Elijah’s POVWhen I got back to the hotel after my business meeting, all I wanted was to kick off my shoes, order some room service, and get some rest. But as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted Julia waiting for me. She looked up, relief and excitement in her eyes.“Elijah!” she called out, waving me over. “Trevis had to go meet up with someone, so I'm left with no one to have dinner with.”I could feel the weariness in my bones, but I didn't want to disappoint her. I also wondered where Sophia could be, but I didn’t want to ask Julia. I actually sent a text message to Sophia a while back, but there was no reply. "There's this cool pizza place I read about online," Julia continued. "Would you join me?"I hesitated for a moment. “I was just planning to stay here tonight.”Her face fell slightly, but she quickly masked it with a hopeful smile. “It won't take long, I promise. And I heard their pizza is amazing.”I sighed, unable to say no to her. “Alright, let's go.”The pizza place wa

Julia’s POVAdrian stared at me with a puzzled expression, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look really familiar,” he said, his eyes narrowing as if trying to place me.At that moment, a memory flashed through my mind like a lightning bolt—seeing Adrian at the beach where I’d hit Sophia on the head. I felt myself paling and a wave of dizziness threatened to overwhelm me. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. Everyone's eyes were on me—Sophia, Elijah, and Adrian—waiting for my response.I forced a smile, trying to keep my expression nonchalant. “I don't think we've met before,” I said confidently. "I only know you from Sophia and Elijah's stories."Adrian tilted his head, still looking uncertain. “Are you sure? I could swear I've seen you somewhere.”I shrugged, doing my best to appear casual. “Maybe you saw me in a photo or something. But no, I don't think we've ever actually met.”Sophia, sitting next to Elijah, glanced between us, her eyes filled with curiosity. Elijah

Elijah’s POVAfter getting back from New York, I offered to drive Sophia home. I figured it was the perfect excuse to talk to Sophia about bringing Reese to meet my parents eventually. But all I told Sophia was that I was eager to see Reese, she immediately agreed. “Sophia,” I began, breaking the stillness. “I was thinking... Maybe you could take Reese to meet my parents.” I had mentioned this to her before, but last time she didn’t seem too keen about it. Sophia glanced at me, her eyes wary. “Are you sure that's a good idea? Do you think Morgana would want to meet Reese? I mean, surely Reese would remind her of me. And she had always hated me.”I frowned for a while, knowing that it was true. But then I nodded, trying to convey my conviction. “I'm sure it will be okay. My stepmom might have her issues, but once she sees her adorable first grandchild, she'll forget about the past. And my dad, he's often busy, but he'd certainly welcome the arrival of a sweet little kid that's his ow

Julia’s POVElijah’s words echoed in my mind, each repetition like a stab to my heart. “I have no feelings for you, Julia.” How could he say that? After everything we've been through, after everything I did...The pain was unbearable, both physical and emotional, as if my very soul was being ripped apart. I couldn’t accept it, I wouldn’t accept it. But outwardly, I had nothing more to say. I collapsed onto his shoulder, my tears soaking through his shirt.Elijah wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly as I cried. We were on the floor, surrounded by the debris of my shattered dreams. His embrace was warm, comforting, yet it felt like a mockery of the love I yearned for.“Julia, I'm so sorry,” he murmured into my hair, his voice heavy with regret.I couldn't speak, only cry harder. I felt his hand gently stroking my back, each touch a mixture of solace and torment.“Shhh, it's okay,” he whispered. “Let it out.”Eventually, my sobs began to subside, leaving me feeling hollow and e

Sophia’s POVElijah's words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with regret.A lump formed in my throat and I stepped away from his embrace. Before I could muster a response, Elijah began to reminisce about our early days, when we were newlyweds moving into this very bedroom. It had been a little awkward because we barely knew each other then. But he had been caring during that time, especially since I was pregnant with our first baby, the one who was never born. It was a vague memory to me because I’d spent years trying to erase it and the other memories of Elijah from my head. But I could remember how I’d felt — a bit shy and conscious, but eager to show him that I could be a very good wife and that I was capable of making him happy. I did try my best, I thought sadly. I learned to really love him, but he never loved me back. Since my miscarriage, everything went downhill and he didn’t seem to care about anything else except his business.He then drifted back further, to the first t