SAM'S POV
The words hung in the air like a stone waiting to fall.
“Zoe’s in danger.”
My chest tightened, and my hand instinctively moved toward my phone. “What do you mean she’s in danger?” I demanded, my voice sharp, rising with panic.
Charlie shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his slight frame seeming even smaller under the weight of my glare. His gaze darted to the floor, h
GEN’S POVThe sound of the clock ticking on the wall filled the room as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. My hands were steady, but my chest felt tight, as if the weight of my decisions was finally starting to press down on me.The assassin had confirmed our rendezvous for later that night, and I was ready to hand over the first payment. Everything was in motion, just as I’d planned. Charles Bennett—the so-called heir—would soon be nothing more than a memory.For a brief moment, I allowed myself to think about Jacob. I could still see him as he was when we were children
NORA'S POV The hospital was a blur as I rushed through the corridors, my heart pounding in my chest. The fear I’d felt since leaving the Moretti’s castle hadn’t left me, clinging to me like a shadow. I had to see Zoe. I had to know she was okay.The NICU doors came into view, and I barely slowed down as I pushed through them. My breath caught as I spotted Sam and Genevieve, both bent over Zoe’s incubator.Sam’s large hand rested on the side of the incubator, his shoulders relaxed, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Beside him, Genevieve—stoic, guarded Genevieve—was smiling too, her fingers delicately tracing circles on the glass as if she were drawing strength from the sight of Zoe’s tiny, fragile form.Relief washed over me, so powerful that my knees buckled. I grabbed the edge of a nearby chair to steady myself before running toward them, tears streaming down my face. “Zoe!” I sobbed, my voice trembling.Sam looked up sharply, his smile vanishing as he stepped back from the incubato
NORA'S POVThe rain was pouring hard, soaking me as I rushed into Sam’s company building. I had not taken my car because it was a trekkable distance, and I had not anticipated the rain.My heels clicked against the marble floor, and my clothes were sticking to my skin, but none of that mattered. I held the watch tight under my coat, protecting it from the rain.It was Sam's watch—a leather-strapped heirloom passed down from his father. He always wore it during important meetings, like a good luck charm. This morning, I saw it lying on the nightstand. He left in such a hurry, barely saying goodbye, that I knew he would need it today.Genevieve had encouraged me to go to him. To show him this act of kindness. She believed it would touch her brother's heart.He had been distant lately, colder, like the man I married was fading away. We used to be best friends, but now? Now, it felt like he barely knew me.I knew it was pathetic to get my husband’s attention like this, but that’s what it
NORA'S POVMy chest felt tight, as I walked down the brightly lit hallway, and I had to fight back the tears. The sight of Isabella sitting with Sam, laughing, had torn me apart. They looked like they shared something private, something I would never be a part of. I clutched my coat tighter, trying to pull myself together.When I got close to the elevator, I spotted Jacob leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking smug. The same look he always had when he saw me. We had grown up in the same neighbourhood, the same big sprawling mansions, the same schools. Sam, Jacob, Genevieve and I all used to be friends,but things had changed over the years. Jacob had always had a way of making me feel small.“Leaving already?” Jacob sneered, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not fooling anyone, Nora. You’re just holding Sam back, and everyone knows it.”I froze. His words stung harder than usual. Maybe it was because of what happened earlier—Jacob was Sam's best friend. Maybe he knew something I did
NORA'S POVSam walked out without looking back, leaving behind the thick silence of our bedroom. I sat frozen for a moment, the words I had just said ringing in my ears. I had expected some form of reaction from Sam. Anything but coldness. Why wouldn't he fight for us?In the middle of the night, I went downstairs to find him sleeping on the couch. I sighed and went back up with a broken heart.Divorce. The word still hung in the air, heavy and impossible to take back. I sat down at the computer and sent an email to my lawyer to get the papers ready. I had toyed with the idea for months but now, it was reality.I stood up and went to the window, staring out into the night. The cold air from the river about a mile away wafted into the room bringing with it the scent of water and the shouts of seamen. I looked at the garden below that extended to the dock that we never used. I let out a shaky breath, trying to collect myself. I’d done it. There was no undoing it now. The marriage was ov
