Novels by Elodie

Sienna’s PovThe day at the lake had been perfect. For a few hours, I had forgotten about Victor. I had forgotten about the investigations. I had forgotten about the files.When we returned to the Calloway estate, everything changed again.Roman was waiting in the library, looking tired. “I didn’t want to ruin your day.”I smiled a little. “You didn’t.”“I just received something from the investigators.”The smile disappeared from my face. “What is it?”“They recovered another document.”Cole frowned. “I thought everything important was destroyed.”“So did I.” Roman held up a single sheet of paper. “It was hidden inside another folder.”I looked at it. “My name?”He nodded. “I’m sorry.”Cole immediately looked at me. “You don’t have to read it tonight.”I wanted to agree. Instead, I held out my hand. “I need to.”Roman hesitated before giving me the paper. I unfolded it slowly. At first it looked like every other surveillance report—dates, times, observations. Then my eyes stopped on

Cole’s PovFor the first time in weeks, I turned my phone off. Roman had called twice before breakfast, the investigators had already sent three messages, and the board wanted another meeting. I ignored all of them.Sienna looked at me from across the kitchen. “You turned your phone off.”“I did.”She smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day.”“I needed a break.” I walked closer. “We all need one.”Ava looked up from the table. “A break from what?”I smiled. “From grown-up problems.”She nodded seriously. “I don’t like grown-up problems.”“I don’t either.”She grinned. “So what are we doing today?”I looked at Sienna. “I was thinking we could disappear for a few hours.”“Disappear?”“Somewhere quiet.”“No reporters?”“None.”“No meetings?”“Not one.”“No investigations?”“Not today.”Sienna smiled. “That sounds perfect.”Ava clapped happily. “Adventure!”I laughed. “Exactly.”An hour later we arrived in a small lakeside town nearly two hours away. The streets were quiet, children rode

Sienna’s PovI did not want to go back to the abandoned safe house. The last time we had been there, everything had felt cold and wrong. Now we were standing outside the same building again.Roman looked at me before unlocking the front door. “You don’t have to do this.”I looked at him. “You said there was something I needed to see.”“There is.”I took a deep breath. “Then let’s finish it.”Cole reached for my hand. “I’m staying with you.”“I know.”“I’m not leaving your side.”I gave him a small smile. “Thank you.”We walked inside together. The investigators were already searching through the damaged rooms, boxes filled with evidence covering the tables. One of the investigators walked toward Roman. “We recovered everything that survived the fire.”Roman nodded. “Anything important?”The investigator looked at me. “Some of it.”My stomach tightened. Roman turned to me. “Sienna. There was a file here with your name on it.”“I remember.”“We found part of it.”“Only part?”He nodded.

Cole’s PovI had faced board meetings, hostile reporters, angry investors, and people who wanted to destroy my family, but nothing had ever made me as nervous as the conversation I was about to have with a five-year-old little girl. I stood outside Sienna’s apartment holding a small stuffed bear that I had bought on the way over. I wasn’t even sure why I bought it. Maybe I just wanted something to keep my hands busy.The door opened before I could knock again. Sienna smiled softly. “You came.”“I said I would.”She looked at my face for a moment. “You’re nervous.”“I’ve never been this nervous.”She stepped aside. “Come in.”I walked inside. The apartment was quiet. “Where’s Ava?”“In the living room. She’s drawing.”I nodded slowly. “Sienna.”“Yes?”“Are you sure this is the right time?”She reached for my hand. “There will never be a perfect time.”“What if she gets upset?”“She might.”“What if she hates me?”Sienna shook her head. “You won’t know unless you tell her.”I let out a

Sienna’s PovThe afternoon started like every other day until my phone rang.I smiled when I saw the daycare’s name on the screen because I thought they were calling to tell me Ava had finished another drawing or had said something funny.Instead, the teacher sounded terrified. “Mrs. Vale, are you on your way to pick up Ava?”I frowned. “No. Cole is supposed to get her today.”There was silence. Then she whispered, “Someone already picked her up.”My heart stopped. “What did you just say?”“A man came with authorization. He had the correct paperwork and identification. We thought everything was in order.”My knees almost gave out. “That wasn’t us,” I whispered.The teacher gasped. “Oh my God…”I ended the call before she could say another word and immediately called Cole. He answered on the first ring.“Hey, Sienna.”“They said someone picked up Ava.”His voice changed instantly. “What?”“The daycare said someone already took her.”There was complete silence. Then I heard something cr

