McKenna
One week ago...
"MCKENNA! I NEED YOUR HELP DOWN HERE!" my mother Tatiana yelled from downstairs. We had just moved to our new house after being evicted for the third time.
I rushed to the top of the staircase, my heart pounding in my chest. This new house, which was supposed to be a fresh start for us, had already brought its own set of challenges. As I hurried down the creaky wooden steps, I wondered what could possibly be wrong this time. My mother had been through so much, and I knew it was my responsibility to be there for her.
I found her in the kitchen, her face twisted with worry as she motioned at the steadily growing pool of water spreading across the floor. The faucet was leaking furiously, and a steady stream of water was gushing out like a miniature waterfall.
Oh great...
"I tried to turn it off, but it's stuck," my mother said, her voice laced with frustration.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a nearby towel and threw it on the floor to start soaking up the water. I then rushed to the sink, using all my strength to turn the stubborn faucet handle. The water stopped flowing.
"Are you okay, Mom?" I asked.
Mom nodded, her eyes still fixed on the damage. "We can't afford any more problems, McKenna. We barely made it into this house, and I'm not sure how we are going to handle the repairs."
I understood her worry all too well. The constant evictions had taken a toll on us, and this house was supposed to be a fresh start.
I knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Mom. We always do."
Mom managed a small smile. "You are right, McKenna. We're a team, and we'll get through this, too."
"I can call Uncle Frederick," I suggested.
Mom and Uncle Frederick had been best friends since they were teenagers, and he usually didn't mind repairing things for us for free. I had a feeling it was because he had a crush on Mom.
Mom shook her head. "I don't know, Kenna. I feel bad always asking him for help."
"Oh, come on. It's the least he can do for all the time you made him spaghetti for free," I joked.
Mom laughed at that. "Alright. Only because I am desperate," she said and looked around. "Hmm...it looks like I left my phone upstairs. Mind going up and calling him for me? I will finish cleaning up this mess."
"Gladly!" I chirped and ran upstairs to find her phone.
I was met with a cloud of dust as I walked into Mom's bedroom. She didn't have much time to unpack, so most of her boxes were still scattered all over the room. I quickly scanned the area, searching for her phone.
Next stop is the walk-in closet.
The walk-in closet looked like the tornado had run through it as she had recklessly thrown some clothes in there.
But, there was also an array of colorful fabrics and vintage clothing that was carefully hung and placed on racks. My mother had collected them over the years as many of her dreams were to be a fashion designer one day. She would always pick up fabrics from thrift stores and vintage shops, imagining the perfect designs she could create with them.
My mom is so brave and creative!
"There you are," I muttered as I spotted Mom's phone resting on the top shelf. But as I reached for it, my hand grazed a box, and it fell to the ground. Startled, I jumped back and bent down to pick it up.
The box was old, and it had some pictures that were now scattered all over. I quickly gathered them all and glanced at them closer, my curiosity piqued. In one of the pictures, my mother was standing next to a man I had never seen in my life.
He was tall, with strong hands and kind eyes.
Who is this man, and why does he look so familiar?
"MCKENNA! DID YOU FIND MY PHONE?"
I nearly dropped the box again as I heard Mom yelling from downstairs.
"Yes, Mom, I found it! I am calling now," I shouted back.
Mom had always been reluctant to talk about her past, especially when it came to the period before I was born. Maybe this was a glimpse into her history that I was never supposed to see.
With the phone in hand, I dialed Uncle Frederick's number. He answered after a couple of rings, and I explained the situation with the leaking faucet and how desperately we needed his help.
But after I finished talking, I went back to the box. My mom was too busy downstairs to check on me, so here was my chance to snoop around some more.
I picked up another photo, my curiosity getting the better of me. I couldn't resist the temptation to learn more about this mysterious man standing beside my mother in the photographs.
Carefully, I examined it closely. There they were again, my mother and this mysterious man, with smiles that radiated happiness. It was clear that they were close, and might even be in love.
I continued to sift through the pictures, discovering more snapshots of them together. In some, they were dancing; in others, they were sharing intimate moments. Each photo seemed to tell a story, a story I had never heard.
