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
Bill’s POVThe second day of the trial feels heavier than the first. I sit at the stand, every eye in the courtroom on me. Kevin sits across the room, leaning back in his chair, his face as blank as ever. But I’ve known him long enough to spot the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers tap rh
Serena’s POVEvan Carter steps up to the stand, his posture rigid but his face set with a kind of quiet determination. He’s nervous — I can see it in the way his hands grip the edges of the chair, his knuckles white — but he doesn’t hesitate when the prosecutor starts her questioning.“Mr. Carter,”
Serena’s POVThe courtroom feels like it’s holding its breath. Kevin sits across the room, calm and collected, as if he isn’t facing the weight of his crimes being read aloud. Arson. Money laundering. Drug trafficking. Arms dealing. Conspiracy. Each charge is like a hammer falling, but Kevin doesn’t
Bill’s POVThe flashing red and blue lights from the police cars paint everything in sharp. Kevin’s hunched figure disappears into the back of a cruiser, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back. But even as he’s being taken away, he still manages to twist the knife with his parting words.“This isn
Serena’s POVKevin strides toward me, his expression dark and twisted. I don’t move. I plant my feet, keeping my stance steady, just like Bill taught me. My heart races, but my mind is sharp, clear. I’m not afraid — not anymore.He lunges, fast and aggressive, the blade in his hand aiming straight f
Serena’s POVKevin raises the knife, and my breath catches. For a split second, time seems to slow, the glint of the blade catching the faint light like a silent threat. Before I can react, Bill charges in from the side, slamming into Kevin with the full force of his body. They hit the ground hard,
Serena’s POVKevin steps toward me. His twisted grin grows wider with each deliberate step. He thinks he has this in the bag. He thinks I’m scared, that I’ll back down the second he closes the gap. He doesn’t realize he’s underestimating me.My feet stay planted firmly on the ground, my hands steady
Bill’s POVKevin and his men approach slowly, scanning every corner. They’re trying to catch even the smallest hint of movement. They’re wary but not afraid, at least not yet. Kevin’s confidence radiates off him like a bad cologne, seeping into the minds of the men with him. Serena is crouched besi
Serena’s POVBill, Matt, James, and I go over every detail of the plan again and again. I sit at the table, watching as they discuss the best routes in and out of the location, debating whether we’ll have enough cover.It’s late, and all of us are tired. But I shake it off. There’s no time for being