KatePicking up Aiden from school today had to be the worst thing I’d done in weeks. I hated to admit how similar Kelly and Aiden had almost the same annoying character.That boy was the definition of stubborn. I’d told him, no, I actually begged him to take a taxi or bus home just for today, but of course, he refused. Instead, he threatened to tell Anderson if I didn’t come get him. What kind of twelve-year-old blackmailed adults?Maybe keeping Aiden was a mistake. It was all Evelyn's stupid suggestions.As I pulled up outside his school, he slid into the back seat, sulking. Would a day pass without him sulking? Probably not. He was growing into a fine young man, but with all that brooding, he still acted like a five-year-old.I adjusted the rearview mirror and glanced at him. His dark hair and sharp jawline were unmistakably his father’s, but the colour in his eyes, is the same as his mother always sends a wave of irritation through me.I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. As
KateThe driver of the car stormed toward me, his face evident with anger. He motioned for me to roll down my window, but I sat still, ignoring him.“Hey! Get out of the car!” he yelled, slapping the hood.My jaw tightened. Who did this guy think he was? His car wasn't that hit, and it wasn’t like I rammed into him on purpose. I stared ahead, pretending he wasn’t there. But when he slammed his palm against my car again, it was as though he dared me to respond.That’s it.I opened the door with more force than necessary and stepped out, my heels clicking against the pavement. My eyes immediately darted to the front of my car. The damage was minimal, just a cracked front light. Nothing near where he’d hit it earlier.“Are you insane?” I snapped, turning to face him. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an attitude that matched his size. “Do you think hitting someone’s car helps?”He crossed his arms, his eyes deepening. “Your car hit mine, lady. Maybe if you’d been paying attention in
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
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
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
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.
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
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 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