Bill’s POVAs soon as I get home, I head straight for my office and pick up the phone to call James. The phone rings a few times before he picks up."Hey, Bill," James answers, sounding curious. "What do you need?"I take a deep breath, getting straight to the point. "James, I need you to look into
Serena’s POVAll morning, I find myself unable to focus. My mind keeps drifting back to the conversation with Atty. Murphy and how Bill insisted on facing Alvez alone. I wanted to argue and say I could handle talking to the man who tried to kill me. But Bill wouldn't budge. He wouldn’t let me put
Serena’s POV Marjorie makes her way around the shop as I return to overseeing the interns. I can tell the interns are excited about the presence of someone as renowned as her. As I move from table to table, checking on the progress of the summer collection, I can’t help but steal glances at Marjo
Bill’s POV I park my car in the visitor’s lot and take a moment to steel myself. The prison looms ahead, stark and imposing. I check in at the front desk, go through the usual security procedures, and follow the guard down the bright, sterile hallways. Finally, I’m led into a small, dimly lit ro
Bill’s POVAlvez narrows his eyes. "Father to father? Pfft," he scoffs. "You don’t know what it’s like to be me.”"Then make me understand," I say, my voice calm but firm.Alvez leans forward, his eyes burning with intensity. “You think you get it, Bill? You have no idea what it's like to wake up wi
Serena’s POV“Alright, everyone,” I say to the team, trying to sound upbeat. “Great job today. Let’s pick up where we left off tomorrow.”As they gather their things and head out, I tidy up my workspace, trying to keep busy while I wait for Bill. Just as I’m finishing up, I see him walk into the sho
Serena’s POVThe morning of the court hearing arrives, and I wake up feeling anxious. I can barely eat breakfast, my stomach churning with nerves.Bill picks me up early, and we drive to the courthouse in silence.We park and head inside, passing through security and making our way to the designated
Serena’s POVI feel my heart start to race. Hansen's tactic is clear — he's trying to discredit me by dragging my personal life into this. It's infuriating. "That's not relevant to the case," I reply, my voice shaking slightly."Oh, but it is relevant," Hansen presses, his eyes gleaming with triump
Calvin’s POVStevie’s been here for three days, and I’m starting to think she’s allergic to letting people take care of her.She spends most of her time holed up in the guest suite, emerging only when absolutely necessary, like meals. Even then, she always looks like she’s bracing herself for an amb
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