Caroline’s Point of ViewThe morning sun casts a soft glow across the house as I grab my bag and step into the hallway, ready for work. My phone buzzes in my hand, a gentle reminder from my calendar about the meetings I have scheduled for the day. I’m preoccupied, mentally running through my tasks, when a voice stops me in my tracks.“Knoxx, are you ready?” Dolly’s voice echoes from the living room.I pause, my brow furrowing. What is she up to now?I step toward the room, and there she is, sitting on the couch with an air of practiced innocence. Her hand rests lightly on her baby bump as she looks up at Knoxx, who’s standing a few feet away.“Take me to my pregnancy check-up today,” she says sweetly, tilting her head as if she’s just made the most reasonable request in the world.Knoxx’s expression tightens slightly, but he nods. “Alright. Let me get my keys.”My
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe cool evening air prickles against my skin as I take in the sight before me. Adrian and Knoxx, two men who couldn’t be more different, yet here they are, standing side by side, waiting for me. Their presence is magnetic, drawing the attention of every passerby.Adrian leans against his sleek black car, exuding effortless confidence. His tailored suit fits him like a glove, and the bouquet of vibrant lilies in his hand seems to be an extension of his polished demeanor. His smile is relaxed, as though he doesn’t have a care in the world.Knoxx, on the other hand, is the embodiment of barely-contained tension. He stands stiffly by his silver car, his dark suit crisp and sharp, his bouquet of white roses clutched tightly in one hand. His intense gaze locks onto mine, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.A small crowd has gathered, whispering and pointing. It’s not every day you see two devastatingly handsome men, each with a luxury car and a bouquet, vy
Knoxx’s Point of View“Join us.”Adrian’s invitation rings in my head, smug and deliberate. The way he says it—like Caroline and he are some exclusive pair inviting an outsider—sets my teeth on edge. But the idea of leaving Caroline alone with him for dinner? That’s not happening.The words leave my mouth before I’ve fully thought them through. “Fine. I’ll join you.”The shift in their expressions is immediate. Caroline’s eyes widen, and Adrian’s smirk falters just enough to fuel my satisfaction. Clearly, they didn’t see that coming.“You will?” Adrian recovers quickly, raising an eyebrow.“I will,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why not? It’s dinner. And it's my wife who you are with.”Caroline glances between us, visibly uncomfortable. “Um... are you sure, Knoxx?”I meet her gaze
The soft buzz of notifications on my phone feels almost surreal. Each chime brings a new order, a new message, or another follower on our studio’s Instagram page. I sit at my desk in the corner of the studio, my laptop open to a sea of congratulatory emails and order confirmations. The energy in the room is electric, buzzing with the excitement of a thriving business.“Caroline, you have to see this!” Lisa exclaims, practically running over to my desk. She’s holding her phone, her grin so wide it’s infectious. “Another celebrity just posted about your designs! Look!”She thrusts her phone into my hands, and there it is: a photo of a stunning actress wearing one of my necklaces, the caption praising the craftsmanship and uniqueness. The comments section is exploding with admiration and inquiries about where to buy it.“This is amazing,” I whisper, feeling a rush of pride and disbelief.Lisa nods vigorously, her excitement matching my own. “Amazing? Caroline, this is huge! Do you realiz
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe soft sound of the front door creaking open pulls me from my thoughts. I’m seated in the living room, my hands wrapped tightly around a mug of cooling tea. My mind replays Dolly’s smug smile as she flaunted that bracelet—my bracelet design, no less. When Knoxx steps inside, loosening his tie with one hand and carrying his briefcase in the other, I take a deep breath, bracing myself.He spots me immediately. “Hey,” he says, his tone casual as he sets his briefcase down. “You look like you’ve had a long day.”I set the mug down on the coffee table and fold my arms. “We need to talk.”His brow furrows slightly as he shrugs off his suit jacket, draping it over the arm of a chair. “Okay. What’s going on?”I stand up, unable to keep still. “Dolly showed me the bracelet you bought her.”He blinks, clearly caught off guard. &ld
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe soft light of the afternoon spills through the window, warming the room as Knoxx’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.“I want to make it up to you,” he says, standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into his pockets.I raise an eyebrow, skeptical but answer with cold tone, “Make up for what?”Knoxx sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “For being an idiot. For buying her that gift without considering your feeling… after I promise I won’t do things that will hurt you,” he says, his tone lighter but still earnest. “I’ve been terrible at keeping promises, Caroline, especially when it comes to spending time with you. Let me take you on a proper date.”A proper date. The words hit me with a mix of excitement and disbelief. A part of me wants to scoff at the idea—after all, how many times has he said something similar, only to leave me waiting? But another part of me, the one that still hopes, stirs with anticipation.“Are you serious?” I ask cautiously, narrowin
