INICIAR SESIÓNAdrian's POV
I stand frozen on the driveway.
My feet feel like they're stuck to the ground. My chest rises and falls with heavy breaths.
Owen's arm wraps around Sera's waist. His hand rests on her hip, and he pulls her closer to him. She doesn't push him away, instead; she just stays there wrapped in his arms.
My hands clench into fist
Sera's POVThe car ride to the beach is uncomfortable.I sit in the backseat with Ezra on my lap, his small body warm against mine as he presses his face to the window, watching the scenery blur past. Aaron drives with his girlfriend in the passenger seat, chatting easily about things I'm not paying attention to. Adrian sits beside me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body, far enough that we're not touching.Ivy has taken a separate car with one of the drivers, claiming she needs space to stretch out because of the baby. I'm grateful for that small mercy at least. I don't think I can handle being trapped in a confined space with her.I still don't know why I've agreed to come. After everything that happened yesterday, after walking in on Adrian with his arms around Ivy's w
Adrian's POV"Are you sure this is working?" I asked, my hands resting on Ivy's waist as I massaged gently where she claimed the baby was kicking.She nodded, her face scrunched up in what looked like pain."Yes, just keep going. It helps."I let go, stepping back to give her some space. The moment I did, she swayed on her feet like she was about to collapse."Adrian!" she gasped, reaching for me.I caught her quickly, my arms wrapping around her waist again to steady her."Are you okay?""Just continue," she said breathlessly, leaning heavily against me."It'll get better if you keep massaging. The baby won't stop kicking."I sighed and continued, my hands pressing into her lower back as she instructed. Our bodies were close, too close for my comfort, but she insisted this was the only position that helped. I tried to ignore the awkwardness of it all and just focus on making sure she was okay.Just then, the door swung open without warning.Sera stood in the doorway, her eyes wide as
Sera's POVThe office building was quiet when I arrived. Most of the staff had gone home for the day, leaving only the hum of fluorescent lights and the distant sound of the printing machine on the third floor.My footsteps echoed on the polished floor as I made my way to my boss's office, each step heavy with anticipation and dread.What had he found? The question had been spinning in my mind the entire drive here.Something about the Cross family. Something big enough that he needed to see me immediately, big enough that he said it would change everything.I reached his office door and knocked softly, even though I could see him through the glass window, sitting across his desk with papers scattered everywhere."Come in, Sera," he called out without looking up.I pushed the door open and stepped inside. His office smelled like coffee and old paper, a scent I'd grown familiar with over the months I'd worked here. He finally looked up at me, his eyes tired behind his glasses, and gest
Sera's POVThe restaurant Owen chose was cozy and intimate, with dim lighting that made everything feel softer than it actually was. Small candles flickered on each table, casting dancing shadows across the white tablecloths. The smell of garlic and fresh bread filled the air, mixing with the low hum of conversation from other diners.I sat across from Owen, my hands wrapped around a glass of water I hadn't taken a sip from. My mind was elsewhere."Sera." Owen's voice cut through my thoughts gently. "You're not eating."I looked down at my plate. The pasta sat untouched, the sauce probably cold by now. I hadn't even realized the food had arrived."I'm not really hungry," I admitted quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.Owen reached across the table and placed his hand over mine. His palm was warm against my cold fingers and I should have pulled away, but I was too tired to care about boundaries anymore."You look exhausted," he said softly, his thumb rubbing small circles on the b
Adrian's POVI wake up to the sound of a bell ringing.My eyes snap open and I stare at the ceiling for a moment, trying to figure out where the sound is coming from. Then it rings again, sharp and piercing, cutting through the quiet morning air.It's Ivy.I throw off the covers and sit up slowly. My head throbs with a dull ache that hasn't left since the night at the hospital. The doctors said she needed bed rest and that we should monitor her closely. So here we are, back at the mansion with a nurse on standby and Ivy acting like she's on her deathbed.I pull on a shirt and walk out of my room. The hallway is bright with morning sunlight streaming through the windows. I make my way to Ivy's room and push the door open.She lies propped up against a mountain of pillows, the bell cl
Sera’s POVI lie on my side, staring at the dark ceiling.No matter how hard I try, my eyes refuse to stay closed. Every time I drift off, Ivy’s voice slips back into my head.Now who’s the mother of his real family?I turn onto my side and stare at the wall. The room is dark, except for the faint glow from the hallway light seeping under the door. The house is silent, and I can only hear the ticking sound of the clock.Ezra sleeps beside me, curled up under the blanket. His small hand rests against my arm. His breathing is slow and even. I place my palm gently over his back.He’s okay. That’s all that matters.Still, my chest feels tight.Carefully, I







