I hadn’t planned on having dinner with Fiona. In fact, if someone had told me years ago that I’d be sitting across from her at a quiet restaurant, chatting as if we were old acquaintances rather than former rivals, I would have laughed in their face thinking that they were trying to say something that’s never gonna happen.
But jokes on me, cause here we were.The soft hum of the restaurant’s background music filled the air as I watched Fiona carefully slice her steak. There was something so different about her now—gone was the fiery, impulsive woman who had once made it clear that she despised me. In her place was someone calm, composed, and strangely... warm?“You’re staring,” Fiona noted, not looking up from her plate. “Is there something on my face?”I blinked, realizing I had been lost in thought. “Sorry,” I said, giving her a sheepish smile. “It’s just... you’ve changed a lot.”She finally met my gaze, a small knowing smile playingI adjusted the hem of my dress, exhaling as I glanced at myself in the mirror. Tonight was going to be a long night. The city’s governor was hosting a grand event, and almost every major family in the city had been invited. It wasn’t the type of gathering I looked forward to, but it was necessary. Networking, keeping up appearances, and maintaining the family’s influence were all part of this charade.Blake suddenly ran into the room, his tiny footsteps echoing against the marble floor. "Mama, I want to go with you!"I sighed, turning to face him. He was already dressed in a small tuxedo, his hair neatly combed. "Blake, there will be a lot of adults. It’s not really a place for kids.”"But I want to go!" he pouted, his big eyes pleading. "Please, Mama?""Blake—"“Uncle Hayden!" Blake called out suddenly, running towards the hallway.I groaned. He knew exactly how to get what he wanted. A few seconds later, Hayden entered the room with an amused smirk, arms cr
Hayden subtly moved closer to me as Blake nearly tugged his hand free from mine.Dominic’s lips twitched into a smirk as he kneeled to Blake’s level. "Blake. Looking sharp tonight.""You too!" Blake beamed. "I like your suit!"Dominic chuckled. "Good taste."The interaction sent a jolt of unease through me. Blake was comfortable around Dominic—too comfortable. And Dominic? His expression was unreadable, but I could tell he has a hidden agenda.Fiona, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke. "He’s an adorable child, Isabella."“Uh—Thank you," I said smoothly, keeping my emotions in check.I studied her face to see if she was pissed or anything from Blake calling Dominic “Papa” but I did not see anything trace of hate. If anything, she had a gentle smile plastered on her face. I shifted my eyes to Dominic and saw that his gaze lingered on me for a second too long before he stood back up. "Shall we all enjoy the evening?"Hayden placed his hand on my bac
My heart pounded as I stared at the sight before me.Fiona was in another man’s arms.They weren’t just standing close or talking intimately—they were embracing. His arms were wrapped securely around her, and her head rested against his chest. From the slight shake of her shoulders, I could tell she had been crying.I should have turned away immediately. Should have backed off before they noticed me. But I was frozen, caught between shock and disbelief.Then the man whispered something to her, his voice too low for me to make out. Fiona sniffled, nodding against him before finally pulling away. She wiped her face quickly, composing herself as if nothing had happened.I took that as my cue to leave.I didn’t saw the man’s face because his back was facing me, but the voice…it was familiar, I just can’t point who it was.Turning on my heel, I quietly stepped away, my mind spinning. So, this was what was really going on. Whatever was happening between Fiona a
I sighed heavily as I stared at the never-ending pile of paperwork in front of me. My vision blurred slightly from the sheer amount of numbers, reports, and documents I’d been staring at for hours. It felt like my eyeballs were about to melt from the screen’s glare.I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples, trying to fight off the headache that had been forming since morning.I missed my son.And I missed Hayden.I hadn’t been home properly for days now. Not because I wanted to stay late at work, but because every time I so much as blinked, another emergency report would land on my desk, practically chaining me to this godforsaken office. I’ve barely seen Blake except for the rushed mornings before he goes to school, and I know for a fact that Hayden has been handling everything at home while I drowned in work.I let out another sigh, glaring at the evil stack of paperwork as if I could set it on fire with sheer willpower alone.How does Hayden handle
The cafeteria was buzzing with employees when we walked in, their murmurs barely audible over the clinking of utensils and the occasional bursts of laughter from different tables. But as soon as Dominic and I stepped inside, the atmosphere noticeably shifted. The room got quiet and everyone glanced in our direction, and a few people even outright gawked.Great. Just great.Because having lunch with one of the city’s most talked-about man wasn’t going to be a headline waiting to happen.I sighed internally, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose. I should’ve just locked my office door.Dominic, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed, his usual smirk plastered on his face as he leisurely strolled beside me, hands shoved casually in his pockets.I purposely chose the cafeteria because I don’t want to be seen outside with him."People are staring," I muttered under my breath, shooting him a pointed look.He hummed in amusement. "Let them. May
