Sophia’s POVThe hospital walls were adorned with generic paintings meant to be calming but did little to ease my nerves. I should just visit Grandma Evelyn, see how she’s doing. I was well aware that she was still in a coma, but she has never left my mind. Everyday, I continued to pray for her recovery. I wished she could wake up already. It was a huge burden to think that her life was now at risk because of me. To add to that, I couldn’t help blaming myself too for what happened to Elijah and Julia. It was all too much to bear, really. Relax, Sophia. Just take a deep breath. I tried to calm myself down as I made my way toward Evelyn’s hospital room. When I got there, I hesitated briefly, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.The room was quiet except for the sound of the medical equipment. Two maids were present, one adjusting Evelyn’s blanket while the other arranged flowers on a nearby table. Evelyn lay still, her frail form barely making an impression on the bed
Sophia’s POVI stared at my phone, my hand trembling slightly as I tried to process the conversation that had just taken place. The unfamiliar man's voice echoed in my mind, haunting and urgent.“Who is this?” I had demanded, but he had only replied, “We need to talk about Adrian,” before the line went dead with a final, chilling click.Adrian! Hearing his name again made me feel alarmed. I remembered how strange men in black had entered my house, looking for him. He’d willingly gone with him and told me he’d tell me everything soon. But until now, I hadn’t heard from him yet. I wondered if he was in some kind of trouble. I need to meet that man, I thought. I have to find out what happened to Adrian. A warning bell went off in my head. This could be dangerous. I didn’t know who the man was. But it’s a public place, anyway, I convinced myself. I glanced at the clock on the wall of Grandma Evelyn's hospital room. It was 4:30 PM. Cafe Elysee was nearby, but time was running out.I tur
Sophia’s POVI sat across from Mr. Roosevelt, feeling the weight of his presence like a heavy cloak. The cafe buzzed around us in a lively manner, which was the opposite of the intense, suffocating atmosphere at our table. “I let Adrian enjoy some time to bask in his newfound freedom and singing career,” Mr. Roosevelt told me, his voice low and authoritative. “But now it's enough. It's time for Adrian to man up and own up to our family name, to become who he's meant to be.”I struggled to find my voice as he continued, his tone tinged with frustration. “Adrian is intelligent, always on top of his class, and he used to be responsible, a good son. But suddenly, he just left one day… and to become what? Some kind of entertainer that people will get tired of one day? It's a very small dream for someone who comes from the Roosevelt clan.”His words stunned me, leaving me momentarily speechless. But then, gathering my courage, I spoke up. “But it's his dream. Can't he choose his own dream,
Sophia’s POVMarry Adrian?!The suggestion to marry Adrian hit me like a sudden summer storm, unexpected and disorienting. I struggled to grasp the enormity of it all, wondering if Adrian himself was aware of this wild proposal. Across the table, Mr. Roosevelt reclined confidently, a cup of freshly brewed coffee steaming between us, his demeanor expectant.This man’s crazier than I thought!“I... I don't know what to say,” I managed finally, my voice slightly trembling. “This is all happening so fast.”Mr. Roosevelt nodded sagely, taking a sip of his coffee before responding. “Think about it, Sophia. You have the opportunity to be part of something greater, to help Adrian realize his full potential. You'll have all the support you need, and we will ensure your comfort and security.”My mind raced with a thousand thoughts. I cared for Adrian as a friend and I owed him my life, but marriage? That was out of the question. “Does Adrian know about this?” I asked, my voice quivering a litt
Sophia’s POVI sat there, stunned by Mr. Roosevelt's audacity. His proposal still echoed in my mind like an unwelcome refrain. Marry Adrian? The thought was preposterous, yet here we were, discussing it over drinks in a quaint cafe.I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’ve never received such a bizarre proposal in my entire life!He leaned back in his chair, a hint of irritation flickering across his face. Without missing a beat, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a checkbook and pen, his gesture casual yet loaded with implication.“And how much would it take as a signing bonus to make you consider this seriously?” His voice was cool, business-like, but beneath it simmered an undercurrent of arrogance.I couldn't believe his nerve, trying to buy my compliance. My jaw tightened as I struggled to maintain composure. “Mr. Roosevelt,” I began, my tone measured, “I appreciate the offer, but money isn't the issue here. Adrian and I are friends. Nothing more.”I paused, steeling my
Adrian’s POV“What’s going on?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended.My mother and I were sitting in the sunroom, the soft light filtering through the sheer curtains. She had called me over, saying she had something important to discuss. I thought it was another lecture about my responsibilities within the family business, but the grave expression on her face told me this was different.“Adrian, look carefully,” she said, sliding a photograph across the glass table toward me.I picked it up, my eyes narrowing as I recognized the two figures in the picture. My father, looking as stern as ever, was seated across from Sophia in a café. They seemed to be in the middle of an intense conversation.“Why is Dad with Sophia?” I asked with dread. My mother sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Adrian, your father has certain expectations of you. He believes that you should follow his lead, and if you don’t… well, let’s just say it might not turn out well for Sophia.”A chill ran down my
Sophia’s POVTwo years of marriage, and I'd never set foot in my husband Elijah's office until now.After all this time, why was I suddenly entrusted to deliver these important documents? Could it be possible that they’re finally learning to accept me?Taking a deep breath, I gently placed my hand on my stomach. The emptiness from losing my baby lingered, even though it had been a long time since that accident. I still felt lost and fragile, wishing for solace that never came.I missed my husband's presence, longing for a comforting word or touch. But he and his family remained distant and uninvolved, leaving me to recover on my own.Now, I was about to step into Elijah’s world — his beloved company.My heart skipped a beat as I entered Elijah's large, elegant office. The room was tastefully decorated, with rich mahogany furniture and a large sign that said Sinclair Realty Group. But what made me stop in my tracks was the sight of my husband huddled with an attractive blonde over som
Sophia’s POVThe divorce agreement was written after I accidentally lost my baby. During that time, I couldn’t even look at Elijah’s face without thinking about our baby. The pain was unbearable, so I believed divorce was my salvation. Looking back, preparing the divorce agreement was not a mistake, now that leaving was my only option.My hands shook as I held the papers in my hand. I could hear Morgana’s voice outside. “Sophia!” she called in a sharp tone. She probably heard me come in and was now wondering where I was. Quickly, I hid the divorce agreement and washed my face in the bathroom. That’s when the door swung open. I dried my face with a towel and looked at my mother-in-law. She responded with a cold gaze. She immediately instructed me to do the housework, her tone full of disdain. As I began my chores, she stood there taunting me. “Elijah told me not to ask you to deliver things in the future,” she said with a scoff. “You can’t even be relied on for such a simple task.”