Serena’s POVElena is propped up on a mountain of pillows, her skin pale, almost translucent, and her frame so much smaller than I remember. The woman who once towered over Bill, always in command, looks vulnerable in a way that tugs at something deep inside me.Bill clears his throat softly and ask
Bill’s POVThe sky hangs heavy with clouds, casting a solemn shade over everything as we gather around my mother’s casket. The Richardson family cemetery is quiet, except for the muffled sounds of the priest’s words, fading into the background of my thoughts. The chill of the air seeps through my ja
Serena’s POVThere’s a part of me that doesn’t want to be here, doing this, especially now. But maybe it’s time we finally settle things.Calvin stands there, hands in his pockets, staring down at the ground like he’s working up the courage to speak. It’s odd, seeing him like this — almost… vulnerab
Bill’s POVI feel a tap on my shoulder. My whole body tenses. It’s instinct — I turn, fists clenched, eyes sharp. Calvin’s standing there, hands up in a show of surrender.“I’m not here to fight, Bill,” he says calmly, voice low enough that only I can hear.I study him, still suspicious. Calvin neve
Bill’s POVThe energy in the room is electric. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen RGE like this—alive, vibrant, filled with people celebrating, and full of hope for what’s next. The space is decked out with elegant white and gold banners that say “Welcome Back!” and “Here’s to New Beginnings!” T
Bill’s POVThe rooftop is quiet, the sounds of the party fading away as we step into the open air. The sun’s almost set, painting everything in shades of pink and orange. Serena’s by my side, and I can’t take my eyes off her — there’s something different in her expression, something intense but calm
Serena’s POVThe bell chimes as Stevie and I step into the supply store, the familiar scent of polished wood and metal filling the air. The place is packed with everything we need for our jewelry line — rows of gemstones, spools of wire, delicate chains in every color, and trays of clasps, each more
Bill’s POVAs the morning light spills through the windows, I sit on the floor with Collin, who’s perched on his knees, bouncing with that endless energy he seems to have discovered overnight. His chubby fingers reach out to grab the small stack of wooden blocks I’ve been carefully balancing, and wi
Serena’s POVThe kitchen table is a disaster zone. Wedding magazines are piled high, ready to topple over at the slightest nudge. Fabric swatches are scattered everywhere like pastel confetti, and sticky notes are plastered all over, each one screaming something I still need to deal with. My laptop
Bill’s POVThe elevator ride to our suite feels longer than usual, but I’m not complaining. Serena leans into me, her fingers tracing lazy patterns along the back of my hand. Her engagement ring catches the soft glow of the elevator lights, and I can’t help but smile. I don’t know how I got lucky en
Serena’s POVBy the time we return to the hotel, Collin is completely worn out. I tuck him into his crib, brushing his hair back as he mumbles sleepily. His tiny chest rises and falls, his face relaxed in a way that only toddlers can manage.When I step out of the room, Bill is waiting for me, a mis
Serena’s POVThe morning is cool, and the light spilling through the trees casts a golden hue on everything. We’re sitting at this small café by the canal, the kind of place that’s almost too picturesque to believe — flower pots on the tables, cobblestones underfoot, and the faint sound of water lap
Serena’s POVMariah Johnson sits across from me, her eyes wide with admiration as she flips through her notes. The studio for Luxe Perspectives is bright and modern, the kind of place where creativity feels like it’s floating in the air. The interview has gone on for over an hour, but Mariah’s energ
Bill’s POVThe room is silent as the jury files in, their expressions solemn. I sit straight, keeping my focus on them, my heart pounding despite the steady mask I’ve worn all day. Beside me, Serena sits just as tense, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I glance at her briefly, giving her a small
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