KellyThe soft morning breeze wrapped me as I stood on the balcony, staring out at the hills of Tuscany. The view was breathtaking, the kind that could heal wounds and soothe worries. You needed to see the view, it was beautiful—extremly. But this morning, it wasn’t working. My thoughts were far from it.Francesca.I hadn’t met her yet, but the mere idea of her had taken a place in my head. A part of me, the irrational part, couldn’t help but wonder if she was the reason Adrian kept me at arm length. He spoke of her fondly, the kind of warmth I hadn’t heard from him before. Was she someone he had loved? Was she someone he still loved?I shook my head, frustrated at myself. You have no right to feel this way, I reminded myself. Adrian and I weren’t anything more than two people navigating a complicated contract. And yet, the thought of him being close to someone else, someone who might have seen sides of him I hadn’t... it stung.I leaned against the railing, the sun warming my skin as
AdrainThe morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I sat on the edge of the bed, phone pressed against my ear. Francesca’s voice echoed through the cellphone, vibrant and full of life as always.“So, you’re actually coming to see me,” she teased, her accent thick and unmistakable. “I was beginning to think you forgot all about me, Adrian.”I chuckled, though my heart wasn’t fully in it. “You know I could never forget you, Francesca. It’s just been... complicated.”“Complicated?” she repeated with a sharp laugh. “Adrian, your entire life is complicated. That’s your brand.”Her teasing tone was comforting in a way, pulling me back into memories of old times. “You’ve got a point there,” I admitted. “Anyway, I wanted to confirm that we’ll be at the restaurant later today. Kelly and I are looking forward to seeing you.”There was a pause on her end, long enough to make me glance at the screen to check if the call had dropped.“Kelly?” she asked, the name rolling off her tongue
KateAva was every bit as clueless as I’d expected her to be. Or maybe she was pretending. Sitting across from her at the coffee shop, I could tell she had no idea what game I was playing at. Her answers were simple, her stories about Kelly were things I already knew. Yet, there were some piece of information buried beneath her amused chatter, small details that didn’t fit into the Kelly I thought I knew.“You’re sure Kelly never mentioned me?” I pressed, stirring my cappuccino absently.Ava blinked, her brow furrowing. “Not really. I mean, she’s private, you know? But she always said she had a complicated family. Why do you ask?”I smiled thinly. “Just curious. Family is... important to me.”It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the truth either. Ava didn’t need to know the depth of my curiosity or the reasons behind it. She was just another stepping stone.By the time we parted ways, I’d learned little things about Kelly, but it wasn't enough, it didn’t matter. This was only the beginnin
KellyI kept walking, quickening my step just enough to put a little distance between Adrian and I. I didn’t want him to notice the anger in my chest, the knot that had grown with every thought of Francesca. It had nothing to do with Adrian, really, I knew that. But there was something about her that made my jealousy burn harder, like a fire that wouldn’t go stop, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.Adrian was talking to me, but I couldn’t focus on what he was saying. He asked if I was fine, his voice low and steady, but I brushed him off. Ofcourse, I'm fine.I kept my voice flat as I pushed my way through the crowd. I wasn’t fine. But I didn’t want to show him that. I wasn’t ready for him to see how hard this was on me.Still, I could feel him right behind me, close enough to catch every breath I took. His presence was comforting, but it also reminded me of everything I was trying to bury. And then, in the middle of my thoughts, I slowed down, forcing a softer tone when I fin
EvelynI couldn’t breathe. The words cut through the air, sharp as glass. Kelly was already married. How was that even possible? And to him. That man.The man I had never seen, the one who had somehow slipped under my monitoring. Of course, I had known about her daughter, there was no doubt about that. Anderson’s daughter, the little girl Kelly had kept hidden from everyone for so long. But Kelly... she had always been such a mystery, even when she was married to Anderson.She showed up, married and flaunting that particular Birkin bag as if she was some queen. The one bag I had been wanting for months, the one that had been sold out everywhere. It was limited edition, exclusive, and yet here she was wearing it. My fingers twitched at the thought of it. She was wearing it, and I wanted it badly.But I couldn’t let her see the anger in my face. Instead, I walked away too, not sparing her a single glance. My breath came in ragged bursts as I processed the amount of emotions she had jus
KateI couldn’t believe my eyes. Kelly had children for Anderson and I couldn’t even give him one. Two precious children, his blood running through their veins, and they were already taking the place I had fought so hard to secure. Fear gripped me as the thought crossed my mind: One day, if things went wrong, Kelly’s children could inherit everything, Anderson’s wealth, his empire, everything I had hoped for. What would I be left with? Nothing. I had failed him. I had failed to give him what he wanted most.My stomach churned with jealousy, a bitter taste I couldn’t shake. I had tried, tried so hard to give Anderson a child, to fulfill the dream we once shared. I even went through painful procedures, hoping, praying, but nothing ever came of it. And then Kelly….Kelly, who seemed to have it all gave him two beautiful children. I couldn’t let this go. I couldn’t let her children become the heirs to his fortune while my own attempts had been in vain. No. That wasn’t going to happen.I s
