SAM'S POVAs soon as the call ended, Gen followed me out of the pantry fuming.“What the hell, Samuel?” she snapped, her voice echoing through the kitchen. Almost all the kitchen staff were looking at us now.“You knew she was in Paris, and you didn’t tell me!” I thundered.“Oh, boo-hoo, Sam!” Gen fired back, throwing up her hands. “You think you have a right to know everything? Newsfl
NORA'S POVIt surprised me how quickly I had settled into the rhythm of things—morning walks to the boulangerie, afternoons at work, and evenings tucked away in the apartment Daniel had found for me. My heart felt lighter here, like I could finally breathe.Of course, the fear still lingered. Every now and then, I’d catch myself looking over my shoulder, wondering if Sam had tracked me down. But I wasn’t running—not anymore. Paris was mine now, and I wouldn’t let anything or anyone take that away.I placed a hand over my belly as I sat by the window, feeling a small but familiar wave of warmth spread through me. My pregnancy wasn’t noticeable yet. I could still pass as just another woman in loose blouses and casual jeans, blending in with the world around me. And that was exactly how I liked it.Daniel had become my closest friend in the city. We’d spent more time together over the last few weeks, but I was careful not to let things go too far. I had already made it clear—no relations
SAM'S POV Germany greeted us with gray skies and cold rain. The entire trip felt like a nuisance, a distraction from what really mattered—finding Nora. Yet, here I was, sitting in the back of a black Audi that Isabella insisted on renting, heading to a meeting that I knew was important but really didn't want to attend.Isabella acted as if the trip was a romantic getaway, chatting about restaurants and sights we could explore between meetings. But I wasn’t here for leisure. I was here to put out fires, and after that, I was gone.When we arrived at the hotel, Isabella clung to my side like we were a couple on vacation. I brushed her off and went to check-in.“Reservation for Bennett,” I said curtly to the receptionist, tapping my fingers impatiently on the counter.The receptionist gave me a polite smile and began clicking away on the computer in front of her. “Yes, Mr. Bennett. We have you in a suite... Ah, it seems to be one room.”My jaw tightened. “One room?”“Yes,” she said, gla
NORA'S POV The next day, I left the office a little earlier than usual, so I decided to grab a coffee at the small café tucked around the corner. As I stood in line, scrolling through my phone, someone behind me cleared their throat.“Fancy running into you here.”I looked up—and there was Adrian, the CEO I had met just the day before, wearing a casual sweater and dark jeans that made him look nothing like the powerful businessman he was supposed to be.A smile crept onto my face. “Mr. Blackwell... do you frequent this place often, or are you just following me?”He chuckled. “Caught me. I actually have a tracker on all my employees.”I shook my head, laughing. “That’s comforting.”He gestured to the coffee counter. “Mind if I join you?”It wasn’t a question he needed to ask—Adrian had a natural ease about him, like he belonged wherever he went.We sat outside, the crisp autumn air carrying the scent of roasted coffee beans. “So, how’s Paris treating you? Giselle told me you relocate
SAM'S POV“We found her,” the contact said.I closed my eyes, gripping the phone harder. “Where?”“She’s working at a place called Atelier LaRue, an art company in the 7th arrondissement.”Atelier LaRue. The name sounded like something Nora would love—charming, artistic, and far
NORA'S POV Relief flooded through me, and I sagged against the pillows, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave.Daniel smiled down at me, brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. “See? You’re going to be okay.”I managed a small smile. “Thanks, Daniel. For everything.”He squeezed my hand gently. “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always be here for you.”Just as I started to relax, a nurse appeared at the door, holding a clipboard. “Ms. Sinclair? You have a visitor.”I stiffened, my heart skipping a beat.Daniel frowned, glancing at the nurse. “Who is it?”Before I could question her further, the door opened wider, and Adrian stepped in. He was dressed simply, no sign of his usual business attire, yet his presence still seemed commanding. I sat up, startled and unsure.“Adrian? What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He offered a gentle smile, closing the door softly behind him. “I heard you were admitted. I wanted to make sure you were alright
SAM'S POV The drive from the airport felt like a blur, my mind tangled with everything I needed to say to her. My contact had called me in Germany, telling me that Nora had been rushed to the hospital—something about an emergency. He’d urged me to drop everything and come, and I didn’t hesitate. The thought of her in pain, scared and alone, left me impatient, my mind racing with questions.When I arrived at the hospital, the urgency within me boiled over. I pushed through the revolving door, heading straight for the reception desk, barely managing to keep my voice calm. “Nora Sinclair. Which room?”
