Sarah's POV Adrian drew in a sharp breath bedside me, drawing my attention. Unable to keep up my anger, I turned to him. “Are you okay?”He glanced at me and turned off his phone, shoving it in his pocket. “Yeah, I'm fine.” He replied, not meeting my eyes. “Okay.” I drawled, turning back to the window. “We are here, Mr Blackwood, Mrs Blackwood.” The driver announced as he pulled into the driveway, killing the engine. Without a word, Adrian jumped out of the car as though he was being chased. I wondered what was up with him. “Have a good night.” I said to the driver as I stepped outside. He muttered a reply before driving the car to the garage. I took a deep breath and pulled my coat tighter around me. The chill in the evening air wasn’t the only thing making me uneasy. As I climbed the steps to the house, the grand front door loomed ahead like a cage. Adrian had already disappeared inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.I pushed the door open and stepped into the warm glo
Adrian's POV The door to my study clicked shut behind me, muffling the sounds of the world outside. I loosened my tie, tossing it onto the desk before slumping into the leather chair. My hands dragged down my face as the weight of the evening settled over me.I fished out my phone from my pocket, the image filling the screen immediately after I turned it on. There was Sarah. With a man who looked too familiar for my liking. If I had thought Nora looked so much like Sarah, it was because I hadn't met this man. She was a little, female copy of him. Sarah was smiling widely, an expression I had never seen on her. She looked quite young also. Under the picture was a caption from Rome. "What would happen if the world were to find out that your wife got pregnant as a teenager and for a criminal, at that?"I stared at the screen, my grip on the phone tightening as Rome's taunting words seared into my brain. A criminal? Sarah had never mentioned anything like this.Questions clawed at my
Sarah's POVThe door clicked shut behind Adrian, and silence filled the space he’d left. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands, the weight of the conversation sinking in. Though we’d managed to air some of the tension between us, a lingering unease remained. Trust was fragile, and rebuilding it would take more than a single night.I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with thoughts of Rome’s threats, the image of Chris, and the secrets I’d kept buried for so long. It was terrifying to think how quickly the past could unravel everything I had fought to protect.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Mommy?”Nora peeked her head in, her wide, curious eyes reminding me of the innocence I was trying so hard to preserve.“Come here, baby,” I said, patting the bed beside me.She climbed up and nestled into my side. “Are you okay? You look sad.”I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m okay, sweetheart. Just a lot on my mind.”“
Adrian's POVThe morning sun streamed through my office window as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the spreadsheet open on my laptop. Numbers and projections blurred together, my mind elsewhere entirely.I couldn’t stop thinking about Sarah and Nora.The sight of them at breakfast had left a warmth I hadn’t felt in years, ever since my mother died. Nora’s laughter was a melody I hadn’t realized I needed, and Sarah’s guarded smile—though rare—gave me a sense of purpose I couldn’t explain.But beneath it all, I could feel the tension. Sarah was still holding back, still keeping me at arm’s length. I couldn’t blame her. After everything she’d been through, trust didn’t come easily.A sharp knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening up.My assistant, Neville, stepped in with a stack of files. “Morning, Mr. Blackwood. These are the reports you requested.”“Thanks,” I said, taking the files and setting them on the desk.He lingered for a moment,
Sarah's POVAs I walked back to my room, Adrian’s words from earlier played on a loop in my mind. "I’m here. For you and Nora. Not because of the contract or any obligation, but because I care."It had been years since someone said something like that to me—and meant it.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my laptop. The financial projections I’d been reviewing earlier now felt meaningless. My life had always been about survival, about making it through one day to the next without falling apart. But Adrian took that away. I could sleep peacefully without having nightmares of not being able to foot Nora's bills or even keep a roof over our head. He was beginning to thaw at my walls which were there for a reason.People like Adrian didn’t stay. They didn’t fight for someone like me, not once they saw the scars and baggage I carried.But as much as I wanted to protect myself, I couldn’t deny how much he’d already done for Nora and me. He’d given us stability, a sense of safety I ha
Adrian’s POVThe steady rhythm of my car’s engine filled the silence as I drove toward the office. The morning rush was in full swing, and yet my thoughts weren’t on the day’s meetings or the endless emails awaiting my attention.They were on Sarah.I shook my head as though the motion would drain away the thoughts I was having. I pulled into the parking garage and stepped out, the cool air brushing against me as I headed toward the elevator. The elevator doors opened to the sleek expanse of Blackwood Enterprises’ top floor, where glass walls and polished marble floors reflected the sunlight streaming in from the large windows. Neville greeted me with his usual efficiency, handing me a schedule as I stepped into the office.“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. You have a meeting with the marketing team at 10 AM, a quarterly review at noon, and Mr. Carson is scheduled to arrive at 2 PM to discuss the land acquisition,” he said, his tone brisk.“Perfect. Let Carson know I’m expecting him,” I
