KellyEvelyn’s smirk is maddening, her confidence annoyingly chilling. She sits with a perfect poise, legs crossed, completely unbothered by my presence, by my anger. I am shaking. The audacity this woman has."You lied to my son," I say, my tone sharp. "You told Aiden that I wasn’t his mother? For what reason?" Evelyn raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Did I lie?" It was as if my anger button was pressed. I lunge forward, only for Anderson to step between us, his hands up in a silent plea. I stop myself, breathing heavily, my fists clenched so tight my nails bite into my palms. "Why?" I spit the word out like poison. "Why the hell would you tell him something like that?" Evelyn sighs, tilting her head. "Oh, Kelly, do you really not see it? You were never fit to raise Aiden." My stomach turns. I glance at Anderson, expecting outrage, expecting anything, but he’s silent, his expression unreadable. What did I expect? He couldn’t even stand up to his mother even when he
Kelly I barely remember rushing out of Anderson’s house. One moment, I was standing in that suffocating room, watching Evelyn’s annoying expression and Anderson’s hollow apologies, and the next, I was outside, my hands shaking as I yanked open my car door and slid inside. And then, it hit me. The complete and utter disbelief. My chest heaved as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. I tried to keep it together, but the second I blinked, tears spilled down my cheeks. How could Anderson fail Aiden like this?How could he sit back and let Evelyn plant such a horrible lie in our son’s mind? How could he let her manipulate and gaslight an innocent child, and do absolutely nothing? Did he really love being controlled by Evelyn that much? A choked sob left my lips as I wiped at my face furiously. No more tears. Anderson didn’t deserve them. Evelyn sure as hell didn’t deserve them. Just then, my phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the scr
KellyHarper finally opened her eyes. The moment her lashes fluttered and she let out a soft, drowsy sound, Aiden and I practically collapsed in relief. "Mom?" Harper’s small voice croaked. "I’m here, baby." I brushed her hair back gently, forcing a smile even as my heart clenched. "You scared me." Aiden let out a choked laugh, rubbing his eyes. "Us. You scared us." Ever since Aiden and Harper united, and I revealed to her that he was her brother, Harper had been happier than ever.Harper blinked at him, confused. "Did I do something bad?" I laughed softly, my throat tight. "No, sweetheart. You just need to rest, okay?" She gave a tiny nod before closing her eyes again, exhaustion still weighing her down. But she was awake. She was okay.The doctor checked on her, reassuring us that she would be fine as long as she continued her medication. By morning, she was alert enough to complain about the hospital food, and I knew she was truly back to herself. The second we were di
AndersonKate sat across from me in the living room, her arms folded, her expression unreadable. It was a messed up week for me, Mom’s disappearance, Ava not talking to me, the house was empty, and kate, I finally honored her invitation.The weight of everything pressed down on my chest like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t stay silent anymore. "Did you ever love me, Kate?" Her eyes flickered, but she didn’t answer. Instead, she let out a breathy scoff, crossing her legs. "That’s a loaded question, Anderson." I clenched my jaw. "It shouldn’t be." She gave me a look, one I’d seen too many times before. Evasive. Like she was choosing her next words carefully, not out of love, but out of self-preservation. "Why are we even having this conversation?" she muttered. "Is this about Kelly? About Evelyn? You’re suddenly having a moral awakening because your ex-wife is making you feel guilty?" Her words were meant to provoke me, but I didn’t take the bait. "I’m asking you a simple q
KellyI sat at the head of the long glass table, fingers resting lightly against the smooth surface as my fellow board members exchanged knowing glances. They had been waiting for this moment, waiting for me to finally return to my seat after weeks of absence so they could pounce.Congresswoman or not, power was a fragile thing in a room full of men who thrived on watching a woman fall. "Kendra, you’ve been absent for too long," one of them said smoothly, leaning forward with a practiced frown of concern. "It’s become quite a... topic of discussion." "People are talking," another chimed in. "Your ability to lead has been questioned." I forced a calm smile, though my blood boiled beneath my skin. "I wasn’t aware I had to ask permission to be a mother before being a congresswoman." A few of them looked shocked, not expecting me to hit back so quickly. "Of course not," the first man said, lips twitching. "But as you know, this position requires constant attention. Absences lea
KellyI barely took three steps outside before the chaos erupted. The moment the front door cracked open, camera flashes exploded in my face, blinding and relentless. Voices clashed over one another, reporters shouting questions I didn’t have answers to, their microphones thrust forward like weapons. "Kelly! Is it true you were married to Anderson Grant for ten years?""Kelly, did you blackmail him into the marriage?""How does Aiden fit into all this?I clenched my jaw, forcing my expression to remain neutral. My heart pounded, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. With my head down, I pushed forward, my driver already opening the car door. Hands reached out, some brushing against me, others shoving recorders too close to my face. I barely made it into the car before the doors slammed shut. The driver didn’t wait for instructions, he knew what to do. As the engine roared to life, more flashes burst through the tinted windows, desperate to capture my ev
