NOLANLast night was the best night of my life, talking to Alanna feels so natural. I wake up to the sound of Chloe chatting with her makeup artist. She’s seated at the vanity, layers of makeup being meticulously applied. I don’t remember seeing her yesterday, which isn’t unusual these days.“Where were you all day yesterday?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.“Meeting with my divorce lawyer,” she replies without looking at me.“Is it the same lawyer you’ve been plotting with? The one who made you go to Brad’s house at night?”She finally looks at me, her eyes cold. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”I nod. “You’re right. You don’t. We’re getting a divorce, after all. But whatever you’re plotting with Brad, I’ll find out soon enough.”“Kiss my ass, Nolan,” she says, turning back to the mirror.I walk to the shower, letting the hot water pound away my frustration. This charade needs to end. As I step out and grab a towel, Chloe’s voice cuts through the bathroom door.“Where are you
CHAPTER 96ALANNAI tuck the kids into bed, feeling lighter than I have in ages. Introducing Nolan to Lucy and Lucas went better than I could have hoped. Their curious questions continue as I pull the covers up around them.“Why didn’t you tell Nolan about us before?” Lucy asks, her big eyes searching mine for answers.“It wasn’t the right time, sweetheart,” I say gently. “I wanted to wait until it was perfect.”“Will Nolan keep coming?” Lucas asks, his voice small but hopeful.“Yes, he will,” I promise, smoothing his hair.“What is Nolan like?” Lucy’s question catches me off guard.I find myself smiling. “He’s strong and determined. But he’s also very sweet and caring. He makes me laugh.”As I speak, I realize how much I still care for him. My heart swells, but a nagging voice reminds me that he’s still married. I kiss the kids goodnight, whispering my love for them, and head downstairs.In the living room, Angela is lounging in her nightwear, a glass of wine in her hand. She looks u
AlannaI glanced at the clock. Nearly midnight. Angela and I were poring over documents for our court appearance tomorrow. I couldn’t shake the anxiety gnawing at me. “I’m worried about tomorrow,” I confessed, breaking the silence. “What if the judge doesn’t grant me custody?”Angela looked up, her eyes soft with reassurance. “Don’t worry, Alanna. You’re a great mom. The judge will see that.”Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Jake walked in. I knew Jake only in passing—he was Nolan’s best friend—but we’d never really talked. Angela’s eyes widened. “Jake! What are you doing here?”Jake’s easy smile spread across his face. “I came to see Nolan, but he’s not around. His office was open, though.”I frowned, surprised. “Nolan’s still working at this hour?” That man never seemed to stop.“Guess so,” Jake shrugged. “Mind if I wait in your office, Alanna?”“Of course not. Make yourself comfortable.”Jake settled in, turning his attention to me. “How are the kids, Alanna? Lucy
ALANNAThe courtroom is a cold, sterile box, its fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows on the faces of strangers. I glance at the empty chair beside me, my nerves on edge. The echo of my heels on the polished floor feels like a drumbeat in my chest. Last night’s kiss with Nolan flits through my mind—intense, unexpected. But I push it aside. Today is about securing my children’s future, about getting full custody. Nothing else matters right nowMy gaze flicks to the judge's bench. A sea of faces stares back, their expressions a blank canvas. I search for a flicker of sympathy, of understanding. Nothing. Just blank stares.Mr. David, my lawyer, rises. His voice, a low rumble, cuts through the tension. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we stand before you today to defend the sacred bond between a mother and her children. Alanna, my client, is a woman of unwavering strength and resilience. She is a devoted mother who has sacrificed countless hours, sleepless nights, and p
CHLOEI stared at my phone, rage bubbling up inside me. Alanna had gotten custody of the children. I could barely contain my fury as I turned to Lucas.“We need to act fast with our plans,” I said, my voice sharp.Lucas looked at me, frustration evident in his eyes. “We need to slow down. My mother is not happy with me right now. I can’t risk losing my inheritance.”I rolled my eyes, disgusted by his cowardice. “Grow the fuck up, Lucas. You need to create a legacy for yourself. You can’t do that always hiding under your mother’s shadow. Besides, she won’t cut you off. You’re her only son.”He hesitated, then nodded. “You’re right.”“Of course, I’m right,” I snapped. “Now, let’s figure out how to hurt Alanna and Nolan.”Lucas leaned back, thinking. “We could spread rumors about Alanna, make her look unfit.”I shook my head. “Too easy to disprove. We need something concrete, something that will stick.”“What about framing her for embezzlement?” he suggested.I considered it. “That could
BRADI watched from the shadows as Chloe exited Lucas’s apartment. I knew she was up to something, but seeing her with him confirmed it. She was having an affair with Lucas, and I suspected that she was behind the recent share purchase mess. Chloe had always been manipulative, but this went beyond what I had imagined.She headed towards the parking lot, and I followed, staying out of sight. As she approached her car, I made my move. I stepped out, blocking her path.“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice dripping with disdain.Chloe’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a false smile. “I came to see my lawyer,” she said smoothly.I laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the quiet parking lot. “You think I’m a fool, don’t you? I know about the affair with Lucas. And to think Nolan married a serial cheat.”Her face reddened. “It’s not what you think. It’s just business.”“Business?” I scoffed. “You’re not the kind of woman who knows how to get things without
ALANNASitting at my desk, I glanced around my cozy home office. The sunlight filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, but things were finally starting to settle. I had full custody of the kids, which was a relief. And then there was the kiss with Nolan—a moment that replayed in my mind far too often.I tried to focus on my work, scrolling through emails and checking off tasks. One message caught my eye, a potential collaboration with Vogue. I smiled, excitement bubbling up inside me. A new project could be just what I needed. But as much as I tried to concentrate, my thoughts kept drifting back to Nolan. That kiss. It had been unexpected, electric. But we hadn't talked about it since, and I wasn't sure what it meant. I told myself I was happy and didn't want to change anything, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was unresolved.My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my reverie. A message from Nolan. My heart ski
NOLANSitting in my office, a rare moment of calm washed over me. My phone lay on the desk, screen still glowing from the chat with Alanna. The conversation had left me with a feeling of warmth I hadn't experienced in a while. Her smile, her wit—it was like a breath of fresh air. I knew I couldn't keep my feelings for her hidden forever, especially after agreeing to meet tomorrow night. It felt like a step toward something real, something worth exploring. Before I could delve further into my thoughts, the door to my office burst open. Lucas strode in, his presence as obnoxious as ever. He wore his arrogance like a second skin, and I could almost feel the tension radiating from him. I sighed inwardly, knowing this wasn't going to be a pleasant encounter."Nolan, we need to talk," he said, his voice laced with that usual disdain.I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "What do you want, Lucas?"He smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "You know, just because you’r