LOGINShare
Echoes of the past
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 17:18:03
Related chapters
The One He Let Go Defending the woman I care for
Kelly The warmth of Adrian’s family home always made me feel welcome, even though every time I stepped foot in it, a slight feeling of unease gripped me. Still, it was nice to be here with Harper—she had grown fond of her grandfather and grandmother over the years, and today seemed like no exception. The dinner table was warm, filled with the smell of rich food and the gentle hum of conversation. Adrian's family had invited us over for a quiet Sunday gathering, something they did every now and then. Harper as usual was her lively self, showing off her drawings to anyone who would listen. Olivia, Adrian’s younger sister, was animated as always, discussing her latest project at work. “Mommy!” Harper’s voice broke my thoughts as she dashed toward me from the living room, her little legs carrying her with excitement. I smiled, picking her up and planting a kiss on her cheek. “What is it, sweetie?” “I’m going to show Grandma my drawings!” she exclaimed, holding up a colorful stac
Last Updated : 2024-12-18The One He Let Go Crossing the line
AndersonI stand at the edge of my office, my eyes fixed on the skyline outside, Washington DC never sleeps, but tonight, neither do I. I can feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The tension in the air is suffocating, and it’s all because of one woman: Kelly. She’s always been a challenge, and I’ve always thrived on challenges. But this... this is different. When I first met her, she was a simple girl eager to prove herself. She’d been that way, naive in the way she believed that her ambition alone could make her untouchable. It wasn’t her fault. She’d been too trusting, too willing to believe in people, even someone like me. And I took advantage of that. It was easy back then. I had the power, the influence, and Kelly had nothing but her name. But now? Now, she’s not that girl. I hate that I’m forced to admit it, but Kelly has evolved into something far more dangerous than I could have ever imagined. She’s smart—too smart, and she knows exactly how to play the
Last Updated : 2024-12-19The One He Let Go Silence speaks
Kelly The sound of my phone buzzed on my desk as I sat there, flipping through paperwork. My mind was elsewhere, focused on the clothing line I had launched recently. It was an investment, but to Anderson it must've looked like a rebellion. It was a proof that I was more than just the congresswoman everyone expected me to be. It was my way of showing my independence, but more importantly, it was for Aiden. I had plans. I wanted his adulthood to be smooth, it was my way of filling my absence for all these years. I had thought Anderson might try something, but I never imagined he’d stoop to this level. The rumors were circulating like fire, each one more damaging than the last. The fashion line I was building had started gaining some real attraction, but Anderson, ever the manipulator, decided to sabotage that. False rumors spread about the quality of my clothes, and whispers about how I was mismanaging my staffs flooded the industry. It was no longer just personal, It was now my b
Last Updated : 2024-12-20The One He Let Go What?
Kelly I could feel the weight of Ava’s words, the sharp implication behind them. She was taunting me, and she knew it. She had always known exactly how to get under my skin, even years ago. She knew the torment I had been through with Anderson and her mother, and now she was trying to pull me back into that dark place. For a moment, the urge to leave washed over me. I wanted to walk away from this table, from this meeting. But I stayed, I couldn’t let her see me rattled. Not after my years of rehab, after everything I had done to move on.Susan glanced at me, her warm eyes laced with concern. She sensed the tension, though she didn’t seem to understand its source. She tried to smooth over the awkwardness with a soft smile. “How have you been, Kendra? I mean how’s work?” Susan asked, tilting her head with genuine curiosity. “I’ve missed you. It’s been way too long since we’ve had a proper catch-up.” Her words caught me off guard, pulling me from my thoughts. Forcing a small smile,
Last Updated : 2024-12-21The One He Let Go SOS
Kelly Sliding into the driver’s seat, I exhaled sharply, my pulse hammering in my ears. Clara's SOS call had been hideen yet urgent enough to drag me out of an already chaotic day. My thoughts raced as I sped toward the office, each scenario more unsettling than the last. What could have possibly happened to warrant such a desperate call? Arriving at the building, I ascended to the third floor, the familiar scent of polished floors and light coffee filling the air. But as I stepped off the elevator, chaos greeted me. A man’s voice thundered through the hallway, demanding to see someone. “Kendra Lewis!, tell her I must see her or else I will keep disturbing" My stomach dropped as recognition hit me like a train. Anderson! What does he even want from me now? The guards were holding him back, with Clara nervously attempting to intervene. The moment they saw me, their collective tension eased. "Ma'am," Clara said, breathless, "we tried to stop him—" "It's fine," I cut her
Last Updated : 2024-12-22The One He Let Go Time wasted
Kelly The clock on my phone glowed, a glaring 11:15 PM as I staggered out of the office, mentally drained and physically exhausted. The chaos of the day had left me disorganized, and all I could think about was collapsing into the comfort of my bed. Olivia had already messaged me earlier, confirming she’d pick up Harper and bring her back in the morning, so I didn’t have to worry about being a mother tonight. I unlocked my apartment door and stumbled in, the weight of the world on my shoulders. I barely even kicked off my heels before I let my body fall onto the king-sized bed with a thud. I lay there, staring at the ceiling. My mind kept replaying Anderson’s words: ‘It’s not over, Kelly. I will come back for you.’ The haunting threat repeated in my mind like a broken record. What did he mean by that? Was he planning to reveal my past, my identity to the world? I couldn't even process it all, too much had happened, and the pieces of my life still didn’t seem to fit together. I c
Last Updated : 2024-12-23The One He Let Go Where?
