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 message comes in around midday, just as I’m finally sitting down to have a quiet moment with myself. My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen, expecting something simple — a text from Stevie, or maybe a reminder about one of Collin’s appointments. But it’s not that at all. It’s M
Serena’s POVMy mind is racing as I head home, Matt’s words echoing like a dark, relentless drumbeat in my head. Kevin’s not done. He’s coming, and he’s coming prepared. My heart pounds, and it’s hard to keep myself calm. I’m terrified, but that only pushes me to move faster, my steps quicker as I m
Bill’s POVThe days have started to blend together in a haze of tension and unease. Every time I leave the house or walk through the halls of Pinnacle, I’m on edge, scanning the faces of everyone around me, watching every corner like I’m back in some kind of tactical training. But this is worse beca
Bill’s POVThe day starts before the sun’s up, a phone vibrating loud against the nightstand and jolting me awake. I rub my eyes, picking up before I even check the caller ID. There’s a heaviness in the air, an instinct telling me that this call isn’t just routine.“Bill, it’s James,” the voice on t
Serena’s POVThe tension is thick in the air, so dense it feels like it’s pressing down on me as Bill and I rush through the house, grabbing only what we absolutely need. We’re not taking chances anymore — Kevin’s gone too far, and the fear of him looming close, watching our every move, is unbearabl
Serena’s POVThe sound of breaking glass rips through the quiet, cutting off any last illusion of safety. My heart pounds hard against my chest as I lock eyes with Bill. There’s no time to second-guess this. Kevin is making his move. We need to be out of here, now.“Get James on the line,” I tell B
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
Serena’s POVThe sound of soft giggles and the rustling of blankets pulls me from sleep. For a moment, I think I’m dreaming, but then I hear something else—Bill’s voice. Low, soothing, but laced with strain.I blink my eyes open, squinting against the early morning light seeping through the curtains
Bill’s POVI ignore the pain in my ribs as I push through the doors of Calvin’s office. Every step sends a dull, burning ache through my side, but I don’t slow down. I don’t have the patience for weakness right now.Calvin and James are already at the table, hunched over a laptop, deep in discussion
Stevie’s POVThe house is quiet, the kind of quiet that feels rare lately.I rock Elijah gently, his tiny body curled against my chest, his breath warm and steady. His little fingers twitch slightly, grasping onto the fabric of my sweater in his sleep. I close my eyes for a moment, listening to the
Calvin’s POVThe study smells like coffee, old paper, and exhaustion. The kind of exhaustion that doesn’t just sit in your bones but in your mind, making every thought feel heavier than it should. The desk lamp flickers slightly, casting uneven light over the chaos of blueprints, files, and scattere
Serena’s POVThe house is finally quiet.I stand by the twins’ crib, watching their small chests rise and fall in slow, steady breaths. Their room is dimly lit by the soft glow of the nightlight, casting gentle shadows along the walls. For the first time in what feels like forever, they’re both asle