Serena’s POV"Sorry, Serena, I thought you were still upstairs," he stammers. I clear my throat. My back still turned to him and my eyes focused on the door as I try to regain my composure. "It's okay, Bill. I just... wasn't expecting that," I manage to say, my voice slightly shaky.There's an awkw
Serena’s POVI blink more than I intend to, trying to stay calm as I keep eating. The meal, which should have been enjoyable, now feels like a chore. I look at Bill’s direction and say. "I honestly don't know where to begin. Why don't you start by telling me what you remember?"Bill pauses, his fork
Serena’s POV"Thanks for asking, Bill, but I think I'll handle this one on my own. It's just something I'm used to doing alone," I say as I let him down easily. "Don’t you have work today? I don’t want to mess up your schedule."I can see he’s not ready to drop it just yet. "Really, Serena, I don’t
Bill’s POVDr. Sanchez leads us into the sonogram room where the gentle hum of the ultrasound machine fills the air with a subtle buzz of anticipation. It's dimly lit, making the screen in front of us the brightest thing in the room. Serena carefully lies down on the examination table, looking a bit
Serena’s POVOverjoyed by the ultrasound news of our baby boy, I suggest to Bill, "Let's go grab some coffee and maybe look at some books?" Bill smiles, the kind that shows he's just as eager to stretch out this day a little longer.We head to the nearby bookstore with a cafe at the front. As we wal
Serena’s POVCalvin saw us laughing. I know he did. Now, we're all standing in front of my apartment door, and it's like a standoff. Calvin and Bill are staring each other down, neither of them willing to look away first."Hi, Calvin, it's so nice to..." I start, but then I glance at Bill. He's sto
Serena's POVBill grabs Calvin by the collar, yanking him forward. Calvin's eyes widen in shock, and he stumbles slightly, trying to regain his balance. For a moment, he looks genuinely surprised, but then his expression hardens. He clenches his fists at his sides, but he doesn't make a move to fig
Bill's POVI sit in the backseat of my car, staring blankly out the window. How could one of the happiest days of my life turn into an absolute nightmare by the end?Everything was going well. The baby’s check-up, the plans we were making — I thought Serena and I were finally on the same page. But
Stevie’s POVThis has to be the fanciest kidnapping in the history of bad ideas.I’m standing in the foyer of Calvin’s penthouse, staring at the polished marble floors, the towering windows, and a chandelier that looks like it could fund a small country. Everything about this place screams luxury—to
Calvin’s POVHospitals always feel the same—like time slows down, stretching every second into an eternity. I’m standing outside Stevie’s room, staring at the door, willing myself to move. My hand hovers near the handle, but I can’t bring myself to push it open.I can hear her voice faintly through
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