BRADEscaping home from that shit hole I call a workplace was the only thing that kept me sane and going. Just an evening to unwind, think about how to use this huge mistake Nolan just made by canceling the launch to my favor, and how to win Alanna, on our date tomorrow. This last time, I wasn’t able to have sex with her, but I best believe that I would tomorrow and nothing is going to come in my way.Or so I thought.I was still enjoying the comfort of my space when I heard a knock on my door. It was odd because, at this time of the day, I rarely get uninvited guests, I took out my phone and pulled up my mobile CCTV and saw it was Chloe. I sighed, “What the hell does she want here?” I sluggishly made my way to the door and buzzed her in. She appeared to be agitated and freaking out, which wasn't strange when it comes to Chloe, but she doesn't just show up in my house unannounced, it was part of our rules. “I thought we agreed on no surprise visit,” I mumbled, as I paced after
CHAPTER 48ALANNA(FIVE YEARS AGO)I stared at the man I had just gotten married to, it was not any form of a romantic ceremony, there were just two witnesses, his parents and his assistant who stood in place of my family since my family had not attended our wedding claiming I betrayed Chloe.The memory of that night was still hazy to me, I didn't remember a single thing, except being given a drink by Chloe.“You drugged me,” I had accused her, but Mum yanked me from the floor while I was weeping, and shoved me to the couch. “Are you crazy?” she yelled, “How can you say that about your sister,” “She forced me to drink a glass of wine and after that, I couldn't remember anything,” I tried to defend myself. “Did I also force you to sleep with my boyfriend, why would I drug you and make you sleep with my boyfriend, the man I want to get married to,” Chloe cried out, tossing her shoes towards me, I dodged them by a millisecond. Now here I was in a room alone, with a man, I had nev
NOLANMy mind is messing with me, my head is fucking with me.Growing up I had seen so many of my baby and toddler pictures and right now it felt like I was looking at one of them.Just that there was a male and a female version of that toddler picture in front of me. I stared down at them and my eyes trailed up a bit to Alanna, she was bewildered. She was speechless.“Mummy, is this your friend?” the little girl asked in what must be the most adorable voice I have heard in all my life. “No, he is just leaving,” she answered, her gaze not leaving me, as we kept staring at each other. Hell, no.I wasn’t going anywhere, I am not even going to move an inch. Not without answers.Are they…. It can't be? What the fuck? Are these my kids, Alanna has two kids, did she get married after she left me? but why do they look so much like me?Is my mind fucking with me? Or is this another function of my active imagination? “Nolan, can you please leave my house? Anything you want to discuss
BRADToday is the day, my eyes flung open as I jolted from my bed, Chloe was still sleeping beside me, this was the first night she was sleeping over. Of course, Nolan wouldn't care, if, for anything, he would want to get rid of her soon and what better way to get rid of an unwanted spouse than to catch them in the act of infidelity? Her eyes flickered open, as soon as I got out of the bed, she was naked underneath the sheets and I didn't want to get aroused by the sight of that. “Where are you going, it is the weekend, and I am sure Nolan isn't looking for me,” she picked up her phone from the nightstand and scrolled through it for a moment, “As expected, there is no call here from him,”“I need to get prepared for my date,” Her eyes widened, I could see the rage in her eyes, “What do you mean date?” she asked, not waiting for my response she continued, “I thought we agreed you weren't going to see anyone as long as we were still fucking,”Yes, that was our terms or fucking,
ALANNAI didn't want to go on the date, I know I said I wanted to move on from Nolan, but right now I had a thousand thoughts running through my mind.“Mummy, who is that man who came to the house?” the ever-inquisitive Lucy had asked, right when I was tucking them to sleep, the night before.I sighed, not sure what I was supposed to tell them, was I going to lie to my kids, I wasn't also ready to tell them the truth because that was something I couldn't explain to them.“He is just someone I work with,” I lied, praying to whatever deity I believe in that they do not press on with the question. “Lucy said you were crying after he left, did he hurt you mummy? I want to go beat him,” Lucas in his sensitive and overly protective childlike voice mutters with concern etched all over his face.“No, he did not, Lucy, what did I tell you about spying on mummy?”“Lucas also spied on you,” Lucy blurted out, I smiled. “Don't worry darling mummy can take care of herself,”Now here I was seated
ALANNAHow the hell did I get myself into this mess?"I said, stay out of it Brad," Nolan growled, his voice laced with a dangerous edge."Or what? Are you gonna psychoanalyze me again?" Brad scoffed, his face contorted in a sneer.This was bad. Really bad. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum solo in my chest. I opened my mouth to intervene, but the words died in my throat before I could force them out.It all happened so fast. In a blink, Nolan's fist clenched tight and whipped through the air. The sickening crunch of bone on flesh echoed in the tense silence as his fist connected with Brad's jaw. Brad crumpled to the floor like a ragdoll, a choked cry escaping his lips.My breath hitched. "Nolan!" I screamed the words a panicked shriek.Ignoring me, Nolan loomed over Brad, his chest heaving. "Now, do I have your attention, Alanna?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.Before I could reply, Brad surged to his feet, fuelled by rage. He swung wildly, his fist connecting
