Emily’s POVPain radiated through my leg, sharp and searing, as if a knife had been plunged straight into the bone. I could feel the warmth of the blood soaking through my pants, and it took everything in me not to scream. Chris’s arms tightened around me as he carried me, his breath ragged, but I could barely focus on that. The smoke was thick, swirling around us, making it nearly impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.“Stay with me, Emily,” Chris whispered, his voice low and urgent as we ducked into a small alcove, hiding from the men hunting us. He gently set me down, pressing a hand against my leg to try and stop the bleeding. I clenched my teeth, biting down on my lip so hard I tasted blood.Voices echoed through the passageways, angry and frantic. I strained to hear what they were saying, my pulse racing.“They’re all dead! Almost the whole group wiped out!” one of them yelled, his voice shaking with fury. “This was all a distraction, just to get her! We need to find them
Emily’s POVChris froze, his eyes darting between me and Phoebe, panic etched into his features. “Phoebe!” he shouted, but she was already trapped beneath the rubble, writhing in pain, her hands desperately trying to push the boulder off her legs.“It’s... it’s bad,” she groaned, her voice trembling. “Chris, get her out of here. Just—just go! You can’t stay. Get Emily to safety!”“No!” I croaked, my own panic rising. I struggled against Chris’s arms, trying to get him to put me down. “We can’t leave her! Chris, help her, please!”Chris looked torn, his eyes flicking between us, unsure of what to do. His face was set in determination, but there was something breaking in his gaze. He didn’t want to abandon either of us.Phoebe, wincing through the pain, gasped, “Just go without me... please, I’ll slow you down. You can come back for me. Or... call Joe, tell him to send someone.”I was crying now, openly, my body trembling with sobs. I couldn’t lose her—not now, not after everything we’d
Sophia’s POVThe sound of breaking glass echoed in the small kitchen, shattering my moment of calm like the milk slipping from my fingers. I gasped as I stared at the puddle spreading across the floor, the white liquid pooling around the shards of broken glass.the unmistakable sound of Jared’s wailing broke through the silence. I turned toward the nursery, my heart sinking further. A moment later, Roxy joined in, her cries rising in pitch, two little voices that tugged at my heartstrings.“Okay, okay!” I said to myself, forcing my feet to move. I hurried toward their cribs, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t how I imagined my day would go, but with Elijah at that emergency meeting and Reese at school, I was left alone to take care of the babies. The nanny wasn’t available today either. As I entered the nursery, I was met with the sight of both babies, their faces red and scrunched up in distress. I quickly reached for Roxy first, lifting her from her crib and cradling her cl
Sophia’s POVI had no idea that it was going to be the last time I would hear from Emily. And that I would never see my brother Chris again too. Three months had passed since I last heard Emily's voice, and the silence stretched between us like an unbridgeable chasm. Chris and Emily were still missing, and with each day that went by, the weight of that absence pressed heavier on my chest.Then I thought about Phoebe, who was stuck in Paris, trying to get well and to live a normal life again. I knew she was working hard in therapy, but I couldn’t shake the image of her sitting in that wheelchair. I felt so helpless being thousands of miles away.Suddenly, Jared cried out. It was as if he’d been able to sense that his mother and aunt had not been around for a long time now. I hurried to him, lifting him from the crib and cradling him close. “Shh, baby, it’s okay,” I murmured, trying to calm him. But even as I rocked him, my mind was elsewhere. I sat down on the sofa with Jared, who sq
Elijah’s POVI sat on the living room floor, surrounded by scattered toys and soft blankets, watching Jared wobble over to me with a big, toothy grin. His little hands grabbed at my shirt, pulling himself closer as I reached out to steady him. His laugh was infectious, and for a moment, I forgot all about my worries. "Good job, buddy," I said, ruffling his soft hair as he babbled something only he could understand.Roxy was fast asleep in the nursery, and thankfully, the new nanny was here to help. With Sophia rushing to the office to handle some urgent project issues, I was left in charge for the day. But it wasn’t just the responsibility that had me thinking—it was Jared.The kid had grown so much in the months we’d been caring for him. Nearly two years old now, he’d already started picking up new words, mimicking sounds, and toddling around like he owned the place. But as I looked into his bright, innocent eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. He probably didn’t even r
Sophia’s POVThe next few days passed quietly. Jared and Roxy filled the house with their playful energy, and watching them always lifted my mood. But every now and then, my thoughts would drift back to the conversation I’d had with Antoine recently. Antoine had sounded… lost. Like a man who had given up on everything, including himself. I had approached the topic of adoption carefully, expecting resistance, guilt, maybe even anger. But what I got was the exact opposite.“If Emily’s missing and she left Jared with you, it means she trusts you to take care of him. I trust you both too, Elijah and Sophia. You’ll give him the best possible life,” Antoine had said with an eerie calmness. “I can’t do that for him from here. I’m not capable of giving him a good life. So go ahead with your plans.”The ease with which he agreed had caught me off guard. I knew Antoine had always been a complicated man, but hearing his resignation, his total acceptance that Jared wasn’t coming back to him… it
