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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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
Elijah’s POVI leaned back in my chair, tapping a pen absently against the edge of my desk. My mind was a mess, tangled in thoughts of last night—of Sophia’s quiet, tearful face, of the widening gap between us.I shouldn’t have agreed to meet Camille today. Hell, I shouldn’t have even taken her call last night. But when she’d been crying on the phone, asking to meet, saying she wanted to quit modeling and come back to Sinclair Realty, I’d felt cornered. There was desperation in her voice, and while I didn’t trust her motives entirely, I didn’t feel right dismissing her outright.Still, I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that this was a mistake. Sophia must have overheard the call last night—I’d caught the faintest shift of movement in the hallway after I’d hung up. But she hadn’t said a word, neither last night nor this morning. We’d gone about our routines in silence, our conversations limited to the kids and logistics. A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I
Sophia’s POVWe reached the car, and as soon as I settled into the passenger seat, I leaned my head back, pressing my fingers to my temples in a futile attempt to dull the pounding. Elijah slammed the door shut on his side, the sound making me flinch. He didn’t start the engine right away. Instead, he turned to face me, his jaw tight and his eyes blazing with fury.“You were meeting him,” he said, his voice low but sharp. “Weren’t you? After Kayla left, you knew he’d show up.”“What?” I snapped, sitting up despite the dull ache pulling at me. “Are you serious right now?”“I trusted you, Sophia,” he continued, his voice rising. “And you—what, you think I’m stupid? You think I wouldn’t figure it out?”My chest tightened, anger and disbelief surging. “If you trusted me, you’d believe me when I tell you the truth. I didn’t plan any of this. Lucas just showed up. What was I supposed to do? Ignore him and pass out on the floor?”“You could have called me,” he shot back. “Or Kayla. Hell, any
Sophia’s POV“I’m fine,” I said quickly, waving him off even though my legs felt like jelly. “Just a little dizzy, that’s all. Nice to see you, but I’m heading out now.”I took a shaky step forward, determined to get outside and wait for Elijah. But the room tilted again, and I swayed dangerously. Before I could catch myself, Lucas’s hands shot out, gripping my arms and balancing me. “You’re not fine,” he said firmly. His hands were warm against my skin, and I hated how grounded they made me feel. “Come on, let’s sit down. You need water. Let me help you.”“Lucas, no. I’m okay,” I insisted, trying to pull away, but my legs betrayed me, another wave of dizziness forcing me to lean on him. My heart raced, not just from the physical sensation but from the sinking fear of what Elijah would think if he walked in right now.“Stop arguing,” Lucas said, his voice soft but insistent. “You can barely stand. Just sit down for a minute. I’ll get you some water.”I had no choice but to let him gu
Sophia’s POVThe dim glow of the club’s neon lights danced across our table as Kayla and I leaned in, laughing over the rim of our cocktail glasses. The music thumped in the background, a pulsing beat that seemed to sync with the energy of the room.“See?” Kayla grinned, tossing her hair back. “Aren’t you glad you came out?”I took another sip of my drink, nodding. “I’ll admit, this is fun. It’s been forever since I just let loose like this.”Kayla gave me a playful nudge. “Good. That’s the whole point. Forget your worries for a bit.”A few minutes later, we were on the dance floor, swaying to the music. The crowd around us moved as one, and for the first time in weeks, I felt free—untethered by work, responsibilities, and the heavy weight of my recent thoughts.As we returned to our table, a man approached Kayla, flashing a charming smile. “Hey there. Can I buy you a drink?”Kayla raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. “Appreciate the offer, but I’m good, thanks.”He h
Sophia’s POVKayla and I settled into the plush chairs at the nail salon, the soothing melody of soft music blending with the faint scent of lavender in the air. It was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of life, and I could already feel some of the tension lifting from my shoulders.“This is exactly what I needed,” I sighed as the nail technician began working on my hands. “Just some peace and quiet with my best friend.”Kayla grinned from the chair next to me, her toes soaking in warm, bubbly water. “Tell me about it. Between Asha’s teething and Connor’s latest work crisis, I feel like I haven’t sat down for five minutes in days.”I chuckled. “Motherhood. Marriage. The joys of adulting, right? Remember when our biggest problem was whether our outfits matched for the weekend parties?”“Or whether that cute guy from history class would notice us,” Kayla added with a laugh. “Life was so simple back then.”We both laughed, and for a moment, it felt like we were back in those carefree day
Elijah’s POVI stretched out on the couch, letting out a slow breath as I stared at the ceiling. Saturday mornings were supposed to be a time to recharge, but my mind was a tangled web of doubts, plans, and suspicions. Between Lennon’s shady dealings and Sophia’s decision to work with Lucas, I felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying to balance everything without falling apart.The sound of laughter drifted in from the garden, pulling me out of my thoughts. The kids were giggling about something, their voices light and carefree. Sophia’s laughter mingled with theirs, warm and melodic.Maybe this is what I need. Just one day without suspicion or frustration. One day to relax and have fun with my family, just like before. Pushing myself off the couch, I headed toward the garden. The sight that greeted me made my chest loosen for the first time in days. Reese, Jared, and Roxy were seated around a small table, their hands smudged with paint as they worked on terracotta pots. Sophia wa