Stevie’s POVIf I have to listen to one more toast about “the strength and legacy of the Lancaster name,” I might throw up—and it won’t be from morning sickness.The ballroom is back to its usual glittering chaos, filled with laughter that feels more performative than genuine. Calvin’s family clinks
Calvin’s POVThe morning after the gala, I sit at my desk, staring at a mountain of emails. Most of them are the usual — status updates, meeting schedules, thinly veiled power plays from board members. But one subject line catches my attention: Coffee to Catch Up?It’s from Victoria.I close my lapt
Calvin’s POVNathan’s voice cuts through the boardroom like a knife, smooth and calculated, designed to leave a mark.“With all due respect,” he says, his tone just humble enough to be infuriating, “the board needs to consider whether our leadership is focused enough to steer Titan Group in these un
Stevie’s POVThe smell of fresh coffee drags me out of sleep. I blink at the sunlight streaming through the windows and realize, for once, I don’t feel like I’m running late or already behind. The bedside clock says it’s just past seven, which is weird because Calvin is usually halfway out the door
Calvin’s POVThe phone starts buzzing before sunrise. At first, I ignore it, hoping for just a few more minutes of quiet. But when the buzzing doesn’t stop, I know it’s something I can’t avoid.I sit up, grabbing my phone off the nightstand. The screen is flooded with notifications — emails, texts,
Calvin’s POVThe conference room feels stifling despite the cool air conditioning. A dozen cameras are trained on me, their lenses unflinching, while a low hum of murmured questions fills the space. I adjust the microphone in front of me, my fingers steady even though my chest feels tight.This isn’
Stevie’s POVWhen I step into the penthouse, the first thing I notice is the silence. The kind that feels intentional, like everyone’s holding their breath. The second thing I notice is her.Victoria.She’s sitting on the couch, looking way too comfortable for someone who doesn’t live here. Her hair
Calvin’s POVNathan’s voice echoes in the boardroom, smooth and confident, like he’s rehearsed this moment a hundred times.“As much as I respect Calvin’s contributions to Titan Group,” he says, gesturing toward me with a practiced air of humility, “I believe it’s time we take a serious look at how
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
Bill’s POVPain.That’s the first thing I register. A deep, dull ache pulsing through my ribs, spreading through my chest like a slow burn. It’s not unbearable, but it’s enough to remind me that I’m not at full strength. Not even close.I blink against the morning light filtering through the curtain
Stevie’s POVThe four of us sit in Bill and Serena’s living room, the weight of everything pressing down like a storm cloud.No one speaks at first.Bill is in a wheelchair, recovering from the gunshot wound that was meant for Calvin. His face is pale, drawn tight with exhaustion, but his eyes are s