Chapter 2

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, and Aiden was clinging to her leg. My son, whom 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,” Evelyn 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 as 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 Aiden 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!”

Evelyn sighed theatrically and picked up the remote.

“Fine. Let me show you.”

She pressed a button, and the television flickered 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 was 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's 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. It was moments like this she 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 down my face.

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

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

“Victim?” 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?"

His words hit me like a slap. I gave him everything, my time, my money, my heart, and he dared 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.

Lucian, 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.