Beranda / Romance / The One He Let Go / The stranger in my own home

Share

The stranger in my own home

Penulis: Moonchild
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-12-01 17:31:00

Kelly

I stumbled out of the hospital, clutching my arm where I had yanked out the IV. Blood trickled down, staining my sleeve, but I didn’t care. My head pounded with the weight of too many unanswered questions.

I pressed forward, searching frantically for my car. I didn’t see him until it was too late.

“Whoa! Are you okay?”

I collided with someone.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, stepping back and barely sparing him a glance.

"Are you sure? You’re bleeding,” he pressed, but I shook my head, muttering another rushed apology as I brushed past him.

Taking a few glances, I spotted my car by the driveway. I slid inside, holding my wrist to keep it from bleeding out.

°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°○°

The house was eerily quiet when I pulled into the driveway, the kind of silence that prickled at my skin. My heart sank when I saw my belongings piled randomly on the front porch.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and froze.

Evelyn stood in the middle of the living room—Aiden was clinging to her leg. My son, who she had always treated with so much hatred was now clutching her like she was his savior.

“Evelyn,” I said, my voice low and strained. “What’s going on?”

“Ah, you’re home, I was wondering how long it would take you.”

Ignoring her, I crouched and opened my arms to Aiden.

“Come here, baby. Come to Mommy.”

But Aiden didn’t move. Instead, he buried his face into Evelyn’s skirt, refusing to even look at me.

“Sweetheart,” I tried again, keeping my voice gentle. “It’s okay, come to Mommy.”

Still, he didn’t budge. A lump rose in my throat as Evelyn’s smug smile deepened.

“What did you do to my son?” I demanded, rising to my feet and glaring at her.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” She said, waving a hand dismissively. “If he doesn’t want to come to you, maybe you should ask yourself why.”

“What does that even mean?” I snapped.

She shrugged, stroking Aiden’s hair like she cared for him. As if she had any right to touch him.

“Perhaps he’s finally seeing things clearly. Children are perceptive, you know.”

My hands balled into fists.

“Aiden, come here right now.”

But he shook his head, and my heart shattered. What had she said to him? What lies had she filled his innocent mind with?

“Evelyn, what did you tell him?” My voice cracked, the pain bubbling to the surface.

She smirked and gestured toward the couch.

“Why don’t you sit down? You’re going to need it.”

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on!”

She sighed theatrically and picked up the remote.

“Fine. Let me show you.”

She pressed a button, and the television flicked on.

'Breaking News: Popular Anchor Kelly Brook Spotted at Anderson Grant’s Residence!'

The headline scrolled across the screen, accompanied by photos of me near the house. The anchor’s voice now laced with mockery as she narrated the story:

“Sources say Kelly Brook has been sneaking around Anderson Grant’s property for days. Fans are shocked by the lengths some people will go to just to be close to their idols.”

I stumbled back, the world spinning.

“What… what is this?” I whispered, shaking my head. “This isn’t true.”

“Oh, but it doesn’t matter, does it? This is what people see. This is what they believe.” She chuckled darkly.

I pointed at the screen, my voice rising.

“I don’t understand! I’m his wife, for God’s sake! Where am I supposed to live? On the streets?”

She crossed her arms, her expression full of false pity.

“Oh, sweetie, that’s not my problem. But you should probably leave before the police come.”

My heart dropped.

“The police? Why would the police come?”

“For trespassing,” she said casually, as if discussing the weather.

I blinked, disbelief hitching my breath.

“I’ve done nothing wrong! This is my house!”

“Oh, is it? Because according to the world, you’re just a crazy fan who doesn’t know how to let go.”

Her words cut deep, but before I could respond, I heard soft murmurs followed by laughter. I turned toward the source of the sound, my stomach sinking.

Anderson. He walked into the room, his arm draped casually around someone. My breath caught when I saw who it was.

Kate, my twin sister. What I saw confirmed everything, the headlines were true after all. They stopped when they saw me, their smiles fading. For a moment, we all stood there, the silence suffocating.

“Anderson,” I choked out, taking a step forward. “What's this?”

He looked at me, his face unreadable.

