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
Elijah’s POVThe week had passed in a whirlwind of tense meetings, late nights, and endless phone calls. The Inspectorate had started their investigation, combing through our records and sites with meticulous precision.So far, there were no red flags, no violations or irregularities detected. But the silence only heightened my anxiety. I’d spent every waking hour pouring over documents, checking our properties myself, combing through reports, blueprints, compliance records—anything to get ahead of this impending disaster. The board members had voiced their growing unease; they expected solutions, something concrete to reassure our investors and partners, something I couldn’t yet deliver. Every conversation seemed to end with the same, silent question: What are you going to do, Elijah Sinclair?My mind kept cycling through strategies, but the stark reality was unavoidable. We’d need an extraordinary amount of cash to steady this ship: our own independent inspections, marketing to res
Sophia’s POV“Adrian! It’s so good to hear from you,” I said, my smile widening as I heard his familiar voice on the other end. He sounded bright, relaxed, and genuinely interested in catching up.“Sophia! How are you? I can’t wait to meet little Jared—finally!” he laughed. “When are you bringing him over?”My heart warmed at the mention of Jared, and we chatted for a few minutes about his latest milestones. Adrian asked about everything from how I’d been handling the new-mom sleep deprivation to Jared’s budding personality, a tone of eager unclely pride in his voice.It was refreshing to hear, and I found myself laughing, the tension in the room easing—if only for a moment.But then, something he’d said during our last conversation suddenly came back to me, igniting a sense of hope. Adrian had mentioned he was looking to grow his money. He’d even joked about how everyone seemed to have more business sense than he did, how he wanted a stable investment he could rely on for years to co
Sophia’s POVI pushed open the glass doors of Kensington Capital, my heels echoing against the polished marble floors of their downtown office. It was hard to believe I was here, asking for help, negotiating on behalf of Sinclair Realty. For so long, that had been Elijah’s realm, his life’s work—the company he had poured everything into.And now, despite having somehow competed with this company for Elijah’s attention before, here I was, doing whatever it took to keep it afloat.Kensington Capital was known for its aggressive investment in real estate ventures, particularly in distressed properties. The irony wasn’t lost on me; Sinclair Realty had once been the shining star of the industry, the company others looked up to.Now, we were in trouble, and I was here, humbly seeking an investor who might just see the value in us that others seemed to doubt.I took a deep breath, straightening my posture. My mind drifted back to when Elijah first built Sinclair Realty from the ground up.Ba
Sophia’s POVElijah and I paused outside the function room, where a gentle murmur of voices filtered through the doors.Tonight, this dinner would mark an important chapter in the history of Sinclair Realty, paving the way for a journey toward overcoming challenges and rising higher despite being pulled down. Elijah took my hands in his, looking at me with a rare softness. And in that moment, all the apprehension and anxiety gripping my heart seemed to melt away. “Sophia,” he said quietly, his voice steady but full of feeling, “thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. For everything you’ve done, the late nights, the endless calls… and just for being here. You’re the best partner, the best wife, anyone could ask for.”I felt a rush of emotion, a mix of pride and love that made my voice catch. “Elijah, I believe in you. I’ve seen what Sinclair Realty means to you, how hard you’ve worked. You’ve been an amazing husband, and if anyone deserves to see their dreams thrive, i
Elijah’s POVThe café had transformed under the warm glow of evening lights, its usual charm elevated by strings of delicate fairy lights and subtle touches of elegance. Tables were arranged to face a small stage near the window, where a sleek microphone and a guitar stand hinted at the night’s entertainment. Lila stood nearby, radiant in a flowing dress, her hand entwined with Adrian’s. Their closeness was unmistakable, their easy smiles a reflection of the love they now shared.I leaned against the counter, nursing a glass of sparkling water, and watched as they chatted with Morgana. Adrian was gesturing animatedly, and Lila laughed, leaning into his shoulder. Their new album launch was clearly more than just a career milestone—it was a celebration of their partnership.The sound of the door opening drew my attention. My grip on the glass tightened as Camille stepped inside, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She was dressed to impress, her bold red dress catching the light
Elijah’s POVDetective Marcus and I met the vendor in a discreet corner of the back room. The man glanced nervously between us as Marcus explained the plan.“You’re going to approach your contact,” Marcus told him firmly. “Tell them there’s an opportunity tonight—something disruptive, something damaging. Be clear, but not pushy. If they bite, we’ll catch them red-handed.”The vendor nodded, swallowing hard. “Alright. What do you want me to suggest?”“Target the performance,” I said, crossing my arms. “Lila’s scheduled to sing tonight. Make it sound like ruining her set would humiliate Morgana and damage the café’s reputation. It’s the kind of petty, public sabotage this person seems to thrive on.”The vendor shifted uncomfortably. “And you’re sure I’ll be safe?”“You’ll be wired,” Marcus assured him, holding up a small device. “We’ll monitor everything, and my team will be close by. As soon as we have what we need, you’re out.”I stepped forward, fixing the vendor with a hard stare. “
Elijah’s POVI could see my stepmother smiling, talking to a couple of regulars at the counter in her cafe. Business had become much better lately, and for the first time in weeks, she looked genuinely happy. It seemed as if the chaos of the past few months had been nothing but a bad dream. I glanced at my watch. The investigator I’d recommended—Detective Marcus—was due to arrive any moment. He’d personally called me and mentioned new leads on the vandalism and threats against Morgana and Lila, promising that this time, we’d finally get somewhere.I looked over at Morgana. Her genuine smile was a rare sight these days, and despite everything, it was a relief to see her like this. Yet, the faint strain in our dynamic was impossible to overlook.She hadn’t entirely forgiven me for investigating Lennon. The look of betrayal on her face when she caught me in my study weeks ago still lingered in my mind. But for all her anger, she hadn’t shut me out completely. She’d allowed me to continu
