[Addison]
The door to the car clicks open.
An expensive Italian loafer is followed by the pinstriped leg of an elegant and sophisticated man. He towers over me, at least 7 inches taller and twice as wide, his strong arms and shoulders barely contained within the jacket of his well-tailored suit. From the Rolex at his wrist to the studs in his ears, and the ring gleaming on his hands, everything is diamond bright, as sharp and fine as the cut of his square chin and the angle of his high cheekbones.
“Excuse me,” his smooth voice, deep and rich, rumbles through my body, as he removes his sunglasses and looks at me with eyes so blue they appear almost black. “I can take her from here.”
Holding out his hands, his cold facade melts as he looks at the little girl with such love and concern that I find myself melting as well. But she doesn’t go to him, she clings to me even tighter.
“Mom,” the little girl murmurs, burying her head into my chest. “I found my mommy.”
“You little monster!” An out-of-breath young woman pants as she rushes up to us, her bobbed red hair falling in front of her freckled face. “You ran off again! Just wait until I tell…”
She reaches out to grab the girl but pauses when she notices the man standing next to me. “Mr. Grant, I, um, I can explain.”
“You’re fired,” his tone is blunt and cold as he dismisses the young woman with a hard glare.
The young woman’s eyes widen, tears rolling down her cheeks as she backs away, tripping over her own feet. “Mr. Grant, Sir, I can explain I…”
“Leave,” his tone remains flat, his anger almost palatable as he stares the girl down. “Now, Ms Watson. Do not expect a reference.”
Bowing, the young woman scuttles away not once looking over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” the velvety-voiced gentleman apologizes. “I can take her from here, Ms….”
It takes me a moment to realize that this ruthless, mysterious man is speaking to me. I pull my attention away from the fleeing nanny and find myself face to face, with this powerfully handsome man.
He reaches out for the girl again, placing his hands on her waist. “Come here, Livy, let’s leave the nice lady.”
The little girl. Livy shakes her pigtails and holds on tighter.
“Olivia Grant,” his voice is stern but kind as he insists she lets me go. “I’m sure the busy lady has things to do.”
“No,” the first word she says is murmured into the space where my neck and shoulder meet. It reminds me so much of Jayson when he was this age that I want to hold her forever. I miss this warmth and devotion. She reminds me of how it feels to be a mom.
Which brings my thoughts right back to that hospital room.
“Since Olivia is so fond of you,” the man speaks catching my eyes once more as I manage to pry the sweet girl off of my neck and place her into his waiting arms. “Maybe you could come eat with us. I know a nice place around the corner.”
Looking at the sweet domesticity of the two of them together, the love and kinship of a true family connection, an unsettled pang in my heart makes me warm and sad all at once.
“No,” I say a bit too quietly, lost in my melancholy mood. “But thank you, Mr…”
“Grant,” he turns his warm smile towards me. “Hunter Grant.” He pulls a business card from his suit pocket, shifting the little girl’s weight as she settles into his arms, sucking her thumb as she leans against his chest. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind, Ms…”
“Mrs.,” I correct him. “Mrs. Stone. Addison Stone. And yes,” I look back at the hospital one last time. “But I wish you the best. I’m just glad I was here for Olivia when she needed me. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Addison,” he repeats, my name resonant and melodic on his tongue. “I hope I will get a chance to see you soon.”
As he tucks the little girl into his car and settles himself next to her, his words feel more like a promise than a hope. Watching them drive away, I head on my path, walking home so that I can clear my mind. So much has happened. I’m at a loss.
Should I leave Michael? Is it time to get a divorce? I don’t believe that there isn't anything happening between him and Evelyn.
The jingle of my keys as I pull them from the door sounds loud in the quiet, empty house. Closing the door, I pick up the remnants of our scattered rush from the house, scooping up discarded toys and carrying them up to Jayson’s room.
Placing one of his stuffies on his bed, my eyes land on a framed picture on the nightstand next to the cupcake he never ate. The picture is from the day his adoption became official. He is still a small baby, only one year old, held in my arms as his father stands next to me, the two of us smiling
Family. We are a family.
