RACHAEL’S POVThe warm sun kisses my skin as I sip my cocktail, the gentle crash of waves creating a soothing rhythm in the background. With a book in hand, I allow myself to bask in the calmness of the moment, but a small tap on my shoulder pulls me back to reality."Mom, can I get some fries? I'm hungry," Dean asks, his little face lighting up with anticipation.I smile and wave at the hotel waiter. "Can I get a plate of fries and another cocktail, please?" The waiter nods and disappears."The fries are on their way, baby. You can go play, but don't go far. Stay where I can see you," I instruct as I go back to reading my book.Dean grins and joins a group of kids building a sandcastle. As I watched him laugh and scoop sand, my heart swells with pride and love. He is my everything.It had been four years since I moved to Paris—I spent four years building a life for myself and my son, Dean. His birth had been a turning point. Though the pregnancy was difficult, every moment was worth
JAKE’S POVThe past four years had been a whirlwind of pain, regret and something entirely different from the life I’d envisioned for myself. When Rachael left, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t accept what she had done. Her departure felt like the ultimate betrayal, one I never thought I’d overcome.I drowned myself in alcohol and women, searching for distractions, but each fleeting moment only deepened the wound she left behind. It wasn’t long before I realized I needed purpose, something to pull me out of the abyss. That’s when I threw myself into helping the police track down Jack. I poured endless resources into the hunt, sparing no expense. Yet Jack seemed to always be one step ahead. He remained a ghost.Even after Karen recovered and was imprisoned, Jack remained elusive. His absence gnawed at me. I sold COI—their family’s legacy—hoping it would draw him out but it was futile. His disappearance became maddening.I shifted my focus to finding Rachael only to
RACHAEL’S POVI managed to dodge Dean’s question for now, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he asked again. And when he does, I need to have come up with a good explanation. He’ll want to know why I told him his father was dead. And if Jake finds out about that lie, hell will break loose.After some coaxing, I get Dean to bed. I watch his chest rise and fall as he drifts to sleep, giving me a fleeting moment of peace.I return to the living room, where Jake is sitting on the couch. His elbows are on his knees, and his head is bowed as if in deep thought. When I enter, he straightens, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.“So, have you made up your mind?” he asks, his voice steady but laced with impatience.I cross my arms over my chest, my resolve hardening. “I don’t think going back is a good idea. We can disappear again,” I reply, though the word disappear feels like a grenade between us.Jake’s jaw clenches, and his fists curl slightly at his sides.“No, Rachael. That’s
JAKE’S POVWe finally land at the airport back home. The flight had been longer than expected, and exhaustion tugged at the edges of my nerves. But watching Dean bouncing up and down in the cabin eased some of the tension. He was such a happy kid. Every smile, every excited exclamation chipped away the walls I’d built around my heart.As for Rachael, I couldn’t deny the mix of emotions swirling inside me. Her apology on the plane had been heartfelt, but no amount of words could erase the four years I’d missed with my son. Even though I understood she thought she was doing the right thing, the pain of being robbed of those moments lingered. I’d never get them back, and that reality stung more than I cared to admit.When I look outside, I notice a convoy of police cars waiting on the tarmac. Their presence doesn’t alarm me; I’d arranged for extra security to ensure we made it home safely.As soon as our feet touch the ground, chaos erupt.“Hands in the air, now!” a sharp voice commands.
RACHAEL’S POVAs I watched Dean in Jake’s arms while being dragged away by the police, my heart shattered into a million pieces. His confused, frightened expression mirrored mine. I had no idea what was happening, and the panic only grew when they took me into a small interrogation room.One of the officers place a file in front of me and opens it, revealing a stack of papers. My signature is on multiple documents, but I can’t make sense of what I am looking at.“What is this?” I ask, my voice trembling.The two officers exchange a glance before one of them replies, “Take your time. Read.”I flip through the pages. They are invoices and other official documents, though I don’t recognize most of them. My name and signature are everywhere, yet I have never seen these papers before.“I... I don’t know what these are,” I blurt out, shaking my head.The officers begin firing questions at me, their frustration growing with every answer I can’t provide. I have nothing to tell them—I am just a
JAKE’S POVWatching Rachael walk through those double doors, I feel like a knife is twisting in my chest. With all the power, influence, and connections I’d built over the years, I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I felt so powerless.Dean’s small body tremble against mine, his face buried in my chest. He isn’t crying loudly—just quiet, heart-wrenching sobs that tear me apart even more.But I can’t afford to fall apart. Not now. They both need me.The moment I step out of the precinct, I spring into action. I call my lawyer and order him to assemble the best legal team money can buy and meet me at my penthouse within the hour.We get there, and I prepare the guest room for him. I try to get him to eat something but my efforts bear no fruit. He hadn’t said a word since Rachael was taken, and no matter how many times I tried to start a conversation, he just stared blankly. I don’t push him. Instead, I let him lie down until he is ready to talk.After tossing and turning, he falls a
