Sophia’s POVI was trying to steady my racing heart, unable to get back to the festivities yet, when my husband Elijah approached me. “Sophia, where have you been? Everyone’s been asking about you,” he said, his tone gentle but laced with worry.I forced a small smile. “I just… needed a moment to think. But actually, I have to talk to you.” I reached out, grasping his arm, and pulled him aside into a quieter corner of the hallway, far from prying ears.“What’s going on?” he asked, his gaze intense.“Lennon,” I whispered, casting a glance down the hallway to make sure no one was listening. “I just ran into him by the restroom. He was carrying an envelope…” My voice trembled as I continued. “It had the Les Ombres Écarlates emblem on it.”Elijah’s eyes widened. “Wait—are you sure?”“Yes. I’m sure. He even hurried away when he saw me glancing at it.” I bit my lip, trying to calm the anxiety clawing at my insides. “What could he possibly want with them? And if Lennon’s involved… does that
Sophia’s POVThe following morning, as sunlight streamed through our bedroom window, I lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, the events of last night playing on an endless loop in my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of Lennon clutching that ominous envelope… or the strange woman and her little boy, who somehow felt so familiar.Lost in thought, I barely heard Elijah enter the room until he sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’re up early,” he noted, studying me with a concerned expression.I managed a weak smile. “Couldn’t sleep. I keep thinking about last night. Lennon and that… envelope.” I hesitated, lowering my voice. He reached out, taking my hand in his. “Well, maybe we’ll have a chance to find out. Mom invited us for brunch at the cafe today. She said she’d love to see the kids again.”I sat up, my heart pounding at the prospect. “Maybe… maybe we could use it as a chance to ask her. About Lennon, I mean. If she’s hiding something, I think you’d be
Sophia’s POVVictoria Langston’s face tightened with surprise as she glanced back at us, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m so sorry for the disruption, and if Kian made the little girl cry,” she said hurriedly, addressing Morgana with a tight smile. “Uh, I’m sure he didn’t mean to,” Morgana answered. Victoria nodded, looking worried. “I’ll just give you a call soon to discuss the rest.”Without waiting for a reply, Victoria turned on her heel and left, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she hurried out of the cafe.I knelt down beside Roxy, pulling her into my arms and rubbing her back soothingly. “Shh, it’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. Just breathe.”Roxy’s sobs slowly quieted as I rocked her gently, her little fingers clutching onto my shirt. She buried her face in my shoulder, but she still wouldn’t say a word. Her tiny shoulders heaved, and I could feel the tension in her body as I continued to calm her.I glanced over my shoulder at my eldest child Reese, who was stan
Elijah’s POVAs I watched Morgana carefully, I took note of every reaction—every emotion that crossed her face. Her surprise seemed genuine, but I couldn’t afford to be careless. After all, I’d learned long ago that my stepmother was a master at masking her true thoughts when it suited her.Morgana looked up, genuinely mortified. “Why would you think that, Elijah? What would Lennon have to do with that mob?” She leaned in, her tone laced with worry. “Isn’t that the same group responsible for so many crimes here and in France?”“Yes,” I replied sharply, feeling the weight of the topic pressing down on me. “They’ve caused… a lot of harm. And they’re responsible for the disappearance of…” I caught myself before I could say more, my gaze sliding to Jared, who was happily grinning and absorbed in his latest creation—a mountain sketched onto his napkin.I swallowed back the words, feeling Sophia’s gaze on me as well, her eyes widening with silent understanding. She knew exactly where my tho
Elijah’s POVMorgana’s eyes narrowed slightly, a shadow of hurt appearing on her face. She leaned in closer, her voice barely a whisper, just enough for me to hear. “It seems that you still don’t trust me, Elijah.”She sat back, looking away as her eyes grew misty, her voice trembling with emotion. “But I understand. I can’t blame you.” She paused, swallowing, then met my gaze again, her tone softer. “To me, you’re my son, and I’ll always care about you. I just hope that someday… someday we can mend things fully.”Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I felt the great burden of our past—the misunderstandings, the betrayals, and the quiet resentment that had simmered between us for so long. She took a shaky breath, her fingers gently tapping the table as she continued, “I promised myself I would never lie to you again, Elijah. I hope you believe that.”I studied her for a moment, not entirely sure how I felt, but I nodded slowly. “That’s good,” I replied simply, keeping my voice