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe evening air wraps around me as I step outside the restaurant, trying to gather my thoughts after Knoxx’s abrupt departure. The ache in my chest feels heavier with each passing second, the humiliation of being left alone gnawing at my composure. I clutch my purse tightly, fighting back the sting of tears. But before I can decide what to do next, a familiar figure steps out from the shadows.“Adrian?” I say, startled.He’s leaning casually against a sleek car, dressed impeccably as always. His presence is both surprising and strangely comforting.He flashes me that easy smile of his, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Fancy meeting you here,” he says, straightening up. “What a coincidence.”My brows furrow, suspicion flickering in my mind. “What are you doing here?”Adrian tilts his head, feigning innocence. “Secret,” he replies with a tea
Adrian’s smile widens, a glint of smug satisfaction in his eyes. “You left her alone, Knoxx. Someone had to step up and be the manKnoxx’s Point of ViewThe tires screech slightly as I pull into the hospital parking lot, my grip on the steering wheel tighter than it needs to be. My chest feels heavy, and my thoughts are racing. Caroline’s face flashes in my mind—the disappointment, the hurt in her eyes when I told her I had to leave. I’ll make it up to her, I promise myself. But first, I need to handle Dolly.I step out of the car, my suit jacket feeling heavier than it should. The fluorescent hospital lights seem to buzz louder than usual as I walk into the lobby, the sterile smell immediately assaulting my senses. I find Dolly in the maternity ward, lounging in a chair with her hand resting lightly on her stomach, looking perfectly calm. My irritation spikes.“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice sharp.
Knoxx’s Point of ViewIt’s too quiet in the house.I’m sitting on the edge of the bed in my daughter’s room—our daughter’s room—watching her sleep. Eight years old, but still small in ways that remind me how fragile everything is. She clutches the worn-out stuffed bear Dolly gave her on her third birthday. The same one she wouldn't let go of even when she had the flu and cried through the night.I’ve been checking on her more often. Staying longer than I need to. Not because she asks—she rarely does—but because I don’t know what else to do with myself anymore.“Hey, sweetheart,” I whisper, brushing a loose curl from her forehead. “It’s just you and me now.”She doesn’t stir. Just turns her face toward the wall.I lean back against the bedpost, hands tangled together, eyes fixed on the soft glow of the nightlight in the corner. I should feel
Caroline's Point of ViewThe air still smells like antiseptic and cold metal, but somehow, it feels warmer today. Maybe it’s because he’s sitting up now. Alive. Awake. Breathing.Adrian’s hoodie is half-zipped as he moves slowly, carefully, like he’s afraid to tear open anything that’s finally starting to heal. The nurses said he’s stable enough to go home—as long as someone stays with him.I didn’t hesitate.“I’ll take him,” I told them.Because there’s nowhere else he belongs. Not right now.I’m standing by his bed, arms crossed like a wall between myself and all the things I’m feeling. He looks up at me as he adjusts the hoodie. His movements are still weak, but steadier than they were days ago.“You sure you’re okay to leave?” I ask f
Knoxx's Point of ViewThe bottle is half-empty, and the silence in my apartment is too loud. I sit on the couch, staring at nothing. The TV is off. My phone is face down. I haven’t eaten. I haven’t slept much either, unless you count the few hours I passed out on the bathroom floor last night after another round of drinking.I don't know how many nights it's been like this now.I pick up the bottle again. My hand shakes slightly, and I pretend not to notice.She doesn’t love me.That thought—raw, sharp—keeps cutting deeper every time it returns. I tell myself I’m angry. I tell myself she was manipulated. I tell myself it was Adrian’s fault.But I know the truth.She doesn’t love me.Not anymore. Maybe she never really did. Maybe she just wanted to believe I could be someone worth loving.I failed her.“Where the hell did I go wrong?” I mutter to no one.I slam the bottle down too hard on the table, and it cracks slightly near the base. I glare at it like it's to blame.The door swings
Caroline's Point of ViewI don’t expect to find them like this.I’m coming back from the nurse’s station with a warm cup of tea in hand—Adrian’s favorite blend—when I turn the corner and freeze at the doorway to his hospital room.The lights are dimmed. The sterile white of the walls doesn’t bother me today, not when I see the softest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on: Liam sitting beside Adrian in the reclining chair, a picture book opened between them. Adrian’s voice is quiet but clear, reading out loud with calm cadence, pausing for Liam to fill in the next word.Liam’s fingers trace the illustrations. He’s completely focused, not wiggling or distracted the way he usually is.I don’t move. I don’t even breathe. I don’t want to break the moment.“‘And the little fox curled up next to his mama…’” Adrian says gently. “You know the next part?”Liam nods eagerly. “‘Because he was home. Safe and warm.’”“Yeah,” Adrian whispers. “Exactly.”My chest tightens.The paper cup in my hand feels hot.
