Serena Valentino Book 12 Release Date Novels & Stories

My whole body shivered uncontrollably. Ian… How could he? Out there, with another woman? And so recklessly that it landed them in a hospital? The realization was like a blow to the gut. My breath hitched painfully, and I clung to the wall for support. Why did I have to find out like this—while carrying his child? Why did he have to betray me, especially today, of all days? Valentine's Day. Suddenly, a sharp, stabbing pain gripped my belly. I bent over, barely able to stay on my feet, while the voices around me continued unabated.

My younger sister Lia is dead. Everyone is convinced that I was an accomplice who helped her murderer take her life. Because I was the only person who knew the killer’s identity. Yet I chose to protect that person, keeping the truth buried and refusing to reveal it. My mother knelt at my feet, crying and begging me to tell her the killer’s name. But I merely turned my face away, expressionless, and refused to say a single word. The members of the family called me a sinner. They smashed down the iron door of my cell and stormed inside, intending to punish me themselves. Later, I was locked in the underground prison. Day after day of interrogation, torture, and confinement slowly consumed my b

“Yes.” “Where is she?” “I don’t know.” Valentina’s face changed. “What do you mean you don’t know?” “I mean I don’t know where she is now.” Serena’s voice cracked. “The last time I saw her, she was a newborn.” I took the photograph from her. Serena had been sitting in a hospital bed, pale and exhausted, holding a tiny baby wrapped in a white blanket. The words BABY EVELYN had been written across the bottom. “You really gave birth to her.”

Theo was leaning against a dark green Aston Martin when Serena stepped out of her building at seven-thirty, one hand tucked into his trouser pocket while he glanced at his phone. He looked up. Whatever greeting he had intended to give her disappeared. Serena slowed, immediately entertained by the silence. Scarlet silk followed the curves of her body before falling softly below her knees, the halter neckline leaving her shoulders bare while the back dipped low enough to expose a generous sweep of skin. Her curls fell loose around her shoulders, and she’d kept everything else simple—gold earrings, a slim bracelet and strappy heels.

My phone buzzed on the counter, again. I checked the screen and immediately regretted it. Twenty-three new notifications. Headlines and gossip accounts. People tagging me in blurry photos like I’d faked my own death and returned with a new identity. Twisted rebirth storyline. The top headline read: “From Betrayed to Betrothed: Serafina Vale’s Rebound Marriage Shocks LA Society” Below it: “Who Is Dorian Everhart?” Yeah. I’d actually like to know that too. They all had an opinion, but none of them remembered who I was before this mess. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I did.

--- An hour later, Valentina was sitting alone in the library. The photograph was open on her laptop. She had enlarged it. She had studied every detail. The building behind them. The date. The clothes. The expressions. Everything. She opened another window and searched the date written beneath the photograph. Nothing useful. She tried the name. Bianca Moretti. Several results appeared. Most were old society articles. Charity events. Business galas. Family announcements. Then she saw it. Her fingers froze above the keyboard. An old article. MORETTI-DE LUCA ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED

“And she refused. She walked away from you. How does that feel, Adrian? Being the one who’s rejected for once?” I stood abruptly. “This conversation is over.” “No, it’s not.” Vivian didn’t move. “Because we need to talk about what happens now. Serena is in New York. She’s visible. She’s powerful. And she’s going to want to see Ethan eventually. What’s your plan?” “She signed away her rights—”

“Or I'll remind New York what happens to little girls who steal from lions.” Later at the Blackwood’s Penthouse, the safe hidden behind my Klimt painting yielded two things, one was a photo of Serena on our wedding day, back when her smiles were real and second was a key to Eleanor's private vault I stared at both like they might bite me. My phone buzzed with Natalia's fifteenth call today. I declined it, pulling up Serena's contact instead. My thumb hovered over the call button. The elevator pinged. “Pathetic.” Victoria strode in, her Gucci dress probably costing more than an average man’s annual income. “Moping over some gold-digging…” she paused.

“But I suppose that’s what happens when the quiet little spare wanders into the twins’ private suite looking like she’s already begging to be ruined.” My mouth tasted like metal. “Why?” The word came out cracked, barely audible. Lucia smiled. “Because you’ve always been the weak link, Valentina. The afterthought. The one who could ruin everything if you ever decided to stop being invisible. And two years ago you took something that belonged to me. You took the spotlight. You took Matteo’s attention. You took the one night that was supposed to be mine. I waited. I watched. I let you think you were safe. And last night you gave me everything I needed to make sure you never forget who really ow

Ughhh, I hated how I was procrastinating this. "I know how important it..." "Willa, I've told you it's okay," I put my arm around her, my eyes wandering about the room, and then landed on her box, absolutely reminding me to ask her if she was spending the night here. "Of course, Serena. It's not just one night. I'm spending the rest of the weekend here, and returning on Monday. Told you I need to have a biker boyfriend in my life, so this is me taking that bold step."