Roman’s PovMy phone started ringing before sunrise. I barely had time to open my eyes before another call came through. Then another. Then another.I reached for the phone on the bedside table and answered without checking the screen. “What happened?”“Roman, turn on the news right now,” my assistant said.I sat up immediately. “What is it?”“We have a serious problem.”“How serious?”“Very.”I switched on the television. Every news channel carried the same headline.CONFIDENTIAL CALLOWAY FINANCIAL RECORDS LEAK ONLINE.The anchor’s voice filled the room. “Thousands of confidential financial records belonging to Calloway Industries were anonymously released early this morning. Several documents appear to suggest years of hidden transactions, secret accounts, and possible financial misconduct involving senior members of the Calloway family.”I grabbed my jacket. “I’m on my way.”“Roman,” my assistant said, stopping me. “The company’s stock has already started falling.”“How bad?”“It h

The morning sun had barely begun to climb when I woke to the sound of the front doorbell. My heart skipped a beat, a strange unease settling over me. Ares stirred beside me, noticing my sudden alertness.“Who is it?” I whispered, still in bed, listening.“I don’t know,” he replied, already moving toward the window. “Stay here.”I watched him walk toward the door, his movements calm but deliberate. I heard his voice, low and steady. “Who’s there?”There was a pause. Then a woman’s voice, unfamiliar but firm. “I’m here to speak with Valeria.”Ares’s jaw tightened. “Do you have an appointment?”“No,” she said, her tone sharp. “But it’s urgent. For her safety.”I felt a chill run down my spine. Urgency was rarely good news. Slowly, I slipped out of bed and followed him toward the door.Ares opened it, standing tall, protective. The woman stepped in, her eyes scanning the house quickly. She looked professional, but there was something calculating in the way she moved.“Valeria Hart?” she a

The morning began like any other. Sunlight spilled across the kitchen counter, painting soft patterns on the floor. I poured myself coffee, enjoying the warmth in my hands. Ares moved quietly around the kitchen, humming softly as he prepared breakfast.“Good morning,” I said softly, smiling at him.“Morning,” he replied, eyes soft. “Sleep well?”“Yes,” I admitted. “For the first time in weeks, I feel rested.”He handed me a plate with scrambled eggs and toast. “I’m glad. You’ve earned this calm.”I chuckled softly. “We’ve earned it. All of us.”He leaned against the counter, watching me. “Yes. And we need to protect it. Together.”I nodded. “Step by step, moment by moment.”“Exactly,” he said, his voice quiet, almost reverent.---After breakfast, we decided to take a walk along the property. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of flowers and soil. Our daughter ran ahead, laughing, chasing butterflies with small, eager hands. Ares and I walked slowly behind her, hands brushing

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of wet earth and distant flowers. I woke slowly, stretching and feeling the quiet warmth of the house around me. Ares was already moving about, the faint sound of dishes clinking and soft humming reaching me from the kitchen. Somehow, the calm had become a rhythm I didn’t want to leave.I slipped into the kitchen quietly. Ares looked up from pouring juice and smiled. “Good morning,” he said softly, his voice low and steady.“Morning,” I replied, taking a deep breath. “Coffee?”“Always.” He handed me a cup, and I took it, savoring the warmth. “Sleep well?”“For the first time in months, yes,” I admitted. “The house… the quiet… it feels right.”He leaned against the counter, eyes soft. “It should feel right. That’s what I wanted. A place where you can feel… home.”I smiled faintly. “You’ve succeeded.”We drank our coffee slowly, the silence between us comfortable, filled with understanding rather than words.---Later, I went to check on the

