Novels by Violet Pierce

Patricia filed the contempt motion within an hour."The text message is a clear violation," she explained over the phone. "The judge specifically ordered him to cease all contact and public statements. He couldn't even wait twenty-four hours.""What happens now?" I asked."The judge issues a bench warrant. Police pick him up. He appears before Judge Rodriguez to explain himself. If she finds him in contempt, he could face fines or jail time.""Jail?" My stomach twisted despite everything James had done."Up to six months for contempt. Given his pattern of behavior, I think she'll throw the book at him."After she hung up, Alexander found me staring out the window."You're worried about him," he said. It wasn't a question."He's going to jail because he sent me a text message.""He's going to jail because he violated a direct court order hours after receiving it. That shows contempt not just for the court, but for any aut

Two weeks of bedrest ended with another ultrasound.Dr. Patel examined me carefully, checking blood flow, placenta position, Luna's growth."Everything looks stable," she finally said. "The abruption hasn't progressed. Luna is thriving.""Can I get up?" I asked hopefully."Modified activity. No heavy lifting. No stress. But yes, you can resume normal daily activities. Carefully."Alexander exhaled in relief. "Thank God.""However," Dr. Patel continued, "I want you avoiding the courthouse. No trial attendance. The stress could trigger another episode.""But the trial starts in six weeks—""Then you'll attend via video if absolutely necessary. But preferably, you stay home and rest."I wanted to argue. But Luna kicked, reminding me of priorities."Okay," I agreed. "Home. Rest. Got it."---Patricia called that afternoon with news."We have a hearing date for summary judgment. Two weeks fro

The news about James's motion went public within hours."Sterling Son Claims Stepmother Faked Medical Emergency""James Sterling: 'Convenient Timing' on Pregnancy Complications""Billionaire's Son Accuses Pregnant Wife of Sympathy Ploy"The headlines were brutal. But this time, they weren't on James's side.Victoria showed me her phone from my bedside. "Twitter is destroyinghim."@MomOf3: He's accusing a woman on bedrest of faking a placental abruption? That's a new low.@DoctorSarah_MD: Medical professional here. Placental abruption is SERIOUS and can be fatal. This is disgusting.@NYCDad: I don't care what your grievances are. You don't attack a pregnant woman. Period.@TeamBella2025: JAMES STERLING IS A MONSTER. Bella almost lost her baby and he's calling it fake? CANCELLED.Even people who'd supported James were turning on him.

It happened at 2 AM on a Thursday.I woke up to cramping. Sharp. Low in my abdomen."Alexander," I whispered, shaking him. "Something's wrong."He was awake instantly. "What? What hurts?""Cramping. Bad cramping." I sat up carefully. "And I think—I think I'm bleeding."His face went white. "I'm calling Dr. Patel. Don't move."While he talked frantically on the phone, I went to the bathroom.Blood. Not a lot, but enough to terrify me."Luna," I whispered, one hand on my belly. "Please be okay. Please."Alexander appeared at the door. "Dr. Patel says to go to the hospital. Now. She's meeting us there."The drive to Mount Sinai was a blur. Alexander drove too fast, running red lights, one hand gripping mine."She's going to be fine," he kept saying. "She has to be fine.""What if she's not? What if I'm losing her?""You're not. You're not. She's strong. Like her mother."At the emerg

The anatomy scan was scheduled for Tuesday at 10 AM.Twenty weeks. Halfway through the pregnancy. The big ultrasound where they checked everything—heart, brain, organs, spine."Are you nervous?" Victoria asked, driving me to the appointment. Alexander was stuck in depositions."Terrified. What if something's wrong?""Nothing will be wrong. You've been taking care of yourself. Luna is fine.""You don't know that.""I know you're paranoid, which is normal for pregnancy." She glanced at me. "Also normal? Those jeans. When did you get actual maternity clothes?"I looked down at my obvious bump in proper maternity jeans. "Last week. Nothing else fits.""You look cute. Very 'glowing pregnant woman' vibes.""I feel like a whale.""A cute whale."At the doctor's office, we waited for Alexander. He'd promised to leave depositions early.He burst through the door at 10:15, slightly out of breath.

The 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday night at 7 PM.Victoria, Catherine, Alexander, and I watched together in the penthouse, my hand gripping Alexander's so tightly my knuckles were white.Seeing ourselves on screen was surreal.Alexander looked composed, authoritative. I looked younger than I remembered, and definitely pregnant."You look beautiful," Alexander whispered."I look terrified.""You look honest. That's better."The interview played out exactly as we'd lived it. The hard questions. The raw answers. Alexander's admission of feeling like a failure. My passionate defense of our love.When it ended, we sat in silence.Then Catherine's phone started ringing.Then Victoria's.Then both of ours."It's trending," Victoria said, scrolling rapidly. "Number one on Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Everything.""Good trending or bad trending?" I asked.She looked up, eyes wide. "Good. Bel