KellyThe ride back to the villa was quiet, except for the sound of the car engine and Harper's soft snores. Adrian had suggested we head back early to continue the celebration in private since Harper was getting sleepy. He’d said it so casually, but something about the way he’d looked at me during dinner made me suspicious. Adrian had always been full of surprises, especially on my birthday. He had a way of turning ordinary moments into memories, even when I thought he’d forgotten.As the car pulled up to the villa, my heart betrayed me with a sense of anticipation. My logical mind argued against it. Don’t expect anything. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. But my hopeful heart whispered otherwise.When we stepped out, I hesitated. My hand lingered on the car door as Harper clung sleepily to my arm. Adrian glanced back at me with a quizzical look, but I forced a smile and followed him inside.Everything was the same as we’d left it. No surprise banners, no sound of soft music
KellyAdrian’s grip on my hand was firm as we stepped further into the grand hall. It was a stunning display of wealth and luxury, the kind that could only be afforded by the most wealthy circles. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a soft, golden glow, and the polished floors reflected the opulence of designer shoes and tailored suits.I had always been drawn to fashion, and tonight was no exception. My eyes darted from one outfit to the next, mentally cataloging brands and styles. Each detail seemed to outshine the last, yet nothing made me feel out of place. I was confident in my own sense of style.Adrian slowed beside me, greeting an older man in a sharp black suit. His warm handshake and cheerful banter left me momentarily free to let my gaze wander. I scanned the room, taking in the unfamiliar faces, one after another.None of them stirred any memory.I exhaled deeply, relief washing over me. For once, I could breathe without worrying about the ghosts of my past creeping in.
KellyBlood seemed to drain from my face. Anderson? In Italy? I must've forgotten this was a show organized for designer's, but it still stung to see him here. My breath hitched as I let my eyes travel again, landing beside him was Kate. Her presence only made it worse. I tore my gaze away quickly, my grip tightening around the stem of my wineglass as I fought to steady my emotions. But Anderson’s eyes, those piercing, unyielding eyes never left mine.Adrian, oblivious to whats happening, continued his cheerful chatter about the gala. I was grateful he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, and I planned to keep it that way. Slowly, I let my gaze move back to where Anderson had been seated. To my relief, he was gone. A wave of calm washed over me, and I let out a soft sigh. Maybe this was just an unfortunate coincidence. Maybe—“Kelly?” Adrian’s voice snapped me back to the present.“Hm?” I turned to him, forcing a small smile as I pushed the thoughts of Anderson out of my mind.“I was sayi
Anderson Seeing Kelly inches away from me made my heart throb, and my fists clenched involuntarily. Damn it. How could she look even more beautiful now than she did back then? Her figure, the way that dress hugged her curves, the defiance in her eyes, it was all too much.Memories of the past crashed over me, flooding my senses like a wave. I couldn’t help but think about the way she used to laugh, the way she used to smile at me like I was her whole world. And now, here she was, standing in front of me, her face betraying nothing.I miss her.The thought came unbidden, raw and vulnerable. I hated myself for it, but I couldn't help it. But it wasn’t just want, it was need.Before I could stop myself, I was already closing the distance between us. My hands moved on their own, pinning her against the wall. Her sharp gasp cut through, and her eyes widened in shock.“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed, her voice low but shaking with anger and something else—fear?I cupped her che
AndersonThe hall was emptied out quickly, the sound of polite conversations fading into soft echoes as guests began to leave. My mind wasn’t on the diminishing crowd, though—it was on Kate. Where the hell did she go?Mr. Davis was speaking to me, his tone calm but probing, as though he sensed something was off.“Is everything all right, Anderson?” he asked, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.“Yeah,” I replied quickly, though my gaze kept darting toward the corners of the room. I couldn’t stop searching, scanning for any sign of kate.Mr. Davis tilted his head, clearly unconvinced, but I didn’t have time to address his concerns.“Excuse me for a moment,” I said, cutting him off mid-sentence and stepping away.I pulled my phone out of my pocket as I walked, dialing Kate’s number. It rang once, twice, then straight to voicemail.“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath.I made my way through the remaining clusters of guests, checking every corner of the hall. No sign of her. My frustration
AndersonKate didn’t say a word as I gripped her wrist and guided her into the car. The door slammed shut behind her, and the silence was suffocating between us, only interrupted by the soft sound of the engine.I turned to her, barely able to keep my voice calm. “What the hell was that?”Kate arched an eyebrow, her tone icy. “What the hell was what?”“Why are you answering my question with a question?” I snapped, leaning closer. “Are you familiar with Mr. Davis?”Her gaze shifted, but she quickly composed herself. “Mr. Davis?”“Yes, Kate. Mr. Davis Elanzo.”Her expression faltered for just a moment, a flash of something unguarded, but she recovered so quickly that I almost missed it. She shifted slightly, looking out the window.“Why would you even ask me that?” she said, her voice a forced calm.“Don’t deny it,” I warned, my voice low. “You disappeared for half the gala, you looked like a deer in headlights when I introduced you, and the tension between you two could’ve split the
