Sophia’s POVI froze, my heart pounding in my chest, as Daniel's words sank in. “I've liked you since high school,” he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity. “Back then, I thought you were too focused on your studies to pay attention to me. And I guess I was too… afraid to approach you.”High school felt like a lifetime ago. I had been so engrossed in my academic pursuits that I hadn't paid much attention to anything else. Certainly not to Daniel, who had apparently been quietly looking out for me all along. I did vaguely remember some encounters we had then, but we never even became close friends during that time. “Even in college, though I was studying abroad, I still kept checking your social media,” he admitted. “And asking some people about you.”“Oh,” was all I could say at the moment. This was indeed a revelation. “I was sad when I found out you were married,” Daniel continued, his eyes searching mine. “But it was even harder to learn that you were unhappy. I was very ha
Elijah’s POVI walked into the police station, the familiar scent of disinfectant hitting me as I approached the front desk. Serena had asked to see me urgently, something about having important information. I found her in a small interrogation room that they used for visiting prisoners, looking nothing like her usual self. Her hair was disheveled, dark circles marred her eyes, and she seemed to have aged overnight. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel an ounce of pity for her. “What's going on, Serena?” I asked as I sat down across from her, not wanting to beat around the bush. “Why did you want to talk to me?”She glanced up, her expression weary. “I need to tell you something, Elijah. Something important.”“What is it?” I asked straightaway, trying to gauge if she was telling the truth. “I'm not the one behind everything,” she said quietly. I frowned, taken aback. “What do you mean? You've done so many terrible things, Serena. Are you trying to pass the blame onto someone else now? And w
Sophia’s POV I opened the door to my apartment, and was surprised to see my ex-husband standing there. My heart unexpectedly skipped a beat, and I felt a flutter of excitement mixed with uncertainty. “Hey,” Elijah said, a small smile playing on his lips. “Hi,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “What are you doing here?” “Sorry to bother you… I just wanted to talk,” he said, his expression serious. “Can I come in?” I hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside to let him in. Daniel was just heading out at that time. I saw how Elijah's eyes narrowed when he saw him, especially when Daniel touched my hand briefly. “Sophia, think about what I said, okay?” Daniel said before moving past Elijah. “I’ll see you soon.” “Uh, okay,” was all I could reply. It was definitely an awkward moment, having both him and Elijah there, especially after Daniel had just confessed his feelings. As Daniel left, Elijah turned to me, his gaze searching. “What was that all about?” “It was nothing,” I sai
Sophia’s POV “Who was that?” Elijah asked. “Uh, just a friend,” I answered, not wanting to get into the details. I knew that he didn’t trust Adrian. I stood up and excused myself for a while. I went out to the balcony, feeling the cool evening breeze on my skin as I dialed Adrian's number. He picked up after a few rings, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. “Sophia, I’m so sorry to bother you at this time,” Adrian said, his tone cryptic. “I just didn’t know who else to contact… Uh, can you come to the grocery store near Raven Media? I need your help with something.” I furrowed my brow, wondering what could be so important at this hour. “Sure, Adrian. I'll be there soon,” I replied, already thinking about how to get there quickly. Turning back inside, I found Elijah playing with Reese on the floor. “I need to go out for a bit, Elijah. Can you watch Reese for me?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. Elijah looked up, concern evident in his eyes. “Where are you going? Is
Elijah’s POVI stood by the window, watching the rain pour down in nonstop sheets, drenching everything in sight. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one adding to my growing anxiety.And when I heard that man’s voice in the background, addressing Sophia, calling her name, my heart jumped and my anxiety intensified.I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me. Who the hell is that man? Why is she with him this late? I wanted to demand answers, to tell her to come home immediately. But I knew I didn't have the right. We weren't together. She had her own life, her own choices.“Who's with you?” I couldn’t help asking, my voice turning cold despite my efforts to stay calm.“Elijah, it's nothing,” she replied quickly. “I'll explain everything later. I promise.”I wanted to protest, to tell her that I needed to know now, but the words stuck in my throat. Before I could say another word, the line went dead. She had hung up on me.I stood there, staring at the phone in my h
Sophia’s POVI was halfway to my apartment when I realized I was still wearing Adrian's jacket. The rain had poured down heavily earlier, soaking my thin blouse and leaving me shivering in the cold. Adrian had draped his jacket over my shoulders without hesitation, also insisting to come with me in my car and make sure I was safe coming back home.“Oh, shucks, I need to return this to him,” I muttered, turning around to go back to the lobby. “Hope he’s still there.”The elevator ride was quick, and as the doors slid open to the lobby, I heard voices. I paused, recognizing Adrian's voice immediately.“Why do you care so much about Sophia? Is she your girlfriend?”I held my breath, peering around the corner just enough to see them. Elijah stood with his back to me, his posture tense, while Adrian faced him, arms crossed defensively.Elijah's response was calm but firm. “No, she's not my girlfriend.”A flicker of relief and disappointment mingled within me, confusing my emotions. But bef
Sophia’s POVChris and I pulled up to his grandparents' old house, its charming, weathered facade standing as a testament to years gone by. The paint was peeling, and the roof looked like it had weathered one too many storms. Chris parked the car and turned to me, a look of excitement mixed with nervousness in his eyes.“This is it, Sophia,” he said, turning to me after he parked in front. “I’m so glad you were able to come today. My grandparents mean the world to me, and this house... well, it's seen better days. This is why I’ve decided to gift them a new one, to show my appreciation for everything they've done for me.”“That’s such a beautiful gesture, Chris,” I told him sincerely. I knew that he had a lot of money, but choosing to spend it on a new house for his grandparents showed that he really cared about them. “I’m glad to be a part of the project.”We got out of the car and made our way to the front porch. As Chris knocked on the door, I could hear faint sounds from inside, s
Sophia’s POVA month had passed since I was appointed head of design, and I’d been thriving in the role. Reporting directly to Elijah was initially awkward, but we managed to keep things professional. Our relationship had evolved into a light, friendly dynamic that I found surprisingly refreshing. But today, I was at Raven Media, visiting my best friend Kayla, whose family owned the company. “Can you believe it, Soph? We're finally here!” Kayla's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she led me into her bright, stylish office. “It’s my very own office within the company!”“It’s amazing, Kayla,” I replied, taking in the sleek furniture and the vibrant artwork on the walls. “I’m so proud of you.”She grinned, twirling a lock of her dark hair. “Thanks. And guess what? I have a proposition for you.”“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, curious.Kayla leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Since you’re already done designing all those major projects for Sinclair Realty, I want
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