Sophia’s POV“Jared?” I called gently, kneeling to his level. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”He didn’t answer, but his defiance wavered for just a moment. Enough for me to know something had happened. Reese stepped forward, her expression serious. “Mommy, I saw what happened,” she said, her voice small but certain. “Jared was teasing Asha. Maybe he was trying to make her cry.”I turned back to Jared, who shifted on his feet, his defiance giving way to guilt. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he stared at the floor, silent.“Jared,” I said softly, my tone even and calm. “Is that true? Were you teasing Asha?”He hesitated, but after a moment, he shrugged, looking unsure and still not meeting my eyes.I reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sweetheart, I think you just wanted to play with her, right? But Asha’s just a baby. Babies can’t always understand when someone’s playing. Sometimes, our words and actions might upset them, even if we don’t mean to.”His lip t
Sophia’s POV“Her name is Luana,” I said, staring up at the soft ceiling lights of Dr. Lawson’s clinic. “She knew me as Sabrina. She remembered things about my life, about people I’ve forgotten completely. And she seems… kind, like she genuinely wants to help me.”Dr. Lawson’s calm voice came from just beyond my line of sight. “That’s a good sign, Sophia. Reconnecting with someone from your past can be a powerful trigger for recovering memories. The more you engage with her, the better chance you have of uncovering the missing pieces.”I turned my head slightly, glancing at her. “Do you really think it’s possible? That I could remember everything again?”Dr. Lawson’s expression was thoughtful but encouraging. “The mind is resilient, and memory is complex. While I can’t promise full restoration, I believe reconnecting with people, revisiting places, and being open to the process will help. Your determination will make all the difference.”Her words filled me with hope, and as the sessi
Sophia’s POV“You’re glowing,” Elijah teased as we headed back to the car, nudging me gently.I laughed. “Can you blame me? This was amazing. I’m so touched you did this for me.”He grinned, but then a playful glint entered his eye. “Well, I’m not done yet.”My eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean you’re not done?”“One more stop before we head home,” he said, leading me to the car.I climbed into the passenger seat, grinning as anticipation bubbled up. “You’re really pulling out all the stops today, aren’t you?”He chuckled as he started the engine. “Let’s just say I’ve had this planned for a while.”As we drove, I watched the familiar streets roll by, my curiosity growing with every turn. Suddenly, recognition hit me like a wave. The road. The trees. The white picket fence up ahead. I burst out laughing.“You’re taking me to my parents and grandparents?” I asked, unable to hide my excitement.Elijah glanced at me with a knowing smile. “Of course. We haven’t visited the Bakers in a wh
Elijah’s POVSophia’s hand rested lightly on my arm as we walked up the steps toward the front door of the mansion — Morgana and Lennon’s abode. Tonight wasn’t just a casual dinner—it was a calculated opportunity. One where I intended to finally confront Lennon and see if there was more to his connection with Les Ombres Écarlates than he was letting on.Morgana greeted us at the door, her smile warm but a hint of nervous energy beneath it. “Elijah, Sophia, come in! I’m so glad you could make it.”Sophia leaned in to give her a quick hug, and I followed with a polite nod. “Thank you for having us.”As we stepped into the foyer, the familiar aroma of roasted spices and caramelized onions wafted through the air. I caught the faintest trace of saffron—a hint of one of my favorite dishes. Morgana caught my expression and smiled knowingly.“I may have asked the cafe chef to prepare a little something special tonight,” she said, her tone light and casual as she led us further inside. “I rem
Emily’s POV“I think it’s your turn to chop the firewood,” I called out to Chris, balancing a basket of freshly picked herbs on my hip. The crisp air nipped at my cheeks, the forest surrounding our cabin alive with the rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of birds. It was peaceful here, simple. But simplicity often came with a price: vigilance.Chris looked up from the small stack of logs near the cabin’s edge, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “I did it yesterday,” he replied with mock indignation, his lopsided grin breaking through his tired expression. “Besides, I’m busy perfecting my stew.”I laughed softly, stepping onto the wooden porch. “That’s fair. I wouldn’t want to interrupt your masterpiece.”Inside the cabin, the air was warm and smelled of the comforting blend of woodsmoke and rosemary. Yet even in this serenity, the shadow of Les Ombres Écarlates loomed over us. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt truly at ease.As I set the herbs on the kitchen count
Emily’s POVI flipped to a random page of the journal, and the scrawled date at the top caught my eye: just over a year ago. My heart skipped a beat. This wasn’t just an old relic from the past—this was recent. Whoever had written this had been here not long before us.They’re getting closer. I can feel it. Every shadow, every sound—it all feels like them. I thought I’d lost them, but they always find a way. How many more nights can I stay one step ahead?A chill ran down my spine as I read the words. I flipped through the pages, the entries growing more sporadic and desperate. The writer—a man, judging by the style of writing—had been on the run, just like us.I’ve heard whispers of Les Ombres Écarlates. They’re everywhere, more powerful than I imagined. If they know where I am, I won’t survive this.My heart drummed faster. Whoever had written this had been hiding from the same mob that now hunted us. The journal was a record of fear, of survival, of someone trying to escape the ver
