KellyThe strong autumn air hit my skin as I stood outside Aiden’s school, watching the last few kids scatter across their parents. The meeting with his teacher had gone well, but I was exhausted. Between balancing everything, and keeping up with my company, I felt stretched thin. I was about to head to my car when I heard it. "Kelly." I froze. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Lucian. His voice carried something different this time. No arrogance, as if he had rehearsed saying my name but still wasn’t sure if he had the right. Slowly, I turned. He stood a few feet away, hands shoved in his coat pockets, his expression unreadable. There were dark circles under his eyes, a tiredness in the way he held himself. Was he here because of Davis case? I sighed. I wasn’t in the mood for plenty talks, I already had a lot going on.“If you’re here to talk about Davis, Lucian, don’t,” I said, my voice steady. His lips pressed together. He nodded slightly, like he expe
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. “
Dear Readers, I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of Kelly’s story. Writing this book has been an emotional rollercoaster, and I know many of you have felt the highs and lows just as deeply as I have. Kelly’s journey wasn’t easy, there was pain, heartbreak, and moments where it seemed like happiness was out of reach. But through it all, she found strength, love, and a future worth fighting for. To everyone who stuck by this story, who cried, laughed, and rooted for Kelly, Aiden, Adrian, and even the complicated characters like Anderson and Kate, thank you. Your love and support mean everything. Though this book has ended, Kelly’s story will always live on in our hearts. And who knows? Maybe one day, there will be more to tell. But for now, I hope this ending brings you the closure and warmth that Kelly fought so hard to find. With love and gratitude, MOONCHILD.
Kelly The sun is warm against my skin, the sky a perfect colour of blue. A soft breeze carries the scent of roses and fresh-cut grass. The sound of distant laughter and murmured conversations fills the air, blending seamlessly with the soft notes of a violin playing somewhere nearby. It’s perfect. Everything about this day feels surreal, like stepping into a dream I never dared to imagine. A real wedding. Not a hidden ceremony. Not a desperate attempt to silence rumors. Just love. I close my eyes for a brief moment, taking it all in. The gentle rustling of the trees. The faint sound of conversation. The quiet presence of everyone who matters. Adrian’s family is here. After months of resentment and distance, they came. His mother, his father, Olivia, both watching with cautious but genuine smiles. Susan is here, standing with them, her expression warm, proud. And in the distance, I see Aiden straightening his suit, looking nervous and determined at the same time. Harper,
KellyNine months. Nine long, exhausting, emotional months. And now, I’m here. In a hospital bed, drenched in sweat, gripping Adrian’s hand so tightly that I’m sure I’ve cut off his circulation. My body feels like it’s being torn apart, and yet, I push. “Just a little more, Kelly!” the doctor encourages. Easy for them to say. They aren’t the ones feeling like their body is being split open. Adrian leans close, his lips brushing my forehead. “You’re almost there,” he murmurs, his voice steady, calming. “I’ve got you.” Tears sting my eyes. I don’t know if it’s from the pain or the overwhelming feeling that this moment is actually happening. And then, a sharp cry fills the room. My breath catches. The world seemed to stop. The doctor lifts a tiny, wriggling body into the air. “It’s a girl!” A sob escapes me. I collapse back against the pillows, my whole body trembling. Tears slip down my temples as I hear my daughter’s first sounds. I did it. She’s here. Adrian presses a
Kelly The morning is cold, the kind of D.C winter chill that seeps through the layers of your clothes and lingers deep in your bones. I clutch my coffee cup tighter, trying to soak in the warmth as I step out of the café. The city is alive as always, cars honking, people hurrying past, lost in their own worlds. And then I see her. At first, I didn't recognize the figure crouched near the side of the building, wrapped in an oversized hoodie, the fabric frayed at the edges. Her hair is tangled, falling over a gaunt face. Her fingers, red from the cold, clutch a small cardboard sign. ‘Hungry. Please help.’My breath catches. Kate. She’s thinner than I remember. A shell of the woman she once was. She sits with her knees pulled close, gaze darting to every passerby, but no one stops. No one even looks at her. And I realize, this is what rock bottom looks like. For a long moment, I just stood there. Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I move. She doesn’t notice me at fir