Elijah’s POVAs we stepped out of the cafe and headed to the car, I was feeling the weight of everything we’d just discussed with Morgana. My mind was already calculating the best way to set up security for her cafe, running through names of trusted guards who could handle any threat.Just as I opened the car door to get the kids settled in, I noticed Sophia suddenly freeze. Her gaze was locked on someone in the distance, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and urgency.Before I could react, she broke into a sprint, calling out, “Wait!”A jolt of alarm shot through me. Who was she chasing? I quickly ushered the kids into the car. “Reese, watch out for Jared and Roxy. Stay here, alright? I’ll be back quickly.”She nodded, looking confused but responsible, as she pulled Jared and Roxy into the backseat. I shut the door and took off after Sophia, my heart pounding as I tried to catch up.I finally spotted her, standing just a few paces away from a woman who had turned around, meeting S
Sophia’s POVCooking had always been my therapy. No matter what weighed on my mind, the rhythm of chopping vegetables, the sizzle of garlic and onions in the pan, and the fragrant waft of spices never failed to calm me. Today, I was making Elijah’s favorite—a rich, savory beef stew with roasted vegetables. I wanted everything to be perfect, excited to see his face light up when he tasted it.As the stew simmered, filling the kitchen with its warm, mouthwatering aroma, I could hear Roxy and Jared in the living room, laughing as they played with their nanny. Their happy voices added to the comforting hum of our home.Just then, I heard the familiar rumble of the school bus pulling up outside. A minute later, the front door opened and closed, and I heard the sound of small footsteps padding through the hallway. Reese must be home. She’d been insisting on taking the bus lately, thrilled with the freedom of riding home with her friends, even though it was just a short ride from school. Sh
Chris’s POV“Is dinner almost ready?” Emily’s voice floated from the other room, sounding cheerful as she finished up tidying the house.“Almost,” I called back, stirring the stew simmering on the stovetop. “Just needs a few more minutes.”Life here in the small, remote village in the French Alps had been both a blessing and a challenge. Our stone cottage was modest but sturdy, its walls thick enough to keep out the biting cold of the high altitude. The village itself was tiny, no more than a cluster of houses dotting the mountainside, isolated from any major town. There was no cell reception, no internet, just us and the few villagers who lived their lives undisturbed by the outside world.As I stirred the stew, my thoughts drifted back to Sophia. Over the past year, I’d allowed myself to risk only one letter—one that I’d sent to her, hoping it would reach her without raising any alarms. It had been a gamble, and I hadn’t dared to send another since. The mob had eyes everywhere, and
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
Sophia’s POVThe snow was blinding, a relentless swirl of white that pressed against me, freezing my skin and stealing my breath. My small legs stumbled as I trudged through the icy wilderness, calling out, my voice hoarse and cracking. "Mom? Dad?"But the only sound was the howling wind.“Sabrina,” a voice whispered, low and chilling, carried by the storm. I froze, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. It came again, closer this time. “Sabrina…”I spun around, trying to find the source, but all I saw was the snow and shadows. Then I spotted her—Morgana—walking away in the distance. She wasn’t alone. A man I didn’t recognize had his arm around her, and they laughed as if they didn't have a care in the world.“Hey!” I screamed, tears freezing on my cheeks. “Don’t leave me!”She didn’t turn back. I ran after her, my small boots slipping on the ice, but then I felt it—strong hands grabbing me, dragging me backward. Panic surged as I kicked and flailed, but my captor held me ti
Elijah’s POVI stepped back quickly, putting as much distance as I could between myself and Camille. My mind raced, trying to process Victoria’s unexpected appearance. “What are you doing here?” I asked Victoria, straightening my shoulders and pretending that she had not just witnessed what she did. “I should ask this girl the same thing…” Victoria said meaningfully, narrowing her eyes at Camille. Then turning back to me, she added, “Well, I dropped by because I wanted to talk to you about the legalities of Bella Sera.”Camille didn’t seem fazed, at least not outwardly. Her lips curved into a smirk, though her eyes darted to Victoria warily. She spoke before I could respond to Victoria. “I’m not sure what you think you just walked in on,” she said smoothly, brushing an imaginary speck of dust from her sleeve. “But it was nothing.”Victoria stepped fully into the room, positioning herself between Camille and me like a shield. “I saw enough,” she said coolly. “Camille, let me make som