Chapter 0068
Serenaâs POV
When we were married, Bill never gave me flowers I thought he held a grudge, believing I had tricked him into marrying me.
Bill glances at Stevie and says, âRelax, I just want to give these flowers to Serena.â Then, turning to me, he adds, âPink tulips, your favorite.â
Seeing the tulips stirs a warm feeling inside me. The fact that Bill remembers my favorite flowers surprises me. I always thought he never paid attention to my likes and dislikes.
I offer Bill a small smile. âThanks, Bill. Theyâre beautiful,â I tell him, genuinely touched by the gesture. âYou shouldnât have.â
I notice Stevie giving me a sharp look from the corner of my eye like sheâs not happy about this at all. Sheâs just being protective, knowing all thatâs happened between Bill and me.
âDonât worry about it. Itâs a pleasure to give you flowers,â Bill responds.
Looking at Bill, I canât ignore how his blue eyes seem to catch the light, or how his blonde hair looks perfectly in place. There will always be a part of me thatâs attracted to him. But now, seeing him looking so good. is making it hard for me to concentrate. This isnât a good sign, especially when Iâm trying to focus on my pregnancy and the fashion show.
I donât want to come off as rude to Bill. Before I can figure out how to ask him to leave, Stevie jumps in. âDonât you have something better to do?â she says to him sharply. âWeâre busy here.â
Billâs face changes, showing he doesnât like Stevieâs attitude. His eyebrows draw together, and he looks a bit annoyed for a second. Then, he tries to look calm and says, âTell me, how are you busy if your shop
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Chapter 5
is closed?â
Stevie quickly responds, not happy with what Bill said. âJust because weâre closed to customers doesnât mean weâre not busy. Weâve got plenty to do,â she snaps back.
Bill raises an eyebrow, not convinced. âOh really⦠Like what?â he asks, his tone skeptical.
Before things can get any more heated, I decide itâs time to step in.â Weâre actually prepping for a fashion show,â I explain. âMarjorie De Luca- Mungerâs show. And weâre going to be providing the jewelry for it.â
Bill pauses, mulling over the name Iâve just mentioned. âTimothy Mungerâs wife?â he finally asks.
âThatâs the one,â I confirm.
Billâs eyes widen, and a surprised smile quickly replaces his previous annoyance. Itâs clear heâs genuinely impressed, perhaps even a bit. stunned, by the news.
âThatâs incredible!â Bill exclaims, his excitement evident. âMarjorie Munger is huge in the fashion industry. This is going to be really good. for your shop.â
Seeing the proud look on Billâs face makes me pause. Itâs a look havenât seen directed at me in a long time, if ever.
Stevie nudges my shoulder, pulling me back to the moment. When I look at her, itâs clear from her expression that she thinks itâs time for Bill
to leave.
âBill, I think itâs time for you to head out,â I say, trying to keep the mood light. âStevie and I need to get going. Weâve got a ton of work to do for the fashion show.â
Bill nods, understanding the hint. âOf course, I get it,â he responds, not
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Chapter 0068
wanting to overstay his welcome. âGood luck with the fashion show. Iâm sure youâll do great.â
After Bill leaves, I turn to Stevie and ask, âSo, where are we heading to plan for the fashion show?â
âHow about that cafe near your apartment?â Stevie suggests. âItâs cozy, and we can spread out all our notes there.â
âPerfect. They have those big tables, and itâs quiet enough to think,â I reply.
****
As weâre driving, I canât help but notice a car that seems to be keeping pace with us. Stevie glances in the rearview mirror and halfâjokes, âI think we might have a stalker.â
Turning to look, my stomach drops a little when I recognize the sleek grey Bugatti. âItâs Billâs car,â I say, a note of disbelief in my voice. Why would he be following us?
Just when I thought Bill and I could be on good terms, he pulls this type of shit. Unbelievable!