LOGINSerena’s POV
The makeup brush swept across my cheek, soft and gentle, but my heart was anything but calm. My reflection stared back at me, steady eyes, trembling lips, a woman standing on the edge of a new life.
“You’re glowing,” my makeup artist whispered.
I let out a small breath. “I feel everything.”
Bella, my maid of honor, laughed softly. “That’s normal. You’re getting married today.”
She said it like it was something simple, but my chest tightened. Married. To Adrien. To the man who steadied me, loved me, protected me, held my broken pieces like they were precious.
As she fluffed my veil, I caught my own eyes in the mirror again. They held something new. Peace. Hope. A quiet joy that had once felt impossible.
My fingers brushed the edge of the vanity. “It’s stra
Serena’s POVThe makeup brush swept across my cheek, soft and gentle, but my heart was anything but calm. My reflection stared back at me, steady eyes, trembling lips, a woman standing on the edge of a new life.“You’re glowing,” my makeup artist whispered.I let out a small breath. “I feel everything.”Bella, my maid of honor, laughed softly. “That’s normal. You’re getting married today.”She said it like it was something simple, but my chest tightened. Married. To Adrien. To the man who steadied me, loved me, protected me, held my broken pieces like they were precious.As she fluffed my veil, I caught my own eyes in the mirror again. They held something new. Peace. Hope. A quiet joy that had once felt impossible.My fingers brushed the edge of the vanity. “It’s stra
Serena’s POVThe wedding list in my hand was longer than my patience, but Adrien was smiling like choosing centerpieces was the greatest adventure of his life. Every time I glanced at him, he gave me this soft, boyish grin that made my chest warm.“Last store,” he said, tapping his phone. “We pick the fabric samples, and then we’re done for today.”“Thank God,” I murmured, laughing.He nudged my shoulder lightly. “You love it.”I rolled my eyes, but he wasn’t wrong. Planning a wedding with him felt unreal..... like I’d stepped into someone else’s life. A happier version.We walked out of the mall with our bags. He stopped to answer calls, work stuff, so I told him I’d wait in the parking lot.I won’t take long, he mouthed.&ldquo
Killian’s POVI didn’t mean to click it.I didn’t go looking for it.But the moment I unlocked my phone, the first thing on my screen, the very first was the video. Serena. Adrien. The ring. The crowd cheered. Someone shouted "Say yes!” in the background like it was a festival made in their honor.And her face....God.Her face.Serena was glowing. Her hands were over her mouth, her eyes glossy, her smile shaky in that way she used to smile when something overwhelmed her. I’d seen that smile a hundred times, but never for me like that. Not with that kind of purity. Not with that kind of certainty.Then Adrien went down on one knee.I froze.I didn’t breathe.I didn’t blink.He held up the ring, and even through the blurry phone-quality video, the people screaming, and the shaky recording, I could still hear his voice, steady, full, warm.“Serena, I....I swiped the volume up without even realizing. My thumb trembled.“..... I want you beside me for the rest of my life. Will you marry
SERENA’S POVIt had been weeks since everything finally settled. I finally had peace of mind. It seems like all the burdens in my heart have been placed away. Especially since it has been weeks since the last court appearance and my son Theodore is still in my care. And weeks since, Samantha had been dragged away in handcuffs, screaming at guards as the judge sentenced her to life imprisonment.I didn’t want to think about any of it anymore. So as not to remind myself of all the pains I had gone through. I just want to be myself and think about normal things like a normal human should do.So when Adrien asked, “Let’s take a walk this weekend....just you and me,” I agreed without hesitation. I needed the breath of fresh air. I needed him. I needed a space outside my regular busy schedule and having one with Adrien was a great choice.It was a quiet afternoon. The sun was warm but not harsh, children were laughing in the park, couples passed us holding hands, and for the first time in a
ADRIAN’S POVI clenched the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles ached.The message on my phone burned like acid: “You’re too late.”No. That was impossible. Serena didn’t vanish without a trace. She wouldn’t.I took a deep breath, forcing my pulse down. Focus. Panic wasn’t going to help. Not now. Not ever.I called Samuel immediately. “Where is she? I want a full update, now!”“Yes, sir. I’ve traced her last known location, Glenford Street bookstore, side alley exit. After that...it’s unclear.”“Unclear?” I snapped, teeth gritted. “Unclear is not acceptable. She’s my responsibility, Samuel! She is my priority!”“Yes, sir. I understand. The officers are scanning the area now.”“Scanning isn’t enough. I want the best people on this. I want cameras checked, traffic footage, every security feed, anything she might have passed. I want her found before anything else happens.”Samuel hesitated. Sir, what if she’s with....“Don’t finish that sentence. I don’t care. Just find her.”I ended t
ADRIAN’S POVThe drive felt endless.I kept one hand on the wheel, the other gripping my phone like it was the only thing holding me together. I’d called Serena’s number so many times that the call history was nothing but her name, but she still didn’t pick up.And every unanswered ring tightened the knot in my chest.“Where did you go?” I muttered under my breath. “Why would you leave alone?”My phone buzzed. Finally.I answered before the first ring finished.“Serena?”“No, sir. It’s Samuel.”My face hardened. “What is it?”“We’ve delivered Samantha to the police. Charges are being processed.”“Good.”“She's making noise.”Of course, she was. “What did she say?”“She claims you’re framing her. She’s threatening legal action, media exposure, the usual.”I breathed out slowly. “Keep her contained. I want her monitored every second.”“Yes, sir. But, he hesitated, she screamed your fiancée's name repeatedly. It drew attention.”My grip tightened around the steering wheel. “She wants att







