Serena’s POVEven though yesterday was mentally exhausting with the court hearing, there's no time to rest. The shop is alive with activity. Stevie and a few of the interns are helping customers, while the rest are working with me on the summer collection. The designs are almost finished, but we st
Serena’s POVI try to focus on the sketch in front of me, but my mind keeps wandering back to my phone. The design needs to be perfect — Taylor will be wearing this piece, and it has to stand out. I sketch a few lines, erase them, and then sketch again.I glance at my phone for what feels like the
Serena’s POVI'm in front of the mirror, trying to find something that fits just right with my growing bump. Stevie's sitting on the bed, giving each dress the once-over like she's the fashion police.The first dress I try on is a tight little number. Stevie wrinkles her nose. "Nope, too sexy. You'r
Serena’s POV"Calvin, I... I think you already know where this is going."He nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. But he doesn't say anything, just waits for me to continue.The silence is killing me, but I have to do this. For both of us."Calvin, I — ""Serena, please. Just tell me one thing
Bill's POV"I thought I'd surprise you," I say. "I've been thinking about you all day.”I hand Serena the bouquet of pink lilies and notice she looks a bit tense. She must've had a long day.With a smile, she takes the bouquet. “Oh, they're lovely. Thanks," she says softly, her fingers brushing agai
Bill's POVWe stumble down the hallway, still caught up in each other. I lift Serena into my arms, making her laugh softly against my lips. I carry her through the door, her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. The door shuts behind us, but we barely notice. I gently lay her down on the
Bill's POV"What do you mean Max is dead?" I ask. James takes a deep breath. "I heard it from a reliable source. I know this guy, Steve — he's pretty connected in some circles. Steve says the mafia found out where Max was hiding.”As James speaks, a sinking feeling settles in my stomach. I had blac
Serena's POV Bill is hiding something from me, and I can sense it. This morning, as he drives me to work, he's unusually quiet. Normally, we chat about our plans or joke around, but today, he seems lost in his thoughts. His fingers tap the steering wheel lightly, and every now and then, he glance
Stevie’s POVThe camera feels good in my hands. Familiar. Steady. It gives me something to focus on other than the weight of a hundred judgmental stares and the deafening hum of old money conversations swirling around me.Through the viewfinder, the Lancaster gala is dazzling. Gilded chandeliers spa
Stevie’s POVThe envelope looks expensive. Heavy cream-colored paper, embossed gold lettering, and Calvin’s name written in the kind of script that probably costs more than my monthly grocery bill. He’s staring at it like it’s a summons to court.“What is that?” I ask, leaning against the kitchen co
Calvin’s POVThe morning starts like most others these days. I wake up early, review emails over a cup of coffee, and make a mental list of everything I need to get done before the day spirals out of control. Except, today, there’s a weight sitting on my chest that has nothing to do with quarterly r
Stevie’s POVThe soft hum of the penthouse’s ventilation system is too damn loud today. Or maybe it’s my own restlessness that’s making me hyper-aware of everything—the sound of my foot tapping against the floor, the faint ticking of a ridiculously expensive clock that Calvin insists is “decorative.
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