Feeling like a detective, I noticed a date on the back of one photograph. It read "August 2002." I carefully noted the date and continued to inspect the pictures, piecing together the timeline of their relationship.
Not too far from the year I was born.
I couldn't believe it. Was this man my father? The man my mother had always kept a secret from me? The man who had abandoned her, leaving her to raise me all on her own? Anger and confusion boiled inside of me. How could she keep this from me? Why did she lie to me for so many years?
I didn't know what to do with my emotions, so I kept searching through the box. And then I found it. A class ring that belonged to the man.
Hunter Brooks.
The same name my mother had whispered in her sleep numerous times. It was the name she never mentioned, the name she never talked about. But now, as I held that ring in my hand, I couldn't help but wonder who this Hunter Brooks was, and what his story was with my mother.
I quickly searched for my laptop and sat down on the bed, determined to find out more about this man. I started by typing his name into G****e, but nothing came up. It was like he never existed. Frustrated, I looked at the ring again, trying to get some clues. That's when I noticed a date engraved on the inside of the band.
May 2002.
My mind raced as I did the math. May 2002 was three months before the date on the back of the photograph- August 2002. It was all starting to come together, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. My mother and Hunter Brooks had been in a relationship nine months before I was born.
But then, as I kept staring at the ring, I noticed something else- a small inscription on the back that read "I'll love you forever, H.B."
My heart sank. It was evident that Hunter Brooks had genuine feelings for my mother. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened between them and why they never got married or stayed together.
As I continued my online search for Hunter Brooks, I felt a mix of emotions. Anger and confusion still swirled within me, but I also couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy for my mother. She had carried the burden of this past relationship, likely for my sake, and had kept it hidden all these years.
With each search result and information I could find about Hunter Brooks, it became clear that he was a successful man. And not only because his family was wealthy, he was successful in his own right.
"He was a prodigy in biochemistry," I whispered as I read an article about him.
So this was my father.
My first instinct was to run downstairs and ask my mother about Hunter. I wanted to demand answers. She owes me that much, right?
But I decided to hold myself back. There must've been a reason for my mother to hide this from me. And I was determined to find out why.
Present time...McKennaMy heart raced as I stood before the mystery man, Hunter Brooks. His icy blue eyes stared daggers into me, draining my confidence away. The silence was suffocating.Was the gravity of my revelation too much? Anxiety flooded my veins as I waited for him to respond, desperately hoping he had something to say, anything to ease the tension.Say something.Anything!'I'm not your father,' Hunter finally declared."What do you mean?" I asked, confused."I think you have the wrong guy," he said.I stood up abruptly. I had come prepared, and I'd been practicing my speech all morning because I knew he would try to deny the truth."I beg to differ," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've done a lot of research, and I've been thinking about it all morning. I was conceived around the time you and my mother dated, so it makes complete sense. And look, we even have the same eyes!"He shook his head, an expression of disbelief on his face. "I'm sorry, McKenna," he said
HunterTatiana Henry...the sound of her name sent a jolt through me that I hadn't felt in eighteen years. When her daughter appeared at my doorstep, my heart sank like a stone - could it be true? Could she really be my daughter?Tatiana had been like a shadow in my life, a ghost that I couldn't quite believe ever really existed. She was an enigma to me - one day, she was there with me, talking about our future plans together, and the next, she was gone. I had never seen or heard from her since that fateful night when we said goodbye to each other.But here I was, confronted by someone who seemed to be the spitting image of Tatiana's younger self. And I had to admit, the girl McKenna did have my eyes.Although part of me wanted to believe what McKenna said, the other half of me refused to accept it. How could I have fathered a child with Tatiana and not know about it? What would be her motive for keeping such a secret from me? Did she still feel something for me, or had she grown so mu
