Sarah's POVAfter Nora and Adrian left the house, I was supposed to go to a cafe to work on my writing. I had been applying to be a freelance writer for media companies even though I didn't tell Adrian yet. But with the way last night went, I had no strength in me.Adrian’s admission about hiring a private investigator had caught me off guard. It was such a decisive step—one I hadn’t expected him to take. But even with his promises, the ache in my chest lingered.I didn’t doubt Adrian’s intentions, but trust? That was harder.I walked into the living room and sank into the couch, pulling a throw blanket over my lap. My mind replayed the events of the gala: Rome’s arrogant smirk, Emily’s enigmatic smile, the whispers among the guests. And then Adrian’s face—tense, conflicted, and far too familiar with Emily for my comfort.The resemblance between Emily and me was undeniable, and it haunted me. It wasn’t just her appearance but the way she carried herself, her confidence, and the subtl
Adrian's POV I stared blankly at the file open on my desk. It had been hours since I texted Sarah, and though her response gave me some relief, the distance between us still felt like a gaping chasm.I glanced at my phone, half-hoping for another text from her, but the screen remained dark. Setting my coffee aside, I shifted my focus back to my laptop, where Daniel’s latest update sat in my inbox.The subject line read: Preliminary Findings – EmilyMy pulse quickened as I clicked it open."Mr Blackwood,I’ve started digging into Emily’s background as requested. While the deeper investigation will take some time, here’s what I’ve uncovered so far:Emily Harrison was adopted as a child through an agency called Bright Horizons. It is no more functional though.Records indicate she spent her early years in foster care before the adoption.Her adoptive parents, Margaret and Henry Walsh, relocated frequently for work, keeping a relatively low profile.Interestingly, the Walshs worked for R
Sarah’s POVI closed the door behind me with a little more force than I intended, my heart pounding against my ribs. Adrian’s words echoed in my mind, relentless and invasive.“Emily isn’t just some random woman, Sarah. She’s tied to you in ways we don’t understand yet.”I hurried down the hallway, barely noticing the luxurious decor that once seemed so foreign. My hands clenched into fists as I tried to suppress the whirlwind of emotions surging inside me.I hated how easily Adrian had peeled away my carefully constructed defenses, exposing doubts I hadn’t dared to face.No. Emily and I are not connected. She’s just a coincidence. That’s all.Yet, the nagging voice in the back of my mind refused to be silenced.I found myself at Nora’s door and paused. I hadn't been around when the driver brought her back home. A pang of guilt hit me. Nora didn’t need to see me like this. She needed a mother who could keep it together, not someone unraveling at the seams.She was asleep, her small b
Adrian’s POVThe late morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, highlighting the immaculate desk before me. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers steepled as I read through the latest reports from the Blackwood organization. Profits were steady, but cracks were forming, ones I couldn’t ignore.Harrison Industries — the one headed by Rome.The name alone was enough to set my teeth on edge. Rome and Daniella. Two vultures circling, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They’d been subtly undercutting Blackwood contracts, targeting our key clients, and planting rumors about financial instability.I thought it was something I could handle but the cracks were getting more visible. A knock at the door broke my thoughts.“Come in,” I said, straightening in my chair.Neville, my assistant, entered, his expression tense. “Sir, there’s something you need to see.”He handed me a tablet, and I swiped to the highlighted report. My stomach churned as I skimmed the c
Sarah’s POVThe evening air was crisp, but it did little to cool the fire burning in my chest. I sat in Nora’s room, perched on the edge of her bed as I watched her sleep. Her small hands clutched her stuffed bunny, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the chaos raging in my mind.Adrian’s words replayed over and over, each one hitting like a hammer. “I was trying to protect you… to protect us.”How was I supposed to believe him? How could I trust someone who had hidden something so significant? Emily’s smug smile in that photo haunted me. She knew exactly what she was doing, and it was working.I tucked a stray curl behind Nora’s ear and stood, my heart heavy. I couldn’t let my emotions spill over into her life. She didn’t deserve to feel the weight of the tension between Adrian and me.But I couldn’t just ignore it, either.I walked to my room and shut the door behind me, leaning against it as I tried to steady my breathing. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I hesitated
Adrian’s POVI woke up early the next morning, determined to make Nora’s day easier so Sarah wouldn’t have to stress more than she already was. I made my way to Nora's room, where she was still sleeping."Hey, sunshine," I gently shook her awake. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw me, her lips stretched into a smile."Good morning, uncle Adrian," she murmured, latching onto me in a hug."Good morning, Nora. Did you sleep well?" I asked, patting her back."Hmmhmm," she hummed, snuggling closer."Why don't you go brush your teeth while I make breakfast?" I suggested, setting her down in front of the bathroom.She nodded eagerly and skipped off. I stood there for a moment, listening to the soft sound of her tiny footsteps on the floor as she made her way to the bathroom. A sense of calm washed over me as I watched her, her innocence and simplicity reminding me of what really mattered. For now, at least, I could still take care of her in the ways she needed.I made my way downstair
Sarah's POVThe morning air was still crisp as I watched Adrian and Nora leave. I sighed, leaning back against the counter, trying to gather my thoughts.As soon as the door shut behind them, Tasha cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to the present."I need to get going," she announced, stretching. "Afternoon shift at the hospital calls.""Right, of course," I replied. "Let me grab my things. I’ll drop you off on my way."Tasha raised an eyebrow. "You’re heading out too? Where to?"I hesitated for a moment, unsure how much I wanted to share. "It’s my first day freelancing for that company I told you about. Figured I’d work from a co-working space to get some quiet."Her expression softened with approval. "I’m glad you’re doing this. It’ll be good for you, Sarah."I offered her a small smile before heading upstairs to change into something more presentable. A soft blouse and tailored pants later, I grabbed my laptop bag and keys, and we were out the door.The ride to Tasha’s
Adrian's POV"I should go to bed now," Sarah let out, scrambling to her feet."Goodnight, Sarah," I muttered. The kiss lingered in my mind long after Sarah disappeared upstairs. I sat in the dimly lit living room, staring at the almost empty bottle of wine on the table, replaying the moment in my head.It wasn’t planned. I hadn’t intended for it to happen. Yet, as I leaned back on the couch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was inevitable.Her quiet strength had always drawn me in. The way she carried herself, even when everything seemed to weigh her down, was remarkable. Tonight, though, something shifted. I’d seen a side of her I hadn’t before—vulnerable, open, and unguarded.I ran a hand down my face, letting out a heavy sigh."What are you doing, Adrian?" I muttered to myself.It wasn’t part of the deal. I wasn’t supposed to care—at least not like this. This arrangement was meant to be simple: a contract, a partnership. But every time I saw her with Nora or caught her smiling
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