Sophia’s POVMy breath hitched when I heard the dare they gave Elijah, and I felt a cold wave wash over me. Is he going to do it?Elijah and Julia exchanged a look, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. I could feel my heart tightening in my chest, my mind racing with questions I had no answers to. Why was this affecting me so much?Elijah broke the tense silence with a chuckle. “Oh, come on, Jenna. Julia’s like a sister to me.”I felt the color returning to my cheeks, and my breath seemed to return to normal. Julia's expression wavered. For a split second, I saw the hurt in her eyes before she plastered on a smile and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, totally. Like a sister… And Elijah’s always been like a brother to me because we grew up together.”Jenna’s playful frown didn’t hide her disappointment, but she quickly recovered. “Fine, fine. But...” She was cut off by Mark, one of our more inebriated colleagues.“Maybe our boss likes someone else, huh?” Mark slurred, nudgi
Sophia’s POV“Grandma Evelyn!” I called out, my heart pounding with relief and concern. I rushed over to her, kneeling beside the bench. “We’ve been worried sick about you. Are you okay?”Evelyn turned to me with a gentle smile, her eyes twinkling with recognition, but she said, “Oh, Sabrina, it's so nice to see you, dear.”I felt a jolt of confusion. “Grandma Evelyn, it's me, Sophia. Remember? I'm designing your new home.”She continued to smile, her gaze drifting past me. “Sabrina used to love the slide here. We would come almost every weekend. Such a sweet girl.”I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “I'm Sophia,” I repeated gently. “We met recently, remember?”Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears. “Sabrina was always so full of joy. I miss her terribly.”I reached out and took her hand, my voice softening. "Let's go home, Grandma Evelyn. Everyone is worried about you."Her grip on my hand tightened as she looked directly at me, her tears spilling over. “Let's go home, Sabrina.”For a m
Serena’s POVI sat on the hard, cold bench in my cell, my mind swirling with thoughts of regret and self-loathing. How did I end up here? I never wanted any of this to happen. I should have told Elijah everything from the start, but fear had paralyzed me.“I shouldn't be here,” I muttered to myself, gripping the edge of the bench tightly. “I'm not the one who planned this.”But here I was, locked up and alone, my only company the echoes of my own thoughts bouncing off the walls. I knew Elijah blamed me for what had happened to Sophia and Reese. He refused to even look at me, let alone speak to me. And I couldn't blame him. I had failed him so badly. “Why didn't I tell him everything?” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “Why did I let fear control me?”The answer was simple. The mastermind behind it all had threatened Elijah's life if I said anything. I couldn't risk that, no matter how much I wanted to. The thought of Elijah getting hurt because of me was unbearable.“I love you, E
Julia’s POVI sat in the passenger seat of Elijah's car, staring out the window and thinking about how Grandma Evelyn had treated me. That old woman doesn’t know what she’s saying!It made me feel so frustrated that Evelyn never really accepted me as her granddaughter Sabrina. But having her insist that Sophia was the real Sabrina was truly pissing me off. “I don't want to go home,” I muttered, breaking the silence. “I'll just feel even sadder and lonelier.”Elijah glanced at me, concern etched on his face. “But Julia, where will you go? Would you rather return to the party? Perhaps some of your friends are still there.”“No,” I said, frowning. “I’m not in the mood anymore.” Then slowly, I reached out to touch his hand gently. “I’d rather spend the evening at your house, Elijah. Just like old times.” I was well aware that growing up, Sabrina used to spend a lot of time at his house. I wanted to prove to him that I could really be Sabrina, his long-lost love and best friend. He hesi
Sophia’s POVGrandma Evelyn's voice was filled with emotion. “I'm sorry, Sabrina. I just can't bear the thought of you leaving,” she said, her eyes misty. “You’ve been gone for a long time and now that you’re back…” She trailed off, and I bit my lower lip. Gosh, I can’t leave like this. Glancing at Grandpa George, he simply shrugged helplessly. “It's okay, Evelyn,” I reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her arm. “Maybe I'll stay for the night. Anyway, Reese is already asleep now.”Evelyn sniffled, smiling. “You're such a good girl, Sabrina. I don't know what we'd do without you.”I squeezed her hand gently. “I'm Sophia. Remember?”She blinked, confusion clouding her eyes for a moment before she nodded. “Yes, of course, Sophia. You're my Sophia. Also my Sabrina.”I sent a quick message to Reese's nanny, letting her know that Kayla, my best friend, would be sleeping over and that I'd be back in the morning. Evelyn led me to the bedroom that used to belong to Sabrina whenever s
Sophia’s POV“Sophia, how about joining us for a stroll in the park this morning?” Grandpa George suggested as he joined us. “If you don’t have to go yet, it would be great for you to join us. It's Evelyn's daily exercise, and she could use your help.”“I’d love to,” I replied, which made Evelyn smile widely and look quite eager to get started. The three of us made our way to the park, the cool breeze carrying the promise of a beautiful day. As Grandma Evelyn practiced walking, she was unusually cheerful and talkative. She kept sharing stories of Sabrina, which I found entertaining. “Her favorite part was always the slide,” Grandma reminisced, her eyes glimmering with delight. “And she loved playing hide and seek with Elijah. They were inseparable.”The mention of Elijah brought a smile to my face. I could almost see him as a child, his eyes wide with excitement. But amidst the warmth of Grandma's stories, a shadow of doubt lingered in my mind. Could I really be Sabrina? Julia had