Sophia’s POVElijah, what do you mean followed?” I asked, my heart pounding. But before he could answer, I was distracted by the ringing of my phone. It was my best friend Kayla who was scheduled to give birth any time now. I hesitated for a second, still focused on Elijah, but then I answered. “Hey, Kayla. What’s up?”“I’m about to give birth!” Kayla’s voice blurted out, a mixture of excitement and panic.I blinked, trying to process her words. “What?! Like right now?”In the background, I could hear Connor frantically moving around, his voice strained. “Come on, Kayla, I’ll get you in the car. Lean on me… Let’s go…” “Oh, no… Oh, no,” Kayla’s voice wavered, and suddenly it dropped. “Sophia, my water just broke. Oh, shit, I have to go!” The line went dead before I could respond.I stared at the phone in shock for a moment, Kayla’s panicked voice still ringing in my ears. My worry about Elijah’s words took a backseat to the sudden urgency of Kayla’s situation.I looked up at him, my
Elijah’s POVI couldn’t stand still, pacing a line into the carpet near the desk, my fists clenching and unclenching. Each step, each turn, only wound the tension in me tighter.Connor was on leave, and I was stuck here with his replacement—a sharp enough guy, thankfully, but new to the Sinclair way of doing things. His name was Jason, and I’d forced myself to be patient with him these past days, given the circumstances.But this—this was no ordinary setback. This was a disaster unfolding in real-time.“Alright,” I muttered, stopping for a second to face him, my eyes catching his as he sat at his desk, peering over a spread of files and emails. “You’ve got a list of the companies that cancelled? Any explanations besides the standard brush-offs?”Jason nodded, flipping through his notes. “I called each one. Spoke to the reps directly. It was the same story every time—‘sudden concerns’ about Sinclair Realty's recent projects.” He looked up at me, hesitant, then pushed on. “They’ve heard
Sophia’s POVJared squirmed in my arms, distracting me from my thoughts. I set him down, smiling as he took off again, this time circling around me in playful loops.As I watched him, my gaze drifted back to the table where Elijah was talking with Kayla, and I noticed his expression—serene but thoughtful, as if he, too, was carrying an invisible weight.Les Ombres Écarlates had fallen silent in the U.S. since Henry and Julia were locked away, but whispers remained that the syndicate still operated in France. No one knew who might be leading them now.Isabelle had remained in prison, and for all we knew, she’d been cut off from her network… or perhaps she was working wonders from the shadows, keeping her influence alive from a distance. No one could tell for sure.“Mommy?” Jared tugged on my hand, bringing me back to the present. “Can I go play with Roxy and Reese?”“Of course, sweetheart,” I said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “They’re right over there with Daddy.”Jared darted fo
Sophia’s POVThe restaurant, Bella Sera, stood glowing in soft, elegant lights as we approached. It was bustling with guests, laughter and conversations blending together to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. I could hardly believe a year had passed since its grand opening, during which my husband Elijah had reconciled with his stepmom.Tonight was Bella Sera’s first anniversary celebration, and for once, I felt a sense of calm and happiness surrounding us. I looked down, giving Reese’s hand a little squeeze as we stepped inside, with Roxy and Jared walking alongside us, their eyes wide with curiosity.As we entered, Morgana herself appeared, beaming as she saw us. She looked elegant, her face bright with pride, and there was something so genuine in her warmth that I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Behind her was her husband, Lennon Delmare, standing tall and grinning broadly.“Sophia, Elijah! And my little ones!” Morgana opened her arms, crouching down to embrace Reese, Roxy, and
Sophia’s POVOne year had passed. Just like that. One long, grueling year since they’d been captured in Mexico. Now, I sat in the trial court, my hand clasped tightly in Elijah’s as we waited for the final verdict.Anticipation hovered around us, every rustle and whispered breath amplifying the tension that had been simmering for so long.I glanced across the room at Henry and Julia, seated a few rows away, flanked by officers on either side. Henry’s once-sharp features were worn, his face gaunt, his hair graying and thinning.He looked hollowed out, as though the years of hiding, the trials in France and now here in the U.S., had sucked the life from him. His hands were bound, but I could still see the twitch of his fingers, the anger boiling beneath his carefully composed exterior.Beside him, Julia looked equally changed. She’d aged in ways that seemed impossible for just a year’s passing—her skin pale, her eyes shadowed and glassy, as if she’d been surviving on sleepless nights a