Clara The office was unusually quiet that morning, save for the faint sound of keyboards and the occasional ringing of phones. I sipped my coffee, already feeling the weight of the day ahead. Kelly had texted me late last night to let me know she was taking the day off—a rare occurrence. As her assistant, I knew how much she hated leaving things unfinished, but even she deserved a break after the chaos of the past few days. I had just started reviewing the new marketing materials for her upcoming clothing collection launch when my phone buzzed on the desk. A notification from one of the celebrity gossip sites lit up the screen. My stomach dropped. I clicked the link, and there it was, a fabricated clip of Kelly at a restaurant, pushing a girl away in what looked like a heated moment. The headline was sensationalized, painting Kelly as rude and out of control. The replies under the post were worse: “Typical diva behavior.” “Always knew she was fake.” “Isn’t this the same woman w
Last Updated : 2024-12-24The One He Let Go Unmasking intentions
Anderson I arrived early, settling into the booth in the far corner. The dim lighting played to my advantage, covering my face of unease. Clara wasn’t the type to be rattled easily, but tonight, I intended to test her. When she walked in, she was the picture of composure, her every step steady, every glance calculated. She saw me immediately, her expression unreadable, and approached. “Anderson,” she said as she slid into the seat across from me. Her tone was clipped, her gaze sharp. “Clara,” I said, leaning back, letting a smirk play on my lips. “You’ve kept yourself busy.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “If this is a reunion, you can save it. What do you want?” I chuckled softly, picking up my glass of whiskey. “Always straight to the point. But before we get into that, tell me... how’s life been treating you?” She blinked, the faintest face of surprise crossing her face. “Since when do you care about my welfare?” I shrugged, swirling the amber liquid in my glas
Last Updated : 2024-12-25
Latest chapter
The One He Let Go Giving in, but not completely
Lucian’s POV The rain had started hours ago, turning the streets slick with reflections of city lights. It wasn’t a violent storm, just a medium, persistent downpour, the kind that made people hurry indoors, seeking shelter in cafés and rushing in Mart to get umbrellas. I hadn’t expected to see her tonight. In fact, I had convinced myself I wouldn’t. For weeks, Olivia had avoided me. No calls, no accidental run-ins, she didn’t pick my call either. And yet, here she was. Standing under the awning of a small café, arms crossed over her chest, watching the rain with an expression I couldn’t quite read. She didn’t see me at first. I could have turned back. I could have kept walking and pretended I hadn’t noticed her. But I didn’t. Because avoiding each other had done nothing to change what was between us. And I was tired of pretending otherwise. She noticed me as I approached, her shoulders stiffening just slightly. Then, her gaze met mine. She didn’t move, nor acknowledge me. She
The One He Let Go Green eyed monster
Olivia’s POV The night was supposed to be uneventful. I had attended dozens of these high-class architectural gala’s before, polished affairs where people with too much money came to flaunt their wealth under the guise of charity. Normally, I could navigate them without a second thought. But then I saw him. Lucian. I hadn’t known he would be here, but the moment I spotted him across the grand ballroom, I felt my pulse shift into something irritatingly unstable. He stood near the entrance, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, scanning the crowd with the trained ease of someone who could see everything without looking like he was paying attention to anything. Because, of course, he was working security tonight. It made sense, an event like this required the best. And Lucian, with his quiet authority and sharp focus, fit that description effortlessly. I should have been fine. I should have been able to ignore him. Except, that I couldn’t. And it got worse when I saw her.
