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“You didn’t.” my eyes flicked back into his direction.

I didn’t think, I didn’t wait for a response from him, I just reacted. My fist connected with Gianna’s face before I even registered throwing it. She stumbled back, letting out a scream, her hand flying to her cheek.

"Bitch!" she shrieked.

I went for her again, my blood boiling, my heart shattering, but Creed grabbed me, wrapping his arms around me, yanking me back.

"Let me go!" I screamed, fighting against his grip and attempting to kick her.

Tasha and Lynette rushed in, Lynette pulling Gianna back, her voice sharp with concern. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"What’s wrong with me?!" I shrieked, my chest heaving. "Are you fucking serious?! She was in my house! In my bed!" I turned on Creed, my vision blurred with rage. "How could you?" My voice broke, tears streaming down my face.

"It’s not what you think?—"

I swung at him, my fist landing against his cheek.

"You fuckin’ liar!" I pushed him, but he barely moved. "You disgusting, lying piece of shit!"

"Serenity, stop?—"

Tears burned down my cheeks, my chest heaving. I could hear from a short distance Giovanni was crying, probably trying to figure out why his mom and I were screaming.

The guilt was all over Creed’s face. I stumbled back, shaking my head, my vision blurred with tears. I had come home to tell him we were having a baby and instead, I found out he betrayed me.

I barely remembered running out of the room. Barely remembered grabbing my keys, flying into the garage, and hopping into my Lexus truck. I just needed to go. I couldn’t breathe in that house. I couldn’t look at him. I slammed on the gas, peeling out of the driveway. In my rearview mirror, I saw Creed standing there, watching me leave. Good. Because he needed to see. He needed to know exactly what he lost.

Tears blurred my vision, my breathing ragged, my heart hammering. I didn’t even see the car turning ahead. Not until it was too late. My headlights flashed against metal; my tires screeched as I slammed on the brakes— But the other car hit me hard. My SUV spun out of control, slamming into a pole. The impact was violent, my body jerking, the airbag exploding in my face.

And then—darkness.

24

CREED

Istood in the driveway, my fists clenched, my heart pounding. Her taillights were disappearing into the night, and with them, so was everything good in my life.

I had fucked up bad. But never—not even in my worst nightmares—did I imagine it would come out like this.

I had let my weakness ruin the best thing that had ever happened to me…Serenity.

I exhaled, dragging my hands down my face before finally turning back toward the house, my stomach twisting.

The second I stepped inside, I heard my son crying, loud, heartbroken wails.

I walked into the living room and found Gio curled up in Lynette’s arms, his little face red and damp with tears.

"Dada," he sniffled, reaching for me.

I took him, pressing my lips to his soft curls.

"Shh, it’s okay, lil’ man. Daddy got you."

Except it wasn’t okay. Nothing about this was okay. I turned my gaze to the kitchen, where Gianna sat at the island, holdingan ice pack to her swelling eye. Tasha was beside her, looking worried.

And me? I was furious.

I handed Giovanni back to his grandmother and marched into the kitchen. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snapped, glaring at Gianna.