Sarah’s POVTasha began pulling snacks from her bag — chips, a pack of pizza, a tub of ice cream, and a bottle of wine. “Mary Poppins, much?”She laughed, throwing her head back. “I wanted to come prepared. We’re going to talk, laugh, and eat like we’re twenty again,” she declared, kicking off her shoes.I chuckled and grabbed a couple of glasses. “You’re lucky I don’t mind the mess you’re about to make.”Tasha grinned, popping open the wine. “Mess? This is organized chaos, my dear. Now, sit and tell me what’s been going on. I want all the juicy details.”I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. Tasha wasn’t just my best friend; she was my rock. Still, I wasn’t sure I was ready to unpack all my feelings about Adrian.“Well,” I started, “Nora’s doing much better. She’s getting stronger every day, and her doctor says she’ll be ready to return to her normal activities and go back to school soon.”“That’s great news!” Tasha squealed, raising her glass. “To Nora’s recovery!”I clinked m
Adrian’s POVI entered my study to find Julian pacing back and forth, his polished shoes clicking against the hardwood floor. He looked disheveled, his usually impeccable suit slightly wrinkled and his tie loosened. That alone was enough to tell me something was wrong. Julian was never anything but poised, at least outwardly.“Julian,” I said, shutting the door behind me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”He stopped pacing, turning to face me with a grim expression. “It’s worse than that.”I raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against my desk. “You’re going to have to be more specific. What’s going on?”Julian hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “The branch I’m managing, it’s falling apart. The investors are pulling out, the staff morale is at an all-time low, and the numbers… they’re nonexistent.”I folded my arms, waiting for him to continue.“I’ve tried everything I can think of to fix it,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “But nothing’s working. And if Dad finds out…
Three Years Later(Sarah's POV)The late afternoon sun bathed the backyard in a golden glow, the air humming with the lazy buzz of summer.Laughter floated through the open doors of the house—the high, sweet giggle of a toddler, the low rumble of a man who had found his peace, the musical chatter of a little girl who had grown into her role as big sister like she was born for it.I leaned against the porch railing, a glass of lemonade in my hand, watching my family.Our family.Adrian was down on the grass, his hair a little longer than when we first met, his white T-shirt grass-stained and wrinkled.He didn’t care.He only cared about the tiny whirlwind currently chasing him in uneven circles, her curly brown hair tied up in two messy pigtails, her squeals of delight loud enough to make the birds scatter."Catch Daddy, Eliana!" Nora shouted from her perch on the swing set."I’m trying!" Eliana cried back, her little legs pumping furiously, her chubby hands reaching for Adrian with th
Sarah’s POV(Final Chapter)The day our baby was born didn’t start with fireworks.It started with rain.Soft, misty rain that painted the windows in silvery patterns and made everything feel quiet. Holy, almost. Like even the world itself was holding its breath.I woke up around four in the morning with a dull ache low in my back. Nothing urgent, nothing dramatic—just a slow, steady tightening that made me blink up at the ceiling and wonder if this was it.Adrian was dead asleep beside me, one hand resting lightly on my belly as he had every night for the past few months.I lay there for a while, listening to the rain, to the sound of his breathing, to the tiny thump of our baby’s heartbeat inside me.Alive.Strong.A miracle.Eventually, I shifted, and Adrian stirred immediately, like he could sense something even in sleep."Sarah?" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep."I think…" I hesitated, pressing my hand to my stomach as another tightening wave rolled through me. "I think it’
Sarah’s POVSeven months laterI should have said something earlier.I should have told Adrian that the cramps were getting worse. That the dizzy spells weren’t going away. That I felt...off in a way I couldn’t explain.But I didn’t want to worry him.He already did so much, already hovered over me with this mixture of awe and terror like I was the most precious thing in the world.So I smiled. I reassured him. I told myself it was normal.Until it wasn’t.Until I was standing in the kitchen one afternoon, laughing at something Nora said, and the world tilted dangerously.Until I felt a sharp pain—low and deep—and the next thing I knew, I was crumpling to the floor, gasping for air."Mommy?" Nora's tiny voice was the last thing I heard before everything blurred.*When I came to, I was lying on the couch, Adrian’s hands cupping my face, his voice sharp with panic."Sarah, sweetheart, stay with me, okay? I’m calling an ambulance—""No," I croaked, grabbing his wrist weakly. "Just...hos