NOLANCan your whole life change in a second?Yes, it can.When you get your dream job, when you propose to your long-term girlfriend, when you quit that job or move to that new country, it can all change your life.But for me, it changed when I realized I was a father, not just a father to a child but to children.Alanna walks in, slamming the door to my face and I am not sure how I want to feel about what I had just found out, I am a dad.I have two lovely children who grew up not knowing I existed. My mind is a whirlwind of emotion, I didn't leave her house. I wanted to, I did, but I came back the next day. That was when I saw her, dressed all fancy and probably going out for a date. I didn't want to stalk her, I didn't mean to, but I couldn't help myself.“You always know how to keep a level head Nolan and act on logic,” this had been one testament I had constantly got about myself, my ability to think rationally and not act on impulse but, I was losing it. Alanna is driv
ALANNA“I am going to kill Nolan,” I swore out loud, “I am going to kill him and feed his bones to wolves to feed on, what the actual fuck”I hate Nolan!I am going to kill Nolan!This time I mean it, I am going to kill him. I was already out of my bed, I thought I could just have a relaxing day, alone but it was clear the devil’s advocate Nolan wasn't going to let that happen.“Alanna, calm down,” Angela pleaded and I sneered at her, casting a glare at her.“How dare you ask me to calm down,” I tossed the paper to her. “He is taking me to court over custody of my children,”“It says here that it is the Westbrook, doesn't say Nolan,”Why the fuck is she in the habit of defending Nolan?“Are you crazy? how many Westbrooks do we know that would take me to court for custody, and it just happened that as soon as Nolan finds out he is the father, my ass is being dragged to court,”“I am sure he is just doing this because you refuse him the right to see the kids,”I scowled at her, “Which
ALANNAStanding at the back of the church, the soft melody of the wedding march echoing through the air. Who would have thought that after everything—after all the pain, the heartbreak, and the betrayal—I would find myself here, about to marry Nolan Westbrook, the man I once believed was the source of all my suffering? Life has a strange way of leading you exactly where you need to be, even when you fight it every step of the way.Pedro, my rock, my father in every way that mattered, stood beside me. He looked at me with pride, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "You ready, Dear?" His voice was steady, but I could hear the emotion behind it.I nodded, feeling my heart swell with gratitude. This was the man who had taken me in, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the family I had always longed for. And now, he was about to walk me down the aisle to start a new chapter of my life.As we began to move forward, the sight before me took my breath away. The church was filled with the peop
NOLAN"Closure doesn't come from forgetting the past but from facing it head-on."The wind blew softly as we stood at Chloe's grave, the air filled with the scent of freshly turned earth and the distant hum of the city. It had taken us a long time to get here, to stand at this place with a sense of peace instead of anger or regret. I looked down at the headstone, its cold surface a stark reminder of all that had happened, all that we had lost and gained.In my arms, little Chloe stirred, her tiny hands grasping at the air. She was so innocent, unaware of the twisted history that brought her into this world. But that was how it would stay. Alanna and I had promised each other that this child, this beautiful little girl, would never know the darkness that shadowed her birth. She would be loved, cherished, and protected from the truth that could shatter her world.Alanna knelt beside the grave, placing a single white rose on the headstone. Her voice was soft, but there was strength in it
ALANNAWhen Lucas stepped out of the shadows, gun in hand, my heart clenched with a fear I hadn’t felt in years. The happiness of moments before—Nolan’s proposal, the promises of a future together—seemed to shatter like glass around us. All I could see was Lucas, his face twisted with rage and pain, his eyes filled with a darkness that sent chills down my spine.It was as if everything we’d gone through, every battle we’d fought, was leading up to this moment. But instead of feeling strong, I felt vulnerable, exposed. Lucas was no longer the boy I once knew. He was a man consumed by hatred, and that hatred was directed at me.“You came into my life and took everything,” Lucas snarled, his voice trembling with barely suppressed anger. “You took my family, you took the only love I had ever known, and now you’ve ruined everything!”I tried to find the right words, something that could reach him, something that could make him see reason. But nothing came. All I could do was stand there, f
ALANNA"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."Shopping with Angela was just the distraction I needed. The weight of everything—Nolan’s court case, the uncertainty of our future—had been pressing down on me like a storm cloud. But here, in the brightly lit aisles, surrounded by the scent of fresh clothes and the chatter of happy customers, I felt lighter. Angela had a way of making even the most mundane tasks feel like an adventure.We wandered through racks of dresses, holding up options and debating the merits of each one. Angela was in the middle of showing me a deep red dress when she suddenly paused, a small smile playing on her lips.“Jake asked me to move in with him.”The words hung in the air between us, and I felt a surge of happiness for her. “He did? That’s amazing, Angela! How do you feel about it?”Angela looked thoughtful, her fingers brushing the fabric of the dress she was holding. “I don’t know. I mean, I love him, and I can see a future with him.
