[Addison]
I thought we were in love. I thought we were a family.
It’s funny the way things can change in a snap.
My world changed the day of my son‘s sixth birthday.
It’s not everyday that your only child turns six, so I wanted to make the day extra special for my son. I work overtime every day, securing business for our family law firm, but I left early, squeezing as much as in to the early morning hours, so I could take the rest of the day off to make his favorite meal from scratch and bake his very special birthday treats.
He is my miracle child and deserves the very best.
Donning a fancy outfit I selected for this occasion, I floated out of the house on a cloud of happiness. He is going to be so surprised! I can’t wait to see the look of joy on his smiling face.
“Mrs. Stone,” the crossing guard., Mrs. Jenkins greets me as I approach my son’s school. “What’s the occasion? This wouldn’t be for a special little gentlemen’s special day?”
Her eyes sparkle as she gazes up at the balloons in my hands, and looks down to see my knee-length, rhinestone dress that floats from my waist like a cloud of cotton candy.
“Well, it isn’t every day Jayson turns 6,” I smile back at her. I never dress like this, preferring the practicality of a smartly tailored suit and the simplicity of a face clean of makeup, but Jayson always wanted me to be like “the other mommies,” who wore fancy jewelry and sparkling dresses.
“I thought I’d be a princess for him today.” I point at the tiara and glitter.
“Well you look spectacular, Mrs. Stone,” Mrs. Jenkins nods in approval her gentle smile extending across her face as she holds back the cars for me. My heart lifts, feeling her warm gaze follow my movements as I safely approach the main gates of Westwind Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the Upper East Side.
It’s a rare occasion that I can take this much time off just to be with my little guy. I work in my husband’s law office and often work later hours than he does as his assistant and co-council.
I was a top law school graduate, but after marrying my husband, Michael, I turned down a huge offer without hesitation and chose to work as a legal advisor for his small company instead. The law waits for no one, but neither does childhood. Jayson is growing up so quickly. Before I know it he’ll be off and gone, heading to college and I’ll miss all these small moments.
But where is he? His teacher should have brought him to the gate.
“Jayson!” I call out, my heart racing. This school is safe. Nobody but family could take him so he must be around here somewhere.
“Jayson, where are you?” I try again. This is strange. I even sent a text to his teacher reminding her that I’d be picking my son up early for his birthday. And now he seems to be missing.
“Did I make a mistake?” My fingers grip the cast-iron bars of the school gate as I pull my phone from my purse. No, it is Monday the 7th, 1 pm. The reminder is in my calendar with a note reminding me to pick him up early. There are no text messages saying that anything has changed, no note from his father or his school. He should be standing right there, in his usual spot, next to the lilacs.
Just as I turn towards the school office, my son’s lilting laughter carries on the wind like birdsong. My skirt floats around me, twirling as I look for the source, hoping to find my son laughing as he runs towards me.
What I see instead is a beautiful family–mother, father, and child. The man, tall and handsome has beautiful cheekbones and the brightest blue eyes. Holding onto him is a little boy with hair so blonde it looks almost white, a shade or two brighter than my own. On the little one’s other side, the mother is holding onto him, her petite hand griping his small one with tenderness, her perfect golden blonde hair cascading down her back in gentle waves, diamonds glistening on her ears and wrists.
It is a beautiful scene except for one thing–that’s my family. My husband and my son. But that woman with her elegant clothes and her effortless beauty isn’t me.
As she turns her head towards the gate, the sunlight illuminates her profile, making her hair glow like a halo of gold. She has the face of an angel, with small, perfectly formed lips and luminescent eyes, large and golden-brown like a cat, like a more vibrant version of my hazel.
She is stunning. And familiar.
No. I must be mistaken. It can’t be her. Michael would have told me if she were back in town.
The woman raises her eyes and our gazes connect from across the field. She places a hand on Michael's shoulder before pointing in my direction, smiling warmly and I know at once I am not mistaken after all.
That’s Michael’s first love, the girl who broke his heart and left him a shattered mess for me to heal in her wake. His college girlfriend whose picture still resides behind his driver’s license in the front pocket of his wallet, right behind our wedding picture and the baby picture of his son.
The woman of my nightmares.
Evelyn Valentine.
