All Chapters of After One Reckless Night; A Secret Binds Us: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

For a split second, time held its breath. Bryce's brow furrowed slightly. There was something oddly familiar about her. The curve of her jaw, the eyes, the way she stared at him like she’d seen a ghost. Kimberly’s heart pounded. She could barely breathe. It was him! The same man from that night, six years ago. Her daughter’s facial resemblance was unmistakable. Kimberly's hands became damp and trembly, the portfolio she held tempted to fall, her heart racing faster than it ever had. She thought she had escaped the past....that night that carried memories — heart-aching memories she always tried not to think about. Still locked at that moment, Bryce suddenly cleared his throat, blinking hard as if snapping out of a trance. He dragged his gaze away from Kimberly and stepped forward, regaining his usual composure. But the way he stared at Kimberly, and he....was that a smirk on his face? Kimberly blinked, brows curved in disbelief. The air in the hall shifted back to n

After Kimberly got home and had a cool bath that evening, she sat on the edge of Cindy’s couch, her hands wrapped tightly around a mug of tea she hadn’t even taken a sip of. She was still trying to process her unexpected encounter with Bryce today. Those piercing gray eyes that bore into her soul were the same as her daughter's. But they held so much hurt, as if he was mad at her for something she didn't even know. Was he mad at her for not staying after that night? Or was there something else he was mad at her for? If it was the latter, then she could only imagine how mad at her he'd be when he found out she had a child for him. She pulled out her phone and opened the gallery, landing on a photo of her daughter. The same gray eyes. The same expression when she was serious. Kimberly couldn't help but smile. She looked so much like her father, and exhibited her father's character, even though she had just met him today. But what he displayed at his office earlier today said

•••••••••• Kimberly stepped into the house, frustration written all over her face. She regretted ever attending the party. "Welcome back, Kim." Joanne smiled from her spot on the couch as she saw Kimberly enter, shrugging off her jacket and hanging it at the door. "Thanks," Kimberly sighed, slipping out of her heels. "Where's Keira?" "I just put her to bed. She fell asleep almost as soon as I tucked her in." Joanne let out a light chuckle. "I think all that running around today wore her out." Joanne had been Keira's nanny for a while now. A quiet, kind woman Cindy had recommended. One who'd stepped in when Kimberly needed her most. Kimberly nodded, her heart softening. "Thanks for staying late, Jo." Joanne stood. "Anytime. Goodnight, Kimberly." "Goodnight." As the door shut softly behind her nanny, Kimberly leaned against it, exhaustion catching up with her, not just from the party....but from everything. From him. She had barely stopped herself from blurting o

At the close of work, Kimberly stepped outside the building, her heels clicking softly against the pavement as she exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. Rain. Great. Fat droplets began to fall from the dark sky, the cold wrapped around her skin instantly. She glanced upward, sighing for the umpteenth time. She had no umbrella with her. No car either. And of course, the network chose this exact moment to act possessed. The Uber app on her phone spun endlessly in such an annoying way, mocking her. She lingered beneath the narrow awning, arms crossed, staring at the street with growing annoyance. The longer she waited, the heavier the rain poured down, as if the sky had a personal grudge against her. "Okay, Kim," she muttered, exhaling deeply as she pulled her blazer tighter around her shoulders. "Just get to the bus station. You can cry about your ruined mascara later." But the moment she stepped into the open, the rain smacked her like a slap, fast, soaking

The next day at work, Kimberly stood in front of the mirror in the changing room, her heart thudding as she adjusted the soft gold robe the stylist had handed her. It was her Versette shoot day. Her hair had been curled into lush waves, makeup perfected to a gleam. Glowing skin, bold eyes, lips tinted into shade called Velvet Sin. The studio floor smelled like fresh paint, roses and expensive tension. The kind of scent that said this is it, this is the moment. Oddly, it didn’t make her anxious. It made her feel powerful. The shoot's theme? Allure, mystery and power. And her role? The face of Versette of course, a perfume that promised danger disguised as seduction. The crew bustled around the set. The photographers made sure their lights were in check. Makeup artists fluttered around like bees, and stylists spoke in quick bursts of French-accented English. It all felt surreal. Six years ago, she’d given up on dreams like this. And now, here she was. Vanessa arms w