KellyWhen we got back to the hotel, the space felt heavy and suffocated. The kind of tension that clings to your skin and makes every breath harder to take. I couldn’t shake the feeling of something off in the air, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Maybe it was the conversation earlier. I’d had said Adrian was my husband, blatantly telling everyone when we’d both agreed that our marriage should stay under wraps. Why did I say that? I thought to myself. What was wrong with me? Adrian and I had made it clear, secret or not, that’s how it had to stay. But what choice did I have?There had been no way around it. Not with Evelyn and Kate showing up out of nowhere, their presence amplifying the already uncomfortable atmosphere. It made everything worse. The mess was getting messier, and I was at the center of it, holding a tangled thread I didn’t know how to unravel.I paced around my room. My thumb traced the edge of my phone, the screen still lighting up with unanswered texts. Harper h
AdrianI watched Kelly from a distance as she sat by the shore, her laughter rising above the gentle crash of the waves. It was the kind of laugh I hadn’t heard from her in a long time, genuine, carefree, and full of life. I could feel my chest tighten, the sight of her so open and unguarded made something dark stir within me. She looked so... happy. I hadn’t seen her genuinely laugh like that in months, maybe longer. I wondered who she was with, who had made her laugh like that, and if they were close.I had to admit, the man beside her had an easy familiarity, like they’d known each other for years. I didn’t like it. A part of me felt irrationally jealous. But why? He was just a guy, just someone she might’ve met during her time here. But something about the way she laughed, something about how she didn’t seem to have a care in the world, unsettled me.I wasn’t sure why it bothered me so much. Maybe because I never thought of Kelly as someone who had close friends, at least, not the
Kelly I was heading home from a late meeting at the office when I first noticed her. The city’s glow blurred in the rain, turning sidewalks into reflective mirrors. But there, amid the indifferent bustle of people hurrying to escape the downpour, I saw a familiar figure. A figure I’d hoped to forget. Kate. She was slumped against a cold brick wall, her once-pristine designer coat now threadbare and stained. Her hair, once styled with care, was a tangled mess, damp with rain and sweat. I slowed down, a knot of conflicting emotions tightening my chest. I knew I shouldn’t care. I had moved on, free from the toxic memories that Kate represented. But as I drew closer, the sight of her brought an unexpected mix of bitterness and a strange kind of pity.A small group of passersby were clustered nearby. I overheard snippets of conversation: “Is that… isn’t that Kate Brook?” “Look at her, she’s a mess.” “Well deserved.”Their words, harsh and unsympathetic, stung even though I trie
Kate’s POV I didn’t even remember how I got here. One minute, I was walking barefoot, my clothes damp from the night air, my stomach aching with hunger. Next, I was standing in front of Kelly’s house.Her perfect house. The white porch lights shone against the darkness, glowing like some kind of sanctuary. How did I even get here? Because my feet had led me here anyway. Because I had nowhere else to go. I swallowed hard and forced myself forward. The moment I knocked, I regretted it. What if she slammed the door in my face? What if she had already called the police? But before I could turn and run, the door opened. Kelly stood there. Her hair was loose, slightly tousled like she had just gotten out of bed. But her expression was sharp. Her eyes were cold. She didn’t look surprised to see me. Just unimpressed. Like she had expected this. “Kate.” Her voice was flat and emotionless.I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I had practiced what I was going to say in my head a th
Kate’s POV The moment I saw that car outside the diner, my stomach dropped. Sleek black Audi. The same luxury model I had paid for, Marcus’s car. He was here. My fingers clenched around the edge of my tray. My heart pounded so hard it drowned out the chatter of the diner. Finally, I found him. For weeks, I had been looking. Calling disconnected numbers, asking people who only sneered at me. Now, he was right outside, sitting behind the wheel of the car I bought him like nothing had happened. I almost ran out right then and there. Almost. But this wasn’t the place. Not yet. Not where he could just speed off and leave me humiliated in the middle of the street. I needed to do this right, to catch him in a way he couldn’t escape. So, I waited. I held my breath as the driver’s side door opened. And then she stepped out. A woman, tall, stunning. Dressed in an expensive, body-hugging dress that screamed money.My money. The way she moved, the confidence in her stride, the way Marc
Kate’s POVThe sun was setting when I stepped into a close diner. It wasn’t much, just a run-down little place with shining neon lights and cracked leather booths. The smell of cheap coffee and fried food clung to the air, mixing with something stale. I hated it, but i didn’t have a choice. I needed money. The thought of going to Kelly made my stomach churn. I would rather scrub floors than beg her for a single cent. I squared my shoulders and approached the counter. A baldman with a thick gut leaned against the register, flipping through a newspaper. His name tag read Tony – Manager. He didn’t even look up. I cleared my throat. “Excuse me.” He grunted. “Yeah?” I hesitated. God, this was humiliating. “I need a job.” That got his attention. He lowered the paper and really looked at me. His gaze moved over my designer coat, my already thinning manicured nails—what was left of them—before settling on my face. Then, he laughed. Loud and mocking. “You?” He snorted. “You wa
Kate’s POVThe streets blurred around me, but I kept moving. I could still fix this. The business partners? They were mere thugs. They only cared about power and money. If I could just get my hands on some cash, I’d be valuable to them again. I just needed to borrow some money. And I knew exactly who to call. Fraya. She had always been there for me. Right now, she was the only one I could turn to. Fraya was one of my closest friends, standing here now, she was my last hope. I dug out my phone, hands shaking, and dialed her number. The phone rang once. Twice. Then went to voicemail. I clenched my jaw. I called again, straight to voicemail. What the hell? I tried again. This time, the phone rang longer before a sharp click echoed in my ear. A voice. Her tone was clipped, impatient. “Kate.” Relief flooded me. “Oh, thank God. Fraya, I need…..” “What do you want?” I faltered. “I—I need to meet you. It’s important.” Silence. Then a slow, irritated sigh. “Kate, I’m busy.”
