LOGINMaya's POVBuzz. Buzz. Buzz.I frowned as my phone vibrated for what felt like the tenth time.I looked down at the screen while mindlessly eating from a bag of popcorn and watching Gabby run circles around the living room, waving the ribbon she'd gotten from her goodie bag earlier that afternoon.My eyebrows furrowed as I read the message.What in the entire fuck?So Stanley had been approaching Shane's ex-wife, trying to recruit her to dig up dirt on us and break us up.The man was a complete shithead.I quickly texted Shane back.'Did she give him any information? Did she actually help him with anything?'His response came almost immediately.'I don't think so. Sounds like he just kept approaching her from different angles trying to get information.'I sighed and dropped onto the couch.As I sat there chewing popcorn, my thoughts started piecing things together.Then something clicked.Isla had never been invited to my art opening.Yet she showed up. So did Stanley. So did Stanley'
Isla's POVAs I pulled the last batch of cookies from the oven and transferred them onto a serving plate, I glanced over at Lily and Sophia. Both girls were happily dipping oatmeal raisin cookies into glasses of milk, smiling like they hadn't a care in the world.For a moment, I simply watched them.God, I loved my children.The doorbell rang.I heard Shane groan from down the hall before he emerged from his room and headed for the front door. He looked through the glass, nodded, and opened it."Thank you so much."A moment later, he came back carrying two large pizza boxes from Giordano's.One was a deep-dish pizza.The other was a thin crust loaded with spinach, mushrooms, and other toppings I actually liked.I smiled despite myself.Shane set the boxes on the table and checked the time."It's 5:45. Shane Jr. should be here soon. He texted me and said he's on his way."I grabbed drinks from the refrigerator and placed them on the table along with plates, napkins, and cups."Girls, a
Shane's POVAs I watched my children eat their box lunches, I had to admit they looked really good.The lunches had come from a specialty sandwich shop who donated the food, and the kids had been able to choose whatever they wanted. Even the children who didn't eat meat had options. There were wraps, vegetarian sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, and cookies.Honestly?I was impressed.I grabbed my own lunch box and sat down while Maya grabbed hers and took a seat beside Gabby.The room buzzed with laughter and conversation as kids proudly showed off their artwork."Dad! Did you see what I painted?" Sophia asked excitedly.I looked over at her canvas."Yeah, Soph. This is gorgeous."Her entire face lit up."Really?""Really."She grinned."I love painting. I want to come back next time."I smiled."I'm glad."Then I looked over at Lily."What about you, Lil?""I want to come back too," she said immediately. "I think I did an awesome job."She pointed toward her painting."And the teacher
Isla's POVAfter Shane and the kids left, I sat down at the kitchen table and took a deep breath. The house felt quiet.A little too quiet.I rubbed my hands over my face and sighed. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? My kids had always gravitated more toward Shane.That wasn't new.It had been that way for years. He was the fun parent. The dependable parent. The parent who showed up every single time.And now?Now it felt like they were slipping farther and farther away from me. The truth was, I never thought Shane would actually leave me.Not really.I thought he'd be angry. I thought he'd yell. I thought we'd fight.But leave?No.I never thought he would walk away from me. Not after all these years. Not after we'd been together since we were sixteen. Physically, I had always been there.Mentally?That was a different story.I looked around the house and felt something settle heavily in my chest. What am I doing?Did I want my children to be happy?Or did I want myself to be
Maya's POVAs I walked around the studio, making sure everything was ready, I couldn't help but feel proud.The donated smocks were neatly stacked. The goodie bags were lined up and ready to go. The food looked amazing. Everything looked beyond perfect.This was the first day of our art program, and we were scheduled to run it for four consecutive weekends. The goal was simple to teach the kids something new, give them a creative outlet, and hopefully inspire them to keep coming back.If things went well, maybe we'd gain enough traction to offer classes throughout the summer.A lot of parents were already excited about it. Some probably just wanted a couple hours of peace and quiet on a Saturday morning, but honestly, that was fine too.We had chosen the perfect time, not too early, not too late.Just enough structure and fun to make everyone happy.One of the volunteers, Myla, hurried over carrying several large containers of paint."Do you think this is enough paint?" she asked.I s
Shane's POVI woke up early Saturday morning around seven because I needed to get my family ready for the art class Maya was hosting.Rolling out of bed, I made a beeline for the bathroom. Nature wasn't waiting on anybody this morning.After taking care of business, I flushed, washed my hands, and headed back into my room. My eyes immediately drifted to my phone.Maya never called me back last night.That wasn't like her.Something had to have happened really big with her brother. For him to show up that late, it had to be serious. Maybe it was about her mom. Maybe something else entirely.I checked my phone.No missed calls.No messages.I quickly sent her a text.Good morning, love. Contact me when you wake up. I want to know what happened with your brother. Can't wait to see you later.Your love.Satisfied, I set my phone down and headed back into the bathroom for a shower.After brushing my teeth, trimming my beard, and combing my hair, I got dressed in a pair of joggers, a T-shir
Shane’s POVSitting across from Maya feels unreal, like I slipped into someone else’s life and forgot to check the mirror on the way in. She’s beautiful in that effortless, dangerous way. The kind of woman you don’t approach unless you’re prepared to have your whole equilibrium shaken, and here she
Keisha’s POVI sit beside Kole, watching him spiral in real time, and honestly, I’ve seen a lot in my life. Boardrooms full of men twice my age trying to intimidate me. Audits that would make lesser people sweat through their suits. Hostile takeovers. Corporate warfare.But this?This girl has been
Crandon’s POVAs I walk around Knox’s wedding, I sigh, long and heavy, because I see her.Her.The beauty that should’ve been mine.The one I really, really, really fucked up with.Carmen.She’s standing a few feet away, laughing as her cousin comes down with the bouquet like she just won the Super
Kole’s POVWalking around my brother’s wedding, I feel… good. Like genuinely good, proud, happy, and whole.I watch Knox laughing with Sienna, the way his hand stays anchored at the small of her back like he’s afraid she might float away, and it hits me how far we’ve come. There were plenty of tim







