Bill’s POV"Why are you even here anyway?" I ask, giving Calvin a sharp look. "Serena doesn't need you. I can take care of her."I'm standing at the entrance, blocking the way. There’s no way in hell that I’ll let him in. He tries to look past me, his gaze landing on Serena lying on the hospital bed
Bill’s POVThe video begins with Serena organizing her jewelry-making space. She looks directly into the camera, her expression thoughtful, and says, "Have you ever felt like you're invisible to someone you love? Like you're right there, but to them, you might as well be a piece of furniture?"I adm
Bill’s POVDoctor Henderson returns to Serena's room to conduct some tests that can be performed while she's unconscious. He starts with a neurological assessment, gently checking her reflexes with a small hammer and observing her responses. Even in her sleep, the body's involuntary reactions can of
Serena’s POVI stretch out my arm, the camera feeling almost weightless in my grasp, as I find him in the viewfinder—the boy with eyes as deep and blue as the ocean, and hair that glints like golden strands under the sun. "Smile to the camera, honey," I coax. "Alright, mommy," he says with a smile.
Serena’s POV"I don't think we need to talk about this, Bill," I say, trying to keep my voice steady and dismissive. "But okay, what's this about?" I ask, pretending I'm not worried. But the truth is, I’m scared Bill will threaten to take my child away from me. After all, he has all the means to do
Serena’s POV"Don't be like this, Serena," Bill says, sounding frustrated. "You can't keep me away from my child's life."As I look at Bill, I see the determination on his face. His eyes are intense, almost pleading, and his jaw is set in a way that tells me he's not going to back down easily. It's
Serena’s POVAfter two days in the hospital, I'm finally getting discharged. I'm waiting by the entrance, a small bag of personal items by my feet, when I see Stevie's car pull up.Stevie jumps out of the driver's side, her energy like a burst of fresh air. "Freedom at last!" she exclaims, her smile
Serena’s POVMarjorie and I sit down to talk about the possibility of us working together. I can't help but feel excited about the whole thing. Stevie comes over with coffee for us all a few minutes later."So, I came here a few days ago and you weren’t here," Marjorie begins. “Stevie mentioned you
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’