Bill's POV“I told you not to call Serena that," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but there's a hard edge to my words.Mom doesn’t back down. She steps closer, her voice lowering to a hiss. "That gold-digging tramp has ruined everything. How can you let her drag you down like this?”Here she g
Serena’s POVI push open the door to my jewelry shop, the little bell above it ringing softly. The familiar scent of polished wood and a hint of floral perfume greet me, instantly making me feel at home. The soft lights make the jewelry in the cases sparkle like tiny stars."Serena!" Stevie's voice
Serena’s POVEden Jonas’s perfectly arched eyebrows lift as he examines a pair of earrings, and a smirk plays on his lips as he turns to one of his friends."Eden, these are to die for. What do you think?" the friend asks, holding up the earrings.He tilts his head, considering. "They're fabulous, d
Bill’s POVThe engine roars as I speed around the track, the speedometer climbing fast. My hands hurt from gripping the wheel too tight. The bandage on my knuckle reminds me of punching the wall after seeing Serena with Calvin. I push the gas pedal down, making the world outside a blur. The engine's
Serena’s POVWe lock up the shop and head to a nearby café that Taylor suggests. When we arrive, I’m struck by how elegant the place is. The exterior is sleek and modern, with large windows showing off the chic interior. Inside, it’s both simple and luxurious — plush chairs, marble tables, and soft
Serena’s POVI type out a response to Bill. "Not really," I write as my fingers hover over the keys. I stand up and pace the room. After taking a few deep breaths, I return to my phone. "Can we talk?" I add.I hit send and start to worry. My heart races as I think about the mess Calvin created by cl
Serena’s POVToday, the shop is quieter than usual. There are fewer customers, and the usual morning buzz is gone. Only a couple of regulars are browsing. But they look unusually gloomy.The air feels heavy, with just the hum of the air conditioning and the occasional clink of jewelry. I force a smi
Bill’s POVI walk around my home office, watching the shadows flickering from the lamp. The earpiece warms my ear as I wait for James to speak."James, you there?" I ask. Static crackles on the other end."Yes, Bill. We're all set," James replies. We've been planning this for days, going over every
Stevie‘s POVThe lens feels foreign in my hands at first, like it’s judging me for neglecting it for so long. I twist the focus ring back and forth, snapping shots of random things in my apartment: the pile of laundry I still haven’t done, the chipped paint on the windowsill, the vase of wilted dais
Serena‘s POVI can’t focus. Not on the new campaign proposals sitting in front of me, not on the email from our partners in Paris, and definitely not on the cup of tea I made an hour ago that’s gone cold on my desk.All I can think about is Stevie.Her face, flushed with anger, tears glistening in h
Calvin‘s POVThe buzz of my phone pulls me out of my focus, its vibration rattling against the glass surface of my desk. It’s another alert, no doubt tied to the leak at Etoile de Collin. The headlines have been relentless: “Scandal Rocks Global Launch,” “Is Etoile de Collin Losing Its Shine?”I don
Stevie‘s POVThe click of my camera is the only sound in my apartment. The blinds are half-drawn, letting in just enough light to paint soft streaks across the floor. I’ve spent the last hour taking photos of mundane things — a chipped coffee mug, the shadow of my old ficus, the crumpled blanket I t
Calvin’s POVThe call comes in just as I’m reviewing a financial report in my office. It’s Serena, and I can tell immediately from her clipped tone that something’s off.“Calvin, we have a situation,” she says, not bothering with pleasantries.I lean back in my chair, setting the report aside. “What
Serena’s POVI tap my pen against the edge of the conference table, staring at the open file in front of me. My head’s buzzing, not from caffeine—I haven’t had nearly enough of that today—but from the words staring back at me in black and white.“Are you sure about this?” I ask Grace, my PR director
Calvin’s POVI’ve been staring at her address on my phone for ten minutes, trying to work up the courage to get out of the car. It’s ridiculous. I’ve faced down corporate takeovers and boardroom ambushes without flinching, but this? This feels harder.Stevie’s apartment building looms in front of me
Bill’s POVThe sound of waves crashing against the shore is a far cry from the usual buzz of our daily lives. No conference calls, no meetings, no tantrums over spilled cereal. Just the ocean, the wind, and Collin’s laughter as he runs across the sand, a kite string gripped tightly in his little han
Calvin’s POVThe waiting room at Stevie’s doctor’s office isn’t anything like I expected. It’s bright and cheerful, with pastel walls and outdated parenting magazines scattered across the coffee tables. A little kid toddles past me, clutching a stuffed giraffe, while his mom trails behind him with a