LOGINAria’s POVAs I step back out into the party, it hits me all over again how wild this looks. People are still acting like we’re at a club in the middle of nowhere instead of a baby shower in someone’s backyard. But honestly, I get it. Most of these people don’t get out much during the week, so when they do, they do it. The DJ has the music thumping, bodies moving, laughter spilling everywhere. I can’t help but laugh to myself as I weave through the crowd.I make my way to the bar and ask for one of the non-leaded signature drinks. When they hand it to me, I take a sip and damn, it’s really good. The fresh fruit, the flavor, hell everything about it is perfect. If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d absolutely be getting it leaded, extra liquor and all.I chuckle under my breath at the thought and slowly make my way toward the dance floor.The music pulls me in, and I start swaying my hips, letting my body move with the beat. I spot my mother dancing, actually dancing, and she makes her way over to
Aria’s POVAs I watch Talia storm off with that familiar sharp edge to her walk, a heavy knot settles in my stomach. That girl didn’t just look annoyed, she looked angry. Dangerous, even. The kind of angry that doesn’t fade, it just waits.I turn my head slightly and catch Jalen’s face, tight and unreadable, his jaw clenched as his eyes follow her retreating figure. A second later, his attention shifts to his father. Vlade steps closer, murmurs something low, and Jalen immediately moves toward him.The two of them lean in, speaking in hushed tones, the kind of conversation that tells you everything without saying a word.I shake my head slowly.My mother notices.“That girl,” she says quietly, her tone sharp but calm, “is going to be a problem.”I let out a breath that feels like it’s been sitting in my chest for years. “You have no idea,” I reply, glancing back toward where Talia disappeared. “I lived with her, remember?”My mom’s brows lift, disbelief still fresh on her face even no
Jalen’s POVI move through the backyard slowly, deliberately, the way you do when you’re trying to take everything in without letting the weight of it all settle too heavy on your chest.Laughter hums through the air, the DJ’s low music blending with conversation and clinking glasses, and everywhere I look there are faces I know from family, friends, coworkers, people who’ve watched Patrick grow up and now want to celebrate the life he and Amara are bringing into the world.And then I see her.Aria stands near one of the tables, sunlight catching her just right, like the day itself decided to be gentle with her. She looks…good. Glowy. Steady. No mad dash to the bathroom, no hand pressed to her mouth, no pale strain around her eyes. That alone eases something in my chest. She hasn’t thrown up today, which, selfishly, I count as a small victory. I know she’s still careful, still sticking to what her stomach can tolerate, and I don’t blame her. When she gets sick, it’s not delicate. It’
ARIA’S POVI’m stretched out across the bed, phone hovering inches from my face, mindlessly scrolling through social media like that’s somehow going to calm my nerves. It never does. Especially not when I already know how Jalen is. Especially not when I already know what kind of night this could turn into if I let my guard slip.And I’m not doing that.Not here.Not in my sister’s house.I shake my head to myself and let out a quiet laugh, feeling ridiculous, it's not like I’m fifteen again instead of a grown-ass woman well into my thirties. I drop my phone onto the mattress just as the door creaks open, followed immediately by a low, masculine groan.I don’t even have to look, because I already know who it is.I bury my face into the mattress, muffling a smile before it can betray me. The bed dips behind me, and then, smack.My hand flies back as I twist onto my side, shooting him a sharp scowl.“Really?” I snap.Jalen just grins, slow and sinful, eyes dragging over me like he’s undr
Talia’s POVI wake up Saturday morning feeling smug as hell.I damn sure relieved, and grateful, because when those accounts were frozen, I panicked, but I moved that money in time. I made sure I wasn’t left broke, stupid, or cornered. I sigh, rolling out of bed, padding into my bathroom like everything is still mine.Because it should be.Amy’s gone. That fucking traitor. That fake ass loyal bitch who wanted to act like she wasn’t enjoying every damn benefit that came with being in my orbit. I already put out an ad for a new assistant, this time, strictly business. She will have no personal access and definitely no emotional entitlement. Boundaries will be in place.Something Amy clearly couldn’t handle.I take care of my business in the bathroom, shower fast and scrub hard like I can wash the anxiety off my skin. I fix my hair, brush my teeth, do my makeup with precision, no shaking hands, and no smudges. By the time I slide back into my silk robe, I look like myself again.Contro
Aria’s POVAs I stand there in the foyer, facing the open path toward the backyard, I watch something unfold that I never, I mean never, would have put on my bingo card.Big Tuck is emotionally breaking down.He's not yelling. Not raging. Not pacing the floor with clipped commands and contingency plans.He is literally breaking.My heart physically aches in my chest as I watch this giant of a man crumble in front of all of us. A man who has always been steady, calculated, and strong. The kind of man who built something from nothing, who wanted more for his sons than he ever had, who made sure his children could grow families of their own without fear of instability.And now he’s standing here realizing that the woman he once believed was right for his son, the woman he trusted enough to bring into his family, was the one who robbed him blind.Not just financially, but emotionally, and structurally at the foundation.I glance at Jalen and his brothers, and the look on their faces guts