“Why are you still here?”

I stared at him, my vision blurring with tears.

“Why am I still here? This is my house, and you’re my husband!”

“Not anymore,” Kate voice broke through the gaze.

I felt the room spin, the air sucked out of my lungs.

“Huh?… Not anymore?”

Evelyn clapped her hands together, her smile wide. The moment she had looked forward to, her plans had been fulfilled.

“That's enough! Kelly. Now it's time for you to leave” she said, pointing at the door.

I looked at Anderson, tears streaming.

“You’re just going to let this happen? You’re going to let her do this to me?”

He ran his hand through his messy hair, before turning to face me.

“I'm the victim here, Kelly. You took away my youthful years”

“Victim? I took away your youthful years?” I asked, my voice rising. “I’ve given you everything, Anderson! Even my life. I’ve stood by you through everything! And this is what I get in return?”

"The house, your career, the cars, everything! I gave them to you, but now you just want to discard me? Just like that?" I continued, my lip quivering.

"I never asked for any of your help. I mean, you gave them to me willingly. Why are you suddenly now complaining?"

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terkait

  • The One He Let Go   A Stranger's kindness

    Kelly His words hit me like a slap. I gave him everything, my time, my money, my heart and he had the audacity to act as if none of it mattered? How could he be so cruel, so ungrateful? After all these years, is this how he will repay me? Before I could reply, a slow deliberate footstep echoed through the room. I froze, dread coursing through me as I turned toward the source. Lucas, Anderson’s younger brother, stepped out from the shadows of the hallway, his head cocked at an unnatural angle, and that eerie, almost childlike smile playing on his lips. “Lucas,” I said carefully, straightening my posture. He took slow exaggerated steps toward me, he looked me from my head down to my chest then back to face. “Stay back,” I warned, raising a hand to stop him. “Oh, come now,” he said, his voice slipping into a softer tone that only made my stomach churn. “No need to be so cold. I was just going to say hello.” “I’m warning you,” I said firmly, my voice louder now. “Why so

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01
  • The One He Let Go   A Turning point

    Anderson I slammed the car door shut, the divorce papers sitting on the passenger seat. I told myself this was just a formality—a final chapter in a book I was more than ready to close. And yet, as I drove, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought of her. Kelly. Was she still at the station? My hand moved to the phone on the dashboard before I could stop myself. I dialed. “Hello?” the officer’s voice crackled through the line. “I’m coming to pick up the keys Kelly Brook left. Is she still there?” “She is, but someone picked her up not long ago. I think they’re probably still around” I didn’t let him finish. I hung up and pressed my foot to the gas pedal, the engine roaring as the car shot forward. Someone picked her up? Who? A man? The thought gnawed at me, a sharp, bitter edge digging into my chest. When I arrived at the station, I spotted her immediately. My stomach twisted when I saw her standing there, but it wasn’t just her that caught my attention—it was the

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-03
  • The One He Let Go   A test of Trust

    Adrian I shifted in my seat, stealing a glance at her as the car came to a halt. Her gaze was distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. She’d barely said a word since we left the scene with her ex, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. “Where are we?” she asked suddenly, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. “Oh,” I said, gesturing toward the dimly lit street. “I was trying to ask if you’d prefer being dropped at a hotel or my place” I paused suddenly realizing how offensive that might've sounded. “Not that I meant anything by it—just offering options” She nodded, then I continued. “You seemed... distracted, so I figured I'd give you time to decide.” She sighed, her expression softening. “I understand. Thanks for your help.” Before I could move, she reached for the door handle, but I leaned over, stopping her. “Allow me,” I said, slipping out and opening it for her. Once inside the hotel room, I immediately grabbed the first aid kit and gestured for her to si

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-03
  • The One He Let Go   A breaking point

