Sophia povKim didn’t look happy with the setting, but Rowan didn’t seem to give a damn about it. He held my hand in the backseat, and I could feel the smile tugging on the corner of his lips even when he was looking out of the window.I didn’t know if I was ready for the next relationship, but I wanted to get rid of Colter. No more abuse.And I wanted to be friends again with Rowan. Or maybe something more. He had been offering me to call him for help even when I hadn’t started experiencing abuse at the hands of Colter.It would be unfair to Rowan, to let him think that I am doing it because of him. Which was half true. Yes. But what about the other half?His emotions which could never budge me since childhood had started affecting me in ways. Maybe I was getting the love and care from him that I had been craving from Colter.I looked up when I felt him squeezing my hand. Ryan was chatting endlessly. It was Kim who had gone suddenly quiet.She did turn her head once or twice and foun

Sophia’s povHis lips were just above mine. His one hand was stroking upwards dangerously on my thigh skin just near my panty line.Looking at his face, I managed a small smile and licked my lower lip to wet it. His eyes followed the small action, and he gulped down hard.“Ar… are you sure, Sophie?” his voice was a hoarse whisper.“Very much,” I said excitedly. His green eyes were roaming on my face with so much hunger.“You don’t need to worry about it, Rowan. I know what I am getting into. Plus, I am also an adult now. Not that stubborn teenager!”The closeness of his lips was making me feel the intensity of his desire in the air. His touch sent shivers down my spine as his hand moved slowly and dangerously upwards. I could sense the hesitation in his actions, the unspoken question hanging in the air.But when his hand finally made its way under my dress, his eyes widened in surprise. I had made a deliberate choice of not wearing my panty, and his discovery only heightened the inten

Sophia pov:Without another word, he started rubbing my back with soapy hands. Placing my palms on the bathroom walls, I closed my eyes feeling his touch on my body and then my hair with a whiff of my shampoo. He opened the shower and started washing the sand off my hair. I held my breath when I felt his hands unusually lingering on my bre*asts.“May I?” I asked him, offering him the same comfort. He slowly shook his head and wrapped a bathrobe around me.“I can’t risk that, Sophie.” He draped a towel around my hair like a turban. He was still wearing his costume while I was there without a piece of clothing, “I can take my shower later.”True to his word, he didn’t even bat an eye on my nak*edness.“I promise, I would be decent enough not to sed*uce you,” I said mischievously making him chuckle.“And do you think that would make me happy, princess?” he placed his palms on either side of me on the walls of the bathroom behind me,His eyes were searching mine with a mixture of seriousn

Emerald's pov:Sophia was trembling while taking hesitant steps forward. She looked exhausted as if she had been through an ordeal that no words could adequately describe. The room remained silent, each of us holding our breath, waiting for her to speak.I saw Hunter gesturing for his investigators to leave the room without a sound.Finally, Sophia’s voice broke the silence, which was weak yet determined. "I... I'm sorry. I never meant to cause you all this worry. It's... it's complicated. I'll explain, I promise."Rafael and I exchanged glances, a mix of relief and concern etched on our faces. We moved closer to Sophia, enveloping her in a gentle embrace, offering comfort and reassurance. The room slowly came alive with a mixture of relief, confusion, and a silent desire for answers.Hunter, his voice laced with a mix of relief and urgency, stepped forward. "Sophie, we've been searching for you. Where have you been? Are you alright?"Sophia took a deep breath, her eyes darting around

Sophia’s pov. Restless, I continued to toss and turn in my bed, the weight of my past worries pressing heavily upon my chest. The hushed murmurs drifting up from downstairs did confirm what I already knew. My parents were still awake and their concern for me was refusing to let them succumb to sleep. Normally, my parents were early sleepers, but tonight was different. Tonight, their parental instincts were on high alert, their worry for me was palpable in the air. Ever since I could remember, they were protective of me and had shielded me from harm, nurtured me with unwavering love and care. As my adoptive parents, they made me and Jackson their utmost priority. They never let us feel that I was adopted and that Jackson was their own blood. As the minutes ticked by, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless times they had been my pillars of strength. They had been my unwavering support, always there to lend a hand or offer to just listen to me. To make me feel heard. And now,