"What is this?" I ask."Well, open it," Calvin says.I pull a box from the paper bag. It's a fancy Cartier box, dark red with gold edges. I open it and see a beautiful jade necklace inside. The jade is a deep green, and the design is simple but elegant."Calvin, this is too much. I can't take this,"
Serena’s POV“You’re an asshole, Bill,” I say with a straight face. I can feel my face getting hot, but I don't let any emotions show. He's acting like his old self, trying to provoke me with his words. But I can play that game too.I scoff at his comment. "So, what if I have a sugar daddy?" I shoo
Serena’s POVHalfway out of the hospital, I remember that Calvin's gift is still in Bill's room. But I can't go back, not after Bill degraded me.I can already see it. If I go back for the gift, Bill will probably hurl more insults about me trying to seduce his uncle. He didn't even let me explain t
Serena’s POVI never realized just how much I'd drifted from my old life after marrying Bill, until bumping into Stevie between the cereal and coffee at the grocery store.I'm halfway down the coffee aisle when I spot her. Stevie, looking just like she did back in our college days, is checking her p
Serena’s POVStevie waits outside the stall as I puke my guts out in the toilet.I hear a gentle knock on the door. "Do you need any help? I can hold your hair back if you want," Stevie offers."No, it's alright," I reply. "I've got this. I've had plenty of practice."After I'm done, I wipe my mouth
Dad's eyes light up with the question. "Well, your mom's really turned the garden into something special, and her cooking, as you know, is better than ever," he says with a proud glance at Mom."And believe it or not," Mom chimes in with a chuckle, "your dad's been joining me in aerobics classes eve
Serena’s POVI just stare at my phone for a couple of minutes, wondering, "Why on earth is Bill calling me now?"Seeing the puzzled look on my face, Mom leans in with concern. "What's wrong, dear? Who's calling you?""Oh, it's just my friend, Stevie. She's probably checking if I got here safely," I
Bill’s POV I almost want to clear my desk with one angry swipe. Serena's really changed since the divorce — she's got way more guts now.She's not picking up my calls, which is totally unlike her. I tried calling again, but now the line's busy. Is she talking to some new guy already?Considering h
Serena’s POV“Stevie, stay with me,” I mutter, my voice shaking as I keep one arm wrapped around her shoulders. Her weight sags against me, and I feel the panic rising in my chest.“I’m fine,” she whispers weakly, but her pale face and unfocused eyes say otherwise.“You’re not fine,” I snap, flaggin
Serena’s POVThe office feels quieter than usual. Maybe it’s the late hour or the fact that most people have already gone home. But as I glance across the room at Stevie, hunched over her laptop, I know something’s off.She’s always had a way of pushing through, of pretending everything’s fine when
Calvin’s POVFatherhood.The word keeps bouncing around my head, refusing to settle. It feels foreign, heavy. Like trying on a jacket that doesn’t fit but knowing you’re stuck wearing it anyway.I stare out the window of my office, watching the city buzz below. Cars honk. People hustle. Life moves o
Stevie’s POVI’m pacing my living room, muttering to myself like a lunatic.“Calvin, listen—no, that’s too polite.” I stop and shake my head, trying again. “Look, Calvin, I don’t owe you an explanation. That’s better. Straight to the point. No room for debate.”I glance at the mirror above my couch
Calvin’s POVI see her before she sees me.Stevie’s stepping out of the building, her bag slung over her shoulder, sunglasses perched on her nose. She looks like she’s trying to blend into the crowd, which is almost funny considering Stevie Malone doesn’t exactly do subtle.“Stevie,” I call, walking
Serena’s POVI spot Stevie slipping out of the ballroom as I’m finishing up a conversation with a PR exec. She moves quickly, almost like she’s trying not to be seen, but I know her too well. The slight wobble in her steps, the way she clutches her bag like it’s holding her together — it’s a dead gi
Stevie’s POVI shouldn’t have worn these heels.It’s the first thing I think as I step into the ballroom, my feet already protesting the dumb idea of combining sky-high stilettos and a body that feels like it’s actively rebelling against me. My stomach’s been on the verge of staging a full-blown mut
Bill’s POVSerena’s doing that thing again.The thing where she picks at her food but doesn’t actually eat it. She pushes the salad around her plate, stabbing a cherry tomato like it insulted her mother. I lean back in my chair, watching her, trying to figure out if this is work stress or something
Stevie’s POVI’m sitting on the edge of my bathtub, staring at a little stick on the counter like it’s a grenade about to go off. My hands are shaking. My heart feels like it’s trying to beat its way out of my chest.It’s been three minutes.Three. Long. Fucking. Minutes.The instructions said that’