The estate gleamed under the late morning sun, freshly polished. Marble floors reflected the soft shimmer of decorative lanterns, and the gardens stretched endlessly, trimmed and manicured to perfection. Serena and Roman had finally moved in, and today, it would host their son Rory’s first birthday.

The structure had been Roman’s project from the start, but the interior was all Serena. She had chosen every color, every piece of furniture, every light fixture. Nothing inside the house existed without her approval.

Serena stood near the grand staircase, adjusting the final arrangements, while Roman hovered beside her, one arm casually around her waist, the other holding Rory, who kicked his tiny...