NORA'S POVHer question hung in the air. Where was I going to go?Genevieve stood by the window, her back to me. She turned around with a soft smile. “What’s the plan, Nora?”I sighed. “Honestly? I’ve been thinking about what I used to love before... before Sam, before this life. Remember how I used to paint?”Her eyes lit up. “Of course! You doodled everywhere, even on my notebooks!” She laughed, and we both smiled at the memory. "Don’t tell me you’ve started painting again?"I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been keeping me sane. Actually, I applied to an art company abroad.”Genevieve’s eyes widened. “Nora! That’s amazing! Where? When?”“Paris. I got the offer a few weeks ago,” I said quietly.Gen hugged me happily shouting for glee that I couldn’t help but laugh too.“You’re going to crush me Gen”, I shouted, laughing hard, forgetting I had been sad few minutes ago.“Paris! Tell me everything.”Just as I was about to respond, a wave of dizziness hit me. The room spun, and I clutched the edge o
SAM’S POVI stared at the divorce papers in front of me, the black ink practically screaming off the page. Final Decree of Divorce. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. Lily stood by my desk, shifting her weight nervously as if she didn’t want to be the one delivering the news.“Mr. Bennett,” she said gently. “Your wife... um, Ms. Bennett, had these sent over this morning.”I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a nod. “Thanks, Lily.”She hovered by the door, uncertain, like she wanted to say more.“If there’s anything I can—”“There’s nothing,” I cut her off, harsher than I intended. Lily flinched, and I immediately regretted it.She gave me a tight smile. “Understood. Just let me know if you need anything.”I nodded again, already tuning her out. Once she left the room, I leaned back in my chair and let out a long, shaky breath. The papers were still there—staring back at me, cold and final. This is what she wanted, I reminded myself. She had made up her mind
NORA'S POVThe moment I ended the call with Sam, I stood frozen in the middle of the consultation room, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. I could still hear the confusion in his voice, the way it cracked slightly when he asked who was with me. He wasn’t angry—just... desperate. And I hung up on him. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to slow the erratic beating of my heart. Sam always knew how to throw me off balance. Even now, divorced and with my life in pieces, he still managed to stir something in me—something I wasn’t ready to face.I quickly said goodbye to Daniel and left.The house felt suffocating the moment I walked in, as if the walls knew the weight of the things left unsaid between Sam and me. I dropped my bag on the table and glanced around. It was quiet—too quiet. Then I heard footsteps in the kitchen.He was home.Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the kitchen.Sam was leaning over the counter, scrolling through his phone, his sleeves rolled up and his jaw
NORA'S POV The hospital was a blur as I rushed through the corridors, my heart pounding in my chest. The fear I’d felt since leaving the Moretti’s castle hadn’t left me, clinging to me like a shadow. I had to see Zoe. I had to know she was okay.The NICU doors came into view, and I barely slowed down as I pushed through them. My breath caught as I spotted Sam and Genevieve, both bent over Zoe’s incubator.Sam’s large hand rested on the side of the incubator, his shoulders relaxed, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Beside him, Genevieve—stoic, guarded Genevieve—was smiling too, her fingers delicately tracing circles on the glass as if she were drawing strength from the sight of Zoe’s tiny, fragile form.Relief washed over me, so powerful that my knees buckled. I grabbed the edge of a nearby chair to steady myself before running toward them, tears streaming down my face. “Zoe!” I sobbed, my voice trembling.Sam looked up sharply, his smile vanishing as he stepped back from the incubato
GEN’S POVThe sound of the clock ticking on the wall filled the room as I slipped my phone back into my pocket. My hands were steady, but my chest felt tight, as if the weight of my decisions was finally starting to press down on me.The assassin had confirmed our rendezvous for later that night, and I was ready to hand over the first payment. Everything was in motion, just as I’d planned. Charles Bennett—the so-called heir—would soon be nothing more than a memory.For a brief moment, I allowed myself to think about Jacob. I could still see him as he was when we were children
