Sage’s POV
We were drinking in a private room at one of the city’s most exclusive clubs. After the conference, Nick, George, and I decided to unwind with a few drinks.
I didn’t expect it would be this easy to get along with them. Sure, my dad’s been pushing me to build a connection with Nicholas Ford, but I thought it would take time. Maybe because we had the same intentions, we both wanted some kind of connection. And the reason was the same: AUDREY.
“Sage, we need to schedule our horseback riding contest,” George joked, swirling his glass.
“I want the honor of beating a Sage San Fernando.”
I laughed.
“I’ll look forward
Sage’s POVWe were drinking in a private room at one of the city’s most exclusive clubs. After the conference, Nick, George, and I decided to unwind with a few drinks.I didn’t expect it would be this easy to get along with them. Sure, my dad’s been pushing me to build a connection with Nicholas Ford, but I thought it would take time. Maybe because we had the same intentions, we both wanted some kind of connection. And the reason was the same: AUDREY.“Sage, we need to schedule our horseback riding contest,” George joked, swirling his glass.“I want the honor of beating a Sage San Fernando.”I laughed.“I’ll look forward
Elena’s POVEven though I wasn’t comfortable with what I was wearing, I just went along with Audrey. I don’t even know why, I couldn’t bring myself to say no to her. Maybe it’s because I could see the joy in her face whenever she saw me dressed up. That alone made me just shake my head and give in.Even I still get surprised when I look at myself in the mirror. Audrey was really good, at makeup, at choosing clothes. Simple but classy, always with a touch of elegance. No wonder, she’s an artist, used to blending colors. Even in fashion, it’s like she has a magic touch.“Huh!” she suddenly exclaimed while we were in the elevator. I glanced at her, she was on a call.“Hello, Carly? We’re on our way down now.
Audrey’s POVIt all happened in a split second. Something nearly hit me, and I staggered back. Once I recovered, I shot the woman a sharp glare. I really hate dealing with condescending women.“Elena? Are you okay?” I helped her up.“I’m fine, Audrey,” she replied, brushing off her pants.“Miss Sebastian, this is the owner of the gallery, Miss Audrey Castellan,” Scarlett introduced.“Oh…” I heard her voice behind me. The woman’s face instantly lit up as she hurried toward me.“Hello, hello, Miss Castellan… It’s nice meeting you.” I raised an eyebrow when she suddenly pulled my hand on her own to shake it.“The last time I came here, they said you weren’t around, that you had an important meeting,” she added. “By the way, my daughter admires your works. That’s why she asked me to buy your painting,” she continued cheerfully.But then her tone suddenly sharpened. “However! Your employees are incompetent. They cannot even handle a simple request.”“A simple refund cannot even be proce
Elena’s POVI watched Audrey intently. Silent. Observing. I noticed the slight shift in her expression, something strange I couldn’t explain.In the few days I had been shadowing her, there were moments when I felt like I was looking at Jessica Laviste. I just didn’t know how she ended up with Sage… or how they became lovers.And Sage? I didn’t trust him one bit. My instincts told me he was connected to the syndicate I was investigating. That was one of the reasons I agreed to become his fiancée’s bodyguard. But what I didn’t expect was that Audrey looked exactly like Jessica, and beyond that… I felt she was genuinely kind.After my first day with her, I tried to dig up information. I found some negative reports about her, but I decided to observe her myself first.After we finished eating, we returned to the gallery. I stood outside the building, positioned by the entrance. The work was boring, almost sleep-inducing, but I couldn’t let my guard down. I scrutinized every person coming
Audrey’s POV“Am I really… Jessica?” I couldn’t stop the question that kept biting at my mind over and over.“Is it possible… that Sage lied to me?”I didn’t know why my heartbeat grew faster as Scarlett spoke. There was a weight in her voice, as if every word she released carried an answer I had been searching for all along.“What’s with my painting?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even though my hands had turned cold.Scarlett stared at me, straight, unblinking, before she finally spoke.“Your painting stroke… the style… it’s almost the same as Jessica’s. The only difference is the colors. Jessica never used light colors. Always dark.”It felt like a cold breeze brushed the back of my neck. Dark… it sounded like something I didn’t want to dig up. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath.And then I remembered the first time I held a brush again, a memory that began a month after I woke up from the coma.~~ Flashback – 5 Years Ago, Switzerland ~~“Here, try to entertain yours
AUDREY’S POVI still can’t believe it, Nicholas Ford was the architect of this place?Wow. This hotel… it’s stunning. Elegant, modern, but full of soul. You can tell it was designed by someone with an eye for beauty and depth. He really is that talented.“We worked hard on this for years. That’s why I owe Nick a lot of gratitude,” the man beside him said, giving Nick a hearty pat on the back as if they were long-time friends.My brows furrowed. So… they’re close?“My apologies again, Miss Castellan,” the man continued. “It’s just, you really look like Nick’s ex. Both of you are beautiful. They used to come here together, so I mistook you for her.”I whipped my head toward Nick, eyes wide.“Uhmm.” That was all he muttered, his gaze fixed sharply on the man. But that single sound was enough to silence him instantly.So Jessica is Nick’s ex? That only made me more curious. Who exactly was Jessica? And… what role did she play in Nick’s life?When we reached the restaurant, we were escor