The morning light filtered through the curtains again, soft and golden, painting the walls with warmth. I stretched in bed, listening to the quiet hum of the house. There was a rhythm here, a calmness that felt new, yet familiar. I could hear Ares moving around the kitchen, the soft clatter of dishes, the hum of a kettle. It was comforting in a way I hadn’t realized I’d been craving.I got up quietly, padding to the kitchen. Ares looked up as I entered, his expression soft.“Good morning,” he said, voice low and calm.“Morning,” I replied, smiling faintly. “Coffee?”“Always.” He poured a fresh cup for me and slid it across the counter. “Sit. I made breakfast too.”I raised a brow. “You cooked?”“I did,” he said with a small shrug. “Not much, but it’s edible.”I laughed softly, taking the plate he offered. “Edible is perfect.”We sat together at the small table, sipping our coffee and nibbling on eggs and toast. The quiet between us wasn’t empty; it was comfortable, the kind of silence

The first week in the new house passed slowly, almost dreamlike. Every morning, I woke to the sunlight spilling through the windows, painting soft patterns across the floor. It was quiet. Not empty or lonely, but quiet in a way that felt deliberate, like the world had finally slowed down for us. I never imagined peace could feel so… tangible.Ares had adapted quickly, though I could see him still measuring himself, ensuring that nothing he did would push me away. He moved around the house with careful steps, keeping things orderly, thoughtful. Even his smile seemed softer, more genuine, less practiced.One morning, he was already awake when I came into the kitchen. He was humming softly as he arranged fruit on the counter, the sunlight catching the strands of his hair.“Good morning,” I said quietly.“Morning,” he replied without looking up. “Coffee?”“Yes, please.” I stepped closer, inhaling the faint scent of him—warm, clean, familiar.He finally glanced at me, eyes soft. “You’re ad

The next morning, sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, touching the edges of the room with a warm glow. I lay in bed for a moment, listening to the quiet hum of the house. The world outside seemed calm, almost like it had slowed down just for us. I felt a strange mixture of anticipation and comfort. Today wasn’t about chaos, deadlines, or confrontations. Today was about living.I stirred when I felt Ares move beside me. He sat up slowly, stretching his arms over his head before lowering them and glancing at me. “Morning,” he said softly, voice still thick with sleep.“Morning,” I replied, smiling faintly. “You sleep well?”“For the first time in months,” he admitted. “And you?”“I did,” I said honestly. “Though I woke early. Couldn’t resist the light.”He leaned back on his elbows, studying me quietly. “I was thinking we could have breakfast on the balcony. Quiet. Just us.”I nodded. “That sounds perfect.”---The kitchen wasn’t fully finished, but it was functional and warm.

The mansion was quiet.Not the uneasy quiet that had settled after the bloodshed, but a different kind—gentler, deeper. It was the hush of a house learning peace again, of walls no longer echoing with betrayal, rage, or secrets. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, Alessio could breathe.The heavy weight of vengeance had lifted, leaving behind something fragile but honest. Gabriella remained close, not out of obligation or fear, but out of something they’d both fought hard to reclaim: trust.A week had passed since the night of reckoning. The bodies had been buried. The halls scrubbed clean. The old tapestries—once embroidered with the legacy of the Martini name—had been taken down. Alessio didn’t want reminders. Not of the man he had to become, and certainly not of the empire his brother had twisted into something monstrous.One bright morning, Gabriella stood at the bottom of the grand staircase, dressed simply, one hand resting gently on her belly. Alessio watched her f

Gabriella's Pov The sound cracked through the night like a curse. One shot—sharp, final.I spun around.“Leonardo!” I screamed, as my brother’s body crumpled to the ground, his breath hitching as if the air had betrayed him. Blood poured from the wound in his back, dark and thick, staining his shirt like ink spilled from a shattered bottle.I caught him before he hit the stone floor. His weight folded into me, heavier than I remembered, like the life was already ebbing out of him. Gabriella dropped to her knees beside us, hands trembling, eyes wide with disbelief. Her voice caught in her throat as she tried to speak, but no words came out—just a gasp, choked and broken.Vandel stood across the room, still holding the smoking gun. His face was stone. No regret. No hesitation. Only hatred.I cradled Leo's head against my chest. “Stay with me,” I begged, my voice breaking. “Just hold on. Please, Leo…”He coughed, and a thin line of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. “No... it’

