Sofia’s POV The Montague mansion was unlike anything I had ever seen—elegant, vast, and steeped in quiet authority. Every inch of it screamed wealth and power, from the grand chandeliers casting golden light over polished marble floors to the intricate carvings on the mahogany walls. It was the kind of place designed to impress and intimidate at the same time. With Dominic gone, I had nothing to do but wander. My footsteps echoed softly as I moved through the endless hallways, my fingers grazing the smooth wood of the banisters and the cold stone pillars that lined the corridors. The scent of aged books and fresh flowers mixed in the air, giving the place an odd contrast—timeless yet alive. I passed by rooms with tall windows draped in velvet curtains, libraries filled with leather-bound books, and parlors decorated with antique furniture that looked like they belonged in a museum. Every detail was carefully curated, every piece undoubtedly expensive. This wasn’t just a house—it
Dominic’s POV The scent of something warm and rich filled the air the moment I stepped into the mansion. It wasn’t the usual gourmet meals the chefs prepared—this was different. Heartier. Almost comforting. I hadn’t expected this. After spending days in Manila, taking care of everything for our plan, I was exhausted. I had officially resigned from Romano University, cutting my last tie to that place. There was nothing left for me there, and honestly, I felt relieved. Now, all I wanted was a shower and maybe some sleep. But instead, I found myself following the scent down the hallway. And that’s when I saw her. Sofia. She stood at the counter, her sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around her waist. Steam rose from a pot on the stove, and beside her, Martha was kneading dough. A wooden board filled with chopped potatoes, cabbage, and beans sat nearby. For a moment, I just watched. She looked… different. There was a lightness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen in
Sofia’s POV The quiet hum of the study wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, thick with the weight of unspoken truths. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged law books—Dominic’s world, his sanctuary. But right now, it felt like an interrogation room. And I was finally ready to confess. “You asked me to tell you everything,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the armrest of the chair. Dominic nodded, his dark eyes fixed on me. “No more secrets, Sofia.” I exhaled slowly. “It happened five years ago. The day I lost everything.” He leaned forward slightly, silent but demanding, waiting for me to continue. “I was supposed to meet someone that day,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had just finished cheer practice, and I was running late. I rushed through everything—my shower, my drive—because I didn’t want to miss that meeting.” I swallowed, gripping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “And then… everything went wrong.” The memory pla
Sofia’s POV Dominic’s voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “Sofia, this isn’t just about nullifying your marriage anymore. This is about justice.” I met his gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt something other than fear. I felt rage. And I wanted the truth. Dominic leaned back, his expression grim. “That night at Romano University… I saw something that didn’t sit right with me.” A cold dread coiled in my stomach. “What did you see?” He exhaled slowly, as if weighing every word. “Brake fluid. A small puddle near where your car was parked. At first, I thought it was just an oil leak from another vehicle, but then I noticed something else—a piece of tubing, cut cleanly, lying nearby.” Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I clenched my hands together, my mind racing. “You think my brakes were tampered with?” Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Someone wanted you dead that night. If I had gotten to you a few m
Sofia’s POV Since this morning, I hadn’t been able to talk to Dominic. Now that it was already afternoon, I realized I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him. He had been locked away in the study the entire time, completely consumed by his work. I thought about checking on him, even just for a moment, but the door remained shut. Martha told me he was always like this whenever he was focused on something—distant, unreachable. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to go to the farm and ride a horse for a while. A quiet ride through the fields seemed like the perfect way to clear my mind. When I started feeling hungry, I decided to head back to the mansion. Maybe Dominic was done with his work, and we could finally eat together. As I stepped inside, I found him in the living room, watching the news. The moment he noticed me, he grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes scanning me as if checking if I had gone somewhere I shouldn’t have.
