Adrian’s POVThe moment the door clicked shut behind Emily, I felt the tension in the room shift. It didn’t disappear—it hung in the air like a thick fog, wrapping around Sarah’s small frame as she stood frozen in place.Her fingers were still clenched around the photograph, her knuckles white.I squeezed her hand gently, grounding her. “Sarah.”She didn’t respond.I stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the door. “Look at me.”Slowly, her eyes lifted to mine. They were wide, dazed, as if she were still processing what had just happened.“She’s lying,” I said firmly. “She has to be.”Sarah let out a shaky breath, her fingers loosening slightly around the photograph. “But what if she’s not?”I clenched my jaw. “Even if she’s telling the truth, it doesn’t change who you are. It doesn’t change the life you’ve built.”Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “It changes everything as I've known it, Adrian.”I hated the way her voice broke.I hated that Emily had done this to her—droppe
Adrian’s POVThe moment Tasha’s words registered, my world tilted.Sarah. A seizure.My grip tightened around the phone. “What do you mean she’s having a seizure?” My voice came out sharp, frantic.“She—she started shaking, Adrian. I don’t know what happened. One minute she was asleep, the next—” Tasha’s voice cracked, laced with panic. “The doctors are with her now. They called a neurologist and a mental health specialist. You need to get here.”I was already moving. “I’m on my way.”I ended the call and turned to Julian, my pulse hammering. “We have to go.”He didn’t ask questions. One look at my face and he was already heading for the door. “I’ll drive.”I hesitated for half a second, but the rush of adrenaline made my hands unsteady. I didn’t have time to argue.I tossed him the keys.The ride to the hospital was a blur of flashing streetlights and roaring silence. My jaw was clenched so tightly it ached. My mind was screaming at me, images of Sarah convulsing flashing in my head.
Sarah’s POVThe first thing I became aware of was the heaviness in my body. It felt like I was sinking, weighed down by something unseen, yet there was a strange lightness in my head, as if I were floating just outside of myself.There was a steady beeping somewhere close. Rhythmic. Familiar. I pried my eyes open, wincing at the brightness that greeted me. The ceiling above was stark white, the walls a blur of muted colors. My limbs felt sluggish, my throat dry. I tried to move, but a dull ache spread through my body, keeping me still.Then I felt it.A warm, firm grip around my hand.Adrian.I turned my head, the effort draining, but when my gaze landed on him, sitting beside me, his face etched with exhaustion and something deeper—something raw—I felt a strange comfort.His fingers tightened around mine. “Sarah?” His voice was low, cautious, as if he wasn’t sure I was really awake.I swallowed, trying to clear the dryness in my throat. “Hey,” I croaked, my voice barely above a whis
Adrian’s POVThe weight of exhaustion pressed down on me, but I ignored it. I had spent hours by Sarah’s bedside, watching over her, waiting for any sign that she’d wake up. Now that she had, relief mixed with an unease I couldn’t shake.She had nearly collapsed under the weight of everything she carried, and it scared me more than I wanted to admit. I had never felt so helpless before, never wanted so badly to take someone’s pain and bear it for them.A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Tasha rushed in.Her eyes were red-rimmed, her nurse’s uniform slightly wrinkled. She was still in her scrubs, a clear sign she had stayed behind even after her shift ended. But the moment her gaze landed on Sarah, she let out a choked sound and hurried to the bedside.“Oh, thank God,” she breathed, brushing past me as if I didn’t exist. “Sarah, you scared me half to death!”Sarah’s lips twitched in the ghost of a smile. “Sorry.”Tasha le
Sarah’s POVThe world felt distant, wrapped in the haze of exhaustion. I drifted in and out of sleep, the steady beep of the heart monitor a lullaby in the quiet of my private hospital room. My body was heavy, my limbs aching, but the worst of it wasn’t the physical pain—it was the weight pressing down on my chest.I wasn’t sure how long I had been asleep when I stirred, my eyes fluttering open to the dim glow of the bedside lamp. Adrian was sitting in the chair beside me, his head tilted back, eyes closed. The shadows under his eyes were darker than before. Even in sleep, his jaw was set, tension never fully leaving his frame.He must have been exhausted.Guilt curled in my stomach. He had been here for me—through all of it. And now, because of me, he was being pulled in two directions.Even though he thought I'd been asleep, I wasn't. I had caught enough of his conversation with Richard before drifting off to know that the company was suffering in his absence.I swallowed, my throat
Adrian’s POVThe steady rhythm of Sarah’s breathing reassured me as I sat beside her, my fingers still lightly curled around hers. Her hand was smaller, delicate against mine, but there was a quiet strength in the way she held on. It took everything in me to leave, but I knew I had to. Work was calling, and though I couldn’t care less about the company right now, I had responsibilities I couldn’t ignore forever.She needed rest, and I needed to clear my head before dealing with all that was happening with the company.Reluctantly, I stood, letting go of her hand as carefully as I could. She didn’t stir, the exhaustion keeping her in a deep sleep. I took one last look at her peaceful face before grabbing my coat and stepping out into the quiet hospital corridor.By the time I reached the parking lot, the early morning sun was beginning to break through the clouds, casting a soft golden hue over the city. I exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over my face. The weight of the past few days was
Sarah’s POVI woke to the distant murmur of hospital sounds—footsteps in the hall, the faint beeping of a monitor, the quiet hum of the air conditioning. The lingering scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils, grounding me in the reality of where I was. My body felt heavy, sore, but not as drained as before.The spot beside me was empty, the warmth long gone. Adrian had left.A part of me had expected it, but I couldn’t deny the slight pang of disappointment. He’d been by my side every moment he could, and I had grown used to his presence, his quiet protectiveness. But work was calling, and I knew he couldn’t stay forever.With a sigh, I shifted carefully against the pillows, trying not to aggravate the dull ache in my ribs. I had barely adjusted when the door creaked open, and a familiar voice filled the room.“Finally, you’re awake! I was about to force-feed you in your sleep.”I turned my head just in time to see Tasha walk in, a takeout bag in one hand and a cup of juice in the othe
Adrian’s POVThe Blackwood Enterprises headquarters loomed ahead, its glass façade reflecting the morning sun as I pulled into the underground parking lot. The moment I stepped out of the car, my phone buzzed.I sighed, already knowing who it would be.“Adrian Blackwood,” I answered.“You’re late,” came Neville's clipped voice. My right-hand man was never one to waste words.I checked my watch. “By five minutes. You should be glad I agreed to be here today.”“Five minutes that the board has been using to pick apart your leadership in your absence,” he shot back. “They smell blood, Adrian. You’ve given them a reason to doubt you.”I ran a hand through my still-damp hair, exhaling. “Let them doubt. It doesn’t change the fact that I built this company into what it is today.”Eric hesitated. “Still you might want to prepare yourself.”I ended the call without another word, my jaw tightening as I strode toward the private elevator.The moment the doors slid open on the top floor, I was gre
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