Nolan"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."The courthouse loomed before me, a symbol of the justice I’d been seeking ever since that fateful day. The memories of what Brad had done—of what he’d put my family through—played on a loop in my mind. There was no forgetting the fear in Alanna’s eyes, the sound of the gunshot, the moment when everything nearly ended for us. Today was about more than just a verdict; it was about setting things right, about reclaiming the peace that Brad had stolen from us.As I sat in the courtroom, the weight of the moment settled heavily on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about me. It was about Alanna, about our children, about the future we’d almost lost. I glanced over at Alanna, who was seated beside me. Her hand rested in mine, her grip tight and unyielding. We had come this far together, and we were going to see it through to the end.Mr. Collins, my lawyer, stood and approached the stand where I was seated. He was calm, composed, the
ALANNA“Family isn't just about blood; it's about who stands by you when the world falls apart."As we walked into the restaurant, the warm glow of the lights and the soft hum of conversation made me feel at ease. This place, with its cozy ambiance and inviting atmosphere, was perfect for the first dinner we’d have together as a family—one that finally felt whole. I glanced around at everyone, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It had been a whirlwind of emotions since discovering the truth about my past, and now, here we were, trying to create something new from the ashes of what once was.Nolan squeezed my hand gently as we approached our table. He could sense my nerves and, as always, knew exactly what I needed—a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. The kids ran ahead, excited to see the menu and all the possibilities it promised. Mrs. Westbrook, who had become such a steady presence in our lives, followed behind them, her eyes twinkling with affection as she watched
ALANNAALANNA*"The truth is like a slow-burning fuse—inevitable and explosive, lighting up the darkest corners of our past."*The air in the room felt heavy, laden with the weight of all the secrets that had been suffocating us for years. Chloe's father sat across from me, his eyes tired and red, as if he had been wrestling with his conscience for a long time. I knew this conversation would change everything, yet I wasn’t prepared for what was coming.For so long, I had lived under the shadow of a truth I didn’t fully understand. I knew that the people I had called my parents weren’t truly mine, but beyond that, there was only darkness—a void that left me feeling lost and incomplete. Today, it seemed, that void was about to be filled.He took a deep breath, as if trying to steady himself for what he was about to reveal. "Alanna, I owe you the truth, even though it's a truth I've buried for far too long. You see, your real parents—they weren’t who you thought they were."I nodded, my
ALANNA“Some truths are too heavy to bear, but they must be carried nonetheless.”The phone rang late in the evening. Nolan and I were curled up on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of peace. When he saw Chloe’s name flash across the screen, he hesitated, the tension immediately creeping back into his shoulders. He glanced at me, his brows furrowed in concern.“I’ll answer,” I offered, knowing that whatever she had to say would weigh on him. He handed me the phone, relief mingled with worry in his eyes.“Hello?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but my mind raced with possibilities. Why was she calling now?“Alanna,” Chloe’s voice was weak, almost unrecognizable. There was an urgency in her tone that sent a chill down my spine. “I’m at the hospital. I need you and Nolan to come… please, it’s important.”Before I could respond, she hung up. I stared at the phone, my mind reeling.“What did she say?” Nolan’s voice broke through my thoughts.“She’s at the hospital. She wants us to come… N
NOLANI don't want this night to end," I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear. The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning and longing. I looked into Alanna's deep blue eyes, and I knew she felt the same way."Then let's not let it end," Alanna whispered back, her fingers trailing down my chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. The touch of her hands on my skin sent a shiver of anticipation running through me. I couldn't resist her any longer. I swept her off her feet, carrying her up the stairs to our bedroom, where we could forget about the rest of the world and just be with each other.I couldn't help but think about how far we had come. It wasn't just about the physical connection, though that was incredible. It was about the way she looked at me, the way she touched me, the way she made me feel. I knew that I had found something special with Alanna, something that I never wanted to let go of.I kissed her deeply, my tongue exploring her mouth as our bodies pressed t