Gabriella's Pov The night was supposed to be over. We had escaped. I thought we were safe—just for a second. Alessio’s hand gripped mine tightly, his other hand on the wheel, speeding through the darkened street like he could outrun the world. But safety, I was learning, was just an illusion. And illusions don’t last.Two headlights suddenly swerved into view behind us, fast and aggressive. My stomach twisted before my brain could catch up."Alessio..." I murmured, my voice already trembling.He glanced in the rearview mirror, his jaw tightening. "I see them."Another car came at us from the left. That’s when I knew—we weren’t being followed. We were being hunted.Gunfire cracked through the silence.Glass shattered.“DOWN!” Alessio barked.Without thinking, I threw myself across the console and lunged at him. We dropped below the dashboard as bullets punched through the windows, glass raining down in jagged pieces. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears, deafening me.“I

Alessio's Pov My heart jolted like someone had driven a knife straight through it. Unborn child—that was what Martini had just said. The words echoed in my head, bouncing around with disbelief, confusion, and something dangerously close to hope.I stared at Gabriella.Everything else—Martini’s gun pointed at my forehead, the sweat dripping down my back, the pounding in my ears—faded into the background as I searched her face for the truth. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes shimmering with something raw. Something real.“Yes,” she whispered, barely audible. But I didn’t need her to say more.She was pregnant.With my child.I blinked. My vision tunneled, not from the pressure of the gun still threatening my life, but from the gravity of her words. She was carrying my baby. Our baby.A tremor ran through me, knocking the air from my lungs. I hadn’t seen this coming—hadn’t even considered it. But as shock gave way to awe, a warmth bloomed in my chest. A fierce kind of joy. The kind of

Alessio's Pov She looked like she hadn’t aged a second—but she wasn’t the same girl I once knew.Gabriella stood across the room, framed by the long shadows of dusk bleeding in through the tall windows. The light touched her skin like it belonged there, softening the lines of worry etched into her face. But I could still see it—the fear hidden beneath the surface, the way her fingers curled around the edge of her coat just a little too tightly. She was nervous. And she should be.Because I didn’t trust her.Not anymore.I had no idea what game she was playing by coming here again, by standing beside Martini of all people. That bastard had never shown mercy a day in his life. I didn’t even know how she’d ended up in his custody—or why she hadn’t tried to escape.I studied her face, looking for something familiar, something real.And that’s when it happened.She winked.A slow, subtle flutter of her eyelid. Barely noticeable, but unmistakable.I froze.It hit me like a punch to the gut

Gabriella's Pov The morning sunlight slipped through the thin curtains like golden fingers, brushing against my face, warming my cheek. I blinked slowly, my lashes fluttering against the pillowcase as I stirred, trying to resist the gentle nudge of daybreak. My body ached in places I didn’t even know could ache, a dull soreness clinging to every limb like a second skin. Sleep had claimed me like a thief in the night, but it hadn't been kind—just necessary. I felt as though I'd fought a war in my dreams and lost.For a long moment, I just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, trying to remember how it felt to wake up without dread pressing on my chest. The events of the past few days had blurred into one tangled mess of adrenaline, pain, and fear. But there was something else too—something sharp and persistent beneath it all. A name. Alessio.Just the thought of him sent a shiver down my spine. I hated how his presence lingered in my mind, how the memory of his voice could still echo

The first snow of the season dusted the estate like powdered sugar as Celeste stood at the kitchen window, watching the soft flakes fall. The house smelled of fresh pine from the holiday decorations and cinnamon from the cookies baking in the oven. Sofia arrived with the children, her face showing the exhaustion of the long custody battle. "Mom, the final hearing is next month and I'm so scared. My ex is using every old story about our family to try to take more time with the kids. The youngest keeps having nightmares about being separated from me."Celeste wiped her hands on her apron and pulled her daughter into a tight hug, feeling the tension in Sofia's shoulders. "Come sit by the fire. I've made your favorite hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. The kids can help decorate the tree while we talk." Sofia managed a tired smile as the children ran to the big Christmas tree in the living room. "Thank you, Mom. These visits keep me going."Nico joined them in the living room, moving