SAM'S POV The words hung in the air like a stone waiting to fall.“Zoe’s in danger.”My chest tightened, and my hand instinctively moved toward my phone. “What do you mean she’s in danger?” I demanded, my voice sharp, rising with panic.Charlie shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his slight frame seeming even smaller under the weight of my glare. His gaze darted to the floor, h
NORA'S POVMargot’s words echoed in my head, cold and unrelenting. “It was foolish of you to come here, Eleanora Sinclair.”The weight of her threat settled over me like a suffocating blanket, and my breath hitched. My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. What had I done? How could I have been so reckless, so naive? I hadn’t just risked my own life, I’d risked Zoe’s, too.The enormity of my mistake crushed me, and I turned to leave, desperate to put as much distance as I could between myself and this place. But as I made for the door, a figure stepped in front of me, blocking my path.Milo Romano.I froze, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. My chest tightened as the memories came flooding back; the first time I met him, the way he charmed my mother, the way he convinced me that the Moretti deal was my chance to fix everything. He had turned my life upside down, destroyed my marriage, and shattered whatever trust Sam and I had had.And now, he was here.“You,”
SAM'S POV The boy who stepped into my office wasn’t what I’d imagined. He was young, maybe thirteen, with sandy hair that fell into his bright blue eyes, and he carried himself with a quiet kind of confidence. His features—especially the sharpness of his jawline—were unmistakably Bennett. For a moment, I felt as though I were looking at a ghost of the Jacob I once knew, the best friend who had stood by my side before greed and resentment tore us apart.“Charles,” I greeted, keeping my tone even.He hesitated just inside the doorway, then offered a faint smile. “You can call me Charlie,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “That’s what everyone calls me.”The name put me momentarily at ease, and I gestured to the chair in front of my desk. “Alright, Charlie. Have a seat.”He moved across the room with deliberate steps, his hands fidgeting at his sides as though he wasn’t entirely sure of his welcome. I waited until he settled into the chair before speaking again.“What brings you here
NORA'S POV The night air was colder than I expected as I slipped out of the hospital’s back entrance, my coat wrapped tightly around me. My body protested with every step, the strain of my recent surgery making itself known. But none of that mattered. The anger burning in my chest, the fear for my family and my daughter drove me forward. I wanted Zoe to grow up in a stable environment, in a safe and loving family and not in the midst of all this drama.Margot Moretti had gone too far. And I needed to confr
SAM'S POV The late afternoon breeze brushed against my face as I stepped onto the balcony. Genevieve was there, leaning against the wrought-iron railing, her sharp silhouette framed by the sprawling estate gardens below. She didn’t turn to acknowledge me, but the tension in her shoulders told me she knew I was there.“We need to talk,” I said, my voice hard as I closed the door behind me.She turned her head slightly, her red hair catching the sunlight. “About what? How the family is falling apart while you’re too busy loving
NORA'S POV The steady beeping of the monitors in my hospital room was strangely comforting, a reminder that everything—at least for now—was stable. My body ached in ways I hadn’t thought possible, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest.As I stared out the window at the city skyline, my thoughts drifted to my daughter. Zoe. Her name felt like a beacon in the darkness, a promise of something pure and untainted. She was so small, so fragile, but she was already the strongest person I knew.
SAM'S POV The fluorescent lights of the NICU cast a sterile glow, highlighting the rows of incubators lined up like tiny fortresses. The faint hum of machines filled the air, each beep and whir a reminder of the fragility of life.I stood at the glass partition, my heart pounding as I caught sight of her. My daughter. She was so small, a tiny figure swaddled in soft fabric, with wires and monitors attached to her fragile body. Her chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow breaths, and her fists curled tightly as if she were ready to fight the world already.“She’s stable,” a nurse said softly, approaching me with a kind smile. “She’s a strong little girl.”I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Can I go in?”The nurse glanced at the clipboard in her hands and then gave a small nod. “Just for a few minutes. We’re limiting visitors, but you’re her dad. I’ll help you get prepped.”Moments later, I sat beside the incubator, dressed in a sterile gown, gloves, and a mask. The sight of he