SELENA’S POV:“Without your help, it would have been difficult to find me,” I told her. “And Joey had also taken someone important from your life and chosen the easy way out. It’s unfair but I’m so grateful to you.”“You’re welcome and thank you too. I promise I’m never going to bring up weird sexual conversation ever again.” She added and we stared at each other for a second before chuckling.And that was enough for me.As the sun dipped low and the sky turned pastel, Hailey climbed onto the wooden stage we’d set up. Henry joined her, carrying Harvey in one arm and a little sparkly mic in the other.“Daddy and I wrote a song!” Hailey declared, eyes twinkling.“Oh no,” I muttered, laughing as the family clapped and whistled.What followed was a hilariously off-key, half-sung, half-spoken original tune called "Hailey the Brave," complete with hand motions and Henry purposely missing the beat. Harvey clapped with every verse like it was the best show on Earth.By the time they were done
SELENA’S POV:I didn’t know when the tears started rolling down my own face. I just sat there in silence as she cried and cried, until there were no more words, just breath. I knew how badly she’d wanted another child for her son. They had already decorated the room, bought the tiny clothes, folded baby blankets that hadn’t been used yet. She had dreamed of hearing little feet running through their home again.My heart broke for her. I wanted to reach through the phone and just hold her.So I said the only things I could. That she was already such a beautiful mother. That the love she gave was more than enough for any child. And that sometimes, life doesn’t give us exactly what we asked for, but it still gives us love in the ways we didn’t expect. I reminded her that all our children, mine, Olivia’s, Zoey’s, they were also family to Ryan. That’s why, next holiday, Hailey would be going over to spend it with them. Because we were more than friends now. We were sisters. And our kids? Th
SELENA’S POV:And then I slowly backed away, swaying my hips as I walked off, turning back to wink at him while he shook his head and laughed, looking at me like I was the only girl in the world. Of course I am.I turned my head slowly, just looking around and soaking everything in, and that’s when I saw Zoey walking in, holding hands with Blake. The two of them looked like they had just stepped out of a love story. Zoey was glowing, really glowing, not from makeup or lights, but from the kind of glow that comes from peace and growth and happiness. She was wearing this soft yellow dress that hugged her body so nicely, and her hair was curled in this way that looked like she didn’t even try too hard, but still came out looking like a queen.She looked so strong. Not just physically, but in that quiet, powerful way women do when they’ve been through so much and still come out standing tall. She looked like someone who had walked through fire and turned into gold. I couldn’t help but smi
SELENA’S POV:FIVE YEARS LATER:“Selena!!!”I turned around quickly, just in time to see Olivia waving at me with both hands, full of excitement like a child who just saw her best friend after forever. Her smile was wide, her whole face lit up like sunshine, and before I could even wave back, I noticed her husband, Ace, trying to catch up behind her while also keeping an eye on their little boy, Derek, who was already running through the grass like a tiny hurricane, full of energy and zero fear, like only a three-year-old could be.Olivia and Ace had gotten married about a year after my kidnapping, and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful weddings I had ever witnessed in my life. They chose to do it by the beach, with the waves crashing softly in the background, and it felt like something out of a dream. I remember standing beside her as her maid of honor, my heart full and happy, because everyone knew how much Olivia adored me and how close we were. I cried that day, not sad te
SELENA’S POV:AT THE HOSPITAL:The lights of the emergency room hit me as soon as the ambulance doors opened. Voices, loud and urgent, swirled around me, paramedics yelled orders, nurses rushing to prepare. But all I could focus on was Henry’s body, limp and pale, being wheeled ahead with urgency.“No! Please!” I screamed, trying to run after him, but my legs felt like stone. My body was still shaking from all that happened with Joey, but none of that compared to the horror of watching the love of my life bleed out in front of me. My knees jerked forward, and if not for Cameron catching me, I would’ve collapsed right there on the floor.“He’s going to be okay. He has to be,” Cameron muttered, though his voice shook like he was assuring himself too.Liv rushed in moments later, her eyes immediately scanning the chaos before falling on me. She broke into a sprint, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe. Cherry, Gabby, Julian, Mr and Mrs Scott and everyone else.“Selena. God. You’r
3RD POV:The darkness inside swallowed him up, and he pressed himself against the wall, trying to adjust his eyes. His heart was pounding so hard he could feel it in his teeth. Just then he saw Joey locked the rear exit where he was just coming from. “Why couldn’t you just love me back?” Joey’s voice cracked like something was breaking inside him. His grip on Selena tightened as he pulled her toward a far corner of the room. “We were supposed to run away together! Just you and me! You ruined everything!”Selena twisted in his grip, her eyes blazing through her tears. “You did this, Joey! You!” she spat out, voice shaking. “This isn’t love, it’s obsession! It’s sick! You keep calling it love, but it’s not. I don’t even know who you are anymore! Please, just let me go. If not for me, then at least do it for my daughter. Please, Joey, I’m begging you.”Henry was angry as he overheard their conversation, clenching and unclenching his jawOutside, officers took positions, guns raised, wait