Anderson
I slammed the car door shut, the divorce papers sitting on the passenger seat. I told myself this was just a formality—a final chapter in a book I was more than ready to close. And yet, as I drove, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought of her. Kelly. Was she still at the station? My hand moved to the phone on the dashboard before I could stop myself. I dialed. “Hello?” the officer’s voice crackled through the line. “I’m coming to pick up the keys Kelly Brook left. Is she still there?” “She is, but someone picked her up not long ago. I think they’re probably still around” I didn’t let him finish. I hung up and pressed my foot to the gas pedal, the engine roaring as the car shot forward. Someone picked her up? Who? A man? The thought gnawed at me, a sharp, bitter edge digging into my chest. When I arrived at the station, I spotted her immediately. My stomach twisted when I saw her standing there, but it wasn’t just her that caught my attention—it was the man standing beside her. They were talking, and she was smiling. Kelly was smiling. Laughing, even. A surge of anger shot through me, hot and blinding. Had she moved on already? Had she been waiting for the perfect moment to leave me for someone else? My chest burned with an unfamiliar anger. She looks happy, and it only made my chest twist. It was such an unbearable sight. Before I could think twice, I pulled the car forward sharply, the tires screeching as I slammed on the brakes in front of them. The two of them jumped, startled. Kelly turned to me, her eyes wide in surprise. But then her face changed immediately, her face was full of disgust, disgust aimed at me. Disgust? My heart dropped. I couldn’t process it. Kelly had never looked at me like that before. Not even when my mother humiliated her. Not when my family mocked her for every little thing. She had always looked at me with hope, like I was the one good thing in her life. But now? Now, she couldn’t even stand the sight of me. And it was because of him. I stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut with more force than necessary. My anger boiled over as I stalked toward her. “Kelly,” I said, my voice low and sharp. My hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. “We need to talk.” She winced, and the sound caught me off guard. “You’re hurting me.” she snapped, glaring at me. I let go instantly, my eyes falling to her wrist. Blood had seeped through the makeshift bandage wrapped around it, staining the edges. That's the moment I remembered, her wrist was bleeding earlier when she came to the house. But before I could say more, the man, whoever the hell he was—stepped in. “Ms. Brook, are you okay?” His tone was protective, his gaze firmly fixed on me like I was the enemy. I glared back at him, my frustration mounting. “Who the hell are you?” He ignored my question and turned his attention back to Kelly. “Let’s get that treated before it gets worse,” he said gently. Kelly nodded and took a step toward him. I felt the sting of rejection as she brushed past me like I didn’t exist. “Where do you think you’re going?” I snapped, stepping in front of them. “She’s bleeding, can’t you see that?” He replied sharply, too rude for my liking. “It wasn’t intentional,” I muttered. His eyes narrowed, the calm mask slipping just enough for me to see the fire underneath. “I’m taking her to get treated” “She’s my wife,” I snapped. “Soon to be your ex-wife.” kelly sneered. Ofcourse she's still angry for what happened, but she should be happy I'm even volunteering to help. I turned back to Kelly, who was already moving to the car. “You’re hurt. I’ll take you to the hospital.” I expected her to accept. Of course, she would. Kelly always did. She would always seize any opportunity to be with me. But then her head snapped up, and her eyes, those same eyes were filled with something unrecognizable—disgust. “Handle what?” she spat. Her voice was sharp, laced with fury. “Nobody asked for your help! Can you please just get the hell out of my life?” I scoffed. Her words stung, more than I cared to admit. Before I could respond, she brushed past me, gesturing to him to open the car door. I stood there, stunned. She didn’t even look back. She climbed into the passenger seat, and he followed. But they didn’t just leave. They gave me the same dramatic exit I had given them, speeding off with a screech of the tires that made me flinch. I stood there, watching the car disappear. I had never felt thousands of emotions at once before, but now I feel like i was going crazy. I drove home in a daze, my grip on the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. By the time I walked into the living room, Kate and my mother were sitting there, chatting like nothing had happened. Kate face lit up when she saw me. “Honey, did you give her the papers? What did that bitch say?” I ignored her and headed for the kitchen. Kate followed, she was concerned. “Anderson, what’s wrong? You look pissed.” I grabbed a glass of water, taking a moment to compose myself. “Someone hit my car,” I lied. “We got into a fight.” She frowned but didn’t push further. “People are so reckless,” she said, wrapping her arms around me. “But don’t let it ruin your night, okay? You did the right thing. That woman doesn’t deserve you.” I nodded, but my mind? I was already going nuts. I couldn't bear the effect Kelly had on me.Adrian I shifted in my seat, stealing a glance at her as the car came to a halt. Her gaze was distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. She’d barely said a word since we left the scene with her ex, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. “Where are we?” she asked suddenly, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. “Oh,” I said, gesturing toward the dimly lit street. “I was trying to ask if you’d prefer being dropped at a hotel or my place” I paused suddenly realizing how offensive that might've sounded. “Not that I meant anything by it—just offering options” She nodded, then I continued. “You seemed... distracted, so I figured I'd give you time to decide.” She sighed, her expression softening. “I understand. Thanks for your help.” Before I could move, she reached for the door handle, but I leaned over, stopping her. “Allow me,” I said, slipping out and opening it for her. Once inside the hotel room, I immediately grabbed the first aid kit and gestured for her to si