Elijah’s POV“Elijah,” Henry sneered, regaining a bit of his composure. “You think this is going to change anything?”I crossed my arms, blocking their only escape. “You’re right. It’s not going to change anything. But it’ll end everything.”Julia’s eyes darted to the side, searching for a way out. I could see the desperation rising in her, a trapped animal’s instinct kicking in. She looked to Henry, but he kept his gaze locked on me, his expression bitter.“You think you’ve won?” he spat, his voice laced with defiance. “You’re too late, Elijah. Everything’s already in place. You can’t stop us.”“We’ll see about that,” I said, taking a step forward. “You’re done running.”Behind them, Julian and Joe’s operatives moved in, sealing off any possible escape. Henry and Julia were completely surrounded, their backs against the wall. I could see the realization dawning in their eyes—that this was it. The end of the line.“Give it up,” Joe called out, his voice firm. “This is over. You’re not
Elijah’s POVThe bookstore in Guadalajara was hushed, with the quiet murmur of a few customers flipping through books or browsing the shelves. I sat in the far corner, half-hidden by a display of mystery novels, watching as the team casually took up positions around the room.Each one looked like they belonged there—disguised as staff, customers, a student reading by the window. I had to hand it to them; they blended in flawlessly.But under the calm, there was tension, and my heart thudded with the thrill and nerves that always came before a high-stakes operation. Today, we were either going to end this chase, or Henry and Julia would slip through our fingers once again.It made me stop and think all of a sudden. How did I come to be tangled up in such dangerous situations? A long time ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of being a part of something like this. I would have chosen not to be in the middle of the action but simply waiting for reports and updates. But I’ve changed already… And
Sophia’s POVI unfolded the note, my hands trembling as I absorbed each word. Chris’s handwriting was hurried, a bit messy, but very recognizable. I could almost hear his voice speaking the words as I read.Hi, Sabrina… We’re okay. Emily and I are safe, but for now, we can’t return to the States. There’s still too much risk, too many eyes watching. You and Elijah… I know I don’t have to ask, but please take care of Jared. He’s safer with you than he could ever be with us. Tell him, when he’s old enough, that his mother and Uncle Chris never stopped loving him and that we’ll be back for him when the time is right. Until then, he’s yours. We’ll keep fighting to get back. Trust that. And trust we’re always with you in spirit.Love, ChrisI clutched the note to my chest, my heart swelling with a bittersweet joy. They were alive. Somewhere out there, in the shadows they were forced to navigate, Chris and Emily were holding on, fighting to survive. And even if they couldn’t be here physi
Sophia’s POVI gently laid Roxy down, her tiny face peaceful as she drifted off into a deep sleep. Her soft breathing filled the quiet room, and I brushed a finger along her cheek, feeling a pang in my heart.My thoughts drifted immediately to Elijah—he was probably in Mexico by now, fully absorbed in their mission to track down Henry and Julia. It’s been two weeks since we found out that information from Lila. And just yesterday, Elijah had flown to Mexico to join Joe’s and Julian’s teams. The thought filled me with an equal mix of pride and worry.He’d been so determined, so resolved to see this through, but knowing he was out there in danger made me feel helpless.I closed my eyes, sending up a silent prayer. Please let him be safe. Keep my husband safe and make this operation successful. Henry and Julia have to be brought to justice. A soft giggle pulled me back, and I looked over to see Jared, his chubby fingers reaching for the toy blocks I’d set up on the play mat. I joined h
Elijah’s POV“This is good news, Sophia,” I said, turning to my wife who was sitting up in bed next to me. Outside our bedroom window, the full moon shone brightly.“If Henry’s arm is in a cast and he’s limping, that means they’re weakened. They can’t move easily, and if they’re in Mexico, it’s only a matter of time before they’re found.”Sophia nodded, but her eyes were filled with caution. “So, you think they’re lying low because they’re injured?”“Exactly. They’ll need time to recover. Connor already contacted the local police here and also down there. They’re keeping an eye out, and I just got off the phone with Julian—he’s got people on the ground in Mexico, ready to track them as soon as they get a solid lead.”She placed a reassuring hand on my arm, but I could feel her worry. “So they’re closing in?”“Yes,” I replied, nodding. “But…” My voice trailed off, the frustration clawing at me.Sophia’s eyes met mine, a silent understanding passing between us. She knew me too well; she
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I looked at Kayla, her words sending a shiver down my spine. “Julia?” I repeated. “What about her?”From the corner of my eye, I could see my husband fidgeting in his seat, eager to know the details too. Kayla exchanged a glance with Connor, who gave her a subtle nod, encouraging her to continue. She shifted Asha in her arms, then took a deep breath. “I ran into Lila in the office earlier today. She’d just returned from Mexico, and she… she swore she saw Julia there.”I felt my breath catch in my throat. “Mexico?” I repeated, trying to process the shock, the disbelief that followed it. Elijah sat forward, his brows knitted in fierce concentration.“Did Lila say where exactly she saw her?” he asked, his voice low, intense. I could see the fire sparking back in his eyes, the urgency building.Kayla shook her head. “She didn’t give me the details. She was in a hurry, and I had to get back to Asha, so we couldn’t talk more. But she was adamant it was Jul