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 POVWe’ve barely been in the safe house for an hour, but it already feels like we’ve been here a lifetime. The place is small, cozy, tucked far enough into the woods to give us cover.I keep looking around to find every corner and possible exit. After that, I set up a makeshift crib for Col
Sunset Barbecue & Forever LoveSerena’s POVThere’s something about a perfect summer evening that makes me feel like we’ve done something right.The sun is just starting to set, casting that golden glow over our backyard, and the smell of barbecue fills the air. Kids’ laughter rings through the spac
The Sleepover from HellBill’s POVI don’t know how I got roped into this.One minute, I was minding my business, thinking about kicking back with a beer and watching the Lakers game. The next?I’m hosting a damn sleepover.Collin—our sweet, energetic, too-smart-for-his-own-good son—managed to convi
When Serena Got DrunkBill’s POVIt started out as a normal night.Just me, Serena, and a rare moment of freedom—no kids, no responsibilities, and no reason to be in bed by 10 p.m.I should’ve known it was going to get wild when she ordered her first margarita and said, “I deserve this.”By the thir
The Twins’ First Birthday BashSerena’s POVI told myself we were going to keep it simple.Something small, just close family and friends, maybe a cake, a few balloons, and a couple of presents. Nothing over the top.But I should’ve known better.Because the moment Calvin found out we were celebrati
The Worst Date Ever (And the Best Night After)Serena’s POVTonight was supposed to be perfect.A night just for us—no kids, no work stress, no last-minute interruptions. Just Bill and me, dressed up, out on the town, basking in the kind of luxury we rarely get to indulge in anymore. A night where w
Couples Therapy (Because Why Not?)Bill’s POVI have done a lot of things for my wife.I have sat through terrible rom-com marathons. I have held her purse in the middle of crowded shopping malls. I have eaten kale.But this?This might be the worst.Because somehow, someway, I have let Serena drag
When Serena Got JealousSerena’s POVI am not the jealous type.I am not the kind of woman who gets territorial, who glares at waitresses for being too friendly, or who overanalyzes every interaction Bill has with another woman.But this?This is different.Because Bill’s new assistant is young, fli
The Great Twin EscapeBill’s POVThere are few things in life more terrifying than waking up in the middle of the night to an eerie, unnatural silence.That’s what does it—the silence.When you’re the parent of three kids, you develop a sixth sense about these things. Normal nights come with backgro
Teaching Collin About LoveSerena’s POVIt starts at bedtime.Collin is curled up under his dinosaur blanket, his stuffed triceratops tucked beneath his arm, when he suddenly tilts his head and asks, “Mommy, how do you know when you love someone?”I pause, his question catching me off guard.From wh