Adrian’s POVSaturday evening came faster than I expected.Our house smelled like roasted chicken, fresh bread, and something sweet Sarah had been tinkering with all afternoon. She insisted on doing most of it herself, humming as she moved around the kitchen, a hand occasionally drifting to her still-flat stomach without even realizing it.I couldn't stop watching her.There was a new glow to her, yes—but it was deeper than that. It was peace. Wholeness. Like she was finally standing on steady ground again.At five-thirty sharp, the doorbell rang.I beat her to it.Emily stood there, holding Lily with one hand, Alex gripping her other hand, and a diaper bag hanging off her shoulder like a badge of honor."Hey, Uncle A!" Alex grinned up at me, missing one of his front teeth."Hey, bud," I said, ruffling his hair.Lily repeated the same thing, allowing me scoop her up. "You’re my favorite now," Emily teased, slipping inside. "Saved me from my pack mule life."Sarah appeared from the ki
Sarah’s POVThe morning sun stretched wide over the city as I pulled into the parking lot of The Haven.I sat for a moment, hand brushing lightly across my still-flat stomach. No real bump yet, but the knowledge of the life growing inside me made every breath feel a little deeper. A little more sacred.The Haven had become more than just a project. It was a refuge—for the women we took in, and honestly, for me too.When I pushed open the front doors, I was hit immediately by the smell of coffee and the soft hum of laughter coming from the kitchen."Morning, Mrs. Blackwood!" Dana called from across the common room, her blonde hair a messy halo around her head.I smiled warmly. "Good morning, Dana. And please, it’s just Sarah."She grinned and returned to helping another girl sort through a box of donated clothes.There were almost ten women — and a baby — living here now. Ten beautiful, messy, complicated lives. And the house showed it: sneakers tossed by the door, mugs abandoned on th
Adrian’s POVIt was strange, walking through the halls of the Blackwood estate again—this time with peace in my chest, and my family by my side.Nora clutched my hand tightly, her Birthday Queen sash still proudly slung across her shoulder. She was buzzing with excitement, peppering me with questions about what Grandpa Richard had planned for her special dinner.“Do you think he’ll have chocolate cake again?” she asked. “The one with the crunchy layers?”“I’m sure he will,” I said, glancing down at her. “You’re the birthday girl. You call the shots.”She grinned and swung our hands as we walked. Behind us, Sarah moved with careful grace, her free hand resting gently on her still-flat stomach.I slowed my pace to match hers and looked over my shoulder. She met my eyes and gave me a soft, reassuring smile.“You okay?” I mouthed.She nodded, but I could feel her tension. Not just because of the dinner, but because of who’d be at the table.Anne.She’d made no real attempt to hide her dis
Sarah’s POVI couldn’t sleep that night.After the last dish had been washed, after the projector had been turned off and all the guests had either gone home or been tucked in their beds, and after Adrian kissed my temple and whispered goodnight, I lay in the dark, listening to the soft rise and fall of Nora’s breathing through the baby monitor.Seven.She was seven.I wrapped my arms around myself as I stood by the window, the moonlight casting gentle shadows across the floor. It didn’t feel like seven years had passed since I first held her in that sterile hospital room—small, fragile, barely able to cry. They had whisked her away before I could even memorize her face, and I remembered lying there, feeling both the wonder of motherhood and the paralyzing fear that I might lose her.She’d been sick—so sick. The doctors had whispered words I didn’t understand at first. Words like congenital defect, pediatric surgery, and long-term treatment. I was only teenager myself. Alone. No mone
Adrian’s POVA month had passed since we returned from the honeymoon, and things had finally begun to feel grounded.The board had adjusted to my chairmanship—some reluctantly, some surprisingly quickly. The scandals, the sabotage, the endless battles for control… it all felt like a distant storm we’d sailed through. Blackwood Enterprises wasn’t just stable again—it was thriving. We’d launched two new initiatives in the last quarter, and investor confidence was the highest it had been in years.But all of that faded into the background today.Because today was bigger than any boardroom victory.Today, Nora turned seven.It hit me differently this year. Maybe because she was really mine now—not just in name or responsibility, but in the way her face lit up when she saw me, in the way she called me “Daddy” with a kind of trust that broke me in the best way. Or maybe it was because this was the first birthday I got to experience and plan with Sarah—as her husband.I left work early—somet
Sarah’s POVThe morning after the wedding was soft and golden.Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the cottage we’d stayed in for the night—just a few minutes from the venue. The air was still, except for the occasional chirp of a bird outside and the faint rustle of trees in the wind. I lay there for a moment, eyes closed, Adrian’s arm draped over my waist, our breaths in sync.Married. For real, this time.I was someone’s wife. His wife.The word settled gently over me, not heavy or intimidating, but warm—like being wrapped in a favorite blanket.Adrian stirred beside me. “You’re awake.”I smiled, eyes still closed. “So are you.”“Barely.” His voice was husky, sleep-worn. “But you’re smiling, so I think I’m doing alright as a husband so far.”I laughed softly. “You’re doing amazing.”We stayed like that for a few more moments before he finally sat up, rubbing a hand over his face. “You ready to sneak away with me?”“Honeymoon sneak-away?” I teased, stretching. “Yes, please