NORA'S POV I stood frozen, unable to process what Adrian had just revealed. Adrian, my boss, was Sam’s friend—someone Sam had called on to keep tabs on me. The realization felt like a betrayal wrapped in betrayal, a scheme spun behind my back by two men I’d trusted.“How…” My voice came out unsteady, struggling to grasp this new reality. “How long have you known each other?”Adrian looked at me, regret flickering in his eyes. “Since we were kids, Nora. Sam asked me to look out for you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
NORA’S POVThe sun bathed the Bennett estate in a golden glow, filtering through the canopy of white roses and twinkling fairy lights. It was the perfect day, the kind of day that had once seemed impossible. But here we were. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate lace sleeve of my gown. It was nothing like the dress I had once imagined wearing for my first wedding to Sam. No, this was something entirely different—something that felt more like me. The gown hugged my frame, elegant and timeless. Soft ivory fabric cascaded down in delicate layers, embroidered with tiny pearls that shimmered when I moved. My hair, styled in loose waves, was pinned back with a single white rose, and a sheer veil trailed behind me like something out of a dream. But it was Sam’s face I longed to see the most. "Are you ready?" Genevieve appeared in the doorway, looking radiant in a soft emerald gown. Her usual sharpness was softened by the emotion in her eyes. I turned, feeling my he
NORA’S POVThe moment the plane touched down in New York, a flood of emotions surged through me. Relief. Exhaustion. Gratitude. I was alive. I was going home. Sam held my hand the entire drive from the airport, his grip firm yet tender, like he was afraid that if he let go, I’d disappear. My heart ached with anticipation; my mind consumed by a single thought—Zoe. I had spent weeks away from my daughter, missing the warmth of her tiny body against mine, the sweet scent of her skin, the sound of her giggles. The separation had been unbearable, and now, every second that kept me from holding her felt like
SAM’S POVThe fluorescent hospital lights hummed softly above me as I lay in the hospital bed, the sharp scent of antiseptic lingering in the air. I had never been afraid of pain—I had endured beatings, betrayals, and the weight of an entire empire on my shoulders. But this? This was different. Because this time, it wasn’t about me. It was about her. Nora. She lay in the bed
NORA’S POVThe beeping of machines was a constant rhythm, a reminder of the fragile line I was walking. The Parisian hospital room was bathed in soft golden light from the setting sun, but I felt cold. Not the kind of cold that came from the air conditioning or the evening breeze slipping through the cracks in the window—this was deeper, bone-deep, a chilling awareness that my body was failing me. Every breath felt like a borrowed one, shallow and effortful. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on me, heavier than it had ever been. My fingers tingled, my limbs felt distant, like they didn’t belong to me anymore. A part of me wondered if this was it—if I was already standing on the precipice between life and d
SAM'S POV The jet sliced through the cloud cover with the precision of a predator on a hunt, its hum a constant in the background as my thoughts drifted. Paris was just hours away, but I was already a prisoner of the distance—caught between two worlds, neither of which felt truly mine anymore.I had fought wars before, faced battles in boardrooms and beneath the weight of expectations. But none of those had ever felt so personal, so destructive. This fight had torn apart the very fabric of my family, shattered everything I had worked for, and left scars on my soul that would never fully heal. And the worst part? It had nearly cost me Nora—the one person I couldn’t afford to lose.
JACOB'S POVThe courtroom had emptied, but I remained frozen in my seat. The sound of the gavel still echoed in my ears. Life in prison. Isabella was gone.I watched as the guards led her away. She didn’t cry. She didn’t beg. She didn’t even look at me.She only turned once, just before disappearing through the doors, and for a fleeting moment, I saw it—regret. But it wasn’t for what she had done. It was for losing.I exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over my face. Was this how it was all supposed to
SAM'S POV The boardroom was suffocating, thick with tension and the scent of expensive cologne and polished wood. New York’s most powerful investors sat around the long mahogany table, their sharp eyes locked on me. Margot Moretti sat at the far end, composed as ever, but I could see the cracks beginning to show.For the past two hours, I had been fighting for control of what was left of my father’s empire. The Morettis had leveraged Aunt Marion’s shares and were dangerously close to tipping th
NORA'S POVThe hospital room was eerily silent except for the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the quiet hum of the machines keeping me tethered to this world. The walls were painted in soft, sterile white, and the air smelled faintly of antiseptic. I had spent countless hours in this bed, staring at the ceiling, counting the tiles, trying to ignore the way my body felt weaker with each passing day.But today was different. Today, the doctors would begin the experimental treatment—the last chance I had.Sam was pacing. He had been pacing for the last twenty minutes,
SAM'S POV The Paris clinic was quiet, almost unnervingly so. The soft hum of machines filled the room as Nora slept peacefully, her breathing steady but shallow. I sat in the corner of her room, the faint glow of my laptop illuminating the stack of documents Alaric had sent over that morning.Balancing the weight of the Bennett empire and being here for Nora felt impossible, but I had no choice.The reports from New York weren’t promising. Despite the rise in stock prices following Alaric’s press conference, the Morettis