LOGINNate’s PovThe executor’s words hit me. I stared at him, Serena still on my lap, her body going rigid against mine. “What did you just say?” My voice came out low, controlled, but inside everything was spinning. Not Victor’s son? After all these years of hating the man for what he did to my mother, to the company—to me?Serena turned in my arms, her green eyes wide and full of the same shock I felt. Her hand came up to my cheek, warm and steady even though she was trembling. “Nate… breathe. This is just more lies. More of their games.”I covered her hand with mine, holding it there against my face. Her touch grounded me. “I’m okay,” I told her softly, but we both knew it was a lie. I pulled her closer, burying my face in her neck for a second, breathing her in. Vanilla and strength. The only real thing left. “Whatever this says, we’re still us. I love you, Serena. That doesn’t change.”She hugged me tight, her fingers threading through my hair. “I love you too. So much. We’ve survived
Serena’s PovThe words hung in the air like smoke that wouldn’t clear. Victor Calloway is a biological match. I felt the floor tilt under me. Nate’s hand was still in mine, but everything else spun. Robert sat frozen on the couch, his face drained of color. I wanted to scream or run or wake up from this nightmare, but all I could do was stare at Nate.“Nate,” I whispered, my voice cracking. Tears burned my eyes. “This can’t be right. We just… I can’t be his. We kissed. We said I love you. How is this happening?”Nate pulled me into his arms right there in front of everyone. His hold was tight, almost desperate, like he was afraid I’d slip away. “It doesn’t matter,” he said against my hair. His voice was rough, steady for me even though I felt his heart pounding. “The first test said no. This one says yes. Someone is messing with us. Diana. Victor. I don’t care. You’re still Serena. My Serena.”I clung to him, burying my face in his chest. He smelled safe, like home after the longest d
Nate’s PovThe photo on Serena’s phone felt like a punch to the gut. My mother’s face in the background, watching my father with Serena’s mom. Diana wasn’t done. Not even close. Serena’s hand shook as she held the phone, her body pressed tight against mine on the balcony. The city lights blurred below us, but all I could focus on was her— the way her breath hitched, the fear in her green eyes.“It’s not true,” I said, taking the phone from her and setting it face down. I pulled her into my chest, wrapping my arms around her like I could block out the whole world. “The test was clear. Robert is your dad. Diana’s just trying to mess with our heads again.”Serena clung to me, her fingers bunching in my shirt. “But the tampering… Marcus said the samples were messed with. What if she’s right? What if everything we just celebrated is about to fall apart?” Her voice was soft, tired, the kind that came after too many blows in one day. “We finally said I love you. You proposed for real. And no
Serena’s PovThe lobby felt too bright, too loud, with people staring at their phones and whispering. Nate’s arm stayed locked around my waist like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. My heart hammered so hard I could barely breathe as the lab tech held out that thin envelope. Robert stood a few feet away, leaning on his cane, his face pale and confused. Diana watched from the side with that smug look that made me want to scream.“Open it,” I whispered to Nate, my voice shaking. My fingers dug into his side. “Whatever it says, we face it together. Like you promised.”Nate took the envelope with his free hand, his jaw tight. He looked at me first, those dark eyes full of love and worry. “No matter what, you’re mine. I love you, Serena. Remember that.”He tore it open. The paper crinkled loud in the quiet lobby. I held my breath as his eyes scanned the page. His body went still, then he let out a long breath.“What?” I asked, gripping his shirt. “Tell me.”Nate pulled me closer, t
Nate’s PovVictor’s voice cut through the room like a bad memory I’d tried to bury. Serena’s hand went rigid in mine, her fingers cold and tight. I stepped slightly in front of her without thinking, my body reacting before my brain caught up. The executor cleared his throat awkwardly, but I barely heard him. All I saw was Serena’s face—pale, shocked, those green eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion that made my chest ache.“Get out,” I said to my father, voice low and hard. “You don’t get to walk in here and drop that on her.”Victor smiled that same charming smile he used to fool investors back in the day. He looked older, hair more gray, but the reckless glint in his eyes hadn’t changed. “Now, son. Is that any way to greet family? Serena, darling, you really do have your mother’s eyes. Elizabeth was something else.”Serena sucked in a sharp breath beside me. I felt her sway a little, so I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close against my side. She leaned into me,
Serena’s PovThe café noise faded into nothing as Nate stared at me. His hand was still holding mine under the table, warm and steady, but I felt him tense. Diana’s words hung between us, mom and his dad. A fling. Me, maybe a Calloway by blood. I wanted to laugh or cry or run, but all I could do was squeeze Nate’s fingers harder and wait for him to say something.“Nate,” I whispered. My voice sounded small, like it belonged to the scared girl who used to hide medical bills from her dad. “Please. Tell me this doesn’t change how you feel. We were just starting to make this real.”He blinked, then pulled me closer right there in the booth, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. “It doesn’t,” he said, rough and quick. “Not the way you think. You’re still you, Serena. Still the one who saved me. Still the woman I’m falling for.”Diana leaned back, sipping her coffee like she was watching a show. “How noble. But blood is blood, Nate. The will executor will love this twist. Your mother’s cla
Serena's Pov The elevator ride down felt like descending into hell. Nate’s hand stayed on my back the whole time, warm, steady, completely fake. I wanted to shrug it off but remembered the contract. Appear in love. Starting now.“How did reporters even know?” I hissed under my breath.“Someone alw
Nate's Pov She said yes.I watched the word leave her lips like she was signing her own prison sentence instead of saving her father’s life. Serena Voss. After ten years, here she was, older, exhausted, still the same girl who dragged me out of freezing water and vanished.She had no idea.“You’re
Serena’s Pov “You’re not Mr. Hargrove.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. The man behind the massive desk wasn’t the balding loan officer I’d spoken to twice before. This guy was younger, sharper, in a black suit that probably cost more than my rent for a year. His eyes, dark, unrea
Serena's Pov "Last month?" The words tasted like ash in my mouth.Nate's face stayed composed, but I felt his hand tense around mine. "Victoria is exaggerating. We haven't spoken in months.""Liar," Victoria said sweetly, flipping her hair. "You called me, remember? Said you needed someone who und







