Serena’s POVEver since Eden's 'review' of my jewelry went viral, the shop has been like a ghost town for a couple of days.Sunlight filters through the front windows, casting shadows on the wooden floor. The display cases, once crowded with customers, now stand empty. Necklaces, bracelets, and ring
Serena’s POV"Let me get this straight," Calvin says, furrowing his eyebrows. "This TikTok creator posted a bad review on your jewelry and that's why people stop coming to your shop?"I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Not just a bad review. He called my jewelry trash."Calvin frowns sympathe
Serena’s POVStevie is out of breath when she reaches the shop. Her usually neat hair is tousled, and there’s a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. She bursts through the door, causing the bell to jingle frantically. Her eyes are wide with urgency as she clutches her phone tightly in one hand."I
Serena’s POVStevie and I close up the shop in the mall, pulling down the security gate. At five months pregnant, I move more slowly, often resting a hand on my growing belly.Stevie insists on walking me home. We step into the cool evening air and make our way to my apartment.As we reach my buildi
Serena's POVI pace around the living room, trying to calm my nerves as I wait for Bill to arrive. When the doorbell finally rings, I take a deep breath and open the door to find Bill standing there with a bag of groceries, including a ready-made dinner from a gourmet deli. I can see containers of
Serena's POV"Serena, please say something," Bill pleads as he's carrying me.I look up at him, and finally, everything sinks in. I break down crying, unable to hold it back any longer."I'm just so scared, Bill," I sob. "I almost lost our baby.”Bill tightens his grip around me. "You're fine, Seren
Serena's POVThat's weird. I can't remember returning here. I'm lying in the master bedroom, the room Bill and I once shared. It looks exactly as it did the day I left after deciding to get a divorce.The same floral curtains hang by the windows, and the familiar scent of cedar and musk lingers in
Bill’s POVIs it just me or has Serena been avoiding me all morning? I watch her from across the kitchen as she moves around, keeping herself busy with chores that don't need doing. She's being slippery. She leaves rooms right when I walk in and won't meet my eyes.I let her be and focus on answeri
Stevie’s POVThe ride to the clinic is quiet. Calvin’s hands are steady on the wheel, his focus fixed on the road. I know he’s trying to make this feel normal, like he’s not driving me to an appointment that confirms the biggest change in my life. It doesn’t work.“You didn’t have to drive me,” I sa
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