooden porch. “That’s fair. I wouldn’t want to interrupt your masterpiece.”Inside the cabin, the air was warm and smelled of the comforting blend of woodsmoke and rosemary. Yet even in this serenity, the shadow of Les Ombres Écarlates loomed over us. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt truly at ease.As I set the herbs on the kitchen count
Sophia’s POVA hush of golden light slipped through the curtains, draping the room in warmth and calm. It felt like the kind of morning that only came after surviving the storm.Weeks had passed since the chaos faded, and for once, the quiet didn’t feel temporary—it felt earned. I stirred slowly, eyes drifting open to find Elijah beside me, his hand resting lightly over mine. I studied him in the silence, taking in the softened edges of a man who’d carried us through fire and finally found peace.I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His eyes fluttered open, and when they focused on me, he smiled sleepily."Morning," he murmured."Morning," I whispered back, letting my fingers trace the line of his jaw. "Can you believe we actually get to wake up like this? No chaos, no danger—just us."He pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. "I could get used to this."Just as I was about to say something, the door burst open."Mommy! Daddy!" Reese called out, followed quickly by Roxy an
Elijah’s POVWe weaved through the cracked streets, deeper into a part of the city that felt like time had forgotten it. Boarded-up windows, rusted signage, buildings collapsing in on themselves. This was the kind of place where ghosts lingered, and today, we were chasing one of them."We’re close," Joe muttered from the front seat, his eyes scanning the GPS on his phone. "This is the last possible location that fits Hugo's hideouts."Antoine sat beside me in the back, silent but focused. His jaw was tight, hands clenched. I still didn’t know if I fully trusted him, but I couldn’t deny this: he was here, risking his neck like the rest of us. And right now, I’d take any edge we could get.I have to find Grandpa George. For Sophia.When we pulled up to the burned-out remains of what once looked like a chapel, a chill shot down my spine. The stone structure still stood, half-charred, the wooden beams above blackened and skeletal. Nature had tried to reclaim it—vines curling around scorch
Elijah’s POV“Sophia…”Her name was the only thing in my mind as I stormed through the decaying hallway, boots slamming against rotting wood, gun drawn. My pulse thundered in my ears. The floor creaked beneath every step, but I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t.Joe and his men fanned out behind me, covering corners, checking every room.We were running out of time.Then—A scream.My heart nearly stopped. It was her.I charged forward, slamming my shoulder into the door at the end of the hall. It burst open—and I saw red.Morgana was on the ground, gasping for air as Hugo’s hand squeezed her throat, and across the room, Sophia was trying to drag herself toward them, her face pale and streaked with tears.“NO!” I shouted, and without hesitation, I raised my gun.Hugo turned just as I fired.The bullet tore through his shoulder. He howled, stumbling back and releasing Morgana, who crumpled to the floor, coughing violently.I crossed the room in three strides and tackled Hugo before he could
Sophia’s POVThe first thing I felt was cold.A biting chill that wrapped around my arms and legs like a second set of restraints. Then came the pressure—tight, scratchy ropes cutting into my wrists. My head pounded like a drum, fog thick behind my eyes. Everything smelled like mildew and dust.My eyes struggled to make sense of the shadows.The room was dim, lit only by a weak bulb overhead that flickered like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to stay on. I was on a metal chair, hands tied behind my back, ankles secured to the legs. The air tasted stale and old, like the walls had been sealed off from the world for decades.Panic bloomed in my chest.My brother Chris. What had become of him?I jerked forward, straining against the ropes. “Chris!” I called, my voice hoarse and raw. “Where is he?!”I noticed some movement in the darkness. A shadow stirred in the corner of the room. I froze as a figure stepped out into the light. Tall. Gray-streaked beard. Sunken eyes like old coals. A d
Sophia’s POV“This is insane,” Elijah muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “We’re relying on Antoine to lead us to Hugo. Does no one else see how crazy that is?”Joe, who had been checking messages on his phone, barely looked up. “We don’t have another choice.”I watched Elijah pace the room, his frustration clear. He wasn’t wrong, but I knew that if there was even the smallest chance of finding Grandpa George, we had to take it.Joe sighed and turned to Antoine. “You sure you can make him bite?”Antoine shrugged. “I know Hugo. He’s a cockroach—he won’t go down without a fight. But if he thinks his last hiding spot is compromised, he’ll make a move. That’s when we strike.”Elijah muttered something under his breath, but I didn’t catch it. Joe’s phone buzzed. As he studied the screen, he said, “We got something. Two possible locations.”Elijah straightened. “Then let’s move.”They all hurried out, and I had the sudden, overwhelming urge to call Elijah back—to make sure he’d pick up
Sophia’s POVMy mother sat on the couch, clutching Grandma Evelyn’s hands, trying to calm her down. My father stood near the window, staring out into the darkness, his face pale and unreadable.Chris and Connor were huddled over a laptop at the dining table, analyzing security footage.Joe was already there, speaking into his phone, barking orders to his contacts.But no one had any answers yet.And Grandpa George was still missing.I turned to my grandmother, kneeling in front of her. “Grandma—did you see anything? Anyone suspicious? A car, a stranger?”Her red-rimmed eyes filled with fresh tears as she shook her head. “No… nothing. I don’t know how this happened.” Her voice broke. “George was just in his study… and then he was gone.”Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me, but I could feel the rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. He wasn’t just worried—he was furiousJust then, Chris snapped his fingers at the screen. “We’ve got something.”Connor turned the laptop t
Sophia’s POVWe had been trying to track down both Antoine and Hugo, but they had vanished like ghosts.No leads. No sightings. Nothing.Lucas had called me earlier, still searching, still digging. Even Elijah and his contacts have been working doubly hard. But so far, they’d come up empty too. It was frustrating—knowing the danger was out there, lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.But tonight…Tonight, we weren’t going to think about it.Tonight, we were here to celebrate.After all, Lila and Adrian’s joint concert was finally happening. This was their moment, their dream unfolding before them.And for the first time in what felt like forever, we were all together, enjoying something good.Kayla was everywhere at once, her headset on, clipboard in hand, barking last-minute instructions into her earpiece. She was stressed, frantic… but glowing. Even though there could have been other people to take care of all this from her company, she wanted to be in charge, to personal
Emily’s POV“Walk away, Hugo,” Antoine said sharply, stepping in front of us as if to shield us from the strange man.The name triggered a memory.Chris had mentioned it just yesterday—Hugo Tournier. Suddenly, I remembered. It’s the name Sophia and Elijah had been trying to track down. The man who had supposedly changed Sophia’s life forever.And now he’s here. Why?!My hands instinctively balled up as my heart slammed against my ribs. Could this really be the same man?Hugo’s expression darkened with satisfaction as he took another step, exuding an air of quiet arrogance.“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with something sinister. “You’re not as fun outside of prison, Antoine.”Phoebe’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Emily, let’s go,” she muttered under her breath.I wanted to. Every instinct screamed at me to turn and leave. But I couldn’t—not yet.Hugo came forward, his eyes staring straight at me. He gave a low chuckle, mocking. “It’s interesting to meet Sabrina Ba
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.