Chapter 43 Sara's Point of ViewThe morning sun pours through our windows, making bright spots on our living room floor. I'm sitting on the couch with my legs tucked under me, just like I used to do when I was small. Mom's next to me, and her coffee's getting cold on the table. We can't stop watchi
Chapter 44MAX POINT OF VIEW The sun is setting outside my study. Its light makes long shadows on my floor. I sit at my desk, tapping my fingers on the wood. The quiet in here feels heavy, like it's hard to breathe. My eyes keep going to her picture in the corner. Eva's picture. No one has touched
I look up at her picture, my eyes wet. "I wanted to just hate you. But now I'm lost. You should have been my friend, my partner. Instead, you became my enemy. Now you're gone, and I don't know who I am."More whiskey. Anything to stop the memories. But they come anyway. I remember when we were kids,
Chapter 45: Eva's Point of ViewThe afternoon sun shimes through the curtains of the big living room, casting warm patches of light on the floor. I sit on the plush sofa beside my grandmother, her hands knitting quietly, the rhythm of the needles soothing. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight o
Chapter 46: Eva’s Point of ViewSix months can change everything.Six months ago, I was lost. Broken. Afraid.Six months ago, i was in prison and left alone to die.Six months ago, I was beaten and maltreated by the inmates in prison because of the cruelty of Sara.Six months had passed since I lea
Chapter 47Eva’s Point of ViewIt had been six years since my life changed forever. My babies, who were once tiny miracles, were now lively five-year-olds, full of energy and laughter. As I watched them play in our bright, cheerful living room, my heart swelled with pride. Each of them was unique, n
I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “Well, um… your dad is a very busy man,” I started, trying to keep my voice steady. “He has a lot of important work to do.”“Is that why he never comes to see us?” James asked, her eyes wide and searching. “Does he not want to see us?”“No, sw
Chapter 48: Sara's Point of ViewI can't sleep again tonight. My head's pounding from all the crying, and the wine isn't helping anymore. The clock on my phone says it's 3:27 AM. Another sleepless night, thinking about Max. Always about Max.The bathroom light feels too bright as I stare at myself
"The children?" I asked immediately. "Safe," Max assured me. "Helena has them in the panic room, telling them it's a drill. Sara and Josh are with them." My father approached, his face grave. "The security footage from the garage shows nothing. Whoever did this knew where the cameras were." "What
Eva's point of view The metal gates of the Brown Industries underground garage closed behind my car with a reassuring thud. I hummed softly as I gathered my portfolio from the passenger seat. The board meeting had gone better than expected, the foundation's new initiative to support women rebuildi
"Happy six months since you got married for the third time!" Leo announced proudly. "Half a year of not being divorced," Sam added helpfully. "We made heart-shaped pancakes," Mia pointed to a plate where misshapen attempts at hearts were piled high. "And coffee," James added. "But Grandma wouldn'
Chapter 283 Eva woke before the alarm, Max's arm heavy across her waist, his breathing deep and steady against her neck. Six months since they had renewed their vows. Six months of rebuilt trust and stronger love. Six months of peace. The morning light filtered through the tall windows of their be
She clicked through to the "Events" page. The foundation's annual gala was scheduled for next Friday night at the Grand Harbor Hotel. "Celebrating Second Chances." A harsh laugh escaped Victoria's damaged lips. Second chances. What about her second chance? Where was Victoria's foundation, her su
The metal gates of Westlake Women's Correctional Facility groaned open. Victoria Reeves stood at the threshold between captivity and freedom, her small bag of belongings clutched in white-knuckled fingers. Ten years. 3,650 days of her life spent behind those walls. The morning sun hit the right si
The Brown-Sinclair-Graves family compound buzzed with excitement as final preparations for the quadruplets' sixth birthday celebration came together. Balloons in four favorite colors filled the great hall, blue for Mia, green for Leo, red for Sam, and purple for James. Each child had chosen their ow
Tears filled my eyes, blurring his beloved face. "I promise to match my tie to Mia's dresses for as long as she wants me to. To cut Leo's sandwiches into dinosaur shapes, even when I'm running late. To never miss another of Sam's soccer games, no matter what crisis arises. To listen to James's scie
Eva's point of view I stood before the mirror in my dressing room, my fingers tracing the simple white silk of my dress. No elaborate cathedral this time. No hundreds of guests in designer outfits. No society photographers documenting every moment. Just our family, gathered in Helena's garden for