RACHAEL’S POVOrange Is definitely not my color. I contemplate as I lie on the thin, uncomfortable mattress of my jail cell. My thoughts spiral, and I wonder how my life got to this point. I replay the last few years in my head.I allow myself to reminisce about the fleeting moments of peace and connection I had shared with Jake before it all went to hell. If I had walked away from Jack for good, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess now.But if Jake hadn’t come into my life, there would be no Dean. That thought alone soften the edges of my regret. Dean is my blessing in disguise, the one thing that makes my mistakes feel almost worth it.My relationship with Jake, though—that is another story. Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe it. Before I left, it was clear we had something between us, something unspoken but undeniable. Now, I am not so sure. I know he cared about me— otherwise, he wouldn’t be fighting so hard to help me—but can he ever forgive me for taking Dean and disappearing
JAKE’S POV.Rachael stares at me for a long moment, her expression somewhere between shock and disbelief. Finally, she finds her voice.“What do you mean you did?” she asks, her voice trembling with both confusion and anger.I swallow the lump in my throat and nod slowly. “Yes. I orchestrated the whole thing,” I admit, my voice calm but confident. “I’m only telling you because I don’t want to keep anything from you, Rachael .” I add.Her face becomes pale as the weight of my confession sinks in. She tries to sit up, but I gently press her back down, careful not to aggravate her fresh wound.“Why, Jake?” she blurts out, tears starting to pool in her eyes. “I almost died.”“You were never in real danger, Rachael,” I interrupt quickly, my words tumbling out in an attempt to reassure her. “I would never put you in harm’s way. I knew it would hurt, but—”“Hurt?” she barks, her voice rising. “I’m lying in a hospital bed, Jake. Look around! How can you say I wasn’t in real danger?”“It was t
Two years later.RACHAEL."Ms Rachael, all the meetings have been pushed to Monday," my secretary says with a warm smile. "You can go enjoy your wedding weekend."I exhale deeply, letting out a relieved laugh. "Thank you, Claire. You'll be there, right?" I ask, squinting playfully."Of course! Wouldn’t miss it for the world, “she replies before closing the door behind her.I had reopened my marketing firm and focused on luxury brands. It had been a dream of mine ever since I worked for Mrs Raymond all those years ago. One year in and we had acquired clients all over the country. Jake had been my rock through it all.I lean back in my chair, tapping my feet excitedly on the floor. "I’m getting married," I whisper to myself, a grin spreading across my face.After organizing my desk and shutting down my laptop, I grab my bag and wave goodbye to my team."See you all on Monday!" I call out, heading toward the exit.Waiting for me outside is a familiar, handsome face I hadn’t seen in a few
JAKE’S POVThe day of our trip is finally here. I stop by Rachael’s mom’s house to pick them up. Dean is practically bouncing with excitement, unable to contain his joy about flying on a plane again.Rachael’s mom walks us out to the car, her eyes glistening with tears as she hugs Rachael and Dean tightly.“I’m going to miss you two so much,” she says, her voice trembling.“Mom, we’re not going away forever,” Rachael reassures her, squeezing her in return.Her mom crouches down to Dean’s level and wraps him in another warm hug.“Grandma’s going to miss you the most,” she whispers to him before planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.She then turns to me, her expression soft but serious, and pulls me aside. “Take care of them, will you?” she orders, hugging me.“I promise,” I reply, bending down to return the hug.She leans in closer and whispers something into my ear. Whatever she says makes Rachael look at us with suspicion from where she is standing. I just smile and ignore her cur
RACHAEL’S POV“That was a nice surprise,” Jake mutters, his voice breathless as he leans back against the couch.I chuckle, nodding. “You are welcome.”We both glance around the living room and burst into laughter. The place is an absolute mess—pillows on the floor, a lamp knocked over, and even a picture frame tilted on the wall. This isn’t me at all. Jake was bringing out a side of me I didn’t even know existed. It was wild, exciting, and so out of character, but I loved it.“There’s food in the kitchen if you’re hungry,” he says, brushing my shoulder lightly.“I’m good. I had dinner at my mom’s before I came,” I reply, tilting my head to look at him. “But I’ll take some water.”Jake stands and heads to the fridge. My eyes follow him, lingering on his waistline and the defined muscles of his back. A small smile plays on my lips as I lean back into the couch.He comes back with a glass of water and hands it to me.“Not that I’m complaining, Rachael, but how did you know where to find
JAKE’S POVI couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I drove to the penthouse. The last 24 hours had been the best of my life. Having Rachael in my arms all night felt like a dream. Watching her sleep was a moment I would replay in my mind forever.It had cost us so much to get here, but we finally made it. I wasn’t about to waste any more time.Before I even pull into the basement, I grab my phone, call my attorney and financial manager, and instruct them to meet me at the penthouse as soon as possible. There is much to plan—starting with selling the house in Oakwood. I didn’t want to keep any ties to that place. It is a crime scene, but It is Oakwood—someone will still buy it without a second thought.Next, I need to file for the divorce and get the process moving for our clean slate. And then, the most important job is finding a home for us. Somewhere, we could truly start over in peace.But I already had a plan for that. It was going to be a surprise for her.By the time I get to the
RACHAEL’S POVFor the first time in weeks, I slept through the night without tossing and turning. Jake and I spent the entire night cuddling, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this... peaceful.I’d called my mom to let her know I wasn’t going, and she agreed to put Dean to bed, though I suspected she knew there was more to the story.I turn to watch Jake as he sleeps. He looks so handsome and peaceful.“Stop staring, Rachael,” he murmurs, a lazy smile spreading across his lips.I laugh softly, surprised he’s awake. “I thought you were asleep.”His eyes flutter open, locking with mine. For a moment, we just gaze at each other, no words needed. Then I sit up and reach for his shirt, slipping it on as I climb out of bed.“Where are you going?” he asks, his voice husky from sleep.I laugh, shaking my head at his question. “You’re aware we have a child, right?” I tease.Jake sits up, his messy hair only making him look more irresistible. “And?” he counters with a playful smirk.
