Sophia pov:“You look happy, Sophia,” Mia told me in a low whisper, and I could not help it when I felt my cheeks turning crimson.We all were in the dining hall of the hotel for our breakfast, “I am just happy. It’s after so many days that I got the chance to go out overnight with such great company.” I shrugged with an over-brightened smile and tried to act nonchalant. I needed to convince her that the happiness wasn’t because of Rowan.Which was a lie for sure.I couldn’t tell her, what Rowan and I did last night.As I glanced around the room, I noticed Rowan and Kim wandering near the buffet table. Their closeness did make me slightly uncomfortable, especially when Rowan was throwing those meaningful glances my way. I focused on the lemon tart on my plate, pretending not to notice.Just then, a plate of mushroom omelet magically appeared before me. Startled, I looked up to find Rowan standing there, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He took a seat opposite me because Mia was alread
Sophia pov:Without another word, he started rubbing my back with soapy hands. Placing my palms on the bathroom walls, I closed my eyes feeling his touch on my body and then my hair with a whiff of my shampoo. He opened the shower and started washing the sand off my hair. I held my breath when I felt his hands unusually lingering on my bre*asts.“May I?” I asked him, offering him the same comfort. He slowly shook his head and wrapped a bathrobe around me.“I can’t risk that, Sophie.” He draped a towel around my hair like a turban. He was still wearing his costume while I was there without a piece of clothing, “I can take my shower later.”True to his word, he didn’t even bat an eye on my nak*edness.“I promise, I would be decent enough not to sed*uce you,” I said mischievously making him chuckle.“And do you think that would make me happy, princess?” he placed his palms on either side of me on the walls of the bathroom behind me,His eyes were searching mine with a mixture of seriousn
Emerald Wyatt pov: (Sophia’s foster mom)“Emerald. Stop crying.” Abigail Levisay hugged me tightly, “Hunter has called Rowan and he will be here any minute. We will find Sophie. Don’t lose hope.”Tears were streaming down my face. I was sitting on the armchair, clutching a tissue in my trembling hands. Abigail Levisay … my compassionate friend and Rowan’s mom was kneeling beside me, offering comfort.I was sobbing uncontrollably, struggling to compose myself.“I can't help it, Abigail. I'm so scared for Sophie. It's been two days, and we still have no idea where she could be. And now with Colter found dead ... What if something terrible has happened to my daughter too?”Abigail wrapped her arms around me, holding me tightly.She shushed me gently, “I know, darling. It's an incredibly distressing situation, but we have to stay strong. We can't lose hope. Hunter has called Rowan, and he's on his way here. Rowan has connections. Along with Hunter, he can locate Sophie. We're going to fin
Emerald's pov:Sophia was trembling while taking hesitant steps forward. She looked exhausted as if she had been through an ordeal that no words could adequately describe. The room remained silent, each of us holding our breath, waiting for her to speak.I saw Hunter gesturing for his investigators to leave the room without a sound.Finally, Sophia’s voice broke the silence, which was weak yet determined. "I... I'm sorry. I never meant to cause you all this worry. It's... it's complicated. I'll explain, I promise."Rafael and I exchanged glances, a mix of relief and concern etched on our faces. We moved closer to Sophia, enveloping her in a gentle embrace, offering comfort and reassurance. The room slowly came alive with a mixture of relief, confusion, and a silent desire for answers.Hunter, his voice laced with a mix of relief and urgency, stepped forward. "Sophie, we've been searching for you. Where have you been? Are you alright?"Sophia took a deep breath, her eyes darting around
Emerald's pov: The weight of her words settled upon us like a heavy burden, each of us grappling with our own emotions. But at that moment, amidst the chaos of thoughts and feelings, one thing was clear — Sophie had endured some kind of ordeal. Something that was beyond our thoughts, and we had to listen, support, and help her find solace in our embrace. “Talk to us, love.” Rafael encouraged her to speak, “What is it? What did Colt do to you?” his voice seemed tense. “If I will tell you then would you believe me?” She asked Rafael innocently. Like a baby. Gosh! I wanted to cry. I could not wait to be alone and cry in my husband’s arms. But right now, we both needed to stay strong. “Yes, we will.” Abigail spoke with determination, “You are our kid. Why won’t we trust you?” The moment Abigail said that Sophia started crying. Her tears started slipping down her smooth cheeks. “Sophie?” Rafael and I both called her name. We both were shocked. “Mom! Dad! The one month I was with him
Sophia’s pov. Restless, I continued to toss and turn in my bed, the weight of my past worries pressing heavily upon my chest. The hushed murmurs drifting up from downstairs did confirm what I already knew. My parents were still awake and their concern for me was refusing to let them succumb to sleep. Normally, my parents were early sleepers, but tonight was different. Tonight, their parental instincts were on high alert, their worry for me was palpable in the air. Ever since I could remember, they were protective of me and had shielded me from harm, nurtured me with unwavering love and care. As my adoptive parents, they made me and Jackson their utmost priority. They never let us feel that I was adopted and that Jackson was their own blood. As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless times they had been my pillars of strength. They had been my unwavering support, always there to lend a hand or offer to just listen to me. To make me feel heard. And now,
Rowan Levisay pov I looked down at the delicate girl in my arms who, very slowly, was now getting closer to me. She already lived in my heart and had, at last, started seeing me. The only difference was, she spotted me after twenty-five goddamn years. And I noticed her when I was just two. She used to sit cozily in bed with my sisters. I could hear their giggling sounds in my cot and always wanted to get down so that I could join the fun. Sometimes, Mom used to allow me to go to them. They used to cuddle me in between and all I wanted at that time was to sit beside my girl. She used to get irritated by my presence, and how I used to cling to her, stare at her. “Mom! I think she doesn’t like me.” While growing up, the four years old me, asked my mom. She smiled and made me sit on her lap. “She might see you if you stop clinging to her. Nobody likes that, Rowan. Everyone loves to have some space, son.” In my teenage years, I could never make a steady girlfriend. Because they all u
Rowan’s pov:The girl in my arms was sleeping soundly. She was making me feel like my arms were the best place where she could get that deep sleep. She was making me feel like I was a safe haven for her.That fuc*ker Colter tried to take away her spirit. Her soul. But she did it. She defeated him. The day she called me for help, I knew how much courage she must have gathered to do it. To type that single message. That single word.“Rowan!” she murmured in her sleep and stirred in my arms.“Go to sleep, Sophie. You are safe.” I said and closed my eyes but the she-devil close to me, kept rubbing herself against me intimately.“Soph!” I whispered and she made a pout in her sleep and opened her sleep-filled hooded eyes to look at me, “Go to sleep, love.”I tried to control my desire shooting up by her touch. She shook her head and started rubbing her cheek against my chest skin.“You smell amazing, Rowan.” She started kissing my chest and then climbed up to bring her face close to mine, “