Page 31

SERENITY

I had been on set for nearly a month now, and to be honest? I was thriving.

I never thought acting would be my thing. Dancing? That was my first love, my soul’s language. But being in front of a camera, playing a character, becoming someone else… It was a rush I hadn’t expected. I loved it. Maybe a little too much.

"That’s a wrap for Serenity Bradshaw!"

The moment the director called my name, the entire crew erupted into applause. I exhaled, smiling wide, my chest rising and falling from the last intense scene I had just filmed.

"You killed that, baby girl," Sienna said, walking over and pulling me into a tight hug. I hugged her back, soaking it in. This was the best part of all of this—how close we had gotten. For the last month, my mama and I had been spending every single day together. I lived in her condo with her. We ate meals together, went shopping together. She went over lines with me, giving me pointers. It was an amazing experience; a side of Sienna I hadn’t known before. And for the first time in my life? It didn’t feel forced.

She was proud of me. She told me every single day.

She actually showed up. And damn if that didn’t mean the world to me.

"You ever think about doing this full-time?

" Sienna asked, pulling back and studying my face.

I smirked. "What, and become my mama’s competition?"

She laughed. "Baby, please. Ain’t nobody competition to me."

I laughed too, but deep down, I was really thinking about it. Maybe this wasn’t a one-time thing. Maybe I actually had a future in this. But was I willing to put dance on hold to give this an actual chance? I enjoyed this experience enough to consider it.

During my last week of filming, something felt off.

I was tired all the time, I had been nauseous every morning, and nothing—I mean, nothing—was sitting right in my stomach.

At first, I thought it was stress, stress from being away from Creed, stress from worrying too much.

Then I thought maybe I caught some kind of bug.

But deep down, something was telling me that wasn’t it.

So I made an appointment. And that’s when my entire world shifted.

The waiting room felt too bright, too quiet. I sat there, tapping my foot, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Miss Bradshaw?"

I stood up, following the nurse down the hall and into the small, cozy room. She took my vitals and had me pee in a cup, standard procedure.

"So, tell me what's been going on," the doctor said, settling onto her stool.

I swallowed. "I've been sick. Tired. Just… not myself."

She nodded. "Well, based on your symptoms, we went ahead and ran a few tests." I nodded, waiting and she smiled softly. "Serenity, you’re pregnant."

The world tilted and I blinked. "I—what?"

"You're about eight weeks along based on what you told my nurse of when your last cycle was," she confirmed, still smiling. "Would you like to see your baby?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded, too shocked to speak so I just nodded, frantically, feel like my neck was going to break.

She had me lie back, lifting my shirt before squeezing cold gel onto my stomach.

"Okay, let’s take a look," she murmured, grabbing the wand and moving it across my lower abdomen. And then a tiny, rhythmic sound filled the room. I gasped, my heart stopping. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat," the doctor said. "Strong and steady."

A sob broke free from my lips. Then, on the screen, I saw them. My baby. Tiny, curled up, barely the size of a raspberry—but real and alive, growing inside me.

"Oh my God," I whispered, covering my mouth.

"Would you like a printout?"

I nodded, tears falling freely now. "Please."

She handed me the black-and-white ultrasound photo, and I clutched it tight. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So, I did both.

By the time I stepped out of the doctor's office, my hands were shaking. Not from fear and not from uncertainty. But from excitement.

I pulled out my phone, instinctively scrolling to Creed’s contact.

Then I stopped. I didn’t want to tell him over the phone.

This was too big, too important. I wanted to see his face.

I wanted to watch his reaction when he realized we had created something out of love.

So instead of calling him, I booked my flight home.

A few days later, I stood outside of the airport with Sienna standing next to me.

"You’re glowing Tootie,"

I smiled, adjusting my purse. "Atlanta air must be good for me."

She smirked, tilting her head. "Or maybe something else is." My stomach flipped, but I kept my face neutral. If she asked I wouldn’t confirm or deny, I couldn’t tell her first, Creed had to be the first person I told. So, I was glad when she didn’t ask questions.

"I’m proud of you, baby girl," she said softly, pulling me in for a hug. I held onto her tight, feeling a little overwhelmed by how much things had changed between us. "We’ll talk soon?" she asked.

I nodded. "Soon. I love you Mommy.”

“Love you too baby.” She kissed my cheek and with that, I stepped inside the airport, my heart pounding, my hand clutching my ultrasound photo inside my bag. I couldn’t wait to tell Creed. Because this? This was the best surprise of all.

The excitement buzzing in my chest had been building all day. I was finally home. After a month in Atlanta, I was back where I belonged—back in Phoenix, back with Creed. Back to tell him about our baby.

Instead of calling him to pick me up and ruining the surprise, I had booked a car service. I wanted this to be a surprise, wanted to walk into our home and see the look on his face when I handed him the ultrasound.

I had played this moment out a thousand times in my head. But as I stepped through the front doors of our house, I knew— Something was off. Because she was here, and so was her damn mama along with his.

Tasha. Gianna. Lynette. They were all sitting in my living room. Comfortable too comfortable like they belonged here, like this was their home.

I froze, my suitcase still in my grip. "The hell is this?" I asked, my voice sharp, eyes narrowed in their direction, confused.

Before anyone could answer, Creed walked in—Gio in his arms. For a brief second, my tension eased. Because Gio saw me, his little face lighting up as he squirmed in Creed’s arms, reaching for me.

"Mama Renity” I dropped my bag and scooped him up, pressing kisses to his chubby little cheeks. The looks exchanged between the three women not going unnoticed.

"Hey, baby boy! I missed you!"

"Miss you too," he babbled holding up two fingers at the word too before wrapping his tiny arms around my neck.

Creed pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around both me and Gio. I let myself melt into him for half a second, but, something felt off. The way he held me—hesitant. Not the way he usually did. And suddenly, the joy of coming home started to dim.

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Can we talk? In private?"

His jaw tensed, but he nodded. "Yeah, let’s go."

I put Gio down, ruffling his soft curls, before grabbing my suitcase and rolling it toward our bedroom. When we got in the room, a chill went down my spine, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I ignored it though, setting my suitcase near my dresser before turning to face him.

"Why are they here, Creed?"

His jaw tightened.

"They’ve been here for a week," he admitted. "My mama brought them when she came to visit and Gi missed Gio.”

I blinked, my stomach twisting.

"A week?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah." I stared at him, something ugly and painful creeping into my chest.

"We talked every day, Creed," I said, my voice shaky. "And you didn’t think to mention that your ex and her mama were staying in our house?"

His eyes flickered, like he knew there wasn’t a good answer to that.

"I didn’t want to stress you out while you were working," he said, shaking his head. "I didn’t think it was a big deal." Didn’t think it was a big deal? I clenched my jaw, feeling my chest tighten. "Why are you home early?" he asked, switching the subject.

My breath caught, my fingers gripping my purse tightly remembering what I had come home early to do.

"I wrapped early," I said slowly. "I wanted to surprise you." I reached into my bag, fingers brushing against the ultrasound photo. But before I could pull it out, there was a knock at the door.

Creed sighed. "Come in."

I expected it to be Tasha. Because surely, neither Lynette nor Gianna would feel bold enough to step into my space. But I was wrong. Because Gianna walked in, a smug-ass smirk on her face.

"I left something in here," she said smoothly.

She walked right past me, heading into our ensuite bathroom like she owned the place.

And when she came back out?

She was holding a pair of sweats and a hoodie. My breath left my body. I turned to Creed, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. And in that moment, I knew. I knew what happened. I knew what he did. In our home and in our bed with her.

“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.