LOGINFred's POV“Hello, brother. How are you?”The moment my words reached the other end of the line, I heard Elias inhale sharply before his voice came through, frantic and furious at the same time.“Where is my child?” he demanded, and I could hear the panic beneath his anger. “Fred, where the hell is my child?”I leaned back against my seat and glanced through the rearview mirror at the small figure in the back seat before letting out a slow laugh. “That's no way to greet your brother after so long, Elias. I expected something warmer than that.”“Stop playing with me!” His voice cracked through the phone, and I could practically picture him pacing wherever he was. “Give me my child right now, or I swear to God, Fred, I will find you and kill you.”I laughed again, resting my elbow against the car door as I looked through the windshield. “You will kill me?” I repeated, amused by the threat. “What exactly are you going to do, Elias? Come running after me and hope you somehow manage to fin
Fred's POVMy phone vibrated again while I was still watching the competition. I glanced at the screen and answered immediately. “What?”“I found them.”I straightened in my seat. “Where?”“They just went into the ladies' restroom. It's down the corridor on the left side of the hall. You need to come now.”I looked toward Sophie. She was still bent over her work, completely absorbed in what she was doing. “Stay where you are and keep watching,” I said. “I'll handle the rest.”I ended the call, slipped my phone into my pocket, and stood.Nobody paid much attention to me as I walked toward the exit. The competition had pulled everyone's attention toward the stage, and the constant movement of staff and spectators made it easy to disappear into the crowd.Once I stepped outside the main hall, I followed the corridor the hitman had described, turning left at the first intersection and continuing until the noise from the competition became distant.I spotted the restroom before I reached i
Fred's POV“Do you think I should change this?” Sophie tugged lightly at the sleeve of her dress and turned toward me before I could answer.“You've asked me that three times, Sophie.”She puffed her cheeks and folded her hands. “But you haven't answered me properly. Tell me the truth.”Arghhhhhhh... women.“It looks fine.” I pulled her in for a hug.“Fine?” she asked, staring at me while still in my arms. “I'm about to compete in front of some of the biggest names in fashion, and you tell me I look fine?”I released her from my grip and took another look at her. “It looks breathtaking.”“Better.”She fixed the fabric again, then glanced toward the entrance of the competition hall. “I heard one of the judges is a huge name in the industry. It's going to be tough this time. Everyone will want a chance to showcase their skills.”“You're going to win. That's what matters.” I patted her in the best way I could think of.“I know.” She smiled, then looked toward the stage again. “I just wis
Elias's POVThe competition had been going on for a while when I suddenly became aware of a different presence beside me.I turned my head, expecting to see Emily, only to find Damien sitting in her place.I narrowed my eyes, wondering how the hell he had gotten there.I looked toward the other side, and that was when I spotted Emily and Derek sitting beside Theodore. Emily caught my gaze and gave me a quick wink.So this was her idea.My attention returned to Damien, who looked completely unbothered by the entire arrangement, as though appearing beside me without warning was the most ordinary thing in the world.“You,” I said quietly. “How did you get here?”Damien glanced at me. “I walked.”I gave him a flat look. “That isn't what I meant.”A faint smile touched his mouth. “I know.”I looked toward the seats again. Emily was already watching the stage, pretending she had nothing to do with it.“You took Emily's seat.”“She gave it to me.”I looked back at him. “Why?”Damien leaned b
Elias POV "Can we get a picture?”“Look this way!”The number of cameras increased quickly, and Monica moved toward them without hesitation, perfectly comfortable beneath the attention as flashes went off around her. Mia watched the scene with obvious delight, her eyes following every camera.“This is so cool,” she whispered.I glanced at her and gave her a warning look. “Mia, don't ruin your image before you even win.”She immediately straightened and gave me a playful salute. “Yes, boss Elias.”I shook my head, trying not to laugh, but Derek had already moved closer, his attention fixed on Monica as another photographer raised his camera.“What exactly is she doing?” he asked under his breath.I looked at him. “I don't know.”Monica must have heard us because she turned from the reporters, to our direction.“Please don't worry,” she said, addressing us while another camera flashed. “I only came to make sure everything was arranged properly.”Derek's jaw tightened. “We didn't ask y
Elias POV “Come on! Hurry up, hurry up! It’s already nine! We’re going to be late!”Mia’s voice came through the car window before I had even opened my door, and judging by the way she was waving her hands outside, anyone would think she was an overly excited fan.The excitement in her voice was impossible to miss, and apparently, she had decided that the rest of us were moving far too slowly for her liking.“I’m coming,” I called back as I carefully lifted Benny from the seat.The moment my feet touched the ground, Benny wrapped his little arms around my neck, still sleepy from the journey, while Emily came around the other side carrying Benita. Mia pulled both of us to the entrance.“Come on!” she urged. “Today is the day! Mia is at the finals, and Mia Warren is coming home with a trophy!”“You haven’t won yet,” Emily reminded her.Mia turned around with an offended expression. “Why would you say something so negative on such an important morning?”“I’m being realistic.”“Reality
Fred POV I picked up my car keys and headed for the door. “Mom, I’m going out. I’ll be back late today,” I shouted and closed the door behind me. “Don’t forget your jacket, baby,” my mom’s annoying voice called out. “Yes, Momma.” Rolling my eyes and walking to where my baby Range Rover SV wa
Elias POV I walked out of a cafe, with an iced coffee in hand. The streets were bright with morning light, but it did little to pierce the darkness inside me. The memory of last night still fresh like it happened today. Emily fell in step beside me holding a pizza in her hands, she didn’t let me
Damien POV A low groan left my throat, one arm dragging across the empty side of the bed. The sheets were cold. My eyes snapped open. For a moment, my mind was fogged—fragments of the previous night flickering in disjointed flashes. A face blurred by desire and something darker, when clarity hit
Elias POV I lay motionless for long minutes, my body aching all over. I dragged myself to sit upright. Every movement sent sharp pain lancing through my lower back and thighs. Limping into the bathroom, I turned on the shower and stepped under the hot spray. Tears mingled with water as they poured