AdrianThe moment I could walk without feeling like my stitches were pulling apart, I left my hospital room. Sitting around, waiting for answers, had never been my style. If I wanted to understand Evelyn’s true connection to Davis, I had to start digging. I was supposed to meet up with Susan last week, but I couldn’t due to my injury, so today I decided to take matters into my own hand.I made my way to the hospital’s archives, it was one of the oldest hospitals in D.C. A place most doctors rarely had a reason to visit, so I took that as an opportunity. As someone who had spent years working in hospitals before I got mine, I knew how much information could be buried in patient records—names, dates, relationships no one thought twice about at the time. I sneaked into the private room, make sure nobody saw me enter.After logging into the old database, I started searching. Evelyn, Davis. - Any shared medical history.I cross-referenced hospital bills, patient visits, anything that
AndersonI had expected today to be exhausting, but I hadn’t expected to be sitting in a courtroom, waiting for a woman who lived for drama. The judge was already irritated, tapping his fingers on the desk impatiently. My lawyer checked his watch for the third time in ten minutes. The opposing lawyer barely masked his frustration, shifting through papers as if the delay was a personal offense. Kate was late. Of course, she was. I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I leaned back in my chair. It wasn’t that I had expected Kate to be eager about finalizing our divorce, but I had expected her to at least show up on time.Or maybe that was my mistake, by expecting anything from her at all.I adjusted my tie, ignoring the murmurs of the few reporters seated at the back of the courtroom. ‘The divorce of Anderson Grant and Kate Brook’ just like the bloggers stated, was making headlines. The media had been circling over the news ever since Kelly’s identity had been leak
Kelly I was heading home from a late meeting at the office when I first noticed her. The city’s glow blurred in the rain, turning sidewalks into reflective mirrors. But there, amid the indifferent bustle of people hurrying to escape the downpour, I saw a familiar figure. A figure I’d hoped to forget. Kate. She was slumped against a cold brick wall, her once-pristine designer coat now threadbare and stained. Her hair, once styled with care, was a tangled mess, damp with rain and sweat. I slowed down, a knot of conflicting emotions tightening my chest. I knew I shouldn’t care. I had moved on, free from the toxic memories that Kate represented. But as I drew closer, the sight of her brought an unexpected mix of bitterness and a strange kind of pity.A small group of passersby were clustered nearby. I overheard snippets of conversation: “Is that… isn’t that Kate Brook?” “Look at her, she’s a mess.” “Well deserved.”Their words, harsh and unsympathetic, stung even though I trie
Kate’s POV I didn’t even remember how I got here. One minute, I was walking barefoot, my clothes damp from the night air, my stomach aching with hunger. Next, I was standing in front of Kelly’s house.Her perfect house. The white porch lights shone against the darkness, glowing like some kind of sanctuary. How did I even get here? Because my feet had led me here anyway. Because I had nowhere else to go. I swallowed hard and forced myself forward. The moment I knocked, I regretted it. What if she slammed the door in my face? What if she had already called the police? But before I could turn and run, the door opened. Kelly stood there. Her hair was loose, slightly tousled like she had just gotten out of bed. But her expression was sharp. Her eyes were cold. She didn’t look surprised to see me. Just unimpressed. Like she had expected this. “Kate.” Her voice was flat and emotionless.I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I had practiced what I was going to say in my head a th
Kate’s POV The moment I saw that car outside the diner, my stomach dropped. Sleek black Audi. The same luxury model I had paid for, Marcus’s car. He was here. My fingers clenched around the edge of my tray. My heart pounded so hard it drowned out the chatter of the diner. Finally, I found him. For weeks, I had been looking. Calling disconnected numbers, asking people who only sneered at me. Now, he was right outside, sitting behind the wheel of the car I bought him like nothing had happened. I almost ran out right then and there. Almost. But this wasn’t the place. Not yet. Not where he could just speed off and leave me humiliated in the middle of the street. I needed to do this right, to catch him in a way he couldn’t escape. So, I waited. I held my breath as the driver’s side door opened. And then she stepped out. A woman, tall, stunning. Dressed in an expensive, body-hugging dress that screamed money.My money. The way she moved, the confidence in her stride, the way Marc
Kate’s POVThe sun was setting when I stepped into a close diner. It wasn’t much, just a run-down little place with shining neon lights and cracked leather booths. The smell of cheap coffee and fried food clung to the air, mixing with something stale. I hated it, but i didn’t have a choice. I needed money. The thought of going to Kelly made my stomach churn. I would rather scrub floors than beg her for a single cent. I squared my shoulders and approached the counter. A baldman with a thick gut leaned against the register, flipping through a newspaper. His name tag read Tony – Manager. He didn’t even look up. I cleared my throat. “Excuse me.” He grunted. “Yeah?” I hesitated. God, this was humiliating. “I need a job.” That got his attention. He lowered the paper and really looked at me. His gaze moved over my designer coat, my already thinning manicured nails—what was left of them—before settling on my face. Then, he laughed. Loud and mocking. “You?” He snorted. “You wa
Kate’s POVThe streets blurred around me, but I kept moving. I could still fix this. The business partners? They were mere thugs. They only cared about power and money. If I could just get my hands on some cash, I’d be valuable to them again. I just needed to borrow some money. And I knew exactly who to call. Fraya. She had always been there for me. Right now, she was the only one I could turn to. Fraya was one of my closest friends, standing here now, she was my last hope. I dug out my phone, hands shaking, and dialed her number. The phone rang once. Twice. Then went to voicemail. I clenched my jaw. I called again, straight to voicemail. What the hell? I tried again. This time, the phone rang longer before a sharp click echoed in my ear. A voice. Her tone was clipped, impatient. “Kate.” Relief flooded me. “Oh, thank God. Fraya, I need…..” “What do you want?” I faltered. “I—I need to meet you. It’s important.” Silence. Then a slow, irritated sigh. “Kate, I’m busy.”
