Elijah’s POVAs we sat in that cafe which was barely illuminated, we began to feel the situation’s intensity heightening. Troy’s plan to bribe Henry’s men felt like a desperate move. But more than that, I felt like he could just be fooling us again. “Are you sure about this?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at Troy.He nodded, looking more resolute than I’d ever seen him. “It’s our best shot. Trust me.”Just as we were about to delve deeper into the plan, Troy’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and went pale. “It’s my mother,” he said, answering the call. “Mother?”I could hear her frantic, terrified voice on the other end. “Troy! Help me, come quick!”His face drained of color, and he stood up abruptly. “We need to go. Now.”Sophia and I exchanged a quick, concerned glance, then followed Troy out of the café. We drove as fast as we could to his house, my thoughts spinning with all the worst-case scenarios.When we arrived, Brenda was sitting on the front steps, clutching the side of
Henry’s POVI watched the gentle sway of the yacht from where I sat inside, the faint creak of the vessel almost soothing against my frazzled nerves. The only light in the small cabin came from the smoldering end of my cigarette, the embers casting a dull orange glow that danced across the wooden walls.My fingers drummed restlessly against the polished mahogany table, the rhythmic taps barely masking the anxiety that gnawed at my insides.“Julia, I'm so sorry,” I whispered into the void, my voice barely audible over the lapping waves outside. “I can’t be with you now, but I have to plan this well so we can both be free.”I drew in a deep breath, the smoke filling my lungs as if it might somehow clear away the weight of the situation. I knew every day that passed without being able to help her made it harder. The walls of this yacht felt like a cage of their own, despite its opulence. The comfort of the surroundings did little to ease the turmoil inside me.Just as I was about to tak
Henry’s POVI closed my eyes, trying to push away the haze of my current predicament, as I recalled various incidents in my childhood when I had to protect Julia. In my mind, I could picture the house where we both grew up. Julia was only eight years old then, a tiny figure dwarfed by the expanse of our family’s opulent home. I remembered walking into the living room just as she stood frozen beside the shards of a broken vase.The vase, an heirloom of sorts, lay in jagged pieces on the marble floor. The room was eerily silent, save for the ticking of the grandfather clock.Our mother’s footsteps echoed from the hallway, each step growing louder, more menacing. I could hear the tension in her stride, the anger crackling like static in the air. Julia’s face was a mask of fear, her small hands trembling as she tried to gather the pieces, each fragment a reminder of her mistake. I knew the punishment would be harsh, and my heart ached at the thought of her suffering.I stepped forward, u
Elijah’s POVI froze as Sophia’s scream pierced the afternoon heat, blending with the thundering sound of a gunshot. The shot missed Sophia but struck the window, causing the glass to explode into a shower of shards. “Sophia! No!” I yelled as I sprang into action, yanking Sophia to safety upon seeing the gun leveled at her, readying for another shot.Inside, chaos erupted as more heads turned. I could hear the sound of shouting voices and scurrying footsteps. “Run!” I shouted, grabbing Sophia and leading her away from the building. She stumbled but managed to keep up as we sprinted down the overgrown path. The sound of gunshots echoed behind us, sharp and jarring. Branches clawed at our clothes as we tore through the underbrush. I glanced back to see flashes of gunfire streaking through the dense foliage, and my pulse quickened. Every instinct screamed at me to keep moving, to get us out of there before we became sure targets.As we neared the car, a man suddenly emerged from behi
Daniel’s POVI hadn't slept well the past few nights. Every time I closed my eyes, the image of Sophia's face, tinged with that faint sadness, kept appearing in my head. The text she sent—"It's fine, just busy lately"—felt like a dismissal, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had messed things up beyond repair. It had been three days since our encounter at her place, and I was desperate to make things right.Today, I was at the development site, pacing around the place as if that would make time pass faster. We’re supposed to have a meeting here today, and I really hope she shows up and things get back to normal between us. When Sophia finally walked through the gate, my heart skipped a beat. Her presence triggered an electric charge inside me. I tried to calm my nerves, but seeing her standing there, with her hair falling perfectly over her shoulders and that confident stride of hers, made it hard to concentrate.“Hi, Daniel,” she said, offering a polite but reserved smile.“H
Sophia’s POVI felt like I was on top of the world as I walked through the swanky hotel, my eyes ogling at the sleek presentation boards and interactive displays sprinkled all over the main function hall. Being part of the International Architecture and Design Conference in New York was certainly a dream come true for me!Everywhere I looked, the room was bustling with innovative ideas and creative energy from professionals all over the world.I eagerly mingled with other attendees, soaking in the wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives. Each session offered something new, and I found myself inspired by the groundbreaking projects and cutting-edge techniques being discussed.It’s a shame Trevis couldn’t make it at the last minute, I thought sadly. He would have loved everything here! I do hope he feels better soon. During one of the sessions, a coordinator unexpectedly approached me with a request that both flattered and unnerved me. “Ms. Sophia Bennett? One of our panelists can't
Sophia’s POVI checked my reflection in the mirror, feeling giddy with excitement. Yet I felt on edge at the same time. It had been ages since I'd dressed up like this. The deep emerald gown hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my curves and making my green eyes pop. Tonight was the gala night for the conference, and I wanted to make a good impression.A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I walked over, my heart racing a little faster than usual. When I opened the door, my breath caught in my throat. There stood Elijah, looking as handsome and dashing as ever in his perfectly tailored suit. His eyes widened as he took in my appearance, and I could see genuine admiration in his gaze.“Sophia,” he blurted out, his voice full of awe. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, suddenly self-conscious under his intense stare. “Thank you, Elijah,” I replied softly, trying to calm my racing heart.For a moment, we just stood there, taking in the sight of
Sophia’s POVI stirred my tea latte absentmindedly, watching the foam swirl into intricate patterns. The coffee shop was pretty busy, but I hardly noticed it. I was too lost in my own dreamy world. Kayla sat across from me, sipping her cappuccino and eyeing me curiously. “So, how was the design and architecture conference?” Kayla asked, leaning in with genuine interest.“It was amazing,” I said with a huge smile, my enthusiasm shining through. “I learned so much and can't wait to apply some of the techniques at work. The speakers were incredibly inspiring.”Kayla nodded, a hint of regret in her eyes. “I was supposed to go too, but there were so many things I needed to attend to at Raven Media. I couldn't get away.”“That's a shame,” I replied, taking a sip of my drink. “You would have loved it.”Kayla studied me for a moment, a playful smirk forming on her lips. “You seem... different. Happier, maybe? There's something about you today, like you're glowing or radiating.”I felt a war