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe hospital halls are quieter than usual this afternoon. Adrian is still asleep when I come back from the nurse’s station, where I asked for his updated chart. He’s stable. Recovering well, they said. But even if they didn’t, I think I would’ve stayed right here anyway. I sink into the chair beside his bed and fold his blanket higher on his chest. His breathing is slow, steady. Peaceful.I don’t know how long I just sit there staring at him. Watching his fingers twitch slightly in his sleep. I’ve memorized every line of his face these past few days, every scar and freckle, every soft crease that forms when he dreams. Sometimes, I wonder what he dreams about. Does he know I’m here?There’s no schedule in my head anymore. No outside world. No thoughts of work, the shop, or anything else. Just this room. Just him.The door clicks open behind me.I don’t need to look to know it’s Knoxx. The air shifts the moment he walks in—thick with that same tension that’s bee
Penelope's Point of ViewI knock on Liam’s door, glancing at the time on my phone. Caroline’s still at the hospital, taking care of Adrian. I offered to drop by the house and help with Liam since I know her hands are full. Plus, I miss the kid. There’s something about Liam’s energy that makes everything feel lighter.The door opens, and the nanny greets me with a smile. “Hi, Ms. Penelope. Liam’s inside drawing. He’s been asking if you’re coming.”My chest warms. “Good. I brought snacks.”I head inside, dropping my bag by the counter before walking into the living room. Liam is sitting cross-legged on the rug, his little hand moving crayons across a piece of paper. He looks up and beams when he sees me.“Penny!” he says, jumping to his feet and running to hug me.I kneel to catch him. “Hey, bud. You missed me?”He nods. “Mama’s busy. Daddy is sick. But I made drawings.”“I can’t wait to see them.”He pulls me by the hand, dragging me to the living room floor. I sit down beside him as h
Caroline’s Point of ViewKnoxx is standing in front of me again. Same expensive suit. Same arrogant posture. Same eyes that once used to undo me with a single look. Not anymore.I don’t flinch when he speaks.“You really won’t even look at me?”I cross my arms, leaning back against the wall of the hospital waiting area. The air smells sterile and cold. But inside, I feel oddly still. Numb, even.“I’m looking at you right now,” I say quietly.“That’s not what I meant,” he replies. He shifts on his feet like he’s uncomfortable. “Caroline… everything’s out. Everyone knows what Dolly did. She’s going to prison. You don’t have to keep pretending like you’re angry at me.”“I’m not pretending,” I say, still calm. Too calm. “And I’m not angry.”He frowns. “You’re not?”
Knoxx’s Point of ViewThe jail reeks of sweat, piss, and something else I can’t name. The kind of scent that clings to your skin long after you leave. I’ve been standing here for ten minutes, waiting for them to bring her out. I’m not pacing. I’m not anxious. I’m angry. And the longer I stand here, the more it simmers.She finally walks in—Dolly. Her wrists are cuffed, her hair a tangled mess, lips dry and pale. Her eyes flicker up to mine, hopeful. God. Still hopeful.“Knoxx,” she says, a breathy smile tugging at her lips. “You came.”I sit down across from her, hands clasped, jaw tight. “Don’t act surprised. You knew I would.”She leans forward like this is a reunion. “I didn’t think you’d visit this soon.”“I didn’t come to visit,” I snap. “This isn’t a visit. This is the last time we’ll speak.”Her smile falters, but she covers it quickly. “You’re upset. I get it. The media’s twisting everything—”“Stop talking.”Her mouth shuts.I breathe through my nose, steady, even, but inside
Caroline’s Point of ViewI sit across from the detective in the cold, gray-walled interrogation room, the recorder lying on the table between us. My fingers tremble slightly as I slide the flash drive across the smooth surface. I’ve played this moment in my head all night—how I’d hand over the truth, how I’d finally clear my name.“This is it,” I say, voice low but steady. “Everything she confessed. It’s all there.”Detective Ramirez picks up the drive, giving me a long, assessing look. “You’re sure she wasn’t coerced? No threats?”I meet his gaze. “She talked on her own. I just listened.”He nods slowly, motioning for the officer behind the mirror to take it for processing. My stomach tightens as the door clicks shut again. The moment feels heavier than I imagined.“She admitted to the theft of your designs, the drugging incident, and the incident involving the late Mr. Wayne?” he asks.“Yes,” I say. “She confessed to all of it. She also named someone else. A man. I don’t know his fu