KellyI couldn’t sleep. How could I? My mind was restless, my thoughts tangled up in Anderson and his ridiculous behavior last night. What did he think he was doing, trying to kiss me? The nerve! I gripped the sheets tightly, heat rising to my cheeks. If I hadn’t been so stunned, I would’ve kicked him where it hurts. Shameless man.By the time dawn broke, I was pacing the room. It was our last day in Florence, and I was beyond ready to leave this place and everything it represented behind. Anderson had stirred old wounds, and while I hated to admit it, he’d left a crack in the armor I’d built around myself.“Kelly, you okay?” Adrian’s voice called out from the living room, snapping me back to reality.“I’ll be ready in five minutes!” I yelled back. Harper’s giggles followed, a soothing reminder of what really mattered.By the time I stepped out of the bedroom, Adrian was already standing by the door, Harper bouncing on his hip.“There’s my sleepyhead,” he teased, his eyes flicking ove
AdrianI sat in my home office, staring at the folded piece of nylon bag on the desk. My hands felt heavy, almost reluctant, as I unfolded it. Kelly’s DNA sample. I’d obtained it days ago, though the guilt of doing so had plagued me ever since.The possibility of it being true terrified me more than I wanted to admit.A knock on the door broke my train of thought, and I fumbled with the nylon paper, shoving it into a drawer just as Kelly stepped in.“Hey, Adrian,” she said, her voice calm but purposeful. “I just spoke with Mrs. Kim. She’ll be here later to help with Harper.”I nodded, trying to mask the unease in my chest. “That’s good. Harper will love that.”“She will,” Kelly replied, stepping closer to the desk. Her eyes narrowed slightly as if sensing my discomfort, but she didn’t press. Instead, she leaned against the doorframe. “So, what’s keeping you here today? You don't have work?”I hesitated, searching for an excuse. “Just catching up on a few things,” I said, my voice st
Kelly I stared at the message, my fingers trembling. The words blurred together as my mind raced, imagining every horrible scenario Aiden could be enduring. I could almost hear his small voice calling for me. ‘Meet me alone. Tonight. If you want your son to live’ A message popped up as I wiped my tears that was already streaming. Every inch of me screamed to act, but the fear of making the wrong decision paralyzed me. Aiden was counting on me. This was my chance to bring him home, and I couldn’t fail him. “Kelly, no,” Adrian’s voice broke through my thoughts. He had read the message over my shoulder, his face pale. “You can’t go alone. It’s too dangerous.” I stepped back, away from him. “This isn’t your decision to make, Adrian. I’m his mother. I’ll do whatever it takes.” “You don’t have to do it alone,” Anderson interjected, his tone firmer than I’d heard in years. “We can handle this together. Let me come with you.” I turned to him, my anger flaring. “Together? Like w
Anderson Kelly was pacing every inch of the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her determination burned through the chaos like wildfire, her focus entirely on Aiden. Even now, with everything crumbling around us, she was still the same woman I’d fallen in love with—tenacious, selfless, and extremely beautiful. And I had destroyed her. I sat on the edge of a worn leather chair, my hands clasped in front of me as guilt and regret consumed me. Evelyn, my mother had betrayed me. Kate, the woman I thought I could trust, had used me. But Kelly… she had never betrayed me. The realization hit me like a blow to the chest. Kelly had been the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’d thrown it all away. I chose loyalty to my mother, blind faith in Kate, and a web of lies over the one person who had stood by me. I’d failed her as a husband, as a protector, and now as a father. I swallowed hard, my voice barely audible. “Kelly…” She stopped pacing and turned to me, her
KellyI followed Adrian through the dark streets, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and dread. His earlier phone call had been short, but the urgency in his tone was unmistakable. He thought I was asleep, but I wasn’t about to sit back while Aiden’s life was in danger. He turned towards an alley and disappeared through an unmarked door. I hesitated for a moment, swallowing my fear, before slipping inside after him. The air was heavy with the scent of damp concrete and stale cigarettes, and muffled voices echoed from somewhere below. Keeping to the shadows, I crept down a narrow staircase, my steps careful. Adrian’s voice filtered through the air, sharp and desperate. “Give me more time,” he pleaded. “I’ll resign after this is done, I swear. But I need to get my son back first.” A deep, gravelly voice responded, dripping with condescension. “Time? You think Boss is the kind of man who waits? You’re either in, or you’re out. And if you’re out, you’re as good as dead.” I f