[Hunter]“Then let me get to know you,” I request, holding her close. “I promise, there is nothing that you could say that would make me love you less.”“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” she pulls away, turning her back to me as she looks over towards the skyline. The old Vandersteele Tower, once the tallest skyscraper in the city, gleams like a gem. Debrassy Corp owns it now. When the Vandersteele family was decimated, there was no one left to take over the family business–Debrassy was able to purchase it for almost nothing only to leave it empty, like a trophy. The lights are on, but nobody has been home for a very long time. “Your family was once close to the Vandersteeles, right?” she changes the subject, staring over at the tower as it blinks to us from across the city. “And the Debrassys…” “They were never part of our circle,” I think back to my childhood. “I remember when they came to New York,” I begin, “Debrassy’s grandfather, Damien, said that he was looking for his family
[Hunter]I wasn’t expecting her to say no. Livy looks between us, confused. “Why aren’t you two kissing?” My poor niece. I shouldn’t have brought her here without knowing for certain that Addison would accept. It was foolhardy of me to just assume she would want me as much as I want her. It’s just…I can’t imagine my life without her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.But maybe that’s too much to expect for a gangster like me. “Livy, Auntie Addy and I need to talk alone. Could you wait for us at the table?”“Okay,” she bounds off to the seat that was prepared for her. There is an elegant dinner waiting for our celebration that seems less enticing now that I know her heart. “I’m sorry, Hunter.” Addison looks down and away. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wasn’t expecting Livy to be here either,” her face falls as a tear rolls down her cheek. “I just can’t marry you…I…It wouldn’t be fair.” “Fair? In what way? Is it because of the money? Or is it,” I swallow, dreading this
[Addison]What if Hunter learns the truth, that I've been lying about who I am the whole time, will he still want me then?I need to tell him the truth. It wouldn't be fair otherwise. How can we build a future together if he doesn't know the truth about my past?The elevators open with a clean clear ding, opening to a grand dining space in a rooftop garden. A small, intimate table sits with three spots: One for Hunter, one for me, and one for...Livy.Running towards me, her arms outstretched, my beautiful little friend lets me scoop her into my arms, her legs wrapping round my waist. "You look like a princess," I compliment her as I praise how perfect she looks in her bright yellow dress with its full crinoline of equally bright yellow, sparkling rhinestones swirling along the bodice and hem. "You too," her voice is small and scratchy from disuse. Biting back a small moan of surprise, I try my best not to cry at the sweet sound of her words. It's been so long since she's said anythin
[Addison]My body freezes and my eyes shoot open as I gaze up at the beautiful, crass, but loving mother who just threatened me with physical violence if I break her son’s heart. Her face is stone cold without an ounce of emotion. “But you’d never do that,” her expression breaks into a smile warming her entire affect, “Besides, my Haz is smitten with you, he’d never forgive anyone who caused you harm and personally, I’d hate to lose my son.” Exhaling in relief, I’m grateful when she wraps my hair in a towel. Patting my back, she leads me over to a hair dryer. “Sorry for messing with you child, you remind me of my old friend, Suzie. She was just as easy to scare. I used to have fun with her. She was so prim and proper, I never understood why she’d be friends with a girl like me. She was a pretty blonde like you. You lack her sass though,” she sighs as she adds some styling creme to my hair. “I miss her.” As my hair dries, she rattles on about her friend, the debutant who wandered in
[Addison]“He’s your son?” I ask, more confused than ever. “I thought his mother was dead.” She smiles with a perfect set of even, white teeth, her gaze surprisingly kind as she answers, “Well, yes, the shrew who birthed him is long gone, but I wouldn’t call her his mom.” “Oh, I see,” I don’t really, but I don’t want to be rude either as she hands me a cup of tea, patting my hand gently. “He wasn’t an easy boy,” Angelique continues, “so I guess I can’t blame her too much, except to say that if she didn’t like children, she shouldn’t have had any.” She frowns as she pours herself a cup of tea as well. “I love Haz, but he was damaged as fuck.” “Excuse me,” I sputter, not expecting such foul language from such an elegant and dignified looking woman. She laughs at my expense, finding my reaction amusing. “Oh sweet summer child, you are a gem,” she shakes her head. “So are you his…” I start to say but she finishes for me by telling me the truth: Yes, she raised him, but no not his who
[Addison][A FEW HOURS AGO]The handsome young man in the fine suit and sharp looking glasses, held out his hand. Looking over his shoulder at my guards, he signals that they stay near the entrance. "Boss's orders. This is a secure site."As he moves his arms, I see more tattoos peaking from beneath the edge of his sleeve. He may be dressed to the nines, but underneath his suit, I suspect he has the markings of my boyfriend's gang, the Westside Thorns, He must be another of Hunter's reformed recruits. If he works here, that means this building, whatever it is, is likely run by Hunter's gang.Is this really a safe place for me to be? Even though the rest of my security stays by the door, their arms crossed as they watch us walk away, Charley stays firmly by my side. "I know where I'm supposed to be," her lips are pressed. "I don't care how 'secure' this place is, I'm not leaving your side." "Thank you, Charley, for keeping me safe," I nod gratefully.Monica jogs ahead of us, her shoes