After One Reckless Night; A Secret That Binds U

la asked, offering Kimberl

n some invisible point. She seemed lost in

y hadn't been herself. The uncertainty of knowing who or

with only fragments of memories remaining. She recalled the intimacy, the passion, but everything

ly, tapping Kimberly's sho

worried eyes. A faint smile crossed her lips, but didn'

before sitting beside Kimberly. "I know this wasn't pl

a was about to continue, Kimberly's phone rang. She an

etely messed it up!" Kimberly exclaimed i

se your job?" Cindy asked, her vo

ond was blunt.

d, shocked

what he looks like," Kimberly continued, her voice tr

erly's eyes, but she fo

n, okay?" Cindy said softly, her voice fil

e baby wasn't Ryan's, Kimberly's ex. However, that relief brought little comfort, a

we all make mistakes. Yours is

She reached for the glass of water Camilla had bro

so sorry, baby girl. What are you going to do now? Rem

mberly said firmly, her vo

was innocent. Kimberly was ready to take on the respons

er. What mattered most was that she would neve

...

Years

y party!" Keira, Kimberly's energetic five-years-old daughter, calle

a minute, okay? Sorry," Kimberly rep

, single parent to a brilliant and adorable child. This little b

ions - pain, joy and everything in between. But one

ngle mom wasn't easy, but Kimberly

keep going. She worked tirelessly, juggling multiple job

ra's cheek as she came downstairs. "We're not running

, arms folded. Kimberly chuck

now?" Kimberly tease

," Keira replied, looking down, and fid

on turned concerned. "What's wrong, sweetie?" she

eting her mom's gaz

rly responded, str

that's why he doesn't want to see us? Or did Daddy reject me when you told hi

felt overwhelmed by Ke

te us, and he didn't reject you. Your Daddy loves you more than you can ever imagine, believe

d with the pai

ell her daughter the truth - that she didn't even know who her father was, or if she eventually found him, he mig

..

Cindy waiting at the airport arrivals. Cindy had been waiting

xcitement. "I finally get to see you in person!" She swept Keira into her arms, cov

long years, babes! I'm so happy you're finally back in New York, with me!" Cindy laughed happily, a

ussed reviving Kimberly's modeling

e had put on hold

ought back painful memories, but after much con

Kimberly teased, chuckling as she eyed her

ill looks the same. Girl, did you secretly get plastic surgery or what?" Cind

urst into

ays competed over who w

vy. Ever since she was a young child, she had dreamed of becoming

ined the opportunity. Ryan had fallen seriously ill at the time

regretted putting her

ly decided to focus on the present a

m asked, closing the car trunk after p

ly, turning her attention to Keira w

es wide with curiosity as she

girl?" Ci

cookie factory

ould you think that, swe

ce, and nice people a

s!" Cindy clutched her chest dram

eeps saying cute things like that, I might just

ut mommy says stealing is bad. Unless i

ayfully. "Keira! I

n't true either." Keira ga

r from the corner of her eye. "Oh, I lov

I get cookies?

ndy teased, ru

ble makers to deal with." Ki

ed out of the cab, taking in the

on Elite Mod

ment through her veins. This was it -t

ried about how the interview would go.

reath, and walked in, where a well dressed

ou're here for the mode

voice steady despite the slig

and join the others. The interview will

r, feeling an odd shiver at the mention of Mr.

h floor, only to be met with a large, bustli

, others adjusting their outfits or practicing their poses. The energy in the room

r as she walked in, some assessing,

hake off the unease. She found an empty seat near the back, clutchi

chatter as a well dressed assistant stepped to the front of

he continued. "Mr. Harrington will be here in the next few seconds. When he arrives, I e

me models began to adjust their postures, others fixin

om as all eyes turned toward the

it op

man who would de

ssic stone surfaces, steady and auth

A Strange, unexplainable

Bryce Har

sharp jawline, the way his tailored suite mol

turned. Th

ruck her like

ainst her portfolio as her hea

ight she had buried deep -

. The man she never wante

er in him. The striking resemblance, those same gray eyes

be the one..

tly halted. A flicker of something - con

es, whispers, the excitement - it

st the tw

ar