LOGIN**Five Years Later**{SERENA POV}I stand at the window of ETHEREAL’s New York headquarters, watching the city I once fled from. The city where Adrian destroyed me. Where I was humiliated, betrayed, broken.Now I’m back. Not as Adrian’s wife. Not as anyone’s victim.As Serena Moore-Grant, CEO of a global fashion empire, wife to the love of my life, and grandmother to six beautiful grandchildren.Lucas appears behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Thinking about the past?”“Reflecting on how far we’ve come.” I lean back against him. “Years ago, I signed divorce papers in this city. I walked away from everything with nothing but my shattered dignity.”“And now?”“Now Adrian’s company is bankrupt. His reputation was destroyed. And I’m thriving.” I turn to face my husband. “We’re thriving.”He kisses me softly. “We are indeed.”My phone buzzes. A video call from Maya.I accept, and the screen fills with chaos. Three four-year-olds running in circles while Maya tries to wrangle th
“Sorry to interrupt, but you have visitors.” She’s smiling that smile that means she’s up to something.“What visitors?” Ethan asks.“Come see.”We struggle to our feet, me significantly slower than usual. Ethan keeps his hand on my lower back, supporting me as we walk to the main house.In the living room, I find Derek and Rachel. And they’re holding a baby.“Surprise!” Rachel beams. “Meet our daughter. Olivia Grace Park. Born three days ago.”“Oh my God!” I waddle over as fast as I can, which isn’t very fast. “You had the baby! Why didn’t you call us?”“Because you’re five months pregnant with triplets and stressed about the foundation launch and we didn’t want to add to it.” Derek looks exhausted but blissful. “Besides, we wanted to surprise you.”I look at the tiny bundle in Rachel’s arms. Perfect little face. Sleeping peacefully.“She’s beautiful. Can I hold her?”“Of course.” Rachel carefully transfers Olivia to my arms.The weight of her. The warmth. The impossibly tiny fingers
One year later.The greenhouse has become our sanctuary. The place where Ethan proposed. Where we got married. And now, where we’re planning our future.I’m sitting on the same blanket where he asked me to marry him, one hand resting on my very round belly. At five months pregnant, I’m already showing more than most women do at seven or eight months.That’s because there are three babies in there.Triplets.When the ultrasound technician told us, Ethan nearly fainted. Actually I had to sit down and put his head between his knees while I laughed so hard I cried.“Three?” he’d managed. “We’re having three babies?”“Apparently your swimmers are overachievers,” I’d said, which made him laugh despite the shock.Now, a month later, we’re still processing. Still adjusting to the idea that our family is about to grow by three tiny humans.“I’m thinking soft greens and yellows,” I say, gesturing to the nursery plans spread out on the blanket. “Gender neutral since we’re not finding out what we
“So I’m promising you the same thing. I will choose you. Every day. When it’s easy and when it’s hard. When we’re happy and when we’re struggling. When the memories of what we survived try to pull us apart, I will choose us. Choose healing. Choose love. Choose you, Ethan Moore, for the rest of my life.”The officiant has to take a moment to compose himself. “The rings?”Derek produces them. Simple bands. Inscribed on the inside with “We survived everything.”Ethan slides mine on first. “With this ring, I thee wed.”Then me, sliding him on with shaking hands. “With this ring, I thee wed.”“By the power vested in me by the state of San Francisco, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The officiant smiles. “You may kiss your bride.”Ethan doesn’t wait. Pulls me to him, kissing me like we’re the only two people in the world. Like we haven’t kissed a thousand times before. Like this kiss is different. Special. The first kiss of our married life.Everyone erupts in applause and cheers.We
Six months later.The greenhouse looks different in daylight. Softer. More magical somehow, with afternoon sun streaming through the glass ceiling and white flowers everywhere.I stand in the small room off to the side, staring at myself in the mirror. The dress is simple, elegant. Ivory lace with a flowing skirt. Nothing like the elaborate gown I once imagined for my wedding. But perfect for this moment. For this day.“You look beautiful,” my mother says, adjusting my veil. Her eyes are already red from crying.“Mom, the ceremony hasn’t even started yet.”“I know. But my baby is getting married.” She dabs at her eyes. “To a wonderful man who loves you more than life itself.”“I’m lucky.”“You’re both lucky. You found each other twice. Survived everything that tried to tear you apart. That’s not luck, sweetheart. That’s destiny.”A knock at the door. Rachel pokes her head in. “It’s time. Everyone’s ready.”My heart pounds. “Already?”“You’ve had six months to prepare for this.” Rachel
Lin hugs Ethan, whispering something in his ear that makes him nod seriously. Probably threats about what she’ll do if he ever hurts me. But she’s smiling when she pulls back.“I knew you were the one,” she tells him. “Even when I questioned the assault allegations, even when I suspected Sophie was lying, I knew you loved my daughter. I just needed Maya to see it too.”“I’m sorry it took so long,” I say.“You saw it when you were ready. That’s what matters.” She takes my hand, examining the ring. “This is beautiful. Simple, elegant. Very you.”Derek claps Ethan on the back. “Congratulations, man. You finally did it.”“Finally?” Ethan raises an eyebrow.“Dude, you’ve been in love with her since you were eleven. It’s about time you made it official.” Derek grins. “Though I have to say, proposing three days after getting back together is bold even for you.”“When you know, you know,” Ethan says simply.Rachel hugs me. “I’m so happy for you. And I’m sorry for everything you went through w
I left before he could respond, ran upstairs to my room, slammed the door.My hands were shaking. My whole body was shaking.I’d never talked to adults like that before. Never yelled at Dad or Vivian. Never called them out so directly.But I was tired of being quiet. Tired of pretending everything
“Ethan, I don’t want you lying to your family—”“I’m not lying. I’m just not telling them everything.” He stood too. “Please. Even if it’s just fifteen minutes. Even if we have to pretend it’s an accident. I need this. I need you.”How could I say no to that?“Text me when you’re going to be somewh
**ETHAN’S POV**The whole bus ride home from school, I’d been rehearsing what I was going to say to Dad.Kids had been talking all day. Showing me screenshots of Vivian’s posts. Asking if it was true that my mom was trying to steal my dad. Laughing about the memes. Making jokes about my “crazy step
**Adrian POV** Three a.m. I’d been staring at the ceiling for two hours, listening to Vivian’s steady breathing beside me, counting the seconds until dawn. Sleep didn’t come anymore. Hadn’t for weeks. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Serena across the boardroom table during our project meeting