TatianaMy hands trembled as I rang the doorbell of Hunter's house. I had never felt such white-hot rage.After I unleashed my wrath on McKenna, she finally gave up his address even though I could tell she didn't want to at all. After everything I've done for this girl, she was trying to protect that bastard Hunter? Why!?I kept ringing the bell until the heavy oak door swung open. A woman stood there, staring at me. Her eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. I must look insane.But I didn't give a shit what this old bitch thought of me now. She must be one of his fancy servants. People like Hunter Brooks had plenty of those around here.Stupid, rich assholes."Hunter. Where is he?" I snarled.The lines on her forehead deepened. "I am sorry, Miss. But who are you? Mr. Brooks doesn't see anyone without an appointment.""I don't give a fuck! Where is he!"The door slammed shut in my face.How dare this woman?I pounded my fists on the door, refusing to give up. "Hunter!"The door c
HunterHow interesting.I've never seen Tatiana get this angry and passionate about something before. At least not when I knew her in the past.The sight of her hit me like a punch to the gut. I had spent years trying to stop thinking about her and forget her face, and for a while, I had almost succeeded. But now, here she was again, reminding me of all the pain and heartache that we'd shared, and I was struggling to move past it.But as Tatiana stormed out of my house with fire in her eyes, I knew something was up. I had to know what was making her so angry.If McKenna wasn't my daughter, why was Tatiana so angry at me? She could simply just say that I wasn't the father and move on because I never thought for a second that I was the father. But now...This whole thing was confusing!I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself before calling Harry."The situation just got more complicated," I said as soon as he picked up the phone.Harry's voice crackled through the phone, and he s
TatianaWhen I stepped out of the cab, I didn't know what I expected to gain from this meeting.The Hunter I had loved was lost already.But I agreed to meet him anyway. I took a deep breath and walked inside the restaurant. From what I remember from my experience, I knew he wouldn't give up easily, so I might as well face him now.But now, I didn't know what to do now that we were having this discussion. I didn't know this Hunter anymore. The cocky, self-assured boy I had fallen for was gone. In his place was a man - reserved, mature. A complete stranger.I stared at his neat haircut, pressed shirt, and slacks. He looked like an adult now, not the reckless teen who had broken my heart.But I didn't trust him enough to allow him to know my daughter. It didn't matter who her father was because she was mine only, she had always been. "Tell me who the father is, Tatiana," Hunter asked, holding my hand firmly.I pulled my hand back, suddenly feeling the old anger resurface within me. He
McKennaAfter our argument, I was fuming! How could Mom act this way? She had completely ignored my opinion and treated me like I was a child.My temper boiled over, and I couldn't take it anymore. I strode to my bedroom and slammed the door shut behind me, not wanting to be near her for another second while she acted as if she had total control over me!Grrr!!It was clear that I couldn't trust her to make the right decision for me anymore, so I decided to stick to my plan with or without her consent.In the morning, I didn't bother staying and having breakfast with her. Instead, I hopped in a cab and went straight to Hunter's house again.But this time, things didn't go according to plan. I knocked on the door, expecting the same old lady from last time to open it. But instead, the door flew open, and I found myself staring at a stranger.It was someone who looked much younger than Hunter. He had short, brown, messy hair and a mischievously confident look in his bright green eyes th
HunterI was planning on calling McKenna and doing another meeting with her, but she surprised me by showing up unannounced at the office like this. I looked at Dustin questioningly. "What's going on here?""Sorry, Boss. She showed up looking for you, so I brought her along." He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "But hey, I had no idea you had a daughter!" Dustin exclaimed."It's not confirmed yet," I replied irritably. My social life wasn't anyone's business but my own, even Dustin. Dustin shrugged and went to his desk, leaving me shaking my head. I turned my attention back to McKenna. "So...this is a surprise," I commented."I am sorry for showing up like this, but I wanted to talk to you more about the situation. I know my mom denied everything, but that doesn't mean she means it. She just doesn't want you to be my father for some reason," McKenna said in one breath."Ah, yes. Your mother was quite angry at me last night. She chewed me over as if I was the one who came lookin