Sophia’s POVAm I Sabrina? What kind of question is that, coming from Julia?I gave her a puzzled look, remembering those moments when Elijah and I were just getting to know each other and I thought that he could really begin to care for me and eventually fall in love with me. Apparently, he was just using me as a substitute for Sabrina, I thought bitterly. That’s why he never learned to appreciate and truly love me. “What do you mean, am I Sabrina?” I asked Julia, bewildered. She blinked and suddenly looked flustered. She straightened her shoulders and replied, “I mean, you look like you really want to become Sabrina, you know. And that was probably the reason Elijah became attracted to you in the first place.”A crease formed on my forehead and I felt a surge of annoyance. “It doesn’t matter, we’re divorced already. And no, I don’t intend on taking your place as Sabrina. I’m not sure why your grandmother keeps saying I’m Sabrina, but it’s not who I want to be. I just want to be m
Sophia’s POVI made my way down the narrow aisle of the airplane, scanning the seat numbers until I found mine. The anticipation of attending the design conference in New York with Trevis filled me with excitement and nervous energy.Nevermind if Julia’s there. Hopefully she won’t be weird anymore. Just as I was about to settle into my seat, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.“Hi, Sophia!”I turned, and there was Elijah, smiling at me. “Elijah? What are you doing here?”He grinned, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Business trip to New York. I heard about the design conference and thought I'd drop by. So Trevis and I booked our tickets together.”Before I could respond, Julia, who had been walking behind me, piped up. “Well, isn't this a coincidence? How about we switch places, Trevis?” She didn't wait for a response, immediately taking Trevis's seat next to Elijah.I glanced at Trevis, who shrugged and gave me a reassuring smile. “Guess it's you and me, Sophia.”As we settled
Chris’s POVThe worn chair creaked as I leaned back, staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling. My thoughts wandered to my family—my parents, my siblings, even the small details of home life I’d taken for granted. I missed it all, a dull ache eating at me every time I let myself think about it.But I couldn’t risk going back. Not yet. Not with the mob hunting us, and certainly not with Emily relying on me. I couldn’t leave her alone in this, no matter how much I longed for my old life.I sighed, running a hand through my hair and willing myself to accept my fate. This was the path I’d chosen, the one I’d forced myself to stay on because protecting Emily mattered more than anything else. And besides, I’d never loved anyone as much as I loved her. That truth was the only anchor I had in this chaos.The sound of the front door opening snapped me out of my thoughts. The woman who owned the house—a wiry, sharp-eyed local named Henriette—poked her head in. “Marc and Luc are here,” she anno
Emily’s POVThe worn leather journal felt heavier in my hands than it should have, its frayed edges brushing against my fingertips as I clutched it tightly. Every step I took on the narrow mountain trail seemed to amplify the weight of it, as if it held not just pages of memories, but the crushing reality of the life Chris and I now led, lived before by someone else. The peaks of Mercantour National Park loomed ahead, their jagged edges shrouded in mist. Chris walked a few steps in front of me, his head turning every so often to scan the trail behind us."Do you think this place will be safe?" I asked. Chris slowed his pace, waiting for me to catch up. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced at me, his face unreadable. “It’s secluded. Hard to find, even harder to reach. That’s something.”Not exactly comforting. “But for how long?” I pressed. “How long until they find us again?”Chris’s jaw tightened, the tension in his shoulders makin
Elijah’s POVThe café had transformed under the warm glow of evening lights, its usual charm elevated by strings of delicate fairy lights and subtle touches of elegance. Tables were arranged to face a small stage near the window, where a sleek microphone and a guitar stand hinted at the night’s entertainment. Lila stood nearby, radiant in a flowing dress, her hand entwined with Adrian’s. Their closeness was unmistakable, their easy smiles a reflection of the love they now shared.I leaned against the counter, nursing a glass of sparkling water, and watched as they chatted with Morgana. Adrian was gesturing animatedly, and Lila laughed, leaning into his shoulder. Their new album launch was clearly more than just a career milestone—it was a celebration of their partnership.The sound of the door opening drew my attention. My grip on the glass tightened as Camille stepped inside, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She was dressed to impress, her bold red dress catching the light