Something vibrates on the hardwood floor beneath his bed. Peering underneath, the glowing screen of his tablet catches my attention as it vibrates again, informing Jayson of an incoming message.
“What’s that doing under here?” I pull it out, “Playing games at night when you should be sleeping, little man,” I smirk, looking for his charging port. That should be…”
In glowing white letters, the message says it's from the same number I recognize from earlier, the one that had sent the birthday pictures.
The note reads, “From MOM: Jayson, I am so sorry. I made a mistake. Next time, I will get you something extra yummy. Please forgive me.” It is signed with several heart emojis and the name “Mama Evelyn.”
It is signed with several heart emojis.
“I love you, Mama Evelyn.”
A flash of images, of moments from the last two days flutter through my mind. The way Evelyn looks not only so much like me, but like Jayson who shares the same white blonde hair and bright golden eyes. The way he calls her mama. The way Lauren treats her as if she were the daughter-in-law instead of me.
What if she’s more than the one who got away? What if she’s Jayson’s real mother?
“Oh God,” Suddenly sick, I rush to the bathroom and vomit what little bit I’ve eaten as the world spins. Unable to breathe, unable to think, I fall forward, my head hitting the wall as everything goes black.
[Addison]Everything hurts, especially my head which aches as I open my eyes and turn my head. Michael is sitting next to me, his eyes bright with excitement as he reaches forward and pulls my hand towards his, kissing it gently. “Oh good, you’re awake,” he grins brightly, “You had me worried.”“Michael, what happened?” the strange lights burn my eyes as I blink awake. “How did I end up in the hospital? I…” “You’re pregnant, Addy!” The smile on his face widens as he scoots closer to the bed. “After all this time! Can you believe it!”Pregnant? I can’t be pregnant. I was going to leave Michael, but if I’m pregnant, that changes everything. “The doctors say you are entering your third month,” his joy shines brightly, as he babbles about all of the things he wants to do for our new little one–designing a nursery and getting all the best things. “We need to set up your prenatal appointments and get a baby monitor and find a nanny and….” He wants to be a father again so badly. I was so
[ Addison ] The violent sound of tires screeching around the corner wakes me as my body jerks upward, slamming into the backseat with so much force that I feel I might be sick.Inhaling deeply, the scent of mold and stale cigarettes makes my nausea worse. Swallowing bile I fight not to throw up, my stomach churning as we hit another bump.“Oh look who’s awake,” a familiar voice coos. Twisting my head, I see Evelyn sitting in the car, not bound like me. She’s not gagged, her face untouched. She looks fresh, almost jubilant. What is she doing here?Where’s Jayson? Where’s my son? Was he hurt?“Looking for Jayson?” she smirks, ripping the tape from my mouth. A tear rolls down my cheek as the tape pulls at my skin.“Where’s my son?” I cry, glaring at her. “What did you do to him? He’s just a child!”“He’s fine,” the driver interrupts curtly. “He’s at home.”Evelyn pulls out her phone and shows me a picture of Jayson playing with the nanny. “See? Nothing to worry about.”“Where are you ta
[Addison]"What a shame," the man from the shadows steps forward and I finally get a good look at the goon who drove the car. He is handsome in a traditional kind of way, slick like second-rate CEO with his slicked back hair and tailored suit. Wheh he grins, he shows too many teeth, like a monster lurking in the dark.Kneeling before me, he grabs my chin and turns it from side to side. "Such a pretty little thing. It looks like you've been discarded. Just another broken doll."His breath is hot on my neck as he leans forward, his hand snaking down the front of my blouse. "I like broken things."Crying for him to leave me alone I spit in his face, a mixture of saliva, snot, and blood. He laughs, cutting the binding at my feet so he can push his body between my legs, not caring about the trail of blood.I kick and buck, screaming as he grabs my breast squeezing, another hand reaching up my skirt as he laughs at my efforts. "So much fight left! Good, I get to break you some more..."The