JAKE’S POVAfter giving me the best blowjob of my life, Rachael suddenly pulls away and stands up slowly. Without hesitation, I grab her waist and lift her effortlessly. Her legs wrap around me as if they belong there. I carry her to the wall and pin her gently but firmly. My mouth crashes into hers and I kiss her with a passion I didn’t know I had in me. Her hands dig into my back, pulling me closer, and I feel her nails bite into my skin—a sweet pain that only fuels my desire.I adjust her slightly, aligning us perfectly, and in one fluid motion, I enter her. A soft groan escapes me as her warmth surrounds me. She arches her back to me, her pleasure matching mine. One of my hands supports her while the other moves to her back, keeping her steady as I begin to move my hips in slow, deliberate circles.Her head falls back, and I lean down, my lips finding her chest. My teeth graze her nipple, biting it gently just enough to draw a gasp from her. The sound of her pleasure pushes me fur
RACHAEL’S POV“I love you, Rachael,” Jake repeats it, his voice gentle and softer this time, as if to ensure the words truly reach me. My breathing slows and the words sink into me like a wave washing over the shore.I never thought I’d ever hear those words from him. Jake, who carried himself with such control and restraint. But now, those walls he had worked so hard to put up were gone, leaving only vulnerability in his eyes.“I’ve loved you since the day I met you in that club,” he whispers leaning in closer leaving no space between us. My body starts to tremble, every nerve alive with the intensity of the moment. My lips part slightly, the words forming before I can stop them.“I love you too, J—”Before I finish the sentence, his mouth finds mine, cutting off my words with a kiss that steals my breath. The kiss is filled with passion, longing, and something deeper which makes my head spin.I stretch my hands and wrap them around his neck, pulling him closer. My fingers tangle in
JAKE’S POV.Rachael rubs her eyes for what feels like the hundredth time."J..ake?" she slurs drunkenly.I start moving closer, and her legs give out again, and she collapses. I catch her before she hits the ground, and her body limps in my arms.“Rachael,” I call, though I know she can’t hear me.I carry her to the car I’d driven to the beach, her weight almost nothing in my arms. Her face is flushed and I can smell the whiskey on her breath.I drive her to the small apartment I’ve been laying low these past few days. I carry her out of the car, careful not to jostle her too much, and gently place her on the bed.I sit beside her and stare at her chest rise and fall steadily. She looks like she has been crying for days and I know I have something to do with that.Suddenly, she stirs, and her eyelids flutter open. She sits up abruptly, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar room.“Where am I?” she asks, her voice hoarse and disoriented.I reach out and gently tap her shoulder. Her wid
RACHAEL’S POVOn my way out of the hospital, I feel a light tap on my back. I turn around, and my breath catches. A face I hadn’t seen in years stares back at me.“Amy?” I call out, leaning in for a hug before she can say anything. She hugs me back, though stiffly. I feel the awkwardness and pull away. She looks at me like she’s seen a ghost.Her eyes roam from my head to my toes, and I stand there, waiting for her to say something.“What are you doing here?” she asks finally, her brows furrowed in confusion.“I... I had come to—” I falter, unable to bring myself to say the words out loud.Instead, I change the subject quickly. “You? How have you been? It’s been ages since we talked.”Her face tightens, and I can tell she doesn’t want small talk.“Rachael, you disappeared on me without a word. Let’s skip the pretense.” She replies, her tone cold and distant.Before I say anything else, I see Ethan approaching from behind her, and with him is a little girl, probably around Dean’s age.