McKennaIt had been a few days since Hunter said he would call with the result of the paternity test, and he said it wouldn't take more than two days or so. But here I was, waiting for his phone call that never came.I couldn't help but feel like the walls were closing in on me with each passing hour. The suspense was killing me, and I couldn't focus on anything else but the thought of what the answer might be. Was he my father? Or was it someone else?"What's the matter with you?" Mom's voice snapped me out of my trance."Huh? What do you mean?" I asked."You just wiped that countertop for the third time. Not just that, you've been distracted a lot lately," Mom pointed out.I didn't tell Mom about the conversation I had with Hunter the other day and the decision we made together. She was already angry at me for seeking him out, and I didn't want to fight her until I got enough evidence. So I decided to keep it a secret."I am fine," I said."Is this about Hunter? Did you talk to him
TatianaThe doubts lingered over the months. Despite Hunter's continuous affirmations of love and commitment, I couldn't shake the fear that it was all too good to be true. The fear of vulnerability and potential heartbreak haunted me.As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, my worries became a silent companion. Yet, Hunter didn't look worried at all. He doted on me, showering me with his love.Maybe I was being stupid. I shouldn't be so skeptical. Hunter loved me, and I loved him, so there was no problem!One year later, he invited me to his birthday party. It was at his parents' house. Oh, great. I was not looking forward to seeing his Mom again. But I had to be there for Hunter no matter what.But still...every time we saw each other, she made it clear that she didn't approve of my relationship with Hunter.On the night of the party, I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit nervously. The dress, a creation he had once admired, was now complete. I took a deep
TatianaAs Hunter's fingers intertwined with mine, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. I had never done this before, but with Hunter by my side, I felt completely at ease.He brushed my cheeks with his fingertips."I've wanted this for so long," he said softly. "But I didn't want to rush you or make you uncomfortable."I smiled at his words, feeling touched that he had been considerate of my feelings. "I trust you," I told him sincerely."I'm glad," Hunter replied, before leaning in to press his lips against mine.The kiss was gentle yet passionate, igniting a fire in me that I hadn't known existed. His lips moved expertly against mine, and I found myself responding eagerly.As our kisses deepened, Hunter's hands began to explore my body, sending shivers down my spine. We broke the kiss momentarily as he peppered light kisses along my jawline and down my neck."You're so beautiful," he whispered between kisses, making me blush yet again. His hands continue
TatianaIn the dimly lit dorm room, I stood nervously in front of my closet. I stared at the half-finished dress hanging on the door. The fabric was a rich red color, flowing and elegant, with intricate gold embroidery along the hem and sleeves.I haven't shown it to anyone yet, but I thought it was my best work. For some reason, I felt like showing it to Hunter. We have been dating for over a month now, and I figured it was time I shared my work with him. I wanted Hunter's opinion before I called it done.Hunter was waiting for me in the living room area. I hadn't told him why I had called him here yet, so I took a deep breath and went to meet him."Well? What's the big emergency?" Hunter asked.I looked at him, biting my lip as he stared at me. He was dressed casually in jeans and a plain white t-shirt, looking handsome as always."I wanted to show you something," I said."Oh, really? What would that be?" he asked."Close your eyes," I said softly.Hunter raised an eyebrow but obeye
TatianaAs we followed Evelyn to the dining room, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her disapproval lingering in the air.We took our seats, and Evelyn turned her attention to me once again, her gaze filled with scrutiny."So, Tatiana," she began, her voice dripping with condescension. "Hunter's father will join us briefly, but tell me more about yourself.""Um...I am an only child. My parents are from here in New York," I said.Evelyn raised an eyebrow, as if expecting more."That's...interesting," she responded, her tone not quite matching the word. "What do your parents do?""Both of my parents are teachers," I answered, hoping to add a bit more substance to my background.Evelyn's lips formed a tight line, and she leaned back in her chair. "Teachers, huh? They are quite underpaid, aren't they?" Evelyn said."Yes, but they love what they do," I said defensively.Hunter shot me a supportive look, but Evelyn continued, undeterred. "And what about your own ambitions, Tatiana? Wha
