Sienna blinked, caught off guard. Her fork hovered halfway to her lips before she set it down slowly. “What do you mean?” she asked. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted to say, but it was the only thing that came to her head.Bryce narrowed his eyes, suspicion clouding them as his intense gaze was fixed on her now, steady and unyielding. “I asked how you knew Kimberly had an accident.”Sienna let out a soft laugh, feigning confusion. “Oh, Bryce, please. Everyone knows. It was all over the gossip columns, wasn’t it?”“No.” Bryce's tone was sharp and cold. “It wasn’t.”The smile on Sienna's face faded for the briefed seconds.The air between them shifted instantly, the elegant hum of the restaurant fading into the background.Bryce leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as if peeling back the layers of her carefully composed mask. “No one knew about Kimberly's accident except my family.” Bryce continued, and Sienna swallowed, her heart thumping wildly in her chest.Oh no, what had she done?
“I can’t believe he left with her.” Kimberly’s sigh slipped out, heavy and exasperated, as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.Yes. He left. Bryce actually left the house with Sienna.She had wondered what Sienna was doing here in the first place, especially this late in the evening. But never, not even for a second, had she thought it was because the two of them had plans together.Wait. Could that be the reason Bryce came home so early today?Had he left his office hours ahead of schedule just so he could prepare for their… outing? Their date, or whatever it was?Her chest tightened. She had thought foolishly that he came home early because of her. Because she wasn’t well.Her heart had swelled at the thought, warmed at the idea that Bryce cared enough to put her above his endless work. But now? Now the truth mocked her. He hadn’t come home for her. He’d come home for Sienna.Kimberly pressed her palms against the cool balcony railing, the evening air brushing against
Kimberly truly hadn’t expected to see him home this early.Was it because of her? Because she hadn’t been feeling well?No, don’t be ridiculous, Kimberly. There was no way Bryce would leave his empire of a business just because of her.But then… why else was he here? Since they’d started living together, this was the very first time he’d come home early.Though her eyes remained shut, but Kimberly could tell how much Bryce's own drank her in, filled with desire and something else she couldn't quite decipher. The heat of his breath grazed her lips, her fingers curling into the sheets as her entire body braced for the inevitable. But just as his lips were about to capture hers, the heated moment suddenly got interrupted.“Mommy!”The voice came like a thunderclap, bright and loud and utterly oblivious.Bryce instantly froze. And Kimberly’s eyes snapped open just as the bedroom door flung open with the force of a small hurricane.Keira, who was still in her plaid uniform, her socks a l
* Back Home *Bryce had returned to the office after finishing his therapy session with Landon, and true to his plan, he left earlier than usual.Landon had raised a brow but hadn’t said anything. Still, he was quietly relieved to see Bryce step out of the office before the sky turned dark. He only hoped his friend wouldn’t bury himself in work the moment he got home.Bryce had been unusually moody today, his silence heavier than usual, and Landon could only hope he’d finally get the rest he so clearly needed.The drive home was quiet, his thoughts circling Kimberly despite his best efforts. He told himself it was just concern for Keira’s sake, but the tightness in his chest suggested otherwise.As soon as he stepped into the house, the first sound that greeted him was the sharp crash of glasses shattering.Bryce stilled instantly, the briefcase he was about placing on the center table, hanging mid-air.What the hell was that?“Edna?” His voice cut through the silence as he strode dow
The next morning…Bryce sat back in his swivel chair, his fingers stilling on the keyboard as he leaned into the leather. For a long moment, he just stared at the screen, the numbers and graphs before him blurring into nothing.He had been in the office since five. The workload was heavy, and he told himself the earlier he started, the sooner he'd leave the office today like he had planned to. That was the excuse, anyway.Truth was, he hadn’t really slept all night. His eyes had closed, but his mind never stopped. Every time he tried, the images from last night clawed at him..... Kimberly lying on that hospital bed, everything Benjamin narrated replaying over and over, Keira’s scared and worried face when they arrived the hospital yesterday.Sleep had never actually been a friend to him for years, as a matter of fact, but last night had been worse than most. His chest had been tight, and his nerves frayed. He had checked on Kimberly and Keira again and again, unable to stop himself.
It was close to 12 A.M when Bryce finally brought Kimberly home from the hospital.The moment she’d regained consciousness, he had insisted on discharging her, ignoring the doctor’s protests that she should remain under observation until morning. Bryce didn’t care. He wanted her home, where it was warmer, safer, and where he could keep his eyes on her every second.But beneath that need to protect her, simmered his rage. Every word Benjamin had managed to stammer out about the accident still replayed in his head, and it only made his blood boil hotter.Whoever had done this… whoever had dared put Kimberly in danger, he would find them. And he would make them regret it.After settling Keira into bed, Bryce walked out of the little girl's room, pausing outside Kimberly’s when he headed there. His hand lingered on the doorframe, jaw tight, as if he were holding back something fierce inside him. Finally, he pushed the door open and stepped in.Kimberly stirred when the door clicked soft