Kelly The pain in my head was the first thing I felt. It was as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to my skull. The world around me was a blur, but I could still see the sharp lines of white hospital walls. I blinked slowly, struggling to focus. My vision cleared just enough to see Adrian sitting beside me, his eyes dark with worry. “Kelly, you’re awake, how are you feeling?” he said, his voice tight, trying to mask the concern. I couldn’t make sense of anything. I was groggy disoriented. “What happened?” I whispered, my voice raw, every word feeling like it took all the strength I had. “You fainted. I rushed you here. You’ve been out for a while,” Adrian explained, his hand instinctively brushing the hair from my face. I nodded slowly, trying to piece together the fragments of my thoughts. “That woman over there,” Adrian continued, motioning to the woman standing by the window, “she’s my sister, Olivia. I called her to stay with you, incase you wake up while I'm out”
Anderson The mirror reflected the man I had become—a businessman with ambitions far beyond his years in music. I adjusted my tie, glancing at my reflection one last time before heading downstairs. It was already past 7 AM, and I was running late. Aiden was sitting in the corner of the living room, sulking. His arms were crossed, his face drawn in a pout that mirrored his mother’s features so perfectly it was hard to look at him sometimes. Aiden had always been sensitive, but it was a trait I couldn’t allow him to carry into adulthood. He needed to toughen up. Soon, he would be old enough to join me in the business world, and there was no room for weakness in this industry. “Why are you sitting there like that?” I asked as I walked past him. His expression brightened when he saw me, but he didn’t answer. I didn’t press further. If Kate had scolded him again, he’d get over it. He always did. It had been five years since Kelly left. Five years since my singing career had dropped as
Kelly The studio lights glared against my skin as I adjusted my posture on the plush chair. The bustling energy of the set buzzed around me, but my mind was steady. After years of clawing my way to where I was, sitting in front of a camera no longer felt daunting. I had learned to mask my vulnerability beneath a polished, unshakable demeanor. The host, a well-dressed man in his forties named Benjamin Carr, flashed me a charismatic smile. “And we’re live in three, two, one…” The cameras blinked red, and the interview began. “Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re honored to have one of D.C.’s most talked-about rising stars, Congresswoman Kendra Lewis. Known for her bold reforms and fierce advocacy for underrepresented communities, she’s become a name to reckon with in just a few short years. Congresswoman Lewis, thank you for joining us today.” I smiled, the kind I’d perfected for the media. “Thank you for having me, Benjamin. It’s a pleasure to be here.” He leaned forward, clas
Anderson I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting my tie, again. It was almost ridiculous how many times I’d done it this morning. Every crease in my suit had to be perfect, every button in place. For a moment, I wasn’t sure whether it was the meeting or my obsession with Kelly—no, Kendra—that was getting to me. I ran a hand over my jaw, forcing myself to breathe evenly. It had been a week since I saw Kendra Lewis on the news, the politician whose every move seemed to be under a microscope, just like Kelly’s once was. But there was something more this time. Kendra’s demeanor, the power she radiated—it was undeniable. It was her. She had become someone else, someone untouchable. That night, after scrolling through her social media profiles, obsessively reviewing every image, I felt a gnawing ache in my chest. How had she done it? How had she transformed into this person who could walk into a room and command it? How had Kelly gone from the woman I once knew to someone
Kelly The event had gone off without a setback—my speech delivered with the exactness of years of practice, the crowd hanging on every word. I smiled through the applause, the excitement buzzing in the air. But despite the excitement of a successful evening, a strange unease gnawed at me. When I entered my private office, I was greeted by the sight of a bouquet resting on the desk, nestled between my campaign notes, fresh lilies. Soft white petals, their fragrance delicate and sweet. They were beautiful, but it was the note that made my heart stutter. For a brief moment, I felt a wave of relief. Adrian had said he would be in the city soon, and though I hadn’t seen him for weeks, I longed for his presence. Maybe these were from him—his way of showing support. After I picked interest in becoming a politician, I moved down to Washington DC with Harper, while Adrian stayed back in New York to run the hospital. But as I reached for the envelope, a cold shiver ran down my spine. ‘
