ANMELDENShane’s POV Day one really wasn’t bad.We got here, and met up with my cousins, got settled in… and I made sure everything was smooth from the beginning. I rented a van, because we weren't about to be cramped up. Not just a regular van either… damn near a mini bus. Eighteen seats. Everybody had space, nobody complaining.The kids?Man, they were ecstatic the second we walked in to my cousin's new home.Rooms were shown very quick, bags dropped, and just like that, they disappeared with their cousins like I didn’t even exist. I just stood there for a second, watching them… smiling. That’s all I wanted. For them to be happy.Of course, not even five minutes later, here come the questions.Stephanie pulled me to the side first.“Why are you still with your wife? Why is that woman coming here?”Straight to it. No filter.Same old, same old.Then Mark comes behind her, looking me up and down from earlier like he analyzing a case file.“Isla's really coming here? I thought she didn't want
Isla’s POV Isla’s Saturday had been, for lack of a better word, irritatingly uneventful.Her family had already left ahead of her, leaving her to book a very last minute flight and figure everything out on her own. So instead of traveling together like a normal family, she found herself standing outside, waiting on an Uber and double checking the time, making sure she wouldn’t miss her flight out of Midway.And yes, Midway. Not O’Hare.Of course.By the time she got there, everything felt rushed and overpriced. She checked in at the counter, handed over her bag, and then paused when they told her the total.Her brows furrowed.“When in the hell did Southwest start charging for checked bags?”She sighed, already annoyed. She hadn’t flown Southwest in years, and clearly, things had changed. Still, she paid the fee, because what choice did she have?Once she boarded, it didn’t get much better. Her seat was all the way in the back, her least favorite place to sit. She felt every bump, ev
Shane’s POV As Shane continued playing with his girls and Maya’s daughter, the laughter came easy, the kind that settled deep in his chest and made everything else feel a little lighter. The kids were having a ball, running between the games and the dessert table, their energy was endless. He had made sure they sat down earlier to actually eat something real instead of just loading up on sweets, and now he felt a little better letting them run free.His attention shifted to SJ, who was now sitting with a group of teens. A girl who seemed older, maybe fourteen, was clearly interested, leaning in close, smiling a little too much. Shane watched carefully, his protective instincts kicking in immediately. He had already caught them exchanging numbers, which didn’t surprise him. That was part of the reason he had given SJ his phone back for the trip. Still, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t keep an eye on things.SJ was tall for his age, easily mistaken for someone older, and Shane made sure peop
Third Person POV Crandon’s Perspective The afternoon had stretched into something warm and easy, the kind of gathering where time slipped by unnoticed. By the time Kira and Martin finally arrived, an hour and a half late, as expected, the backyard was already alive with laughter, music, and the constant hum of children running wild. It didn’t even matter that they were late. There were so many kids, so many conversations, so much movement that no one had time to focus on anything else.From across the yard, Crandon watched the scene with a quiet kind of awareness. His eyes moved naturally, taking everything in with the adults clustered near the bar, the older kids forming their own little circles, and the younger ones bouncing between games like they had unlimited energy.That’s when he spotted Shane.Shane was fully immersed in dad mode, chasing after a group of giggling girls, his laughter carrying across the yard as he pretended to lose whatever game they were playing. His two d
Crandon POV As we step into the backyard of Knox Michaels’ place, I stop for half a second and just… take it all in.“Man,” I mutter under my breath, shaking my head. “What the hell is this?”Tempest squeezes my hand lightly, but I can feel the tension still sitting in her fingers.Because this?This ain’t just a sprinkle party.This is a full-blown damn festival.Kids are everywhere. Running, screaming, bouncing in those inflatable houses like they got unlimited energy. I try to do a quick headcount in my mind, but it’s pointless.“This can’t just be the Michaels’ kids,” I say, glancing around. “Ain’t no way.”Tempest lets out a small breath. “Probably coworkers’ kids… family friends…”“Half the damn city must be invited then,” I mumble.But even as I joke, my eyes stay moving. Always scanning. Always checking.Because of him.That psycho isn’t done.Not even close.I glance down at Tempest again. “You good?”She nods, but it’s not convincing. “I’m okay. I’m not gonna let him ruin t
Kole’s POV As we pull up to my brother’s house, I glance over at Keisha, studying her face for any cracks. “You okay?” I ask. She exhales slowly, leaning her head back against the seat. “I’m fine. We needed to get out. I get to see my girl, and… I love this house.” She smirks. “Even if it’s thirty minutes away.” I chuckle, cutting the engine. “We have a beautiful home too, you know.” She turns her head, giving me a look. “We do. Actually… we should start having more parties. We’ve had zero. I didn’t even get a baby shower.” I nod, stepping out of the car. “You’re right. Meanwhile, Kira’s on her fifteenth.” Keisha laughs under her breath as she grabs her purse. “Exactly.” I grab Mabel’s bag and walk around the car, meeting her at the gate. I hit the buzzer, but before I can even say anything, the gate clicks open. Of course. Grandma Mabel. “I know that’s you,” she calls out. “Get your ass in here, boy.” I grin, bending down to kiss her cheek. “Hey, Grandma. How you been?”
Maya’s POVAs I pull up behind my brother’s car in front of Sienna’s beautiful, and I mean beautiful, home in the Bronzeville area, I sigh to myself.I glance in the rearview mirror at Gabby.“You ready for this, mama?”She lights up instantly. “Yes, Mama!”I smile because I already know why. She l
Third Person POVAs the rest of the week passed, nothing major came about.The entire Michaels and Morgan company remained on high alert, prepared for anything or any move, any accusation, any attempt to shake their foundation. If something came flying their way, they were ready to block it before
Shane’s POV I slam the bathroom door behind me harder than I need to.The sound echoes, sharp. Final.But it doesn’t do shit to calm what’s sitting in my chest.I brace my hands on the counter, head hanging low, breathing heavy like I just ran a damn mile instead of walking out of my own kitchen.
Isla’s POVMy weekend?It was like any other weekend lately.Quiet.Too quiet.I didn’t do much of anything, but I cleaned out my closet a little, picked at some food here and there… and drank.A lot.No kids running around.No school pickups.No noise.Just silence… and wine.It should’ve felt pea