Elijah’s POVThe silence was suffocating as I leaned forward, my gaze locked onto Lennon’s. His composure was good—too good—but I’d spent years reading people, and I could see it: the faint tension in his shoulders, the barely perceptible wariness in his look. He was hiding something.I let the silence stretch before I spoke with a deliberate tone. “You care about Morgana and Lila, don’t you?”Lennon’s head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. “Of course I do,” he said sharply. “What kind of question is that?”“Then you should understand why this is a problem,” I continued without flinching. “The threats against the cafe, the vandalism, and now these connections to Les Ombres Écarlates—it all paints a troubling picture. If you’re involved, in any way, you’re putting them directly in harm’s way.”Lennon’s grip on his wine glass tightened, his knuckles whitening. “Those matters are being handled by the investigators and the lawyer,” he said tersely. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”“Yet som
Elijah’s POVI sat down and leaned back in my chair, running a hand over my face as I processed Lennon’s revelation. The room was heavy with tension, but this time it wasn’t born from suspicion—it was the weight of something far bigger.“If the mob suspects you,” I began, “then the threats to Morgana and Lila could be their way of sending a message. To scare you off.”Lennon nodded grimly. “It’s possible. They could be trying to warn me. Or worse.”“But it might not even be them,” Morgana cut in, her voice trembling but steady. “What if it’s someone else entirely? A competitor of the cafe, maybe? Someone who doesn’t want us to succeed?”I turned to her, surprised by the suggestion. “You think that’s likely?”She hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously. “I… I never thought about it before. But we’ve been doing well—really well. Maybe too well for some people.”“Or,” Sophia interjected, her tone thoughtful, “it could be someone with a personal vendetta against Lila. Someone who feels
Sophia’s POVMy mother sat on the couch, clutching Grandma Evelyn’s hands, trying to calm her down. My father stood near the window, staring out into the darkness, his face pale and unreadable.Chris and Connor were huddled over a laptop at the dining table, analyzing security footage.Joe was already there, speaking into his phone, barking orders to his contacts.But no one had any answers yet.And Grandpa George was still missing.I turned to my grandmother, kneeling in front of her. “Grandma—did you see anything? Anyone suspicious? A car, a stranger?”Her red-rimmed eyes filled with fresh tears as she shook her head. “No… nothing. I don’t know how this happened.” Her voice broke. “George was just in his study… and then he was gone.”Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me, but I could feel the rage simmering beneath his calm exterior. He wasn’t just worried—he was furiousJust then, Chris snapped his fingers at the screen. “We’ve got something.”Connor turned the laptop t
Sophia’s POVWe had been trying to track down both Antoine and Hugo, but they had vanished like ghosts.No leads. No sightings. Nothing.Lucas had called me earlier, still searching, still digging. Even Elijah and his contacts have been working doubly hard. But so far, they’d come up empty too. It was frustrating—knowing the danger was out there, lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike.But tonight…Tonight, we weren’t going to think about it.Tonight, we were here to celebrate.After all, Lila and Adrian’s joint concert was finally happening. This was their moment, their dream unfolding before them.And for the first time in what felt like forever, we were all together, enjoying something good.Kayla was everywhere at once, her headset on, clipboard in hand, barking last-minute instructions into her earpiece. She was stressed, frantic… but glowing. Even though there could have been other people to take care of all this from her company, she wanted to be in charge, to personal
Emily’s POV“Walk away, Hugo,” Antoine said sharply, stepping in front of us as if to shield us from the strange man.The name triggered a memory.Chris had mentioned it just yesterday—Hugo Tournier. Suddenly, I remembered. It’s the name Sophia and Elijah had been trying to track down. The man who had supposedly changed Sophia’s life forever.And now he’s here. Why?!My hands instinctively balled up as my heart slammed against my ribs. Could this really be the same man?Hugo’s expression darkened with satisfaction as he took another step, exuding an air of quiet arrogance.“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice smooth but laced with something sinister. “You’re not as fun outside of prison, Antoine.”Phoebe’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Emily, let’s go,” she muttered under her breath.I wanted to. Every instinct screamed at me to turn and leave. But I couldn’t—not yet.Hugo came forward, his eyes staring straight at me. He gave a low chuckle, mocking. “It’s interesting to meet Sabrina Ba
Emily’s POVI refused to flinch. Even as Antoine stood in front of me, blocking my way, I forced my body to stay still, to stay firm.I squared my shoulders, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. “Move.”Antoine didn’t budge. His gaze shifted between me and Phoebe, like he wasn’t sure if I’d actually listen or turn and run.“I’m not here to fight,” he said, his voice calm. “I just want to talk.”Phoebe’s grip on my arm tightened, and her anger was immediate, sharp.“Oh, hell no,” she snapped. “What are you even doing here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm. I wasn’t going to let him see me feeling nervous or affected by him. Antoine exhaled, his face unreadable. “I just wanted to talk.”Phoebe laughed coldly. “Talk? You took Jared, Antoine. Without permission. Do you have any idea what you put us through?”“I know,” he admitted. “I made a mistake.”Phoebe scoffed. “A mistake?”I stepped forward, my gaze hardening. “Please, Antoine.