Adrian I leaned against Kelly’s office desk, arms crossed, my gaze fixed on the bouquet sitting there like a ticking time bomb. The tension in the room was thick, and Kelly’s silence only amplified it. The Kelly I knew, the one who had worked tirelessly for every bit of success she’d earned, never let anything rattle her. But now, her distress was as clear as the lines etched into her usually composed features. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to drag it out of you?” I asked, keeping my tone firm but steady. Kelly looked up from her chair, her hands resting on the edge of her desk. Her hesitation spoke volumes, but I wasn’t going to let this slide. Not when she looked like someone had knocked the ground out from under her. She sighed, shaking her head. “It’s... nothing I can’t handle, Adrian.” The hell it was! I didn’t buy her deflection for a second. “Bullshit,” I snapped, stepping closer. “Don’t sit there and tell me you’re fine when you’re clearly n
Kelly I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease as I adjusted the straps of my gown. Adrian had insisted I go with him to the event. I had questioned him earlier, asking, “Wouldn’t rumors fly? You suggested we keep our marriage private.” He had shrugged it off with that charming, devil-may-care smile of his, saying, “I don’t care anymore. If my presence keeps Anderson away, I’ll break the rules myself.” There was something comforting in his words, but still I couldn’t escape the anxiety gnawing at my insides. It had been years since I had been part of such a high-profile event, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face the past, let alone the people from it. But Harper was with me, tugging at my sleeve as she refused to let Olivia babysit her. I smiled softly as I looked down at her. My little girl, so full of life and defiance, had a mind of her own. She wasn’t about to be left behind, and honestly I didn’t mind. She was the one thing that kept me grounded, especially now that Anderso
KateThe tension at home had finally started to ease. Anderson had apologized for his earlier behavior, the arguments and frustrations melted away. Peace. For once, I could sit back and breathe without the constant pressure of dealing with Anderson's problems. Maybe we were finally moving past the things that had nearly tore us apart.And yet, there was something still lingering in the back of my mind. Evelyn, my mother in law. That woman never gave me a break. She’d begun to bug me about finding a purpose, a skill I could turn into a business. She seemed convinced that I was wasting my potential. Honestly, it wasn’t a terrible idea actually. I’d never been good at keeping things grounded, always floating between chaos and lifestyle. But maybe it was time to think about something more stable, more tangible to do with my life.Unlike me, Kelly had it all figured out. She’d gone from being an R&B singer to an anchor and now, somehow she became a Congresswoman. She had it all, wealth,
Kelly I woke up to the sweet smell of food coming in from the kitchen. It was the kind of scent that brightened my mood, comforting me before my eyes even fully opened. Adrian.He had moved in completely now, and somehow, having him so close felt right. I didn’t know how I had gotten so used to his presence, but now it was impossible to imagine my life without him in it.I stretched lazily in bed before getting up, the light from the morning coming through the windows. I walked down the hall, my feet barely making a sound on the soft floorboards. As I approached the kitchen, I could hear the light sound of activity. Adrian was there, moving around, making breakfast. A feeling of warmth washed over me as I watched him work, his broad shoulders moving with ease, his hands steady and sure. He looked so good. God, he always did.“Good morning,” I said, my voice still a little raspy from sleep.Adrian turned toward me, and that smile of his, perfect, genuine, and somehow always exactly
AdrianI walked toward my room, my mind racing, but my steps stopped as a sudden weight seemed to drop onto my chest. I stopped, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the unease that was gripping me. I knew this moment would come, when the reality of the contract, the boundaries, and the roles we’d both settled into would catch up to me. But nothing, nothing prepared me for the realization of just how much I had crossed those lines.I stood there in the hallway, alone, lost in my thoughts. The hallway seemed colder now, and I couldn’t push away the feeling that I was straying further from the man I wanted to be. Every day, I had been careful, careful with Kelly, careful with my actions, knowing the lines I was never supposed to cross. But lately... lately, I couldn’t help myself.The small gestures, little touches, those stolen moments had started to mean something. And now, I wasn’t sure if I was the one who was losing control or if I had already lost it completely. I h
