Serena's POV"Bill's been asking where you are," Taylor says, watching me closely for my reaction.I stiffen, my heart racing. "Did you... tell him?" My voice is quieter than I mean it to be, worry gnawing at me. The last thing I need is for Bill to know where I’ve been hiding.Taylor shakes her hea
Bill's POVThe plane touches down in Silicon Valley, and the energy is already different. It’s not the boardroom drama or family politics I’ve been drowning in lately — it’s innovation, ideas, a chance to build something new. Sarah sits next to me, reviewing the notes she’s compiled on the two foun
Serena's POVWhen I step into Marjorie’s office, I’m instantly reminded of the gravity of what we’re about to do. Everything feels bigger, more serious. But the moment I see Stevie sitting on the couch, her eyes already brimming with tears, the tension melts a little.“Serena!” she exclaims, rushin
Bill's POVWe sit across from Josh and Leo in the same conference room as before, but this time the atmosphere is different. Sarah has her notepad in front of her, and I’m running numbers in my head, thinking about how this partnership will work.“So,” I say, leaning forward, “let’s talk about shar
Serena’s POVFabiana’s studio is full of that buzzing, creative energy I’ve come to love. Ester Paige’s name keeps coming up during the discussions, and it’s no surprise — she’s the biggest name in Hollywood right now. Tall, striking, and effortlessly glamorous, Ester has become the face of every i
Serena’s POVWhen I walk into the café, I spot Adam immediately. He’s seated by the window, the soft afternoon light casting a warm glow on him as he scrolls through his phone. His casual confidence is still there, the same Adam I remember, but there’s something different about him. As I approach t
Bill’s POVThe car hums beneath us as Sarah and I head toward the Étoile de Collin launch. My suit is sharp, perfectly tailored — black with a hint of sheen in the fabric, a nod to the event’s high-end nature. I’ve kept the tie sleek, silver, and simple, knowing this isn’t the kind of night for bol
Serena’s POVThe lights from the chandeliers above twinkle as I make my way through the sea of elegant masks and glittering gowns. The masquerade theme is in full effect, and everything about this night is perfect. This is the grand launch of Étoile de Collin, a moment I’ve dreamed of for so long.
Stevie’s POVElijah is babbling to himself in the living room, gripping one of his stuffed animals by the ear and smacking it against the floor like it personally offended him. His little feet kick excitedly as he sits on his play mat, lost in his own world.I smile, stirring the pasta on the stove
Bill’s POVSterling’s estate looms in the distance, a glass-and-steel fortress perched high in the hills, isolated from the rest of the world. The long driveway leading up to it is lined with evenly spaced trees, so perfectly maintained they don’t look real. There’s something eerie about the silence
Bill’s POVThe club is dark, expensive, and filled with the kind of people who think power is the only currency that matters.I step inside, letting my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. Everything here is designed to make people feel important—the low hum of conversation, the perfectly aged whiskey,
Serena’s POVI stare at the numbers on my screen, scanning the latest financial reports for Étoile de Collin while trying to ignore the exhaustion creeping in. My eyes blur slightly, but I shake it off and keep going. Every detail needs to be right. Every move has to be airtight. We’re too close now
Calvin’s POVI stand at the top of Titan’s headquarters, my hands resting on the cool glass railing as I look out over the city. The view from here stretches for miles—downtown skyscrapers gleaming in the fading sunlight, the freeway below packed with crawling traffic, the distant haze of the ocean
Serena’s POVCollin’s laughter echoes through the backyard, loud and full, the way only a kid’s laugh can be. It cuts through the evening air, blending with the soft rustling of trees and the occasional gurgle from one of the twins.I take a sip of tea, letting the warmth settle in my chest as I lea
Bill’s POVI throw a punch at the heavy bag, ignoring the sharp pain that shoots through my ribs. My knuckles connect with a solid thud, but it’s not satisfying. Not enough. The ache spreading through my side is a reminder that I should be resting.But I don’t care.I shift my stance and hit the bag
Stevie’s POVI spot Calvin before he sees me.He’s sitting in a booth near the back, leaning against the leather seat with one hand wrapped around a whiskey glass. His sleeves are rolled up, his tie is slightly loosened, and his phone is face-down on the table. He looks… tired, but in a way that’s d
Calvin’s POVI stand at the head of the table, both hands resting on the smooth glass, my fingers pressing into the surface just enough to keep me grounded. Across from me, a dozen board members sit in their usual seats, but the energy in the room is off.Some of them shift slightly, their eyes dart