The One He Let Go The night that changed everything
Lucian’s POVI was halfway through a late-night report when my phone buzzed. I almost ignored it, expecting it to be one of my officers checking in on an old case. But when I saw the name on the screen, I straightened immediately. Olivia?She had never called me before. I answered without hesitation. “Olivia?” There was a pause, just long enough for me to hear the light sound of wind in the background. Then her voice came through, tight and controlled, but there was something off about it. “Lucian… I need a favor.” I was already grabbing my keys. …….The street was empty when I pulled up, just bushes, and the dim glow of a single flickering streetlight. Olivia stood beside her car, arms crossed, looking unimpressed. I parked behind her, stepping out into the cool night air. “This is a first,” I said, approaching with a smirk. “I didn’t think you believed in asking for help.” Olivia shot me a glare. “I don’t. But my car apparently does.” I glanced at the vehicle. “
The One He Let Go Close but not close enough
Olivia’s POV I shouldn’t be here. That thought had been running through my mind from the moment I stepped into the police station, the cool night air still clinging to my skin. But here I was, standing outside Lucian’s office at nearly eleven at night, hesitating. The building was almost empty, except a few officers finishing up paperwork. The hum of the vending machine down the hall was the only sound breaking the silence. I knew I should have gone home hours ago, but after what happened earlier tonight, home didn’t feel safe. Someone had been following me. At first, I thought I was imagining things. The paranoia of a long day, the residual nerves from the Davis case. But by the time I left work, I knew it wasn’t just in my head. Whoever it was, they were patient. Very careful. Keeping their distance just enough to make me doubt myself, but never so far that I couldn’t feel them lurking. I wasn’t the kind of person to panic easily. But tonight? I wasn’t taking chances. I t
The One He Let Go The line I can’t cross
Lucian’s POV The invitation had been unexpected. Kelly invited me to Harper’s 6th birthday. I stared at the message from Kelly longer than I should have, reading and rereading the last line: "You can stay if you don’t want to come."It was the kind of thing someone wrote when they weren’t sure if you would honor they invitation. And truth be told, I wasn’t sure either. But after everything that had happened, I knew one thing for certain. I owed it to Harper to show up. So I did. I arrived at the venue, a cozy event space filled with pastel decorations and clusters of kids running around, their laughter echoing off the walls. The air smelled like cake and candy, and despite the cheerful energy, I felt… out of place. Am I considered family at this point? Uncle? That sounded ridiculous, I don’t have the right to claim that title. I didn’t know what I was expecting when I walked in. Maybe some polite hellos, maybe a few awkward glances. But what I wasn’t expecting was Olivia. I
The One He Let Go Present day
Lucian’s POV I had no intention of thinking about Olivia ever again. At least, that’s what I told myself. She had a way of getting under my skin, a way of making me question things I never questioned before. And yet, even after all the chaos with Kelly, Clara, and Davis, it was her name that kept creeping into my mind. So when I got to the police station, following up on the final closure of Davis’s case, I wasn’t expecting to hear her name linked to Adrian. "Yeah, Adrian’s sister was the one who gave us the last piece we needed to take him down." I almost didn’t process it at first. "His what?"The officer looked at me like I was slow. "His sister. Olivia Lewis. You know, the one who—" But I didn’t hear the rest. My mind had already locked onto those two words. Olivia Lewis. The realization hit like a punch to the gut. She never told me, not even once. I wasn’t sure what pissed me off more, that she hid it from me, or that I gave a damn in the first place. It wasn’t
The One He Let Go New kind of closure
KellyFor the first time in what felt like forever, I could finally breathe. Lucian had finally taken responsibility for his actions, and Olivia had laid her true intentions bare. There was no more uncertainty, no more unnecessary weight pressing down on my chest. It didn’t mean everything was magically okay, but at least now, I wasn’t carrying those burdens alone. I felt… lighter. Susan was sitting at the dining table, her brows furrowed as she flipped through a stack of papers. A steaming cup of tea sat beside her, untouched. I took the seat across from her, sighing. “You look stressed.” She glanced up, rubbing her temple. “You would be too if you were trying to figure out how to confront someone as careful as Mrs. Kim.” I frowned, leaning forward. “We have the proof. What’s the problem?” “The problem,” she said, placing a document in front of me, “is that we can’t afford to make her suspicious before we make our move. Have you forgotten? If she senses something’s off, s
The One He Let Go Olivia’s true intention
Kelly The smell of coffee and maple syrup drifted through the air as I made my way downstairs, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. It was supposed to be a quiet morning. One where I could sit in peace, drink my coffee, and maybe pretend for a moment that my life wasn’t a constant cycle of chaos. But as soon as I stepped into the living room, I stopped short. There, sitting on the floor with Harper, was Olivia. I was shocked, I shouldn’t be, Olivia was Adrian’s sister after all. She wasn’t scrolling through her phone with a face of disinterest, nor did she have that distant, unreadable look she’d worn so often lately. Instead, she was smiling, actually smiling as Harper excitedly showed her something on her tablet. I watched them for a second, my stomach twisting with uncertainty. The Olivia I’d seen over the past few months had been… different. Colder. Calculated. Someone who had distanced herself from me, from Adrian, from all of us. I’d convinced myself that she’d changed for
The One He Let Go Unfinished business
KellyThe apology should have been the end of it. Lucian had said his piece. I had listened. That was it. And yet, hours later, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my mind wouldn’t shut off. I didn’t hate him anymore. That realization should have brought relief, but instead, it left an unfamiliar hollowness instead. For so long, my anger had been a reason to keep him at arm’s length. A way to remind myself that what he did to me wasn’t okay. But now that shield was cracking, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about that. He wasn’t family anymore or so I thought. That much was clear. But did I need to forgive him? Did forgiveness mean letting go of everything? Or was simply moving on enough? The thoughts tangled in my head like an impossible knot, tightening until I sighed and turned onto my side. Adrian stirred beside me. Even in sleep, he always seemed to be aware of me, his arm draped protectively over my waist, his body warm against mine. I wanted to stay like this. I want
