Mag-log inSELENA POV Silence.The entire hallway seemed to stop breathing.No one moved.No one spoke. Even the clicking of cameras had disappeared.Kelvin's face remained turned to one side for a heartbeat before he slowly straightened it again.A faint red handprint bloomed across his cheek.I expected anger.Expected him to explode.Instead...He smiled.Not a normal smile.A creepy one.A smile that made the hairs on the back of my neck rise.He chuckled softly."There she is."My brows drew together."What?"He leaned closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear."I've been waiting for you to lose your temper."My heart skipped.Then it sank.Something wasn't right.Before I could process his words...Several phone screens came into view.People had recorded everything.Crew members.Staff.Makeup artists.Everyone. Whispers spread through the hallway."Did she really slap him?""Oh my God...""Someone upload it.""Mrs. Blackwood hit Kelvin Hart..."The murmurs grew louder.Just then, hurried footsteps
SELENA POV"...And our fifth contestant advancing to the Face of Oceania main event is..."The emcee unfolded the final card, a smile spreading across his face."...Mrs. Lena Blackwood!"For a second I didn't move.Did he just call my name?The applause reached my ears a heartbeat later and my eyes went wide. Me? I actually made it? A nudge landed on my shoulder, snapping me back."Go!" one of the contestants whispered with a smile.A laugh escaped my lips before I finally stepped forward. The lights felt warmer suddenly. The applause louder. I bowed slightly before lifting my head and waving at the audience. Smiles greeted me from every direction. Camera flashes exploded like fireworks.This wasn't supposed to happen. I only entered to get under Calista's skin. I never imagined I'd actually qualify.The other contestants joined me at the front of the stage as we accepted our certificates. The host officially announced the opening round concluded, and the moment we disappeared backst
SELENA POV"...Let's see what you've truly got, Mrs. Blackwood."The coordinator's smile lingered as she gestured toward the makeup station before hurrying off to bark another instruction. I stood rooted for a second, my heart beating far louder than the music drifting in from the stage outside.Why was I suddenly this nervous?A makeup artist lightly tapped my shoulder. "Mrs. Blackwood?" "Oh … right." I forced a smile and sat before the vanity mirror. Bright bulbs framed the large glass, reflecting a woman who looked far calmer than she actually felt."Your makeup is already beautiful," the artist murmured. "Just a few finishing touches." I nodded absentmindedly. A soft brush swept across my cheeks, another traced beneath my eyes, someone adjusted the waves cascading over my shoulders while another stylist smoothed the elegant gown draped over my body. The fabric flowed gracefully, hugging my curves without feeling tight, my rounded seven-month bump standing proudly beneath the luxu
SELENA POV We stayed at the penthouse until dusk, talking about everything and nothing. We ordered dinner instead of going out, laughed over old stories, and for the first time in days my heart felt genuinely light. By the time Alexander drove us back to the mansion, the sky had deepened into a rich shade of blue. My body was exhausted but my heart wasn't.He intertwined our fingers as we stepped inside. "Welcome home," he murmured. Somehow, hearing him say it made the house feel warmer than it had in days.********************Wednesday morning arrived much faster than I wanted.Warm sunlight spilled across the bed and stretched over the white sheets before landing on my face. I groaned softly. Yesterday replayed in my mind like a beautiful film, the penthouse, Alexander singing, the piano, his kisses, his completely ridiculous comment about making the next baby twins. A smile crept onto my lips before I could stop it."You're smiling again."I turned. Alexander was already awake,
SELENA POV The world seemed to stop.My heart lurched into my throat as I hurried down the hallway, one hand instinctively cradling my stomach.By the time I reached the doorway, I froze.Vanessa sat on the floor beside the bed, tears streaming freely down her face. One hand clutched her ankle while the other gripped the edge of the mattress. She had gone pale and was clearly trying hard not to cry louder. "It hurts..."Alexander was already crouched beside her. "Nessa,where does it hurt?" "My ankle." She winced the moment she attempted to shift. "I didn't know there was water on the floor."Only then did I notice it, a thin patch of water stretched across the polished wood. A maid rushed in carrying a bucket and cloths, nearly kneeling in distress. "I'm so sorry! I was cleaning and accidentally spilled some water, then stepped out to get another towel. I never knew Miss Vanessa would walk in…"Miss Margaret moved in and gently examined the ankle, her expression growing serious al
SELENA POV The moment Vanessa threw herself into Grandfather's arms, the mansion filled with her bright laughter."Papa Blackwood!" She hugged him tightly, swaying him from side to side like she had done it a thousand times before. Grandfather chuckled heartily. "You little troublemaker..."I stood at the bottom of the stairs, fingers tightening around the edge of my robe.Then his eyes shifted past Vanessa. Straight to me. His brows lifted. "Move aside, little troublemaker." Vanessa blinked before laughing. "Already replacing me?" "You've been away too long," he teased. "Now move." She stepped aside obediently with a grin.Then Grandfather slowly opened his arms, his warm eyes softening into something that made my chest ache. "Now.. Where's my real granddaughter?"My breath caught. "...Me?"He frowned dramatically. "Do you see another pregnant granddaughter standing there?"I laughed through the sudden sting in my eyes, and before I realized it my feet were already moving. I prac
SELENA'S POVI avoided his gaze, though I couldn't entirely explain why, only that the look in his eyes made my thoughts scatter in a way I didn't have time for right now.Focus, Selena."I have an idea," I said, clearing my throat. Both of them looked at me, Linda hopeful, Alexander still watchi
SELENA'S POVMy lips parted slightly as I stared at the man from A&B Agency, my brain still catching up to what he'd just said.Before any word could leave my mouth, "She won't be signing with you."The voice cut in sharp and certain. I turned immediately. Another man had stepped forward, his pres
SELENA'S POVMy phone beeped just as the car slowed. I picked it up without thinking.Linda.That crazy girl.A smile tugged at my lips before I'd even opened the message. "Girl guess what "A frowning emoji followed. I frowned back at the screen. What now? Before I could type, another message
SELENA'S POVIt had been three days since that night on the bridge, since Alexander broke open in front of me, since the truth spilled out of him like something he'd been choking on for years.And somehow, things felt different. Not perfect, not even close. But lighter, like the air around him had







