Bill’s POV“Adam Pritchard. That’s his name.”James hands me the picture, and the second I see his face, it all comes back. He’s the guy who had the audacity to escort Serena to her company launch, that smug grin plastered on his face like he belonged by her side. That asshole.“What are you gonna d
Serena’s POVEster picks up the necklace, her eyes gleaming as she studies the details.“It’s incredible, Serena,” she says, turning the piece over in her hands. “The design, the colors — it’s exactly what I was hoping for.”Hearing that kind of praise from Ester Paige, Academy Award nominee, feels
Bill’s POVThe last thing I expect is to see Serena’s name flash across my phone screen.I pick up, half-expecting her to give me some update about work or, if I’m lucky, to just check in. But her voice on the other end sounds hesitant, almost awkward, like she’s not used to whatever she’s about to
Serena’s POVI swear, the second I walk through Bill’s door, I realize I might have signed myself up for an ambush.There’s a whole team of people buzzing around like I’m the main attraction. Tables full of makeup brushes, rollers, and a million hair tools take over the room, and racks of gowns I on
Bill’s POVWhen Serena steps out, time stops.I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like this. The second she emerges from behind the screen, the room falls completely silent. Serena stands there, looking both stunning and unsure, her gaze sweeping over all of us, waiting for some kind of reaction. She’s
Serena’s POVThe first person I see on the red carpet is Ester, and when she spots me, her face lights up like she’s won already.“Serena! Look at you!” she gushes, pulling me into a quick, tight hug. “You look amazing.”I barely manage to stammer out a “thank you,” feeling a little flustered and de
Bill’s POVThe afterparty is chaos. Glancing around the room, I spot half a dozen celebrities losing their minds. A few feet away, Seth Rogen is laughing way too loudly at something Dave Chappelle just said. Doja Cat is dancing on top of a table, drink in hand. I shake my head with a smirk. Oscars
Serena’s POVThe drive home is quiet, but it’s not awkward—it’s the kind of quiet that lets everything from the night sink in. My head's still spinning from the party, the lights, the noise, and the fact that we were even there. It feels surreal.Stevie is passed out next to me, slumped against the
Bill’s POVThe second day of the trial feels heavier than the first. I sit at the stand, every eye in the courtroom on me. Kevin sits across the room, leaning back in his chair, his face as blank as ever. But I’ve known him long enough to spot the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers tap rh
Serena’s POVEvan Carter steps up to the stand, his posture rigid but his face set with a kind of quiet determination. He’s nervous — I can see it in the way his hands grip the edges of the chair, his knuckles white — but he doesn’t hesitate when the prosecutor starts her questioning.“Mr. Carter,”
Serena’s POVThe courtroom feels like it’s holding its breath. Kevin sits across the room, calm and collected, as if he isn’t facing the weight of his crimes being read aloud. Arson. Money laundering. Drug trafficking. Arms dealing. Conspiracy. Each charge is like a hammer falling, but Kevin doesn’t
Bill’s POVThe flashing red and blue lights from the police cars paint everything in sharp. Kevin’s hunched figure disappears into the back of a cruiser, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back. But even as he’s being taken away, he still manages to twist the knife with his parting words.“This isn
Serena’s POVKevin strides toward me, his expression dark and twisted. I don’t move. I plant my feet, keeping my stance steady, just like Bill taught me. My heart races, but my mind is sharp, clear. I’m not afraid — not anymore.He lunges, fast and aggressive, the blade in his hand aiming straight f
Serena’s POVKevin raises the knife, and my breath catches. For a split second, time seems to slow, the glint of the blade catching the faint light like a silent threat. Before I can react, Bill charges in from the side, slamming into Kevin with the full force of his body. They hit the ground hard,
Serena’s POVKevin steps toward me. His twisted grin grows wider with each deliberate step. He thinks he has this in the bag. He thinks I’m scared, that I’ll back down the second he closes the gap. He doesn’t realize he’s underestimating me.My feet stay planted firmly on the ground, my hands steady
Bill’s POVKevin and his men approach slowly, scanning every corner. They’re trying to catch even the smallest hint of movement. They’re wary but not afraid, at least not yet. Kevin’s confidence radiates off him like a bad cologne, seeping into the minds of the men with him. Serena is crouched besi
Serena’s POVBill, Matt, James, and I go over every detail of the plan again and again. I sit at the table, watching as they discuss the best routes in and out of the location, debating whether we’ll have enough cover.It’s late, and all of us are tired. But I shake it off. There’s no time for being