The autumn leaves had turned deep red and orange across the estate, creating a beautiful backdrop as Celeste walked the garden paths with a light sweater wrapped around her shoulders. The crisp air carried the scent of falling leaves and distant woodsmoke. Sofia arrived with the children for a weekend stay, looking worn from the ongoing custody battles. "Mom, the next hearing is in two weeks and my ex is bringing up every old story about our family. The kids are asking so many questions. The youngest had another nightmare last night about being taken away."Celeste pulled her daughter into a warm embrace near the rose bushes, feeling Sofia's tired body relax slightly. "Come inside, darling. I've prepared your favorite roast chicken with all the sides. The kids can play in the leaves while we talk." Sofia managed a small, grateful smile as the children ran off to jump in the colorful piles. "Thank you, Mom. I feel like I can't breathe sometimes with all of this."Nico joined them on th

The late summer sun cast a golden glow over the estate as Celeste walked through the rose garden, the petals soft under her fingers. The sweet scent mixed with the warm breeze. Sofia arrived with the children for a weekend visit, her shoulders tense from another difficult week. "Mom, the court is considering his request for more time. He keeps bringing up our family arrangement like it's something bad. The kids are so confused. The youngest asked me yesterday if we were a broken family."Celeste pulled her daughter into a warm hug, feeling the exhaustion in Sofia's body. "Come sit on the patio. I've made fresh iced tea and sandwiches. The kids can play while we talk." Sofia managed a tired smile as the children ran toward the fountain. "Thank you. I feel like I'm drowning sometimes. The lawyer says we have a good case, but the process is killing me."Nico joined them, moving slowly with his cane, the lines on his face showing his own struggles. "Sofia, you're an incredible mother. We'

The golden light of early summer bathed the estate gardens as Celeste walked slowly among the blooming roses, their sweet scent filling the warm air. She paused to touch a soft petal, thinking about how far they had come and how new conflicts still found ways to challenge them. Sofia arrived for lunch with two of the children, her face showing the strain of months of legal battles. "Mom, the latest court filing is brutal. He's claiming our lifestyle is unstable for the kids. I stayed up all night preparing my response with the lawyers. I just want this to end so we can have peace."Celeste hugged her daughter tightly, feeling the tension in Sofia's shoulders. "Come inside. I've made your favorite lemonade. The kids can play in the garden while we talk." Sofia managed a small smile as the children ran toward the flowers. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you three." Nico joined them on the patio, moving carefully with his cane. "Sofia, you're doing everything right. We're pr

The first warm days of spring brought new flowers to the estate gardens, but inside the house new conflicts tested the family once again. Celeste stood at the kitchen counter chopping fresh vegetables for dinner, the knife making steady sounds against the cutting board. The smell of garlic and herbs filled the air. Sofia walked in carrying a stack of legal papers, her face pale and tired. "Mom, the ex just filed again. He wants the kids for the entire summer and is bringing up the whole twin thing in court. I don't know how to explain this to them without breaking their hearts."Celeste wiped her hands on a towel and pulled her daughter into a hug. "Come sit down. You've been carrying so much. How are the little ones handling it?" Sofia sank into a chair and rubbed her temples. "The middle one had another meltdown at school today. She asked me why Daddy doesn't love us anymore. It broke me, Mom. I feel like I'm failing them."Nico entered the kitchen slowly, his steps careful after hi

The winter wind howled outside the estate windows as Celeste stood in the warm kitchen, chopping vegetables for a large pot of stew. The smell of onions and herbs filled the air. Sofia walked in carrying her youngest child, looking exhausted with dark circles under her eyes. "Mom, the court date is next week and I'm terrified. He’s bringing up everything again — the twins, the contract, our whole history. The kids keep asking why Daddy is so angry with us."Celeste set down the knife and hugged her daughter tightly. "I know, sweetheart. It feels endless. But remember what we went through in the beginning. We chose each other every single day. You can do this too." Nico entered the room slowly, leaning on his cane a little more than usual. "Sofia, we're all behind you. The lawyers are good. We'll get through this." Eli followed, his face tired from long days at the office. "And the company is falling apart at the seams. Two more executives quit yesterday. They said the constant media n