Serena’s POVI step out of the elevator, a bag of takeout balanced in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other. Calvin’s penthouse is just as intimidating as the first time I visited—sleek, modern, and completely devoid of personality. It feels more like a luxury hotel than a home.But I
Stevie’s POVI’m halfway through a bowl of cereal—because screw proper breakfast food—when the thought hits me like a lightning bolt. It’s not new exactly. It’s been hovering in the back of my mind, poking me every now and then, but today, it feels different. Urgent. Like if I don’t say it out loud,
Calvin’s POVStevie doesn’t say it outright, but I can tell how much this exhibit means to her. She’s been buzzing with energy, her notebooks filling up with ideas faster than she can find space on the pages. Watching her rediscover that spark — it’s like seeing sunlight break through a storm.But I
Stevie’s POVBeing stuck in bed isn’t all bad. I mean, sure, it’s boring as hell most of the time, and I’d kill to walk further than from the bed to the bathroom without feeling like a 90-year-old. But there’s something about having this much downtime that forces you to think.Or, in my case, overth
Stevie’s POV“You’re joking, right?” I deadpan, staring at the wheelchair Calvin just rolled into the living room.“Nope,” he replies, looking entirely too pleased with himself.“Calvin, I’m not ninety. I can walk just fine—well, sort of.” I gesture vaguely at my legs, which have mostly been hanging
Calvin’s POVStevie amazes me.It’s not the loud, in-your-face kind of amazement. It’s quieter, deeper. Like watching a storm roll in from the distance, knowing it’s going to leave everything changed.She’s sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, papers and sketches spread out around her like
Bill’s POVBreakfast at our house is rarely peaceful. Collin is perched in his booster seat, wielding his spoon like a weapon as he demolishes a bowl of oatmeal. Serena sits across from him, pale and clearly trying not to gag at the smell of his breakfast.“More blueberries, Daddy!” Collin announces
Serena’s POVThe conference room feels like it’s shrinking. The production team for The Solitaire Job is gathered around the table, their energy infectious as they pitch the movie’s premise. A high-stakes heist, an exclusive gala, and Etoile de Collin’s jewelry right at the center of it all. It’s a
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