(Aya’s POV)My optimism went under the bed, and my perspective hid in the closet as my hand grabbed the doorknob. I thought my hand stiffened because I could not open the bedroom door as soon as I twisted the knob. I stepped back and walked to the mirror to check on myself again. I inhaled, filling my lungs with air and slowly breathing out in my mouth.Ofelia and Marco had mentioned the possibility of their children helping in financing the business. I had been preparing my pitch for days to encourage them to support us with our plan, but I realized baking was easier than asking for investment, and discussing how we intend to return or grow their money was complicated.On our second day here, as Katie and I looked around the area of the B&B, I thought of renovating and upgrading the whole site of The Sophia House, not just the lodge but everything. But adding more amenities and fun activities so guests could enjoy their stay was too good to be true because when Marco and I asked abou

(Aya’s POV)“Why?” I stood up, my eyes not leaving Jared.Curiosity joined us in the living room. Gino eyed his brother, probably wondering at the amount he wrote in the check. Even Ofelia looked at her older son and gave him a quizzical look at his son’s behavior.“Why?” Jared scoffed. “Let’s just say I love this place. I grew up here and...” His lips curved into a smile, causing my heart to beat strangely. “I love the pond idea.”Katie giggled when he winked at her, but she moved her lips from side to side as she turned her head at the paper I held because Gino seemed could not take his eyes off it.Jared returned the checkbook to his bag and took it. “I changed my mind, mom. I’m staying a day or two.”“Huh?” Gino furrowed his eyebrows. “I thought you’ll leave after talking to the owner?” Gino asked before their mother could raise the question.He smirked. “The drive here was not a joke, Gino.” He looked at Katie. “Besides, if my dad fills the pond with water alone, it’ll take years

(Red’s POV)“Red, what happened to the kids?” Ariana asked, her voice in a panic.I raised my head and watched my sister enter the study room, glancing back as if checking if she had closed the door behind her before she walked in my direction. My eyebrows knitted, thinking about where I last saw them an hour ago.“In the family room?” I answered, unsure. “Why?” I stopped reading the report Liam gave me a while ago.I stood up, suddenly worried at the urgency of Ariana’s voice. My sister would not be here if none of my kids had contacted her, especially Violet. My eyes narrowed, thinking what the problem could be. I walked toward the door, hoping they were still in the family room.“Green called me,” she answered, following me as I exited the study room. “God, I know they were just with me yesterday, but Red, when he called me, and everyone’s talking to me at the same, I panicked.”I must have absorbed the panic in my sister’s body because fear and worry crept through me when I saw th

(Aya’s POV)“You should have remained at rest, Aya. Hidden, you know, if you didn’t want to be found,” Deidre smirked at me as we waited for Katie and Gino.“I didn’t know you knew Newton,” I sneered, thinking of thousand excuses of what to tell the Cortez about the sudden delivery of kitchen appliances and ‘who-knew-what-else’ was in the other boxes.“We used to be friends… lovers,” she glanced at me and chuckled briefly, then sighed, her lips curving a sad smile. “We broke up.”I rolled my eyes, still wondering how I became acquainted with this crazy woman. I used to hate her, but after everything she did for Katie and me, I could not afford even to get annoyed at her.“I always hear it from Red, especially when he’s so determined to achieve something,” she scoffed, lifting one corner of her mouth. “Your husband won’t be a multi-billionaire if he remained in motion with a constant velocity.”When I raised my eyebrows, Deidre rolled her eyes and laughed, leaning to her side, closer t

(Red’s POV)“Is it my turn?” I asked Aya again, releasing her hand but raising my arms, lightly cupping her face.As if we were back to square one, I was scared to hold her again. If only I could tell her that my heart was weeping, missing her so much, and those days of not seeing her were hell for me. Standing before Aya brought my heart much pang, thinking I failed her by not being there for her when she needed me the most.“Hi!” Aya smiled nervously. “If these people can find me, how could you not?” She smirked, lifting her hands and placing them on top of mine.“Why did you leave?” I whispered, pressing my forehead into hers. “I was already hating the world, Aya when I returned home and found you gone.”She held my hands, guiding them on her hips.“I was hiding from everyone, Red. It was so painful that I needed to run away from everyone and start again,” she murmured as she grazed her hands on my chest, slowly gliding her palms upward until she reached my shoulders. “Why are you