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
Serena’s POV"Let me walk you to your work," Bill says.I glance at him, a little surprised but touched by the offer. "You don't have to, Bill. I can manage.""I know you can," he replies, grabbing his jacket. "But I want to.”After getting dressed for work, we step outside into the crisp morning ai
Serena’s POVI pause at the shop door, my fingers brushing against the chipped paint. It has been days since we've had customers. I'm afraid I'll walk into the shop and find it empty, except for Stevie.My heart beats fast as I push the door open. To my surprise, there are a couple of people browsi
Serena’s POV"So, what are you suggesting, Taylor?" I ask. "I could post a storytime on my TikTok, but it might just make me look defensive."Since I don't have any evidence that Max sabotaged my debut as a designer, it'll just look like a he-said-she-said situation.Taylor smiles at me, her eyes li
Bill’s POVI enter my office, feeling a rare bounce in my step. Tomorrow, Serena and I are finally going on a date. Just the thought of it makes me smile. It feels like ages since I got to take her somewhere after our divorce. I can't wait to spend some quality time with her.As I walk through the
Stevie’s POVI can still hear the alarm ringing in my ears.Even though it shut off over an hour ago, the shrill sound is stuck in my head, looping like a nightmare I can’t shake.I sit on the couch, gripping a cup of tea I’m not drinking, staring at the front door like I’m expecting someone to try
Calvin’s POVJames is already talking before I even sit down.“We have a problem.”He’s pacing, phone in one hand, a half-empty water bottle in the other. His energy is sharp, clipped—like he’s been waiting too long to say this out loud. The tension in the room is thick, the air stale with coffee an
Calvin’s POVI know this is it.The last move. The final play.We’re past negotiations. Past legal threats, PR spin, and strategic positioning. This isn’t about business anymore. It’s about survival.Sterling thinks he’s inevitable. He thinks no matter how many hits he takes, he’ll always find a way
Bill’s POVSterling has always been untouchable. At least, that’s what he wants everyone to think. The kind of guy who operates in the shadows, moving money, making calls, shifting power in ways that never leave a direct trail back to him.But I know better.Everyone has a weak spot. And Sterling’s?
Serena’s POVSterling thinks he can rewrite history.He thinks he can sit in front of cameras, twist the truth, and control the story like he always has. Like he’s owed the power to decide how things play out.He’s wrong.I refuse to let him turn this into his victory lap.The second Calvin calls to
Calvin’s POVJames looks wired.Not in the jittery, too-much-coffee way. More like the I-haven’t-slept-in-two-days-and-my-body-runs-on-adrenaline way. His hair is a mess, there are dark circles under his eyes, and an untouched energy drink sits next to his laptop, condensation pooling on the table.
Bill’s POVI don’t wait for permission.I don’t tell Serena. I don’t tell Calvin.I don’t tell anyone.I just do what needs to be done.The address I was given leads me to a quiet bar in West Hollywood, one of those places that looks closed even when it’s open. It’s wedged between a high-end sushi r
Calvin’s POVJames looks like he’s running on nothing but caffeine and pure spite.His fingers move fast over the keyboard, eyes glued to the screen like the answers are going to reveal themselves if he stares hard enough. The glow from the laptop makes his face look even more drawn than usual. His
Serena’s POVThe second I hear the footsteps, I know we’re not alone.Stevie and I don’t move right away. We sit frozen, barely breathing, listening. Another sound—closer this time. Someone is here.Then, just as quickly as it started, it stops.A voice crackles over the radio clipped to the securit