Sofia’s POV The late afternoon light cast a golden hue over the estate as I stood by the window, absently tracing patterns on the glass. Outside, Dominic stood near the driveway, his stance firm yet composed, as if waiting for something—or someone. Then she arrived. Marielli. The moment she stepped out of the sleek black car, a shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t just recognition; it was memory. She wasn’t just any visitor. She was the visitor. The woman who always came to see Dominic while he worked at Romano University. The same woman who had been by his side all those years ago, back in college, when I used to see them together—laughing, talking, always impossibly close. I hadn’t remembered her before, but now, with my memories piecing themselves back together, it all came rushing back. She was always there. I watched as Dominic greeted her, his expression unreadable, yet there was an ease in the way he spoke to her, a familiarity that settled deep in my chest like
Dominic’s POV Marielli visited me here at the mansion and spent the whole day helping me with Sofia’s case. She couldn’t go home because her car broke down, and it was too late to call a mechanic, so we decided she would just spend the night here. But instead of resting, she invited me to have a few beers. Now we’re outside, sitting on the wooden bench, drinking while staring up at the stars. “You really don’t sleep anymore, do you?” she asked, looking at me over the rim of her bottle. I smirked. “I’ll sleep when this case is over… or when I drop dead, whichever comes first.” She rolled her eyes, smiling. “I thought lawyers were dramatic in court, not in real life.” We both laughed, and then she tilted her head toward the sky. “Do you ever wonder what you’d be doing if none of this happened? If life didn’t pull you into… all this?” I took a moment before answering. “Maybe I’d be fixing motorcycles somewhere quiet. Somewhere no one knows my name.” She raised an eyebrow.
Dominic's POVThe mechanic was already outside, talking to Marielli. I didn’t bother stepping out—I could guess what he was going to say. Her car wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe not even tomorrow.I stayed in the kitchen, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her stir sugar into her coffee like it was some kind of art. She always moved like she had a plan—even when she pretended not to.“It’s going to take a while,” she said, almost too casually. “You don’t mind if I hang around, do you?”I shrugged. “It’s your call.”She sipped her coffee, that mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. “Let’s go to the beach.”I frowned. “The beach?”“You, me, and Sofia,” she said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “She needs fresh air. And you, Dominic, need to stop brooding before your face stays that way.”I didn’t respond right away. The idea sounded good—too good. That’s what worried me.“Marielli… We’re hiding her. If someone sees us—if he finds out…”She se
Sofia POV The wind smelled like salt and something else I couldn’t quite name—freedom, maybe. It had been Marielli’s idea. A beach trip. Out of nowhere, like she had a sixth sense for tension and wanted to dissolve it with sunlight and ocean breeze. I had expected Dominic to shut it down immediately. But to my surprise, he hesitated—and then said yes. I watched them talk in the kitchen that morning, their voices soft but familiar. Too familiar. Something in me recoiled. I tried not to show it, tried to be polite. Detached. But it was impossible to ignore the way she looked at him, or how he didn’t pull away. I didn’t belong here. That thought lingered as I stood by the car, waiting to climb into the backseat like some intern tagging along on her boss’s road trip. “Uh-uh.” Marielli moved quickly, stepping in between us. “What do you think you’re doing?” I blinked, confused. “I was going to sit in the back.” Marielli shook her head dramatically. “Backseat? Girl, no. You ar
Dominic's POVThe mechanic was already outside, talking to Marielli. I didn’t bother stepping out—I could guess what he was going to say. Her car wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Maybe not even tomorrow.I stayed in the kitchen, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her stir sugar into her coffee like it was some kind of art. She always moved like she had a plan—even when she pretended not to.“It’s going to take a while,” she said, almost too casually. “You don’t mind if I hang around, do you?”I shrugged. “It’s your call.”She sipped her coffee, that mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. “Let’s go to the beach.”I frowned. “The beach?”“You, me, and Sofia,” she said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “She needs fresh air. And you, Dominic, need to stop brooding before your face stays that way.”I didn’t respond right away. The idea sounded good—too good. That’s what worried me.“Marielli… We’re hiding her. If someone sees us—if he finds out…”She se
Dominic’s POV Marielli visited me here at the mansion and spent the whole day helping me with Sofia’s case. She couldn’t go home because her car broke down, and it was too late to call a mechanic, so we decided she would just spend the night here. But instead of resting, she invited me to have a few beers. Now we’re outside, sitting on the wooden bench, drinking while staring up at the stars. “You really don’t sleep anymore, do you?” she asked, looking at me over the rim of her bottle. I smirked. “I’ll sleep when this case is over… or when I drop dead, whichever comes first.” She rolled her eyes, smiling. “I thought lawyers were dramatic in court, not in real life.” We both laughed, and then she tilted her head toward the sky. “Do you ever wonder what you’d be doing if none of this happened? If life didn’t pull you into… all this?” I took a moment before answering. “Maybe I’d be fixing motorcycles somewhere quiet. Somewhere no one knows my name.” She raised an eyebrow.
