"Hello, Eva," he said in a steady voice. "I know this must feel like too much, but we're here to help you. To make sure you're safe."I felt tears starting to come to my eyes. I'd been alone for such a long time, trying to survive by myself, going through really hard things that nobody should have t
Chapter 42: Eva's Point of ViewI couldn't sleep. Not really. You know that feeling when your mind just won't shut up? That's how I felt, sitting on my bed as the sun started to peek through my curtains. My whole body felt heavy, like I was carrying rocks in my pockets, but my brain wouldn't let me
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
"Sara..." "Sometimes I wonder if they are." The confession spilled out before I could stop it. "If somewhere inside me, that capacity for darkness just waits to emerge." "No." The fierceness in his voice made me look up. "You're nothing like them." "How can you be sure? You've seen what parents c
"Because I enjoyed it." The confession seemed torn from him. "For a moment, when he touched you, I wanted..." "To hurt him?" I finished when he couldn't. "Good. He deserved it." Shock replaced the darkness in his expression. "You can't mean that." "I do." I touched his arm gently. "Whatever you l
Chapter 334 Sara's Point of View The perfume launch event buzzed with typical fashion industry energy, air kisses, champagne flutes, and enough fake smiles to make my cheeks hurt. After my ultimatum to Josh last week, he'd maintained rigid professional distance, speaking only when necessary about
Danger signals flared. "The contract is a huge step forward-" "I wasn't thinking about the contract." She met my eyes directly. "I was thinking about how right it felt, just being us. No walls, no boundaries. Just..." "Sara, don't." "Why?" She leaned forward, voice dropping. "Why do you keep figh
By dessert, they'd moved closer together, heads bent intimately over shared plates of decadent French pastries. "Try this one," Sara offered her spoon, holding his gaze. Josh's heart thundered as he accepted the bite, her spoon lingering against his lips a moment too long. "Sweet," he managed. "
The lights of Paris twinkled like stars through the restaurant's panoramic windows. Le Cinq's intimate atmosphere wrapped around them as Josh pulled out Sara's chair, his fingers brushing her bare shoulders before he could stop himself. "This is too much," she protested softly, taking in the Michel
Chapter 332 Josh's Point of View The conference room of Louis Vuitton's Paris headquarters buzzed with anticipation. Their entire marketing team sat across the massive table, watching Sara's portfolio display on the screen behind me. Every photo showcased her transformation from promising newcomer
Sara's Point of View The file lay on Helena's desk like a live bomb, manila folder edges worn, papers peeking out temptingly. I hadn't meant to see it. Had only stopped by her office to drop off some contracts when my eye caught the heading: "Juvenile Records Joshua Matthews." My heart stopped. Th
Josh's Point of View The study in Mom's mansion hadn't changed since the day she found me, a broken eighteen-year-old with blood on his hands and darkness in his soul. The same leather chairs, the same antique desk, the same compassionate eyes that had seen past my sins and offered salvation. "Sit