[Addison]“I’m so sorry, Addison,” the doctor placed a hand on my shoulder as she said her farewells. “Would you like us to call your husband or would you…”Shaking my head I told her not to bother. If he had cared about me or this child he’d have saved us in the warehouse. He’d have come back for us, or at least checked in on me after he was informed I was taken to the hospital. But I haven’t heard or seen anything of my husband in the three days I’ve been in the hospital receiving blood transfusions and recovering from the miscarriage and injuries. My body is slowly starting to heal–but my broken heart and shattered mind will never be the sameI am trapped within the loop of memories as I struggle to make sense of what happened that night. My son was so desperate to go outside and play, more insistent than usual. He was so persistent and didn’t ease up until we went out together only to have him run off away from me and out of sight as soon as I opened the door.Why? And then the
[Addison]The man steps forward into the light carrying an impossibly large bouquet of lilies in a fine, crystal vase. As our eyes connect, a warm wave of gratitude rolls through me as I recognize him instantly. “It’s you,” I murmur, my heart lifting. “The man from the warehouse.”The gentleman frowns, his face pinched with worry. “You must be mistaken. I haven’t been to any warehouses recently.” I know I’m not mistaken. The man in the warehouse took off his mask as he caught me. He looked just like him. The same eyes, the same jawline. “I’m sure I’m not mistaken. You’re the one who rescued me from the kidnappers.” His laughter is like a clear, brass bell that rings through the room. “Mrs. Stone, I assure you that you are mistaken. You were rescued by a special-ops unit that was investigating those kidnappers for having mob connections. I am not a federal agent,” he shakes his head. “Far from it, I run a multi-billion dollar trading company. I’ve never stepped foot in a warehouse.”
[Addison]I sit there stunned for a moment, processing his words. "$500,000," I repeat, flabergasted. "Yes," he raises an imperious eyebrow, tilting his head to the side. "Is it not enough? I can go as high as $650,000"As a legal assistant in my family firm, I only make around $120k per year. If I were to dust off my law degree and go back to work full-time as a lawyer, I might make $250,000. Maybe more if I left the family firm to work for one of the more prestigious firms in the city.And this man, this stranger, is offering me twice that just because his niece likes me. It’s a very generous offer. Too generous. There has to be a catch. Nobody gives something like that away for nothing in exchange.“Mr. Grant,” I wipe my eyes one more time with his handkerchief and look at him skeptically, “While I appreciate your offer, what exactly do you want me to do that would be worth $500,000 per year? Do you need a new lawyer?”Looking at his fine suit and jewelry, and his extravagant get-
[Hunter]There is something about Addison Stone that is different from any other woman I have met.She is smart and strong, beautiful and brave. She didn't hesitate before jumping into the road to sweep Livy up into her arms, protecting my niece from the oncoming traffic. Addison didn't think twice about the harm that could have come had she not moved quickly enough. It was completely selfless. Even in my other work, I rarely find someone who dives into trouble without assessing all of the risks. But this woman did, for a child she didn't even know. And when I tried to reward her for saving Livy's life, she refused me offhandedly, as if saving a child is something that anyone would do. But she's wrong. Most people freeze when faced with impossible situations. It takes a special person to run towards the danger. She's exactly the kind of person I want standing by Livy's side. As I step out of the hospital, my assistant, Reggie, is waiting by the door. He is impeccable as always, as
[Addison][BACK AT THE HOSPITAL]I grip the phone tightly as Tracy, the woman who was once my closest friend says something I never thought I'd hear. "I hate to be the one to say this but," Tracy pauses, "I think he might be cheating on you." Everything stops. My heart, my breath. What would make Tracy think this? What could have been so damaging that she'd consider this possibility before anything else?"Let me explain..." she begins to unravel a tale of confusion and mistaken identities. When she had seen the two of them in the parking lot from her office window, she had gotten very excited. She and I had been very close in college and she remembered how much I wanted to start a family right away. Michael didn't want to, he wanted to start the firm first, and it was Tracy who held me when I cried about that discovery, only a month before our wedding. "I was hoping he was there with you, because, you know, you have always wanted kids. This woman and Michael seemed very friendly. F