Sofia’s POV The late afternoon light cast a golden hue over the estate as I stood by the window, absently tracing patterns on the glass. Outside, Dominic stood near the driveway, his stance firm yet composed, as if waiting for something—or someone. Then she arrived. Marielli. The moment she stepped out of the sleek black car, a shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t just recognition; it was memory. She wasn’t just any visitor. She was the visitor. The woman who always came to see Dominic while he worked at Romano University. The same woman who had been by his side all those years ago, back in college, when I used to see them together—laughing, talking, always impossibly close. I hadn’t remembered her before, but now, with my memories piecing themselves back together, it all came rushing back. She was always there. I watched as Dominic greeted her, his expression unreadable, yet there was an ease in the way he spoke to her, a familiarity that settled deep in my chest like
Sofia’s POV Since this morning, I hadn’t been able to talk to Dominic. Now that it was already afternoon, I realized I hadn’t even caught a glimpse of him. He had been locked away in the study the entire time, completely consumed by his work. I thought about checking on him, even just for a moment, but the door remained shut. Martha told me he was always like this whenever he was focused on something—distant, unreachable. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to go to the farm and ride a horse for a while. A quiet ride through the fields seemed like the perfect way to clear my mind. When I started feeling hungry, I decided to head back to the mansion. Maybe Dominic was done with his work, and we could finally eat together. As I stepped inside, I found him in the living room, watching the news. The moment he noticed me, he grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “Where have you been?” he asked, his eyes scanning me as if checking if I had gone somewhere I shouldn’t have.
Sofia’s POV Dominic’s voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “Sofia, this isn’t just about nullifying your marriage anymore. This is about justice.” I met his gaze, and for the first time in years, I felt something other than fear. I felt rage. And I wanted the truth. Dominic leaned back, his expression grim. “That night at Romano University… I saw something that didn’t sit right with me.” A cold dread coiled in my stomach. “What did you see?” He exhaled slowly, as if weighing every word. “Brake fluid. A small puddle near where your car was parked. At first, I thought it was just an oil leak from another vehicle, but then I noticed something else—a piece of tubing, cut cleanly, lying nearby.” Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I clenched my hands together, my mind racing. “You think my brakes were tampered with?” Dominic’s jaw tightened. “It’s too much of a coincidence. Someone wanted you dead that night. If I had gotten to you a few m
Sofia’s POV The quiet hum of the study wrapped around us like a heavy blanket, thick with the weight of unspoken truths. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with neatly arranged law books—Dominic’s world, his sanctuary. But right now, it felt like an interrogation room. And I was finally ready to confess. “You asked me to tell you everything,” I murmured, my fingers gripping the armrest of the chair. Dominic nodded, his dark eyes fixed on me. “No more secrets, Sofia.” I exhaled slowly. “It happened five years ago. The day I lost everything.” He leaned forward slightly, silent but demanding, waiting for me to continue. “I was supposed to meet someone that day,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had just finished cheer practice, and I was running late. I rushed through everything—my shower, my drive—because I didn’t want to miss that meeting.” I swallowed, gripping my hands together to keep them from trembling. “And then… everything went wrong.” The memory pla
Dominic’s POV The scent of something warm and rich filled the air the moment I stepped into the mansion. It wasn’t the usual gourmet meals the chefs prepared—this was different. Heartier. Almost comforting. I hadn’t expected this. After spending days in Manila, taking care of everything for our plan, I was exhausted. I had officially resigned from Romano University, cutting my last tie to that place. There was nothing left for me there, and honestly, I felt relieved. Now, all I wanted was a shower and maybe some sleep. But instead, I found myself following the scent down the hallway. And that’s when I saw her. Sofia. She stood at the counter, her sleeves rolled up, an apron tied around her waist. Steam rose from a pot on the stove, and beside her, Martha was kneading dough. A wooden board filled with chopped potatoes, cabbage, and beans sat nearby. For a moment, I just watched. She looked… different. There was a lightness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen in
Sofia’s POV The Montague mansion was unlike anything I had ever seen—elegant, vast, and steeped in quiet authority. Every inch of it screamed wealth and power, from the grand chandeliers casting golden light over polished marble floors to the intricate carvings on the mahogany walls. It was the kind of place designed to impress and intimidate at the same time. With Dominic gone, I had nothing to do but wander. My footsteps echoed softly as I moved through the endless hallways, my fingers grazing the smooth wood of the banisters and the cold stone pillars that lined the corridors. The scent of aged books and fresh flowers mixed in the air, giving the place an odd contrast—timeless yet alive. I passed by rooms with tall windows draped in velvet curtains, libraries filled with leather-bound books, and parlors decorated with antique furniture that looked like they belonged in a museum. Every detail was carefully curated, every piece undoubtedly expensive. This wasn’t just a house—it