Elijah’s POVDetective Marcus and I met the vendor in a discreet corner of the back room. The man glanced nervously between us as Marcus explained the plan.“You’re going to approach your contact,” Marcus told him firmly. “Tell them there’s an opportunity tonight—something disruptive, something damaging. Be clear, but not pushy. If they bite, we’ll catch them red-handed.”The vendor nodded, swallowing hard. “Alright. What do you want me to suggest?”“Target the performance,” I said, crossing my arms. “Lila’s scheduled to sing tonight. Make it sound like ruining her set would humiliate Morgana and damage the café’s reputation. It’s the kind of petty, public sabotage this person seems to thrive on.”The vendor shifted uncomfortably. “And you’re sure I’ll be safe?”“You’ll be wired,” Marcus assured him, holding up a small device. “We’ll monitor everything, and my team will be close by. As soon as we have what we need, you’re out.”I stepped forward, fixing the vendor with a hard stare. “
Elijah’s POVI could see my stepmother smiling, talking to a couple of regulars at the counter in her cafe. Business had become much better lately, and for the first time in weeks, she looked genuinely happy. It seemed as if the chaos of the past few months had been nothing but a bad dream. I glanced at my watch. The investigator I’d recommended—Detective Marcus—was due to arrive any moment. He’d personally called me and mentioned new leads on the vandalism and threats against Morgana and Lila, promising that this time, we’d finally get somewhere.I looked over at Morgana. Her genuine smile was a rare sight these days, and despite everything, it was a relief to see her like this. Yet, the faint strain in our dynamic was impossible to overlook.She hadn’t entirely forgiven me for investigating Lennon. The look of betrayal on her face when she caught me in my study weeks ago still lingered in my mind. But for all her anger, she hadn’t shut me out completely. She’d allowed me to continu
Elijah’s POV“Sophia…” I whispered, that one word sending all sorts of emotions shooting through my body. God, I miss my wife. I couldn’t stop replaying the moments of distance, the fractured conversations, and the way her eyes held questions I didn’t know how to answer. But right now, I couldn’t afford to dwell on it.My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me from my thoughts. Joe’s name flashed across the screen.“Elijah,” his voice came through, sounding serious. “I’ve got an update. One of Lennon’s companies has a scheduled shipment tomorrow night. Destination? A port that’s had connections with Les Ombres Écarlates in the past.”I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing. “What’s being shipped?”“Hard to tell. The manifest says machinery parts, but the quantity doesn’t match the volume listed. It’s suspicious, to say the least.”I rubbed my temple, frustration mounting. “And Lennon? Is he directly involved?”“Hard to say,” Joe admitted. “But it’s his company’s name on the paperwork. If h
Sophia’s POVThe knock on my office door was brief but firm. I glanced up from my laptop, my brow furrowing as my assistant stepped in, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses and lilies.“This just came for you,” she said, her smile bright as she placed the vase on my desk.“For me?” I asked, surprised. My gaze dropped to the small white card nestled among the flowers. I reached for it, curiosity piqued.The handwriting was familiar, steady and bold: For Sophia – because I’m thinking of you. – E”Elijah.A soft warmth bloomed in my chest, quickly followed by doubt. Was this a genuine gesture, or was it guilt? My mind immediately replayed the strained conversations, the silent meals, the guarded looks we’d exchanged over the past weeks. But as I stared at the flowers, their vibrant colors brightening my desk, I pushed those thoughts aside. Whatever the reason, he’d thought of me. And wasn’t that what mattered?“Lovely bouquet,” my assistant commented before slipping out of the room, leavin
Sophia’s POVA rapid thudding filled my ears as I watched the elevator doors close, Camille’s figure disappearing behind the sleek metallic panels. She hadn’t seen me, but there was no mistaking her—she was here, in the Sinclair Realty building.What was she doing here? And more importantly, who was she here to see?I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing as I tried to keep my emotions in check. She couldn’t possibly still be pursuing Elijah? The very idea made me feel sick. I suddenly had the urge to run after her and grab her by the hair. Forcing a steadying breath, I turned and walked toward the lobby doors, my heels clicking against the polished floors. I told myself not to jump to conclusions, not to let my insecurities get the better of me. I walked briskly to my car, the thought of Camille’s presence lingering like a bad aftertaste. What the hell is she doing here? I repeated silently in my head. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of all the possibilities—none of them good. My
Sophia’s POVBalancing the coffee and pastry bag in my hands, I hurried toward the door, eager to get back to the office and away from whatever awkwardness I’d just left behind. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, a tug-of-war between relief that nothing suspicious seemed to be happening and the persistent pang of doubt gnawing at me.Just as I stepped outside, I nearly collided with someone. “Oh!” I gasped, clutching the coffee tightly to avoid spilling it.“Sophia!” Luana’s voice greeted me warmly, her eyes wide with surprise before her expression shifted to a delighted smile. “It’s so good to see you!”“Luana!” I managed, trying to sound equally cheerful as my heart raced for entirely different reasons. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”“No harm done,” she said with a light laugh. “It’s been too long. I feel like we haven’t had a chance to properly catch up.”“I know,” I said, forcing a smile. “You’ve been busy, though. How’s everything going?”“Good, actually.” She