All Chapters of After One Reckless Night; A Secret Binds Us: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Later in the afternoon...."Hey, Kimberly!"Kimberly turned at the sound of her name and saw Vivian, one of the other top models at the agency, walking toward her with an easy, friendly smile.Vivian was effortlessly pretty, with glossy brown curls and that cool energy Kimberly didn't hesitate to notice the first day they encountered each other.Kimberly knew she was one of those few people in the agency who hadn't treated her like a competition or talk ill about her. And that was why she was letting her in.She had decided not to make friends with anyone here. Just mind her business and stay focused on what brought her here. But maybe that was inevitable."I've been looking for you," Vivian said. "That shoot was insane. I knew you'd kill it."Kimberly gave a modest smile. "Thanks. It was a little intense though.""Pfft. Please. Emilio looked like he was ready to frame every photo and build a museum." Vivian teased. "Mind if I steal you for a bit? I figured since you're still new here

"I.... I need to go," Kimberly whispered, trying to calm her erratic heartbeats. Thankfully, they both heard footsteps of someone, probably coming to use the restroom. Kimberly quickly slipped out of his cage and headed back into the bar where Cindy was comfortably drinking and waiting for her. "Time to go home," she said quickly, grabbing her purse from the edge of the table. Cindy blinked, startled. "Wait, what? Already? We just got here, Kimberly!" But Kimberly was already halfway to the exit, her breath coming faster than she wanted. Her shoes moving quietly against the smooth flooring, as if she was being careful not to be noticed. "Kim!" Cindy stood abruptly and followed her toward the elevator. "Kim, aren't you gonna wait for me? God. Is she drunk or what?" "I guess you'll find out once I drive off without you," Kimberly muttered without turning. "Hey! Don't you dare drive off without me," Cindy yelled after her, her voice half-joking, and half-panicked becau

Kimberly stood quietly by the door to Keira's room, her knuckles resting gently on the frame. The soft glow of the unicorn-shaped nightlight spread across the pink bedsheets, causing a sleepy haze around the room.There on the bed, Keira lay curled up on her side, clutching her favorite stuffed panda, one she hadn't let go since she was two. The little girl wasn't asleep. Kimberly could tell by the way her little shoulders moved ever so slightly. Trying not to sob. Trying to be quiet.Kimberly's heart ached. She felt really bad and guilty.She walked in slowly, her bare feet silent against the carpet. "Baby?"Keira didn't move.Kimberly sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to crowd her. "Keira, can I talk to you for a second?" Still no response. Just a tiny sniffle.Kimberly exhaled shakily. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. That wasn't fair to you. I'm sorry."Finally, Keira shifted just a little, her cheek half visible as she peeked at her mom."I wasn't mad at you," Ki

Kimberly's arms stayed wrapped around her daughter long after Keira's eyes closed again, her breath slowing as the medication pulled her back into sleep. Bryce sat there, watching quietly. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. His jaws tight. Then he stood up and quietly left the ward, heading down the hall to his grandmother’s room. He stepped quietly into it, his hand still gripping the doorknob for a second longer than necessary. Earlier, when he’d stopped by, Nana Ellie had been fast asleep. But now… She was awake, propped against her pillows, her white hair was neatly brushed, and she had a magazine resting unread in her lap. Her eyes lit up instantly at the sight of him, surprised written all over her face. “Well, look who’s finally back,” she smiled, her voice warm but sharp as ever. “And here I thought Washington swallowed you whole. But....” she paused, putting down the magazine at her side. "You said you were coming back tomorrow." Bryce managed a small smile a

He stepped quietly out to the balcony, the glass door clicking shut behind him softly, and he answered the call just before it stopped.“Hey,” he said in a low voice.“Bryce.” Sienna's voice came through, light and warm, like she hadn't spent the last twenty four hours calling him without a single reply. “You finally picked. I was beginning to think you'd ghosted me.”Bryce closed his eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I wouldn't do that, Sienna.”“No,” Sienna chuckled. “You’d just vanish and call it a work emergency.”Bryce didn’t argue, and neither did he laugh.“I had to fly back earlier than planned,” he said. “Something came up.”“Your assistant told me.” Sienna said, pausing, then she asked in a softer voice: “Is everything alright?”Bryce leaned against the railing, knuckles tightening around the edge. His voice stayed calm, but there was a dull ache pressing behind it.“It’s fine. Just... family stuff.”“Family,” Sienna repeated, her tone dipping slightly. “You ne