KellyI parked my car in the driveway and glanced over at the backseat, where Harper was still sound asleep. Gently, I unbuckled her from her car seat and carefully lifted her into my arms, trying not to wake her as she embraced into me. The night had been long, and the last thing I wanted was to disturb her rest.As I walked up the porch, a sudden unease settled over me. I had left the living room light on before I left, knowing I’d be coming back late, but now... it was off. I paused mid-step, looking at the porch in the dim light. That wasn’t right. The main door was slightly ajar, and my stomach twisted. I glanced behind me, expecting to see Adrian’s car in the driveway. But the spot where it usually parked was empty. My heartbeat quickened as I stood frozen on the porch, trying to make sense of the situation. I had never felt so exposed, yet something inside me told me that no matter how safe the estate was with its tight security, nothing was impossible.Holding Harper close to
Kelly Seeing Susan in the neighborhood was the last thing I expected. I stopped mid-step, blinking as if she might disappear. But there she was, standing casually with her hands in her jacket pockets, a grin forming on her face when she spotted me. “Kelly?” she called out again, her voice carrying both surprise and excitement. “Susan?” I asked, disbelief in my tone. “What are you doing here?” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Have you forgotten? This is where we first met during our childhood. My adoptive parents still live here. Their house is just about a mile away,” she said, pointing down the road. Her words brought back memories I hadn’t thought about in years. During my childhood, my mom took me to Mrs Kim’s house as kid while she picked her up as our new nanny, that’s where I met Susan. And ever since then we’ve been close friends.But still, seeing her here felt almost surreal. “I guess I just didn’t expect to run into you,” I admitted. “Neither did I,” she said
KellyThe drive felt longer than I remembered, but with each passing mile, I found myself growing more anxious. The new nursing home for my dad was situated closer to me now, which meant I wouldn’t have to drive hours just to visit him anymore. But moving him was still a difficult decision. It felt like I was uprooting him all over again, and that didn’t sit right with me. Still, he needed this new chapter, his safety and health required it and I couldn’t keep putting it off. Adrian had been so busy with his work, particularly with fixing the hospital after its renovations, so I decided to take Harper with me on this trip.I had debated calling Mrs. Kim, my childhood nanny, before I left. But I hesitated, she had retired from working so many years ago, and I didn’t want to impose. But as much as I wanted her help with my Dad, I was also hoping she could lend a hand with Harper. Most importantly. Adrian and I had both been incredibly busy, and I hadn’t had time to ask for assistance.
AidenI sat on the couch, pretending to be engrossed in the game on my tablet. My fingers moved absently over the screen, but my mind wasn’t in it. Not today, not after all the problems we encountered.Living here with my Stepmother, felt like walking on eggshells. She tried to act like she cared, but I wasn’t that dumb . I could feel her irritation whenever I was around, like I was some burden she couldn’t wait to get rid of. I miss Mom, not just the idea of her, but everything she used to represent: warmth, safety, and someone who genuinely cared.Kate wasn’t that. She was always busy or preoccupied, whispering on her phone or sulking when she thought no one was looking. I’d caught her snapping at Dad a few times, and honestly, I didn’t know how he put up with her.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ava walking into the room, She greeted me but I wasn't going to pretend anymore that I liked her. Honestly I don't care about anybody here except my dad. I'm glad she left without pr
AvaI had been standing just outside Anderson's bedroom door, my back pressed against the wall, straining to catch every word. Their voices were muffled, but the tension inside felt suffocating.Kate’s accusation hit hard when she said Anderson’s mind was still with Kelly. When the door slammed open, I didn’t have time to move. Kate stormed out, her face streaked with tears, and found me standing there. Her eyes narrowed as she stiffened, her lips trembling with that of anger and embarrassment.“What are you doing here?” she snapped, her voice low but sharp.I opened my mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Instead, I took a step back, breaking eye contact.Kate didn’t press further. She scoffed, turned on her heel, and marched down the hallway, her footsteps fading into the distance. I let out a shaky breath, my mind spinning with questions.Should I talk to Anderson?Part of me wanted to walk away, to avoid the emotional feeling that was bound to follow. But another part of me, th
Anderson I sat on the edge of the bed, my head buried in my hands. The day had been chaotic, but nothing could have prepared me for the shock of seeing him at the police station.Lucian.My younger brother.For years, he’d battled mental illness—a diagnose that tore through our family and left him isolated. The last I’d heard, he was in therapy and planning to study nursing. Now, here he was, a police officer. How the fuck did that happen?And yet, what unsettled me most was the way he looked at me. No warmth, no recognition. Just cold detachment. As if we weren’t brothers. As if I didn’t exist.I couldn’t shake the memory of his blank expression. Had he forgotten me, or was it intentional? Guilt crept in, tightening its grip around my chest. Maybe I deserved it. I hadn’t been there for him when he needed me most.Five years had slipped by, and I’d let them go without checking in. Between building my business, managing Kate’s demands, and navigating the mess after the end of my sing