Chapter Thirty-sevenLoosing My KidsSophie’s POVI sat there, my body frozen in place, as if a heavy weight had settled upon me, rendering me immobile. Maxon’s words echoed in my mind, and the tears welled up in my eyes. I could see the looming danger, the very real possibility of my children being taken away from me, and it was a nightmare I couldn't wake from.My heart ached with a pain I had never known before. The thought of losing Amara and Asher, my precious children, was unbearable. They were my world, my reason for everything I did, and the idea of being separated from them sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t imagine being away from them, I couldn’t imagine them being taken away from me. They were all I had, my life, I won’t be able to live without them. They were what had been keeping me going since the last five years, how was I supposed to live without them now?In that moment, I wished I could gather them up, take them far away from Maxon, and disappear into hiding. I w
Chapter Thirty-eightThe LawsuitSophie’s POVAs the morning light filtered through the curtains, I woke up to find my children nestled beside me. Amara and Asher, their innocent faces at rest, were a reminder of the looming crisis and challenge that hung over our lives. I knew that Maxon had likely already started working on obtaining custody of the kids, and the thought of facing him in court filled me with a deep sense of unease.I headed for the bathroom and took my bath, then head out of the kitchen to make breakfast before the kids wake up.As I did so, my thoughts waved again, back to the looming battle.I had chosen to leave the life I had before behind, to escape the toxic environment, and to build a new life with my children. It had been a difficult journey, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but it was a journey I would take again and again if it meant protecting Amara and Asher.The sound of my children's laughter reached my ears as they stirred awake from their slum
Chapter Thirty-nineHumiliationSophie’s POVI fell to the chair, my heart pounding painfully in my chest as I clutched the lawsuit in my trembling hand. I gazed at the words on the page, my vision blurring with tears I couldn't hold back. With just this pierce of paper, he could take my kids away from me, he could take my kids and all that made me happy away from me. In that moment, I felt the overwhelming sense of loss wash over me, even before the case had officially begun. I knew Maxon all too well. I knew his determination, his power, and his relentless pursuit of what he wanted. And what he wanted was our children. Maxon could buy all the judges and everyone involved in the case, just to make it favor him, and I’ll be all alone, all by myself.How would I fight this case all by myself? How was I going to do that without help from anyone?I felt like a loner, I didn’t know what to do. How was I going to fight against a man like Maxon? He would do whatever it takes, he would do wh
Chapter FortyThe Missing Daughter Sophie’s POV“Go back to your seat and do not make a sound!” Maxon ordered and the man rushed back to his seat, he then turned to me, “I want you to go get the files now!”I hurried back to my workspace, my heart still heavy with embarrassment and anxiety. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and I felt like I was drowning in my own despair.His words still rang in my head, he had called me so many things and insulted me in different ways since I got to the company, but that day was the worse of all.He humiliated me in front of everyone, he made me look like a bad person, he called me incapable, clumsy and more. I shook my head, wondering why the same man who humiliated me in everyone’s presence would stand up for me again.I reached my desk and quickly picked up the file I had forgotten. As I opened my computer to check the email I had sent to Maxon, I realized with a sinking feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. I had mistakenly sent the fil
Chapter Forty-oneThe TruthSophie’s POVMy heart raced with fear as I stood there, trying to comprehend where Amara could have gone. I knew my daughter wouldn't just wander off on her own. She was a responsible and cautious child who wouldn't leave the spot I'd left her. Panic gripped me tightly as I imagined all the worst-case scenarios that could have transpired.I knew Amara wouldn’t leave where she always stayed except she was forcibly taken from there, I just couldn’t think of what to do, where was my daughter?My mind raced, searching for answers. Who could have taken her? Why would anyone take my child? The thoughts swirled like a tempest in my mind, and I felt helpless, my breathing becoming shallow as I tried to contain my rising panic.I had never had a clash with anyone, I was always going on my own, who would want to take my daughter? What do I do? Where do I go in search for her?My thoughts sent cold shivers down my body, I trembled, it couldn’t be what I was thinking, I
Chapter Forty-twoMy Kids FatherSophie’s POVI watched as Maxon walked to Amara and pulled her to himself, wrapping her hands around her, “darling,” he murmured as he pulled back to wipe her tears, “you do not have to get angry at your mom. I am back now and I will be with you and your brother forever. No one will ever be able to separate us.” He added and looked at me, pulling her back into his embrace.I couldn’t help but feel like he was trying to take my place, that he was taking my place in the lives of my kids. I was watching it, but I couldn’t say anything about it.I now look to my daughter like a liar, and a wicked mom who has kept their dad away from them for years. I hoped she could understand that I did all that to protect them, I did all that in their best interest.As I stood there and watch them, something struck me, sending shivers down my body. It would be so unbearable for Asher if he gets to know that Maxon was his father, not with his present condition, I had to ke
Chapter Forty-threeHer Silence, My PainSophie’s POVI watched my children sleep soundly, their peaceful faces was a stark contrast to the turmoil that had taken over my thoughts.The weight of my responsibility as their protector felt heavier than ever. My aim was clear: I had to do everything in my power to keep them safe and prevent Maxon from taking them away from me. But how could I achieve that when circumstances seemed to conspire against me? He had so much more than I had, he could have everyone on his side with his influence and money, but I had nothing. How was I supposed to fight against such man? I knew it was almost impossible to do that, but I wanted to try. I couldn’t just let him take my kids away without doing anything. Amara had been shocked after learning about Maxon being her father. I had always tried to shield her and her twin brothers from the truth, fearing that it would expose them to pain and a world I didn’t want them to belong to. But now, in her eyes, I f
Chapter Forty-fourThe Appointment 1Maxon’s POVThe morning light sipped into my room, and casted a soft glow across the familiar surroundings of my quiet house. It had been this way for years, but I could feel the change on the horizon, the promise of laughter and life soon to come. My children, Amara and Asher, would soon be a part of this home, filling it with their joyful sounds and infectious smiles.A hopeful smile curved my lips as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. It was just a matter of time now. The custody battle had been intense, but I knew I was nearing victory. Soon, they would live with me, and every morning would be filled with their laughter and the pitter-patter of their feet.My morning routine began with a sense of anticipation. I knew that life with them would be different, but I couldn't wait for that change. As I made my way to my desk, a sudden, sharp noise pierced through the tranquility of my thoughts. My hand instinctively flew to the drawer where I