LOGINTHIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW."UNCLE!!"The word exploded from Ethan’s mouth with pure excitement. Before Reid could even react, Ethan took off toward him, legs pumping furiously, laughter spilling out of him like sunlight. He stopped only inches away, breathless, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. Reid crouched instinctively, hands hovering unsurely. Ethan thrust his hand forward proudly. “Look! I got a chikkie!” The tiny chick peeped softly, nestled safely in Ethan’s palm. Reid blinked. “Oh,” he breathed, voice rougher than he meant. “Wow.” Ethan grinned wider, teeth flashing. “His name is Bruno. He’s naughty but I like him.” Reid chuckled quietly, something breaking open in his chest. “He looks… very brave.” Ethan nodded solemnly. “He tried to run, but Nonno helped me.” That was when Karline turned. She had been handing Isabella a bowl of herbs, mid-sentence, when Ethan’s voice cut through the air. Her body stiffened instantly. Isabella followed her gaze. And there Reid was.
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWThe morning unfolded slowly, wrapped in golden sunlight and the soft hum of countryside life. Smoke curled lazily from the old grill in the backyard, carrying the rich, mouthwatering scent of marinated steaks. Matteo stood there with an apron tied a little too tight around his waist, sleeves rolled up, one hand gripping the tongs like they were an extension of him. He turned the meat carefully, nodding to himself in approval as it sizzled. “This,” he announced proudly, “is how real food is made.” Karline snorted softly as she stood at the wooden table nearby, washing freshly picked vegetables. “You say that every single time.” “And every single time, I am correct,” Matteo replied without looking back. Isabella stood beside Karline, drying herbs with a clean cloth, her movements calm and practiced. “Let him enjoy his moment,” she said gently. “He’s been waiting all week to grill.” Karline smiled faintly, the tension of the past days easing just a little
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWKarline stepped out of the venue with a sharp intake of breath.The cold night air hit her first. The second blow came from her ankle.Pain shot up her leg, white and unforgiving, but she straightened anyway. Pride was a stubborn thing. She had that calm expression on her face, as if nothing was wrong, as if she hadn’t just watched the man she once loved put a ring on another woman’s finger in front of half the city.She adjusted her coat and started walking, slowly, carefully, toward the main road, eyes scanning for a taxi.Just get home, she told herself. That’s all. Get home.A car slowed behind her.She didn’t turn.“Karline.”Her shoulders stiffened.Daniel stepped out, keys still in his hand, concern written openly across his face. Unlike the rest of the Carter family, he didn’t hide emotions behind polished smiles.“You shouldn’t be walking like that,” he said gently, eyes dropping to her feet. “Your ankle.”“I’m fine,” Karline replied immediately, wa
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW Karline thought it was reid but stiffened when the servant appeared instead. “Miss Russo, Mr. Carter. Mrs. Carter has requested everyone to gather in the main hall. There will be an important announcement.”Daniel and Karline exchanged a look.“What now,” Karline murmured under her breath, exhaustion lacing every syllable.Daniel frowned. “Whenever Mum says ‘important announcement,’ it’s never anything good.”Karline let out a quiet breath, straightened her spine, and nodded once. “Let’s get this over with.”They followed the servant back inside.The moment they entered the grand hall, Karline felt it. The shift in the air. The tension. The anticipation humming through the room like an exposed wire.Margaret stood on the stage, perfectly composed, as if nothing chaotic had happened earlier. Her black dress was immaculate, her posture regal. Beside her stood Natalie.Natalie’s face had clearly been scrubbed clean. Too clean. The makeup reapplied, the lipsti
KARLINE'S POINT OF VIEW I stared at him for a long second, my mind trying to catch up with my eyes. Daniel Carter. Standing here. In front of me. After all these years. My voice finally came out, strained and low. “What are you doing here?” He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck like he already knew this conversation would hurt. “I followed Mum here.” That alone made my jaw tighten. “I knew she wouldn’t come here without an agenda,” he continued. “And I knew she wouldn’t do you any good.” I looked away toward the city lights, my chest tightening again. Of course he knew. Daniel had always known his mother better than anyone. I nodded once. “You were right.” He stepped closer but stopped at a respectful distance, eyes flicking to my ankle again. “She hurt you?” I let out a dry laugh. “She tried. As always.” Silence stretched between us, heavy but familiar. Daniel had always carried silence differently. Not sharp like Reid’s. Not suffocating like Margaret’s. His
KARLINE’S POINT OF VIEW He didn’t ask me where I wanted to sit. He just carried me straight through the glass doors, out onto the terrace, where the noise of the party faded into something distant and dull. Cool night air brushed against my skin, sharp and grounding. The city lights below shimmered like they had nothing to do with us. Reid lowered me onto the outdoor sofa carefully, like I might shatter if he moved too fast. I immediately crossed my arms. “Oh, don’t look so heroic,” I snapped. “You’d think you just rescued a kitten from a tree.” He ignored the comment. Which irritated me more than if he’d snapped back. “You’re rolling your ankle,” he said, kneeling in front of me. “Don’t move.” I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “I said I’m fine.” He didn’t reply. He just turned and walked away. “For God’s sake,” I muttered. “Unbelievable.” I tried to stand. The second my foot touched the ground, white-hot pain shot up my leg and I sucked in a breath, clutching the sofa.







