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
Bill’s POVIt's afternoon, and we’re finally on a break. I haven't been called to testify yet, and the waiting is getting to me.I step outside for some fresh air, hoping it will clear my mind. The sun is bright, but it does little to chase away the unease gnawing at my insides. I glance around and
Bill’s POVI take the stand, my heart pounding in my chest. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, but I push down the nerves. This is too important to mess up.Murphy steps forward, his expression serious. "Mr. Richardson, can you tell us what happened on the rooftop the day Ms. Nixon was attacked?"I t
Bill’s POV"I found the earring while I was investigating," I repeat, my voice steady. "I didn't tamper with it. I handed it over to the police immediately.""But without police supervision, isn't it possible that this earring could have been planted by you, Mr. Richardson?"I shake my head. “That's
Serena’s POVBill, Atty. Murphy, and I drive to Bill's mansion in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts.As we pull up to the house, I feel a strange mix of emotions. This place used to be my home. The memories flood back — both good and bad. I grip my bag a little tighter as the house comes into
Bill’s POV"I... don't know, Bill," Serena says, nervously tugging at the strap of her bag. "The shop is really busy right now with the summer collection. I can't afford to be late.”I watch her, noticing the way she fidgets and how her eyes avoid mine. There's a nervous energy about her, and I can
Serena’s POVI can't sleep. I keep thinking of everything that happened in the courtroom today.I toss and turn in the king-sized bed, my mind racing with all the what-ifs. What if I said something different? What if I missed something crucial? What if Hansen succeeds in making Doris look innocent?
Stevie’s POVIt’s too quiet in the penthouse. The kind of quiet that makes you feel small, even in a place this massive. Calvin left early for a meeting, saying he’d be back by lunch, but it’s already 2 p.m., and I haven’t heard a word from him.Not that I care.Okay, maybe I care a little.I pace a
Calvin’s POVStevie is restless again. I can see it in the way she keeps adjusting the blanket on her lap and tapping her fingers against the arm of the couch. She’s trying to hide it, but I know better.“You’re bored,” I say, watching her from across the living room.“No, I’m not,” she replies, her
Serena’s POVThe elevator ride up to Calvin’s penthouse feels endless, even though I’m pretty sure it’s moving faster than I can think. The last few days have been a blur of texts and phone calls with Stevie, each one giving me a little more reassurance that she’s okay, but not quite enough to calm
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