Bill’s POVFlashbackI remember that day like it was yesterday. A little girl and I were having a blast building our sandcastle, totally lost in our own little world. The sun was shining, the waves were calm—it was perfect.Then, out of nowhere, these jerks showed up, laughing and stomping around li
Serena’s POVI've been scrubbing down the last of the shelves in my shop, muscles aching and hands worn. It's taken me nearly half a month to finish the renovation of my shop. I'm exhausted, sure, but with the baby on the way, I'm not pushing myself too hard.I glance around my shop, taking in the
Serena’s POV"Anything yet?" I call out to Stevie, who's waiting outside the door, keeping an eye out for customers approaching our shop.Stevie turns to me, frustration clear in her voice. "Nothing yet," she says, her disappointment palpable. "No one's coming.""Don't worry, Stevie," I reassure her
Serena’s POV"Sorry, I'm late for the opening," Calvin says, his breath slightly hurried from the rush. "Got caught up with lots of work stuff. Are you mad?"I smile at Calvin, shaking my head gently. "Nah, I know you were busy. And this is just sparkling cider," I say, lifting my glass in reassuran
Serena’s POV"Calvin?" I call out, noticing his sudden change in demeanor. He seems to have spaced out, lost in thought. "Are you alright?" I ask.Calvin breaks his trance, blinking a few times as if returning from a distant place. "I’m alright, don’t worry," he says, his voice a touch distant. "I'm
Serena’s POVEvery day's the same: a non-stop rush. From morning till night, the shop's full of people, and I'm right there, in the middle of it all, keeping things running. I guess it's just how life goes when you've got your own business to manage.Stevie does drop by to help when she can, but it
Serena’s POV"Girl, your video is blowing up!" Stevie's text flashes on my screen. "That story is insane. You've got to spill – who's the ex from hell?"It's been barely two days since I posted my first storytime video, but it already has over 200K views and 50K likes. I'm shocked that it went viral
Serena’s POVWhy is Bill here? He hardly comes to the mall. Patty, Doris's mother, clears her throat and smiles at Bill. "Bill? I didn't expect to see you here. Is Doris with you?"Bill shakes his head. "I'm just browsing for some nice jewelry," Bill says. "How about you? You don't look like you're
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’