I was standing at the construction site, observing the ongoing progress, when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket, frowning when I saw the caller ID. Blake’s school.A sudden wave of unease washed over me as I answered.“Hello,”“Good afternoon, Ma’am,” the voice on the other end said politely. “We’re calling to inform you that your son, Blake, has been picked up early today.”I stiffened. “Picked up? By who?”“By his father, Ma’am. He mentioned it was for a night out.”My stomach dropped. “His father?” I repeated, my voice a pitch higher.“Yes, Ma’am. Mr. Dominic Russo.”My grip on the phone tightened.Dominic.Of course, it had to be him.I ended the call immediately and dialed Dominic’s number, my heart pounding in my chest. The phone rang. And rang. And rang but there was still no answer.I called again. Still no answer.By the fourth call, I was pacing, my nails digging into my palm. When he finally picked up, I d
I sat in the living room, fingers lightly tapping my knee as I waited. Dominic had taken Blake upstairs for a shower, leaving me alone in this unfamiliar house. It felt strange being here—like I was intruding on a life I had no place in. The silence continued, broken only by the faint sound of the water running upstairs. I released a heavy breathe, leaning back into the couch. My eyes drifted toward the glass doors leading to the pool, where Blake had been laughing and playing just minutes ago. He had so much fun that he pouted and tried to argue when I told him it was time to go home. I was happy that he enjoyed himself, but at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the uneasiness gnawing at me. He shouldn’t be here…but…why do I feel like I’m restricting him of something that he should be actually experiencing. I was deep in thought when I heard footsteps approaching. I turned and saw Fiona walking toward me, carrying a tray. She placed i
The flashing red and blue lights were the first things I saw as we pulled up to the entrance of our home.My heart dropped.Police cars were everywhere. Officers stood around, their radios crackling as they spoke to each other. The entire scene looked like a crime scene, and I had no idea what was happening.What was exactly going on here? Where is Hayden?I then heard Blake gasp beside me.“Whoa! Mommy, look! It’s like a scene from a villain movie!” His eyes practically sparkled with excitement. “Do you think they’re chasing bad guys? Maybe ninjas? Or—oh! Maybe it’s a secret spy mission?!”I stared at him, my anxiety skyrocketing. How could he be excited right now? What movies does Hayden let him watch when I’m not around?!“Blake, this isn’t a game,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm. “Stay close to me, okay?”He nodded, still grinning like this was the best thing ever.The second I stepped out of the car, I spotted Hayden moving through the c
The early morning light slipped through the cracks of the curtains, painting faint gold lines across the bed. I stirred awake, groggily opening my eyes, my body still heavy with sleep. Slowly, I turned to my side and found Hayden beside me, sleeping peacefully, a soft snore escaping his lips.A small, sad smile tugged at my mouth. I brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead and leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss against his temple. He didn’t move, he just let out a deeper sigh before settling again.I slipped out of bed quietly, grabbing my purse and phone before heading out.One of the things Kara had found, one of the things that really got me worried, was that Hayden had regularly visited a mental health clinic years ago. Right after Cassie’s death. The timing wasn’t a coincidence. It couldn’t be. Whether it was guilt, grief, or something worse, I needed to know what demons he was fighting. That’s why I’m going to that clinic to find the details I need. My car rumbled softly
Hayden and I walked in silence toward the parking lot. My hand was still in his, but it felt like there was a glass wall between us.Just as we reached the car, I stopped abruptly, pulling my hand away from his. Hayden immediately turned to me, confusion flashing across his face."Bella? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and careful.I didn’t answer right away. I kept my eyes on him, gathering every stray thought running wild in my head. Finally, I found my voice."I’ve been trying to understand everything," I muttered. "You said before that you couldn’t tell me what was bothering you, and I respected that. I really did." I took a step closer to him, needing him to see how much I meant it. "But now... maybe you can at least give me assurance. That what happened inside there—with that Cedric—isn’t something I should be worried about."Hayden’s eyes dropped to the ground. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, looking every bit as tired as I felt."Nothing will happen," he sa
My body tensed slightly, the air growing a little too heavy, and I didn’t know why. Something just didn’t feel right.Cedric turned to me with a glint in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. I thought this guy was simple, but I guess in this room full of people, the word “simple” wouldn’t sound right after all. “So, Isabella,” he began, his tone light but I could sense he was just pretending. “Are you Hayden’s girlfriend?”The question caught me off guard. My lips parted, but the words didn’t immediately come out.Cedric continued before I could even respond, “You know, my sister and Hayden have a long history.”I blinked at him. “Fiona and Hayden are close?” I asked, trying to steady my voice, even though my chest felt like it was tightening.Cedric chuckled softly, tilted his head, then glanced at Dominic. “Not Dominic, Cassie,” he clarified, enunciating the name clearly. My heart stopped.He turned back to me, still smiling. “I mean, the three of you did have a long history toget