Kate’s POVI sat on the curb for what felt like hours, the cold air seeping through my bones as I stared at the smoke still curling in the distance. My house was gone. My money was gone. Marcus was gone. I had nothing. But I still had connections.I forced myself up, wiping the back of my hand across my face. Davis’s old business partners, they owed me. They were his boys, but they were powerful. More importantly, they were still in the game. And I needed them. …….I took the bus, because what choice did I have?—and arrived at a discreet bar in Brooklyn, one of the spots Davis used for meetings. The place was dimly lit, cigarette smoke filled the air. The scent of old whiskey and sweat clung to the leather seats. I walked in like I belonged. Like I wasn’t standing there in the same clothes I left jail in, my face screaming desperate. A few men sat in a corner booth, murmuring among themselves. I recognized them instantly, Victor, Greg, and Tomas. They’d been handling Davis’s offs
Kate’s POVI shoved my hands into my coat pockets, fingers searching for anything, loose bills, forgotten cash, anything. Nothing. Just fifty damn bucks. My throat tightened as I stared at the crumpled bill in my palm. It wasn’t enough. Not enough for a cab, not enough to get me across town, not enough to drag myself out of this humiliation. I turned my phone over in my hands, staring at Marcus’s last text again, as if it willl disappear and something positive will appear, but the message stared back at me. The words sent a fresh wave of nausea through me. This is getting real….Marcus was gone and he had taken everything. And I was stranded outside this damn prison with only fifty bucks and my pride, which was quickly slipping through my fingers. I shifted on my feet, ignoring the ache in my legs from standing for nearly an hour. I had expected him to be here. Expected something. But all I got were the stares. The murmurs started quietly at first, low whispers passing through
Kate’s POV The cold evening air hit my skin the moment I stepped outside the prison gates. Freedom, at last. It was supposed to feel exhilarating, like I could finally breathe after being suffocated for months. Instead, all I felt was exhaustion. My eyes scanned the parking lot, my heart lifting slightly with anticipation. Any moment from now, Marcus would pull up, with that smug grin of his, arms open like I was the best thing to ever happen to him. No doubt, I am.But then, there was no black Audi. No familiar tall figure leaning against the car, waiting for me. My fingers clenched around the plastic bag holding the few possessions I had left. Maybe he was running late. I checked my phone, finally returned to me after months of deprivation. No missed calls. No texts. I exhaled sharply and dialed Marcus’s number. It rang. Once. Twice. Then—Straight to voicemail. Is this some sick joke? My stomach twisted, but I shook off the unease. Relax, Kate. He’s just busy. I tried aga
KellyThe air inside the police station was strained. I watched as Evelyn sat across from me, her wrists cuffed, her usually neat hair disheveled. The smug arrogance she once carried was gone, replaced by a hollow, defeated expression. She had no more tricks to play, no more lives to manipulate. Adrian sat beside me, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Susan, on the other hand, stood rigid near the door, her fingers clenched into fists. Who would Evelyn call for help? Anderson? Lucian?Detective Harris, the lead investigator, leaned forward, voice steady. “Evelyn Grant, you’re facing charges of child abduction, falsification of medical records, and fraud. You can make this easier on yourself by cooperating.” Evelyn scoffed, tilting her head. “Cooperate? Do you have any idea what I did for this girls?” Her eyes snapped to me, then to Susan. “I gave you a life. I saved you.” Susan let out a harsh laugh. “Saved me?” She stepped forward, voice shaking with anger. “You stole my