[Hunter]In a suit and tie, my tattoos are invisible, allowing me to be the person the investors expect me to be while I run the day to day workings of a fortune 100 company. As far as the upstanding part of NYC business is aware, Hazardous and Hunter Grant are not the same person. I work hard to keep my two lives separate. Just like DeBrassy does with his identity, Mr. D., we both know who the other man is, but in the boardroom, we pretend not to be criminals, and in spaces like these, we are done pretending. Here, we get to be the beasts we truly are.In some ways, this criminal underworld is more real than reality. It's more visceral, sensual, and alive. Nothing is off limits. Everything is possible. For some, it can be paradise. For others, Hell. And as far as I'm concerned, it's the furthest place I ever want Addy or Livy to be. I never want them to know this side of me, to see the gutters I need to swim in to preserve their safe world.Because tonight I dance with the devil to
[Hunter]Addison shines like a gem tonight, an elegant professional speaking with other like-minded people passionate about the same type of work. She was born to this. She might not realize it yet, but this is where she was always meant to be. She's standing next to the professor, laughing at something another legal guru from one of the finest firms in NYC said, meeting his verbal jabs with equal skill. Seeing her like this makes my heart feel lighter. After everything she's been through to get to this point, she deserves to be the bright star of this evening. I wish I could spend it with her. But I need to take care of business--dark dealings with the type of sinister low-lifes I plan to keep her from ever encountering. I would never want this filth to tarnish her shine. Silently signaling my lieutenant, I pretend to take a work call and excuse myself, leaving Addison in Charley's careful care. "I might not be back," I apologize. "This is a big deal, we can...""We can check in la
[Michael]The grim armed woman takes a step forward, blocking me from Addison's view."It's time for you to go, Mr. Stone," she repeats. "Now." Standing my ground, I refuse to move. She won't shoot me, not in front of all these people, all these lawyers. She'd be thrown behind bars. "Grant Group has a restraining order placed against you, Mr. Stone, and if you do not leave the premises immediately, I am authorized to use force if necessary." The woman tilts her head, watching, waiting for an excuse to follow through on her promise. Hundreds of eyes are watching us, hearing everything as we spill our family secrets on the floor of this grand ballroom, our words flying to smash into one another.Addison is angrier than I've ever seen her, an avenging angel, glaring at me with eyes of burning steel. Next to her is a tall, dark-skinned woman who, unlike the rest of those gathered, wears a no-nonsense suit, her hand hovering over a gun.She means business. And her business, from her sta
[Addison]“Oh, it looks like I’m late,” my ex-husband laughs, his hands in his pockets as he surveys the scene. “And with so many of my friends here, too. Hi Steve,” Michael waves to a man standing by the bar. "How's Cheryl?" Swaggering into the room, my ex parts the crowd until he's standing only a few feet away. Looking above my head, he sees the sign saying "Happy Divorce Day," and he smirks, his eyes flashing with sarcastic mirth. "Really, Addy? Just come home already. This game is getting old." Reaching forward, Michael holds out his hand to take mine. Taking a step back, I glare as I look around the room. Hunter is gone, Carter is now missing, and Charley is doing her best to make it to my side without causing an even bigger scene. I'm alone. "Michael, this isn't a game," I try to keep my voice low, even though this has already drawn the attention of most of the people in the room. "And I have a restraining order. You shouldn't be here right now. Why are you here?"Michael