Tatiana"Why did you have to be so rude to Hunter?" I scolded Frederick when we met up at the coffee shop later."I don't like that guy, Tatiana. I don't think he is good for you," Frederick said."And how would you know that, Fred?" I asked, feeling annoyed. Frederick and I grew up together, and sometimes he acted like he knew everything about me and knew all my needs, but it was starting to get old. It felt like he was overstepping boundaries, thinking he had the authority to dictate who was good for me and who wasn't."He's just not the right fit for you, Tati. I can see it," Frederick replied, a hint of concern in his eyes.I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Fred, you're not my guardian. I appreciate your concern, but I can make my own decisions. Hunter is my choice, and I'd appreciate it if you respected that."Frederick leaned back, crossing his arms. "I just don't want to see you get hurt.""I can take care of myself, Fred," I retorted. "You don't get to decide who's ri
HunterThe corners of my mouth twitched as I couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the look on Tatiana's face. "I am sorry, Tati. I didn't mean to scare you," I said slyly, trying to hide my amusement.Tatiana's expression only grew more worried. "Well, you are scaring me, Hunter. We've only been dating for three weeks!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.Feeling guilty now, I took her hand in mine. "I am sorry," I said sincerely, suddenly concerned that I had overstepped.She looked at me with wide doe eyes. "Why are you apologizing?""I just...I'm afraid I may be moving too fast." My words came out in a rush as I tried to explain myself. "I swear I'm not some kind of psycho. I just..."Interrupting me, Tatiana spoke up firmly. "Hunter, you don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not actually scared.""But you are," I insisted, knowing that my actions had caused her fear and uncertainty. "I know you may not even love me yet and here I am talking about marriage. God...
TatianaI yelped and pushed him off, then quickly lowered the heat on the stove. Hunter burst into laughter, and I joined him, the tension disappearing."Phew...you saved the soup. You are on a roll at saving lives today," he quipped, wiping a mock sweat off his forehead.I rolled my eyes. "You have a talent for turning any situation into a joke.""It's a gift," he replied with a wink."Go sit down on the couch and I will bring you a bowl," I ordered."Yes, Madam!" Hunter saluted and rushed back to the couch.I shook my head and searched for a bowl in the cabinets. Then with the bowl in hand, I returned to the living room, finding Hunter already seated on the couch, looking both amused and hungry."Here you go," I said, handing him the bowl."Ah, the heroine returns with the healing potion," he teased, taking the bowl with a grin.I rolled my eyes. "Just eat your soup before it gets cold."He nodded obediently, blowing on a spoonful of soup before taking a careful sip. "Mmm, deliciou
TatianaI don't know why I was kissing him after I resisted him so much, but I didn't feel any regret doing it. As I pulled away from the kiss, I couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation. Here we were, in a hospital room, surrounded by medical equipment, and we were sharing a tender moment that made the whole environment seem like a dream.But the reality of the situation was far from ideal. Hunter wasn't a hundred percent better, and his recovery was far from guaranteed. He was weak, and I could see the pain in his eyes, even when he wasn't in physical discomfort."I am already regretting kissing you," I whispered, my voice low and barely audible.Hunter smiled with his eyes. "You are lying," he managed to utter. And despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my chest as I looked at him.We sat in silence for a while, holding hands."Should I call your mom?" I suddenly realized his family may not know about this yet."Nah," Hunter said d
Hunter"Congratulations on getting engaged to the perfect woman, Hunter," Tatiana said, her voice full of bitterness."I am not getting engaged to Natasha," I said irritably. "My mom is always pushing random girls toward me, saying they are 'perfect' for me.""Well, she is. I don't know why you brought me down here, Hunter. I don't belong in your world," Tatiana said, looking around. "My world? What do you mean by that?" I furrowed my eyebrows."A world full of designer clothes and lavish parties. My family isn't like yours. They are simple and could barely afford to send me to the university," she said."Are you suggesting everything was handed to me? Should I feel ashamed of that?" I asked.Tatiana shook her head. "I am not saying that. I am just saying we are not a good match, so this was a mistake."I sighed, feeling frustrated and confused. Tatiana's words struck a nerve, and I realized that our worlds were vastly different."Tatiana, I didn't bring you here to show off or make