Emily’s POV“You look like you’re waiting for someone to burst through that door and drag you back into hiding.”Phoebe’s voice was light, teasing, but I still flinched. We were sitting in a cafe near Emily’s house, trying to relax and simply enjoy our time together. But it was still challenging for me. I forced a smile, stirring my coffee even though I wasn’t planning to drink it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Phoebe snorted, popping another bite of pastry into her mouth. “Em, I’ve known you since birth. That’s your I’m on edge but pretending I’m fine face.”I sighed, rubbing my temple. “I just… I don’t know. It feels too good to be true. Jared is finally warming up to me. I have you here. I should be happy. I am happy.”“But?” Phoebe pressed.“But I keep waiting for something to go wrong.”She gave me a knowing look. “Because that’s all you’ve known for years.”I nodded, staring down at the swirl of foam in my untouched coffee. “I don’t know how to turn it off.”Before
Emily’s POVI barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Jared’s voice again—calling for Sophia instead of me. It shouldn’t have hurt this much. But it did.I stared at the ceiling, exhaustion weighing on me, but my mind refused to rest. It kept replaying the moment at the park—Jared’s hesitation, his little hands reaching for Sophia instead of me. I told myself I understood. He didn’t know me. But understanding it didn’t make it hurt any less.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, my sister Phoebe peeked in, holding two steaming mugs of coffee.“Morning,” she said gently, stepping inside and handing me a cup.I pushed myself up against the headboard, taking the mug with shaky hands. “Thanks.”She sat beside me, studying my face. “You didn’t sleep, did you?”I shook my head, staring into the dark liquid. “Not really.”Phoebe sighed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go with you yesterday. Work was crazy, and I couldn’t get out of it.”I looked at her
Sophia’s POV"Mom! Look at the rabbits!" Reese’s excited voice rang out as she dashed ahead, her little sister Roxy giggling as she tried to keep up. Jared wasn’t far behind, his laughter ringing through the air. I smiled, watching my children run toward the petting zoo, their energy contagious.Beside me, Emily tensed.I glanced at her, noticing how her shoulders tightened, how her eyes darted around like she was scanning for threats. She was supposed to be enjoying this—a simple afternoon in the botanical garden, surrounded by friends, fresh air, and laughter. It was the perfect opportunity for Emily to bond with Jared, without him feeling nervous or out of place. But years of running, hiding, and surviving had wired her differently.She wasn’t relaxed. She seemed to be waiting for something to go wrong. And I really couldn’t blame her. I reached for her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “You’re safe here,” I murmured.Emily forced a small smile, nodding, but her fingers still trem
Sophia’s POVThe warmth of freshly baked cookies filled the air, a scent that felt so familiar, so comforting, that for a moment, it was easy to forget all the fear and uncertainty of the past few days.My mother bustled around the kitchen, setting out plates and pouring tea, determined to make this a small celebration, in spite of her still being a bit rattled. But more than anything, I could see that she was very, very happy. Emily and Chris had showered and changed, looking far better than they had when I first walked in. The exhaustion was still there, written in the lines of their faces, but they were standing tall, present, and—most importantly—home.Elijah arrived shortly after, his presence filling the room with steady reassurance. When he saw Chris, he didn’t hesitate, pulling him into a tight embrace. They had been best friends since childhood, and after everything Chris had been through, I could see the relief in Elijah’s eyes. He held onto Emily for a moment, too, murmuri
Sophia’s POVMy heart pounded as I gripped the phone tighter. "Mom? What’s wrong?"There was a moment of silence, just soft, uneven breaths on the other end of the line. My stomach twisted painfully. "Mom, talk to me!""S-Sophia…" her voice cracked, and I felt my chest constrict. "They’re here."I blinked, my mind struggling to keep up. "Who’s here?""Chris and Emily. They’re home."I inhaled sharply, my breath catching in my throat. For a second, I couldn't move, couldn't think. My pulse raced as my mind fought to process what she had just said.Chris and Emily are back.My grip on the phone loosened, my knees nearly buckling from the sudden rush of emotions. Relief, disbelief, overwhelming gratitude."Oh my God," I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest. "Are they okay?""I… I don’t know," my mother admitted, still sounding shaken. "They haven’t said much. But you need to come quick."I didn’t hesitate. "I’ll be right there."As I ended the call, I turned to see Elijah watching me,