KellyI hesitated briefly before answering. I pressed the green button and held the phone to my ear.“Hey,” I said, my voice carrying a lightness I didn’t quite feel.“Kelly” Adrian replied, his tone warm but calm. “How are you holding up?”“Better, I guess,” I answered truthfully. “You?”“Busy as always,” he said with a soft chuckle. “And how is Harper?“She's fine, she already went to school” I replied, my tone soft.I wasn’t expecting much from the call until Adrian casually dropped the bombshell.“So, the D.C. hospital branch we’ve been working on is finally ready,” he said. “It means I’ll be moving to D.C. soon.”For a moment, I thought I misheard him. Moving? To D.C.? I nearly screamed with joy but caught myself just in time. I bit my lip to suppress the overwhelming happiness. Adrian’s presence in my life had been steady, almost like an anchor, and the thought of him being close to me was more than I could have hoped for.“That’s...great news,” I said, trying to sound normal, b
AdrianI was halfway through wrapping up the call with Kelly when my assistant knocked on the door, her voice tense. “Dr. Adrian, there’s…a situation outside.”I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Can it wait? I’m—” I said, pulling my phone away from my mouth.“It’s a celebrity,” she blurted out, her tone a mix of panic and frustration. “He’s throwing a tantrum”I raised an eyebrow. “A celebrity?” I repeated, surprised. “And this is my problem because…?”She looked visibly uncomfortable.“He’s demanding to see you. He won’t leave.”What the hell gives him the right.Hanging up the phone, I stormed out of my office, anger building with every step. I wasn’t in the mood to babysit someone’s ego, celebrity or not. I pushed open the doors to the lobby, ready to put whoever it was in their place, only to stop dead in my tracks.Anderson.Of all people, it had to be him.My blood boiled instantly. He stood there, with his usual arrogance, acting as though he owned the place. My fists
Anderson Kelly is his wife? Since when? The thought rattled around in my brain, refusing to settle. It couldn’t be true. Adrian had to be lying. I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I drove, my breath short. The words replayed in my head like a broken record, each repetition hitting harder than the last. Kelly… married to Adrian? How did something so huge pass me by? There was no way. No damn way. Kelly and I might not be together anymore, but I knew her better than anyone. Or at least, I thought I did. The idea that she could marry Adrian and keep it hidden didn’t make sense. Unless... I shook my head, rejecting the thought. Adrian was lying trying to scare me off. That’s all it was. He wanted me to back off, to second-guess my place in Kelly’s life. It had to be some planned bluff. But even as I clung to that explanation, doubt lingered on my mind. If there was any truth to what Adrian said, why wasn’t their marriage public? Why would Kelly, someone so fiercely independe
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
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