Kate’s POVI sat on the curb for what felt like hours, the cold air seeping through my bones as I stared at the smoke still curling in the distance. My house was gone. My money was gone. Marcus was gone. I had nothing. But I still had connections.I forced myself up, wiping the back of my hand across my face. Davis’s old business partners, they owed me. They were his boys, but they were powerful. More importantly, they were still in the game. And I needed them. …….I took the bus, because what choice did I have?—and arrived at a discreet bar in Brooklyn, one of the spots Davis used for meetings. The place was dimly lit, cigarette smoke filled the air. The scent of old whiskey and sweat clung to the leather seats. I walked in like I belonged. Like I wasn’t standing there in the same clothes I left jail in, my face screaming desperate. A few men sat in a corner booth, murmuring among themselves. I recognized them instantly, Victor, Greg, and Tomas. They’d been handling Davis’s offs
Kate’s POVI shoved my hands into my coat pockets, fingers searching for anything, loose bills, forgotten cash, anything. Nothing. Just fifty damn bucks. My throat tightened as I stared at the crumpled bill in my palm. It wasn’t enough. Not enough for a cab, not enough to get me across town, not enough to drag myself out of this humiliation. I turned my phone over in my hands, staring at Marcus’s last text again, as if it willl disappear and something positive will appear, but the message stared back at me. The words sent a fresh wave of nausea through me. This is getting real….Marcus was gone and he had taken everything. And I was stranded outside this damn prison with only fifty bucks and my pride, which was quickly slipping through my fingers. I shifted on my feet, ignoring the ache in my legs from standing for nearly an hour. I had expected him to be here. Expected something. But all I got were the stares. The murmurs started quietly at first, low whispers passing through
Kate’s POV The cold evening air hit my skin the moment I stepped outside the prison gates. Freedom, at last. It was supposed to feel exhilarating, like I could finally breathe after being suffocated for months. Instead, all I felt was exhaustion. My eyes scanned the parking lot, my heart lifting slightly with anticipation. Any moment from now, Marcus would pull up, with that smug grin of his, arms open like I was the best thing to ever happen to him. No doubt, I am.But then, there was no black Audi. No familiar tall figure leaning against the car, waiting for me. My fingers clenched around the plastic bag holding the few possessions I had left. Maybe he was running late. I checked my phone, finally returned to me after months of deprivation. No missed calls. No texts. I exhaled sharply and dialed Marcus’s number. It rang. Once. Twice. Then—Straight to voicemail. Is this some sick joke? My stomach twisted, but I shook off the unease. Relax, Kate. He’s just busy. I tried aga
KellyThe air inside the police station was strained. I watched as Evelyn sat across from me, her wrists cuffed, her usually neat hair disheveled. The smug arrogance she once carried was gone, replaced by a hollow, defeated expression. She had no more tricks to play, no more lives to manipulate. Adrian sat beside me, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Susan, on the other hand, stood rigid near the door, her fingers clenched into fists. Who would Evelyn call for help? Anderson? Lucian?Detective Harris, the lead investigator, leaned forward, voice steady. “Evelyn Grant, you’re facing charges of child abduction, falsification of medical records, and fraud. You can make this easier on yourself by cooperating.” Evelyn scoffed, tilting her head. “Cooperate? Do you have any idea what I did for this girls?” Her eyes snapped to me, then to Susan. “I gave you a life. I saved you.” Susan let out a harsh laugh. “Saved me?” She stepped forward, voice shaking with anger. “You stole my