Serena’s POVWhen we reach Bill’s place, I barely wait for the car to stop before I’m out, hurrying toward the door. Bill must’ve been watching out for us because the door swings open as soon as I reach it. He looks tense, his jaw set, and I can tell he’s just as anxious as I am.“Got here as soon a
Bill’s POV“I’m coming with you,” Serena says, her voice steady, leaving no room for argument.I meet her eyes, and I already know I won’t be able to change her mind. But I try anyway. “Serena, it could be dangerous. You don’t know what we’re walking into.”She shakes her head, her gaze unwavering.
Bill’s POV“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” Harry spits out, his voice sharp and defensive. His eyes dart around the room like a trapped animal’s, his pale face betraying the fear he’s trying to hide.“Don’t lie to me,” I say, voice low, though I feel the fury simmering beneath. “Y
Bill’s POVThe world feels like it’s closing in, everything shrinking to this moment. Mom stands there, looking so much smaller than I remember, holding Collin close. She’s frail, almost unrecognizable.Her face is pale, gaunt, each cheekbone sharp, her eyes hollowed by dark shadows, and her hair —
Bill’s POVI hold Collin tight, staring at Mom, barely believing a word she just said. She looks at me, eyes wet, pleading, but I can’t bring myself to trust her — not after what she’s done.“Stage four cancer?” I repeat, my voice thick with skepticism. “So now you’re dying, and I’m supposed to… wha
Serena’s POVIt’s been a few days since we brought Collin home, and every day feels like we’re waking up to a miracle. Bill and I both cleared our schedules, taking a break from everything to just be here with him, soaking in every tiny moment we missed out on. There’s something magical about these
Serena’s POVCollin’s lying on his tummy, little legs kicking as he wiggles around, making his way from toy to toy, determined to grab every single one within reach. It’s a happy sight, one that fills me with a warmth I didn’t realize I was missing all this time.Bill and I are both down on the floo
Serena’s POVThe moment the word leaves Collin’s mouth, I feel like my heart might burst. “Mama.” It’s so clear, so perfect, like he’s been waiting for this exact moment to say it. He looks at me with those wide, curious eyes, his tiny mouth forming the sound again, like he’s testing it out. “Mama.”
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