    Kelly The pain in my head was the first thing I felt. It was as if someone had taken a sledgehammer to my skull. The world around me was a blur, but I could still see the sharp lines of white hospital walls. I blinked slowly, struggling to focus. My vision cleared just enough to see Adrian sitting beside me, his eyes dark with worry. “Kelly, you’re awake, how are you feeling?” he said, his voice tight, trying to mask the concern. I couldn’t make sense of anything. I was groggy disoriented. “What happened?” I whispered, my voice raw, every word feeling like it took all the strength I had. “You fainted. I rushed you here. You’ve been out for a while,” Adrian explained, his hand instinctively brushing the hair from my face. I nodded slowly, trying to piece together the fragments of my thoughts. “That woman over there,” Adrian continued, motioning to the woman standing by the window, “she’s my sister, Olivia. I called her to stay with you, incase you wake up while I'm out”

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-06
  • The One He Let Go   A Ghost from the past

    Anderson The mirror reflected the man I had become—a businessman with ambitions far beyond his years in music. I adjusted my tie, glancing at my reflection one last time before heading downstairs. It was already past 7 AM, and I was running late. Aiden was sitting in the corner of the living room, sulking. His arms were crossed, his face drawn in a pout that mirrored his mother’s features so perfectly it was hard to look at him sometimes. Aiden had always been sensitive, but it was a trait I couldn’t allow him to carry into adulthood. He needed to toughen up. Soon, he would be old enough to join me in the business world, and there was no room for weakness in this industry. “Why are you sitting there like that?” I asked as I walked past him. His expression brightened when he saw me, but he didn’t answer. I didn’t press further. If Kate had scolded him again, he’d get over it. He always did. It had been five years since Kelly left. Five years since my singing career had dropped as

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-07
  • The One He Let Go   A mask I wear

    Kelly The studio lights glared against my skin as I adjusted my posture on the plush chair. The bustling energy of the set buzzed around me, but my mind was steady. After years of clawing my way to where I was, sitting in front of a camera no longer felt daunting. I had learned to mask my vulnerability beneath a polished, unshakable demeanor. The host, a well-dressed man in his forties named Benjamin Carr, flashed me a charismatic smile. “And we’re live in three, two, one…” The cameras blinked red, and the interview began. “Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re honored to have one of D.C.’s most talked-about rising stars, Congresswoman Kendra Lewis. Known for her bold reforms and fierce advocacy for underrepresented communities, she’s become a name to reckon with in just a few short years. Congresswoman Lewis, thank you for joining us today.” I smiled, the kind I’d perfected for the media. “Thank you for having me, Benjamin. It’s a pleasure to be here.” He leaned forward, clas

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-08
  • The One He Let Go   Unravelling Obsession

    Anderson I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting my tie, again. It was almost ridiculous how many times I’d done it this morning. Every crease in my suit had to be perfect, every button in place. For a moment, I wasn’t sure whether it was the meeting or my obsession with Kelly—no, Kendra—that was getting to me. I ran a hand over my jaw, forcing myself to breathe evenly. It had been a week since I saw Kendra Lewis on the news, the politician whose every move seemed to be under a microscope, just like Kelly’s once was. But there was something more this time. Kendra’s demeanor, the power she radiated—it was undeniable. It was her. She had become someone else, someone untouchable. That night, after scrolling through her social media profiles, obsessively reviewing every image, I felt a gnawing ache in my chest. How had she done it? How had she transformed into this person who could walk into a room and command it? How had Kelly gone from the woman I once knew to someone

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09
  • The One He Let Go   The petals of deceit

    Kelly The event had gone off without a setback—my speech delivered with the exactness of years of practice, the crowd hanging on every word. I smiled through the applause, the excitement buzzing in the air. But despite the excitement of a successful evening, a strange unease gnawed at me. When I entered my private office, I was greeted by the sight of a bouquet resting on the desk, nestled between my campaign notes, fresh lilies. Soft white petals, their fragrance delicate and sweet. They were beautiful, but it was the note that made my heart stutter. For a brief moment, I felt a wave of relief. Adrian had said he would be in the city soon, and though I hadn’t seen him for weeks, I longed for his presence. Maybe these were from him—his way of showing support. After I picked interest in becoming a politician, I moved down to Washington DC with Harper, while Adrian stayed back in New York to run the hospital. But as I reached for the envelope, a cold shiver ran down my spine. ‘

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10

Bab terbaru

  • 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

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status