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
AdrianI walked toward my room, my mind racing, but my steps stopped as a sudden weight seemed to drop onto my chest. I stopped, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the unease that was gripping me. I knew this moment would come, when the reality of the contract, the boundaries, and the roles we’d both settled into would catch up to me. But nothing, nothing prepared me for the realization of just how much I had crossed those lines.I stood there in the hallway, alone, lost in my thoughts. The hallway seemed colder now, and I couldn’t push away the feeling that I was straying further from the man I wanted to be. Every day, I had been careful, careful with Kelly, careful with my actions, knowing the lines I was never supposed to cross. But lately... lately, I couldn’t help myself.The small gestures, little touches, those stolen moments had started to mean something. And now, I wasn’t sure if I was the one who was losing control or if I had already lost it completely. I h
Kelly I woke up to the sweet smell of food coming in from the kitchen. It was the kind of scent that brightened my mood, comforting me before my eyes even fully opened. Adrian.He had moved in completely now, and somehow, having him so close felt right. I didn’t know how I had gotten so used to his presence, but now it was impossible to imagine my life without him in it.I stretched lazily in bed before getting up, the light from the morning coming through the windows. I walked down the hall, my feet barely making a sound on the soft floorboards. As I approached the kitchen, I could hear the light sound of activity. Adrian was there, moving around, making breakfast. A feeling of warmth washed over me as I watched him work, his broad shoulders moving with ease, his hands steady and sure. He looked so good. God, he always did.“Good morning,” I said, my voice still a little raspy from sleep.Adrian turned toward me, and that smile of his, perfect, genuine, and somehow always exactly
KateThe tension at home had finally started to ease. Anderson had apologized for his earlier behavior, the arguments and frustrations melted away. Peace. For once, I could sit back and breathe without the constant pressure of dealing with Anderson's problems. Maybe we were finally moving past the things that had nearly tore us apart.And yet, there was something still lingering in the back of my mind. Evelyn, my mother in law. That woman never gave me a break. She’d begun to bug me about finding a purpose, a skill I could turn into a business. She seemed convinced that I was wasting my potential. Honestly, it wasn’t a terrible idea actually. I’d never been good at keeping things grounded, always floating between chaos and lifestyle. But maybe it was time to think about something more stable, more tangible to do with my life.Unlike me, Kelly had it all figured out. She’d gone from being an R&B singer to an anchor and now, somehow she became a Congresswoman. She had it all, wealth,
AvaFamily dinners were supposed to be a time of connection and laughter , but in my family, they always seemed to carry alot of tension. This one was no exception. After weeks of convincing, I had finally managed to arrange a dinner with everyone, Lucian, Anderson, my mom and me. Although Lucian had initially refused, I persisted, knowing how much it meant to Mom to see all her children in one place.The restaurant was warm, bustling with soft chatter and the clinking of glasses. When I arrived, Mom and Anderson were already seated, their plates untouched as they exchanged a few words. Anderson looked up as I approached, flashing a polite smile.“Finally,” Mom said, leaning back in her chair. Her tone was sharp but fond. “I was starting to think you’d stand us up too.”“I’m not that cruel,” I replied lightly, sliding into the seat across from her. “Lucian’s the wild card, not me.”Her face tightened at the mention of Lucian. “We’ll see if he even bothers to show up.”I ignored the c
KellyThe sound of Harper's excitement in the house was infectious. Harper darted around the living room, her small suitcase rolling behind her as if it were a pet she couldn’t part with. “Mommy, do they have unicorns in Italy?” she asked for the fifth time since breakfast.I laughed, zipping up my own suitcase and placing it by the door. “No unicorns, baby. But they have gelato, and I promise you’ll love it.”Her eyes widened. “What’s gelato?”“It’s like ice cream,” Adrian chimed in from the kitchen. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his strong forearms as he made coffee. The sight of him so at ease in our home felt oddly comforting.“Better than ice cream,” I corrected, grabbing Harper’s hand to stop her from unzipping her bag again. “And no, you don’t need your stuffed whale, Harper. You’ve already packed five toys.”“But Whale-y wants to see Italy too!” Harper pouted, her lips forming the perfect little bow.Adrian chuckled, walking over with a cup of coffee. “Let her take
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