Emily’s POVI flipped to a random page of the journal, and the scrawled date at the top caught my eye: just over a year ago. My heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t just an old relic from the past—this was recent. Whoever had written this had been here not long before us.They’re getting closer. I can feel it. Every shadow, every sound—it all feels like them. I thought I’d lost them, but they always find a way. How many more nights can I stay one step ahead?A chill ran down my spine as I read the words. I flipped through the pages, the entries growing more sporadic and desperate. The writer—a man, judging by the style of writing—had been on the run, just like us.I’ve heard whispers of Les Ombres Écarlates. They’re everywhere, more powerful than I imagined. If they know where I am, I won’t survive this.My heart drummed faster. Whoever had written this had been hiding from the same mob that now hunted us. The journal was a record of fear, of survival, of someone trying to escape the ver
Elijah’s POVThe silence was suffocating as I leaned forward, my gaze locked onto Lennon’s. His composure was good—too good—but I’d spent years reading people, and I could see it: the faint tension in his shoulders, the barely perceptible wariness in his look. He was hiding something.I let the silence stretch before I spoke with a deliberate tone. “You care about Morgana and Lila, don’t you?”Lennon’s head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. “Of course I do,” he said sharply. “What kind of question is that?”“Then you should understand why this is a problem,” I continued without flinching. “The threats against the cafe, the vandalism, and now these connections to Les Ombres Écarlates—it all paints a troubling picture. If you’re involved, in any way, you’re putting them directly in harm’s way.”Lennon’s grip on his wine glass tightened, his knuckles whitening. “Those matters are being handled by the investigators and the lawyer,” he said tersely. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”“Yet som
Elijah’s POVI sat down and leaned back in my chair, running a hand over my face as I processed Lennon’s revelation. The room was heavy with tension, but this time it wasn’t born from suspicion—it was the weight of something far bigger.“If the mob suspects you,” I began, “then the threats to Morgana and Lila could be their way of sending a message. To scare you off.”Lennon nodded grimly. “It’s possible. They could be trying to warn me. Or worse.”“But it might not even be them,” Morgana cut in, her voice trembling but steady. “What if it’s someone else entirely? A competitor of the cafe, maybe? Someone who doesn’t want us to succeed?”I turned to her, surprised by the suggestion. “You think that’s likely?”She hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously. “I… I never thought about it before. But we’ve been doing well—really well. Maybe too well for some people.”“Or,” Sophia interjected, her tone thoughtful, “it could be someone with a personal vendetta against Lila. Someone who feels
Sophia’s POVThe gentle strains of jazz music drifted through the room as Kayla and I walked into the upscale hotel bar. The warm lighting reflected off polished wood and sleek glass fixtures, giving the place an intimate, sophisticated ambiance. Waitstaff floated gracefully between the plush chairs and tables, carrying trays of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. I inhaled deeply, letting the atmosphere settle over me like a comforting blanket. Tonight was about unwinding, about enjoying something for ourselves.“This is perfect,” Kayla said beside me, her eyes scanning the crowd. “I can’t even remember the last time we did something like this.”I laughed softly. “Me neither. Feels like we’re breaking out of the mom-and-wife bubble for a night.”“And I’m here for it,” she quipped, nudging me playfully. “Let’s grab a seat.”We found a cozy corner booth with an excellent view of the small stage, where Adrian’s piano awaited its masterful touch. Just as we settled in, a familiar figure appear
Sophia’s POVAfter the show was done, we were joined by both Adrian and Lila. The energy at our table was lively and infectious as Adrian raised his glass to a toast. "To good friends, a successful show, and hopefully, more nights like this to come," he said, his grin as wide as I'd ever seen."Cheers!" we all chimed in, clinking glasses. “Congratulations to both of you,” I said, glancing between Adrian and Lila. “You were incredible up there. The chemistry, the harmonies—it was all perfect.”Kayla leaned forward, her enthusiasm shining through. “Seriously, though, as the creative director of Raven Media, I feel it’s my duty to ensure that an album comes out of this collaboration. Just imagine—an entire album of your duets.” She gestured dramatically, like a producer unveiling her next masterpiece.Lila blinked, taken aback. “Are you serious?”Kayla nodded emphatically. “Absolutely. You two are magic together. People would love it!”Adrian chuckled, his gaze flickering to Lila. “Well
Sophia’s POVThe world around me seemed to shrink as I stared up at the man I’d bumped into. There was something hauntingly familiar about his deep blue eyes, the way they seemed to search mine, as if he were looking for something long lost. My heart raced, my mind scrambling to place him. Where have I seen him before?He took a step closer, his expression softening, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “Sabrina…”The way he said that name, so quietly yet with undeniable certainty, sent a shockwave through my entire being. My breath hitched as a memory came crashing into my mind, vivid and startling.I was standing in front of the mural at the ice cream parlor, my hands smudged with bright splashes of paint. My younger self beamed with pride as I carefully painted the finishing touches—a swirl of pastel blue for the sky.“Careful,” a familiar voice teased. “You’re gonna drip paint everywhere.”I turned to see a boy standing nearby, his
Sophia’s POVAs I looked into Lucas’s eyes, a flood of memories came rushing back—him trailing me on my way home from school, sitting at the swings in the park just to be near me, and his endless attempts to impress me with silly antics.I found myself grinning as he joined us at the bar. “I think I definitely remember you.” “Took you long enough,” he joked lightly, though there was something deeper in his gaze that made me feel just a little bit uncomfortable. As if I was treading on perilous waters. We all settled at a table. Lucas leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping the room before landing on me. “So, Sabrina,” he said, using the name with a teasing smile, “where did life take you after school?”I smiled, relaxing slightly in his presence. “I used to live in France for a while. Studied design there and worked on a few projects before returning home.”Lucas’s eyebrows lifted with genuine interest. “France? That’s impressive. I always knew you were destined for something cr
Sophia’s POVAs I stepped out of the car, I couldn’t help but think about the kids back home with the nanny. Reese had been excited about her playdate tomorrow, Roxy was fixated on a new puzzle she wanted to finish, and Jared had insisted on showing Elijah his latest drawing. Elijah, however, had been swamped with work. His meeting had run late, and despite wanting to come tonight, he’d apologized and urged me to go ahead without him.“It’s fine,” I had told him. “You’ve been doing so much already. I’ll just catch up with Luana and Lucas.”He said he vaguely remembered Lucas, the scrawny kid who was always hanging around me. According to him, he’d never been jealous, though, because what he and Sabrina had at that time was truly special. I’d laughed at the thought, and I even had a faint memory of a similar conversation we had before about Lucas. At least my husband’s not the jealous type, I thought with relief. He trusts me completely. And now, here I was, stepping into the warmly
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