AndersonI followed my mom into the dimly lit restaurant, staying far enough behind to avoid suspicion. The private dining room she entered was shielded by frosted glass, but I could see her silhouette as she sat across from a man I recognized immediately: Davis. The man who had turned my life into chaos. There was no doubt Davis took Aiden. I clenched my fists, my pulse racing as I debated my next move. Every instinct screamed at me to storm in, to demand answers, but I couldn’t risk tipping myself off. Not without knowing what my mom had to do with all Aiden disappearance.I slipped into a booth near the back, my line of sight angled to catch glimpses of their conversation through the glass. My mom leaned forward, her voice just loud enough to carry over the low murmur of the restaurant. “You shouldn’t have taken the boy,” she said, her tone sharp and accusatory. Davis shrugged, his lips curling into a smirk. “You made this mess, Evelyn. I’m just cleaning it up.” She slamme
Kelly “Who is he?” I asked, my voice cracked as I stared at the grainy image Olivia had handed me. Her expression was cold and unyielding, her lips twisting. “I don’t know, but I think he’s the key to finding Aiden.” The photograph trembled in my hands, my vision blurring as fear tightened its grip on my chest. Aiden’s face, pale and tear-streaked, was in the background of the photo, and the man standing in front of him was a stranger. A tall figure, his face partially scarred, but the malice in his posture was unmistakable. “Where do we find him?” My voice barely audible. Olivia glanced at me, then to Lucian, who stood a few steps away, watching us intently. “I don’t know yet,” she admitted, but her tone carried the weight of determination. “Kelly,” Lucian said, stepping closer. His voice was calm, but his eyes were firm. “We’re going to get him back.” I wanted to believe him, to hold on to the small hope his words offered. But the heart wrenching guilt in my chest wou
KellyThe call from Anderson had shattered the little thread I was holding onto. Aiden, my sweet, innocent Aiden, was missing. Panic clawed at my chest as I paced around the house, unsure of what to do. Adrian was making calls, organizing a search, but I couldn’t stand still. I needed to act. “Kelly, stop,” Adrian said, his hand on my palm. “We’re doing everything we can. Just stay here.” I shook him off, unable to contain my panic. “You don’t understand. I can’t just sit here! What if something’s happened to him? What if—”“Kelly, I know. I’m scared too,” Adrian said, his voice strained. “But we can’t make any rash decisions. We need to think this through.” I looked at him, eyes wild with fear, and then I bolted for the door. I didn’t care what Adrian thought; I had to find Aiden. I needed help. .The police station was busy when I arrived. Officers were running in and out, but none of them seemed to take much notice of the frantic woman pacing back and forth in front of the
KellyThe tension in the house was suffocating. Adrian had been distant ever since Olivia’s arrival, and I couldn’t take it anymore. Every word Olivia said seemed to carry a hidden meaning, like she wanted me to know something but she wouldn’t just say it.I found him in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his phone in hand. He looked up as I walked in, his face guarded. “Adrian,” I said, crossing my arms. “We need to talk. Now.” He sighed, setting his phone down. “I figured this was coming.” I stepped closer, my voice low but firm. “Why does Olivia seem to know more about your past than I do? What is this connection to Davis that she keeps hinting at?” Adrian stiffened, his jaw tightening. “Kelly, it’s... complicated.” “No,” I snapped, cutting him off. “It’s not complicated. It’s your family. It’s your life. And it’s my life too, Adrian. I deserve to know what’s going on.” He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. “You’re right. You do. But it’s not some
OliviaThe weight of everything pressed heavily on my chest as I walked into the police station. Every step felt like a declaration of defiance. I had promised myself I would get answers, no matter the cost, and now I was here, ready to put my cards on the table. The station was bustling with phones ringing, voices raised, officers moving purposefully from desk to desk. My resolve nearly faltered, but then I saw him. He stood near the far end of the room, his uniform tailored to perfection, radiating a calm demeanor. His presence demanded attention, though he wasn’t speaking. I caught myself staring. It was as though everything else faded, leaving only him in focus. Hid name wasn’t spoken until one of his colleagues called out, “Lucian, got a second?” The sound jolted me from my thoughts, but not enough to ignore the way my heart fluttered. “Excuse me,” I said, approaching cautiously. His sharp blue eyes moved to me, and I felt as if he could see right through me. “Yes?” he
AndersonThe streetlights blurred as I sped through the quiet roads, gripping the steering wheel tighter with each passing mile. Mom’s words replayed in my mind, every word digging deeper into the pit of my anger. ‘She had a past, Anderson’ Betrayal. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and now it was coursing through my veins, poisoning every thought. My own mother, complicit in a web of secrets that I was only now unraveling. Kate, the woman I had loved, had kept her connection to Davis hidden from me. How could they both do this to me? I pulled into the parking lot of ‘Cucina Italiana’, Kate’s newest restaurant venture. The soft glow of the sign above the entrance seemed mocking, it brought back memories of our stay in Italy.The moment I stepped inside, the rich aroma of Italian herbs and freshly baked bread greeted me. The restaurant was quieter than usual, a few diners scattered across the tables. Kate was by the open kitchen, speaking with her staff. Her eyes met mine, and I