The morning passed by quickly. I really wish I could go home and take a long nap. But unfortunately, I can’t. Whoever said adult life gives you more freedom. They’re liars. I had barely taken a proper sip of my coffee when my assistant, Mia, knocked lightly on the door of my office. She peeked inside, holding her tablet close to her chest.“Ms, just a quick reminder—you’ve been invited to the Heritage Gala this evening. It's happening at the Grand Atrium Hotel. The car is supposed to be ready by five."I blinked. Right. The Heritage Gala. I had completely forgotten about it."Thank you, Mia. I’ll wrap things up early then."She gave a polite nod before disappearing down the hall.Despite the early chaos, the rest of the day seemed to breeze by. I felt oddly light. I smiled to myself as I grabbed my coat and bag, ready to leave.But as soon as I stepped out of the building and into the parking lot, the sight that greeted me made my stomach sink.My car tires—both on the driver's side
It was quiet, almost too quiet, when I finally found the courage to ask.I looked at Hayden, his face slightly turned away, as if avoiding what he knew was coming. My heart felt like it had been wrung out, twisted and bruised from the weight of everything I had learned, everything I had seen, and most of all, everything he had failed to say."Why did you lie to me?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.Hayden didn’t answer. Not immediately. His jaw tensed. His hands fidgeted at his sides. But his eyes, his eyes couldn’t meet mine.The silence between us wasn’t just silence. It was loud and deafening. It pierced through the walls I had tried to build for myself."Can you really not tell me?" I asked again, softer this time.He turned his head slowly, eyes finally meeting mine. There was pain in them. Pain and conflict. He hesitated, then shook his head.My heart sank, but I nodded. I tried to understand. He must have his reason for not telling me.I stepped forward and cupped his fac
I got home late that night. Way too late.The driveway was empty and quiet, and the porch light was the only thing still on. I stood outside for a moment, staring at the house. It looked the same as always, but I wasn’t. Not after what I saw, not after what I heard.I don’t want to be affected by what’s happening, but I am…and I don’t know how to stop this feeling coursing through my heart. Sigh.I opened the door quietly and stepped inside. The living room was dark, the silence stretching far too deep. I didn’t even bother turning on the lights. My legs moved on their own, carrying me upstairs. I just wanted to see Blake to calm myself down. I pushed open his door slowly trying not make any noise as possible. He was curled up beneath his blankets, his tiny fists tucked under his cheek as his chest rose and fell slowly. I let out a quiet sigh, one that seemed to drag all the weight from my shoulders. I watched him for a few more seconds, just making sure. Then I gently closed the
We roamed the halls like shadows.For a building so guarded on the outside, the inside felt... ordinary. Almost too ordinary. White walls. Polished floors. A faint scent of paper and air freshener. It looked like any high-end office complex you’d find downtown—quiet, professional, boring even. No alarms. No red sirens. No looming sense of dread.Except, maybe, the one hammering in my chest.We moved carefully, glancing around every corner before slipping into rooms. Most of them were unlocked. I half-expected to find people inside, or something, anything, that screamed you shouldn’t be here. But all I saw were shelves stacked with binders, boxes labeled with codes, and desks that were probably neatly cleaned.“This is anticlimactic,” Dominic muttered as he flipped through a folder marked F04-Secondary Entry Logs.“Keep your voice down,” I hissed, scanning another stack of documents that meant nothing to me. Numbers. Charts. Reports that could’ve belonged to any logistics firm in the c
Dominic.He was standing outside my car, eyebrows raised, arms crossed with that maddening smirk.I had no choice but to slowly roll down the window."Fancy seeing you here," he said, peering inside like some nosy neighbor. "What are you doing in a place like this, Bella?""That’s none of your business," I snapped, sitting up straighter, trying not to look guilty.He laughed—really laughed, like it was actually funny. I stared. It was strange. His face looked lighter. Less grumpy, less tired. He didn’t have that usual broody air around him. Instead, there was something... approachable? Tsk, I must be going crazy, this man, approachable? "Oh come on, don't give me that look," he said with a grin. "You look like a squirrel caught stealing almonds."I groaned and got out of the car, shutting the door a little harder than necessary. "Why are you here? Are you following me?""Please," he scoffed. "Not everything is about you, Bella. I just happened to be in the neighborhood. Saw your car
I woke up with a plan.This wasn’t something I was proud of. It felt like a betrayal in itself—snooping around, following someone you care about. But what choice did I have? The way Hayden had been acting lately left me no room for comfort. Something had shifted in him, and while I tried to ignore it, the unease inside me only grew stronger with every passing day.So, I took a day off. Told him I needed rest. He didn’t question it.Blake came down the stairs, rubbing his eyes, his uniform a little crumpled. I smiled and helped fix his collar before kissing his forehead. "Be good at school, alright?""Yes, Mama," he replied sleepily, climbing into the backseat of the car.I stood at the doorway and waved until the driver pulled away.Hayden stood in the living room, sipping coffee, dressed casually but neatly. "I’ll be heading out too," I told him, grabbing my purse and keys. "Need to check on a few errands."He gave a nod. "Alright. Be careful, okay?""I will. You too," I added, step