Elijah’s POV“Sophia…” I whispered, that one word sending all sorts of emotions shooting through my body. God, I miss my wife. I couldn’t stop replaying the moments of distance, the fractured conversations, and the way her eyes held questions I didn’t know how to answer. But right now, I couldn’t afford to dwell on it.My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me from my thoughts. Joe’s name flashed across the screen.“Elijah,” his voice came through, sounding serious. “I’ve got an update. One of Lennon’s companies has a scheduled shipment tomorrow night. Destination? A port that’s had connections with Les Ombres Écarlates in the past.”I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing. “What’s being shipped?”“Hard to tell. The manifest says machinery parts, but the quantity doesn’t match the volume listed. It’s suspicious, to say the least.”I rubbed my temple, frustration mounting. “And Lennon? Is he directly involved?”“Hard to say,” Joe admitted. “But it’s his company’s name on the paperwork. If h
Sophia’s POVThe knock on my office door was brief but firm. I glanced up from my laptop, my brow furrowing as my assistant stepped in, holding a bouquet of vibrant roses and lilies.“This just came for you,” she said, her smile bright as she placed the vase on my desk.“For me?” I asked, surprised. My gaze dropped to the small white card nestled among the flowers. I reached for it, curiosity piqued.The handwriting was familiar, steady and bold: For Sophia – because I’m thinking of you. – E”Elijah.A soft warmth bloomed in my chest, quickly followed by doubt. Was this a genuine gesture, or was it guilt? My mind immediately replayed the strained conversations, the silent meals, the guarded looks we’d exchanged over the past weeks. But as I stared at the flowers, their vibrant colors brightening my desk, I pushed those thoughts aside. Whatever the reason, he’d thought of me. And wasn’t that what mattered?“Lovely bouquet,” my assistant commented before slipping out of the room, leavin
Sophia’s POVA rapid thudding filled my ears as I watched the elevator doors close, Camille’s figure disappearing behind the sleek metallic panels. She hadn’t seen me, but there was no mistaking her—she was here, in the Sinclair Realty building.What was she doing here? And more importantly, who was she here to see?I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing as I tried to keep my emotions in check. She couldn’t possibly still be pursuing Elijah? The very idea made me feel sick. I suddenly had the urge to run after her and grab her by the hair. Forcing a steadying breath, I turned and walked toward the lobby doors, my heels clicking against the polished floors. I told myself not to jump to conclusions, not to let my insecurities get the better of me. I walked briskly to my car, the thought of Camille’s presence lingering like a bad aftertaste. What the hell is she doing here? I repeated silently in my head. I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of all the possibilities—none of them good. My
Sophia’s POVBalancing the coffee and pastry bag in my hands, I hurried toward the door, eager to get back to the office and away from whatever awkwardness I’d just left behind. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, a tug-of-war between relief that nothing suspicious seemed to be happening and the persistent pang of doubt gnawing at me.Just as I stepped outside, I nearly collided with someone. “Oh!” I gasped, clutching the coffee tightly to avoid spilling it.“Sophia!” Luana’s voice greeted me warmly, her eyes wide with surprise before her expression shifted to a delighted smile. “It’s so good to see you!”“Luana!” I managed, trying to sound equally cheerful as my heart raced for entirely different reasons. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”“No harm done,” she said with a light laugh. “It’s been too long. I feel like we haven’t had a chance to properly catch up.”“I know,” I said, forcing a smile. “You’ve been busy, though. How’s everything going?”“Good, actually.” She
Sophia’s POVSee you later for lunch at Bella Sera.The words on the screen seemed to taunt me. It was early morning and I was rushing to prepare for work in the bedroom while I could hear Elijah in the shower. His phone had just buzzed with a message, and when I saw Victoria’s name pop up, I just couldn’t help myself. I had to read that woman’s message. My eyes stayed glued to the message, my heart hammering as I tried to make sense of it. Bella Sera was Morgana’s cafe, so it wasn’t entirely strange for Victoria to be meeting Elijah there. But why? The legal issues at the cafe had been handled, hadn’t they? They shouldn’t have any more reason to meet with one another, a voice whispered in my head. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the jealousy bubbling inside me. This wasn’t who I was—or at least, it hadn’t been. Lately, though, it seemed like I’d turned into a completely different person. Suspicious. Distrusting. Always questioning.But could I really blame myself? Elijah and
Sophia’s POVThe days blurred into a strange rhythm of forced professionalism. Working with Lucas wasn’t as unbearable as I’d feared—not because I was suddenly comfortable, but because he’d been on his best behavior. He hadn’t crossed any boundaries or tried to rekindle the tension that lingered between us after that night at the bar.Maybe he’d finally understood where the line was drawn, or maybe he just didn’t want to provoke Elijah any further. After all, Elijah had been making a habit of dropping by Urban Next with valid yet transparent excuses whenever Lucas was around. Whether it was about an upcoming project at Sinclair Realty or checking in on a mutual client or even about one of our kids, Elijah’s presence was a clear signal.And it worked—mostly. Lucas stayed polite, professional, and focused. But despite his cooperation, I couldn’t shake the emotional stress pressing down on me. Elijah and I still barely spoke at home. Our conversations were limited to logistics about the