CHAPTER 40HENRY’S POVAs I drove Layla home, a heavy silence hung in the air between us. The truth was looming, waiting to be addressed, and I couldn't evade it forever. Layla, sitting beside me, finally mustered the courage to ask the question that had been haunting her."Henry," she began tentatively, "is Sophia the one you have feelings for?"I hesitated, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. There was no use in pretending anymore. "Yes," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.Layla let out a sigh, her frustration evident. "Henry, why would you be dating a girl half your age and, to make it worse, your best friend's daughter?"I sighed, struggling to find the right words to explain the complexity of my feelings. "Layla, it's not that simple. I didn't plan for any of this to happen."She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Come on, Henry. You can't just chalk this up to fate or coincidence. It's not like you to be with someone so much younger."I knew she had a point,

CHAPTER 42HENRY’S POVThe boardroom was abuzz with the usual hum of business discussions. Two stern-faced stakeholders sat across the table, and my longtime friend and business partner, Lynda, was to my right. We were here to discuss the future of our company, a discussion that usually flowed smoothly.I started the meeting with a rundown of our recent successes, expecting nods of approval. Instead, Lynda, with her piercing gaze and a pen tapping impatiently on the table, was ready for combat."I appreciate the successes, Henry, but have you considered the long-term sustainability of these strategies?" Lynda interjected, her tone sharp and cutting through the air.I raised an eyebrow, keeping my composure. "Of course, Lynda. We have a solid plan in place for the future."She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Solid, perhaps, but not foolproof. We need to be more cautious, especially in this volatile market."The stakeholders exchanged glances, clearly enjoying the show unfolding. I

CHAPTER 44 SOPHIA POVI was in the kitchen, humming along to a tune as I chopped vegetables for dinner, lost in the rhythm of the knife against the cutting board. Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind, and warm lips pressed against my neck."Hey, beautiful," Henry whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine.I smiled, leaning back into his embrace. "Hey yourself. What brings you to the kitchen?"He nuzzled my ear and said, "I missed you. And I heard rumors of a delicious meal being prepared in here."I rolled my eyes playfully. "Oh, please. I'm not exactly a gourmet chef."Henry spun me around to face him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, lucky for you, I have a refined palate. I can handle even the most disastrous culinary experiments."I swatted him on the arm. "Watch it, mister. I might surprise you with my hidden cooking talents."He raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his gaze. "Is that a challenge, Sophia?"I grinned. "Consider it

CHAPTER 46Henry’s POVI was buried in reports when the door to my office swung open. I glanced up to see Jake, a business partner with a knack for saying exactly the wrong things at the wrong time."Hey, Henry, have you met the new intern? Sophia, right?" Jake asked, a sly grin playing on his face.I tried to keep my cool, offering a nonchalant nod. "Yeah, Sophia. She's part of the team now."Jake leaned against the doorframe, his tone taking on a teasing edge. "She's quite the catch, Henry. I saw her in the breakroom. Didn't know interns could look like that."I clenched my jaw, the urge to tell Jake to mind his own business simmering beneath the surface. "Sophia is here to work, Jake. Let's keep it professional."He chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Oh, come on, Henry. Don't tell me you haven't noticed. The intern is turning heads already."I forced a tight smile. "We're here to discuss business, Jake. Any thoughts on the latest proposal?"Jake ignored my attempt to change

CHAPTER 48HENRYI stood outside Lynda's door, my hand hesitating before knocking. The air was thick with tension, and I knew I had to clear the air between us. We'd been friends for a long time, and recent events had strained that friendship. I took a deep breath and rapped on the door.Lynda opened it, her expression a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Henry? What brings you here?"I scratched my head, searching for the right words. "Lynda, we need to talk. I can't stand this tension between us."She stepped back, allowing me to enter. The atmosphere inside mirrored the one outside—tense and awkward. We settled in the living room, and I dove right in."I want to apologize, Lynda. I know things have been rough, and I don't want our friendship to suffer."She raised an eyebrow, a silent question lingering in her eyes."I also know that you care about me," I continued, choosing my words carefully, "but there's something I need to make clear. I love Sophia."Her eyes widened, and I could