Kelly It happens on a quiet afternoon. Adrian and I are sitting on the couch, Harper curled up between us, absentmindedly flipping through a picture book while Adrian scrolls through emails on his phone. It’s peaceful. And then, I see his posture stiffen. I glance at him. “What’s wrong?” His brows are furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line as he reads whatever message is on his screen. For a long moment, he doesn’t answer. Then, finally, he exhales, setting the phone down on his thigh. “My parents,” he says, rubbing his jaw. “They want to talk.” I blink. I wasn’t expecting that. “Talk… as in?” “As in dinner. A sit-down conversation.” He shakes his head slightly, as if he’s still processing it himself. “They sent an invitation. No conditions. Just… a request to see me.” I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. His parents and I became a sore subject, one of the few places where his love for me had cost him something. I know how deeply it hurt him when they rej
KellyThe call came in the middle of the night. I wake up to the sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. My first thought is that it’s Adrian, maybe he’s checking in from the living room where he sometimes falls asleep after reading. But when I grab my phone and see Susan’s name glowing on the screen, my stomach twists. I answer on the second ring. “He’s gone,” she says softly. Two words. Just two words, and for a second, I feel absolutely nothing. I sit there in the dark, the phone pressed to my ear, my mind blank. I should have expected it, Anderson’s health had been failing, and yet… hearing it, knowing it’s real, knowing there will never be another word, another regret-filled gaze, it’s different. Susan stays quiet, as if she knows I needed a moment. Then, like a wave finally crashing, it hits. A sharp, aching weight pressing down on my chest. My throat tightens, my vision blurs, and before I can stop it, I let out a small, choked sob. I feel Adrian shift be
KellyI grip Aiden’s hand tighter as we walk down the hallway, past closed doors and nurses who barely glance at us. His fingers clutch mine, his other hand curled into a fist at his side. I wonder if he’s nervous. If he regrets coming. Because I do. I swallow hard as we stop outside Anderson’s room. The door is slightly ajar, but I don’t move. Aiden looks up at me, uncertain. His dark eyes are searching, waiting for me to give him permission to go inside. I force myself to nod. “Are you ready?” He hesitates, then nods back. I push the door open. And we stepped. Anderson looks… different. His skin is pale, almost gray under the harsh hospital lights. The strong, confident posture he once carried is gone, replaced by sunken shoulders and frail limbs tangled in hospital sheets. But his eyes, the sharpness in them, the smug curve of his lips, that’s still him. His gaze drifts past me, landing on Aiden. And his smirk, despite everything, still appears. “Thanks for coming.” Hi
Kelly The call came in the middle of the night. My phone buzzes against the nightstand, dragging me from sleep. I blink, groggy, confusion heavy in my head as I fumble for it. Adrian stirs beside me, mumbling something unintelligible before rolling over. I don’t recognize the number. But the moment I press the phone to my ear, Susan’s voice, low and weighted with something different fills the silence. “Kelly, I’m sorry for calling so late.” I sit up instantly, dread curling in my stomach. “What’s wrong?”A beat. Then….“It’s Anderson. He doesn’t have much time.” The words don’t sink in right away. My fingers tighten around the phone. “What do you mean?” Susan exhales. “His condition worsened tonight. The doctors don’t think he’ll make it much longer. If you—” She hesitates. “If Aiden wants to see him, it has to be soon.” The room feels colder. I glance at the clock. 2:17 AM. The world outside quiet by this moment. But my body knows. My body feels the shift, I felt goo
KellyHarper was avoiding me. It wasn’t like the usual tantrums when she was upset over bedtime or not getting a second helping with ice cream. This was different. It had been days now, long enough for the silence to settle like a weight in my chest. She wouldn’t sit next to me at breakfast. Wouldn’t let me brush her hair. Wouldn’t even look me in the eyes when I spoke to her. But she clung to Adrian. If Adrian walked into a room, she was at his side in seconds, grabbing his hand, leaning against him, giggling at every little thing he said. She held onto him like he was her safe place, like she was afraid of something. Or someone. And that someone was me. I didn’t know what I had done. But I knew it was breaking me. ……It was bedtime when I finally couldn’t take it anymore. Adrian had just tucked Harper in, but instead of curling into her blankets the way she usually did, she turned away from me when I walked into the room. I swallowed the hurt and sat on the edge of her be