Kelly
I couldn't shake the feeling of unease as I adjusted the straps of my gown. Adrian had insisted I go with him to the event.
I had questioned him earlier, asking, "Wouldn't rumors fly? You suggested we keep our marriage private."
He had shrugged it off with that charming, devil-may-care smile of his, saying, "I don't care anymore. If my presence keeps Anderson away, I'll break the rules myself."
There was something comforting in his words, but still I couldn't escape the anxiety gnawing at my insides. It had been years since I had been part of such a high-profile event, and I wasn't sure I was ready to face the past, let alone the people from it.
But Harper was with me, tugging at my sleeve as she refused to let Olivia babysit her. I smiled softly as I looked down at her. My little girl, so full of life and defiance, had a mind of her own. She wasn't about to be left behind, and honestly I didn't mind. She was the one thing that kept me grounded, especially now that Anderson and Kate were lurking in the shadows of my life once again.
We entered the event, and my breath caught in my throat as I looked around. High-profile figures everywhere, celebrities, actors, singers, politicians. The room was a sea of flashing cameras, expensive suits, and flowing gowns. I let out a sigh of relief, I was now the woman who fit effortlessly into these circles.
Adrian kept his arm around me as we made our way through the crowd, greeting old friends. I couldn't help but notice the glances people threw our way, the whispers that danced through the air.
They know who we are, I thought. But they didn't know who I was before. They didn't know Kelly.
Harper tugged on my gown, and my heart softened. She had spotted a table of kids sitting near the back. She gestured to the candy, her eyes bright with excitement. I hesitated at first, not wanting to leave her alone in such a big crowd. But her persistence wore me down, and I finally nodded.
"Go ahead, sweetie," I said with a smile, watching her scamper off toward the table.
I turned back to Adrian, but then as I glanced across the room, my eyes locked on a figure that made my stomach churn.
Kate. The moment I saw her, I knew Anderson couldn't be far behind. My breath hitched, and my pulse quickened. I tried to focus on Adrian's friends, trying to push the nagging thought to the back of my mind, but the tension in the air was suffocating.
The conversation around me faded, my focus narrowing to the couple making their way toward us. Anderson, with his ever-present arrogance, walked by Kate's side, his eyes already locked on me. My heart beat faster, and I couldn't seem to control the flutter of anxiety in my chest.
I forced a smile, keeping my composure, and turned to Adrian. He was engrossed in conversation, oblivious to what was happening. I exhaled slowly, keeping my gaze on the figures coming closer.
And then, Anderson spoke.
"Well, well, look who we have here. Our dearest Congresswoman Kendra," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.
Kate scoffed beside him, clearly not intending to let this moment slide.
"Kendra?" Kate snorted. "But I'm seeing Kelly right here."
I gritted my teeth, trying my best to ignore the venom in her tone. I didn't want to give them the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I turned away slightly, pretending to chat with one of Adrian's friends, hoping the conversation would drown them out.
But Anderson wasn't finished. No, that wasn't his style.
"Well, Kelly," he continued, his voice loud enough to attract the attention of others around us, "it seems you've moved on from being just a singer's wife to playing dress-up in politics. But we both know who you really are."
My hands tightened into fists at my sides. The audacity. The nerve. But I kept my face neutral, not letting him see how much his words cut. They always cut.
I didn't respond to his comment, but I could feel Adrian tense beside me. I could tell he was getting frustrated, and I knew it wouldn't take much for him to step in. But before he could, one of my security guards who had been keeping a discreet distance, stepped in between us.
He was calm but firm, addressing Anderson with authority.
"I think you need to leave, sir."
Anderson's face twisted in fury. "Do you know who I am?" he spat, his voice rising. "How would you know when you're just some security?" He sneered, his eyes narrowing. "How dare you shoo me off—?"
Before he could finish, Adrian took a step forward, his voice low and commanding. "I think it's time for you both to leave."
But before the situation could escalate further, I placed a hand on Adrian's arm, stopping him from confronting Anderson head-on. I wasn't afraid of Anderson. But I knew how far he would go to provoke me, and I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me unravel.
"I've got this," I said quietly, stepping between them and addressing Anderson with an icy calmness.
Suddenly, I heard a loud cry from across the room. "Mommy!"
My head whipped around, and my heart stopped as I saw Harper running toward me, her little legs moving as fast as they could. Before I could react, she flung herself into my arms, her small body trembling.
"Harper, sweetheart, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice thick with worry as I held her close.
"I don't like them, Mommy," she whimpered, pointing at Anderson and kate. "They're scary."
I couldn't help but grin as I patted her back, that's my girl.