Ethan and Emily Hatton having lunch together, Ethan and Emily Hatton at the park playing happy couple. Ethan and Emily Hatton everywhere, all over her social media feeds, gossip blogs. Anita Brown stared hatefully at her phone, scrolling through her TikTok feed, then her instagram. They were everywhere, and it infuriated her so bad she could feel the bile rise to her throat.Ethan always hated the press, he hated the paparazzi, he hated how odd and awkward he claimed to look even though he looked seemingly flawless. He hated his privacy invaded so they were hardly ever in public together. They hardly went to functions together, parties or even the red carpet but right now he had no problems showing Emily off, taking her publicly to fancy restaurants, playing happy couple when it should have been her. Ethan had totally been ignoring her, even after she had requested for one last night with him, had totally ignored her and evaded all her calls and it made her livid. She wanted him b

It was Emily’s last day in Los Angeles and Emily knew she couldn’t leave without seeing her mother at least. Their last meeting was disastrous and Emily had spent every waking minute thinking about it. She had hovered over the woman’s number everyday, tempted to call, to apologize, to reconnect with the woman that disappeared most of her childhood but she just couldn’t. The revelations swarming above her, reminding her of the childhood she lost, the memories she could no longer recall. Her heart pounding beneath her chest, stealing the words from her mouth each time she hit the call button and she had to end the call immediately. One time she let it ring till she picked.“Hello!” She heard her voice, low pitched and concerned and her voice hitched, unable to speak “Emily, talk to me” she heard her say again and she ended the call immediately. Her mother didn’t call back, and she was grateful for that, like she understood. She needed time.But now, she was in Los Angeles, she knew sh

The solemn weight of the world seemed to rest on Emily’s shoulder as she slowly turned the key in the door, nothing could’ve truly prepared her for the gravity of what she’d just learned. The truth about her fathers, her mothers lies contrasting, the dull ache at the back of her head, it all felt too much.As the door swung open, Emily took in the unfamiliar scent of the house, a scent that was now a bittersweet comfort in this house that was now quite her home, like a home away from home. She blinked away the tears that threatened to spill, burning her eyes with the gravity of the truth. She wished she could unsee the letter’s cruel script and unknow the truth about it.Emily’s heart ached fiercely, each throb a reminder of the discovered scars etched upon her childhood memories. The room was dim, lit only by muted glow of city lights which seeped through the sheer drapes, that was when she noticed Ethan seated on the dove-gray chaise lounge deeply engrossed in a book.Ethan looked

New York City, an emblem of old money and new money wealth alike was alive with the murmurs of crème de la crème of society, each attired in their sartorial best for the Hatton family's annual philanthropic banquet.Chandeliers dripped from the ceiling like cascades of radiant stars, warm light glinting off the diamond brooches and cufflinks that punctuated the evening wear of the guests. The round tables draped in rich burgundy cloth stood as islands amongst the sea of mingling attendees, adorned with ornate centerpieces overflowing white roses and orchids, their fragrance lending the air a heady, intoxicating quality.The crescendo of a live string quartet underscored the evening, the nuanced notes serenading the well-heeled as they nodded through the hum of conversation and the labyrinth of social niceties. Laughter rose the melody, a chorus of joy polished by years of grace and poise, much like the vintage wine pouring freely into cut-glass goblets.Bu yet, Anita Brown navigated t

A ghastly pall settled over the grand ballroom as the projector cast its unwelcome spectacle, the luminous screen demanding the attention of every glittering eye. The air that was once thick with jovial chatter and the sweet strains of violin and cello, had soured, the collective breath of the gathered guests seized by the unfolding drama on the projector screen. Jackson and Emily in that enclosed space, his fingers tipping her chin while they shared a knowing look even though no one could hear what they were saying, it was a scandal. The murmur rose like a tempest swell as the crowd pieced together the story—the unflinching display of betrayal written in the bold font of live feed, broad for all to see.Ethan stood, glaring at the screen as he felt all eyes on him. He couldn’t bear to look at his parents, his father especially, tutting his head in disappointment, what the hell was Jackson doing? The young boy was too much of a daredevil for him to comprehend. The room blurred in Eth