[Michael][Earlier that evening]I can't wait to get the heck out of this office. Jayson's at my mother's for the weekend. I couldn't bear to be around my son after receiving the note from my attorney telling me that not only was my evidence rejected, but that my wife, MY WIFE, has been granted her divorce appeal without making any of the concessions I requested.Not only that, but her nosy old law professor, Dr. McCannon, filed a restraining order against me on her behalf. I was shocked to learn that tough old lizard is still alive. He's got to be what, like 102?Evelyn is out tonight, something about needing to see Mr. D, so I'm here, trying to see if there isn't some way I can contest the divorce. I mean, it can't be over, can it? Not really. Addy wouldn't leave me. She promised she'd stay with me forever. Until death do us part. "Sir," my new secretary, Cindy, saunters in. Mr. D sent her over, said my last one was "offensive." She places a whiskey sour next to my mousepad, and I
[Addison]The sharply-dressed young man holding me in his arms has a swoonworthy smile warm enough to melt hearts. Pretty like a model, his features are an exotic blend of cultures with full, soft lips, high, sharp cheekbones, and wide, cola-colored eyes that sparkle with amusement as he glances at me through a curtain of straight auburn brown hair. “It’s a good thing I was here to catch you,” he grins slyly, although his voice is bright with concern. “Are you okay, Miss…?"“Ms. Archer,” I hold out my hand to shake. “Addison Archer,” I nod in the direction of the congratulations sign. “The new divorcee.” “Ah,” his grin brightens. "Perfect, you're just the person I was sent to look for." Helping me stand, he takes my hand and bows over it in a very formal gesture of respect. "On behalf of my law firm, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Adam. Adam Wright. I work for CCRP Law Group, and we heard you have potential." He pulls a card from the inner pocket
[Addison]Mr. Carter introduced me to his fiancée, Kate, and we hit it off immediately. She’s classy, smart, and has a knack for noticing the small things that others miss and pointing them out to me with no small amount of hilarity. “So you see how she’s walking with a slight hesitation on her left leg,” my new friend points out a beautiful red head with hair with bright blue eyes, and a tight white gown. “Her date, Mr. Danvers, has a thing for dancers. Likes his girls…flexible,” she smirks. Realising her implications, I gasp. “But he’s at least 80!” “Well, love knows no age.” The edge of her lip twists upward as a demure eyebrow lifts just slightly. “Look again, see how broad the shoulders are on his suit? When he was a young man, he was a star polo player and rugby champion. It was 50 years ago, but I bet he still keeps fit.”Blushing, I struggle to NOT think about what she is suggesting as she leads me towards the entrance, where I am surprised to see another friendly face. “Tr
[Hunter]“HUNTER NO!!!!!!!”Addison is screaming, her voice gut-wrenching, as with eyes open but not conscious, she grabs my chest. Holding her close to my heart, I soothe her, saying her name and rubbing her back as I kiss her hair, rocking back and forth.“Addison! Addy! It’s okay.” She is so terrified, so lost and unaware of what is real and what isn’t. It is a trauma response, one I’ve seen in survivors before. Whatever happened to her as a child must have been worse than she has told me. Something so bad she can't even let herself remember it fully. I know that feeling. I have them too.“Please, Addy, come back to me," I beg, forcing my voice to stay strong even though a part of me wants to hide in a corner with her. "I've got you. You're safe." It takes several minutes for her eyes to focus and her face to show signs of recognition. “Hunter, you’re not dead?”“Shh,” I move one of her strands of hair behind her ear. Her elegant updo is a bit mussed now, making her look even more
[Addison]Standing at the top of the stairs, I feel like a princess waiting to enter the ballroom and meet her handsome prince. My hands are shaking as I grip the railing. What if he doesn’t like the dress?What if he does? Taking a deep breath, I make my slow descent, my silver pumps clicking delicately on the marble floors.The dress Charley helped pick out is a periwinkle blue made of a beautiful sequined fabric that casts rainbows as I move. The bodice is a fitted corset with a neckline so low, I have to be taped into it to stay in place, and it flairs out over my hips into a full circle skirt that reaches down to my knees. The whole dress is covered in hand-beading, giving it a nice weight and an expensive feel. Charley wouldn’t let me see the price tag. Not after how I reacted when I saw the additional cost of the jewelry. Instead of a traditional string of pearls or a sensible scarf, I’m wearing a body cage in the shape of a cape, dripping jewels from my neck in every direct