Serena's POVMadame Amélie stands in front of the class, her gaze sweeping across the room as she speaks, “We’ve reached the halfway point of boot camp, and now it’s time to put your skills to the test in a real-world setting.” She pauses, letting the room settle before continuing, “You will all be
Serena's POVAs the festival kicks off, people start wandering past our booth, some stopping to look more closely, others just browsing. I’ve done this enough to know that patience is key. Still, there’s always that little thrill when someone picks up a piece and studies it.About an hour in, a wom
Serena's POVThe day’s almost over, and we’ve just got a couple more pieces to sell. I glance at Colette. “I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick. You okay holding down the fort?”“Of course. Go ahead,” she says, waving me off.I hurry toward the nearest restroom, but the line is way longer tha
Bill's POVI slam the car door shut, the engine still running as I sit in front of my mother’s house. Selling her shares to Calvin, of all people? It’s all I can think about as I force myself out of the car.The door creaks open before I can even knock. My mom stands there, arms crossed, her expres
Serena's POVThe day finally arrives, and Colette and I can hardly contain our excitement as we head toward the atelier of one of Paris’s top jewelers. The streets of the city seem even more vibrant today. There’s something about this moment that feels surreal… Like we’re about to step into a whole
Bill's POVThe tension in Frederick’s office is palpable the moment I step through the door. His sharp gaze meets mine, as if he already knows this isn’t just a casual visit."Bill," Fred says, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. "What brings you here today?"Without hesitation, I take a se
Bill's POVThe assistant gestures for me to follow, and I step into Taylor Vanderbilt’s mansion. The place is just as I remember — grand, pristine, almost too perfect. High ceilings, polished marble floors, and walls lined with expensive paintings that probably cost more than some people's homes.T
Serena's POV The last day of boot camp feels like the end of something much bigger than a training program. The air is thick with finality, but there’s a quiet buzz of excitement too. I step into the workshop, and for a moment, I just stand there, taking it all in. The familiar scent of metal, th
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