Kelvin left Anna's house feeling like a man reborn. The weight of doubt had lifted from his shoulders, replaced by an unwavering resolve to protect her, to shield her, and, most importantly, to never second-guess his instincts again.
With determination burning in his chest, he steered his car toward his best friend's house, Jackson Reed. A visit was long overdue, and today felt like the right moment to catch up, to say hello to Jackson's pregnant wife, Rita, and to unload the burdens of the truth he had unearthed.
On the way, he picked up beer and a few baby toys, the thought of Jackson and Rita bringing a rare moment of warmth to his chaotic day.
When he pulled into the garage of the Reed family home, the exhaustion of the last few hours melted slightly at the sight before him. Rita's infectious smile greeted him first, glowing with that effortless charm she always had, followed by Jackson's warm embrace.
Look at you, Jackson teased, clapping Kelvin's back. Chasing ghosts again?
Kelvin chuckled but said nothing, he wasn't ready to spill the truth just yet.
He handed Rita the baby items, watching her eyes light up in appreciation. Kelvin, you didn't have to, she said, but there was joy in her voice.
He shrugged. Had to get something for the little one.
Soon enough, Kelvin and Jackson settled on the balcony, sharing a bottle of liquor as the crisp evening air wrapped around them.
The moment was brief.
Kelvin wasted no time laying out the truth, the CCTV footage, the confrontation, and his visit to Anna. Every detail spilled from his lips as Jackson listened with unwavering attention, his expression shifting from amusement to deep contemplation.
When Kelvin finished, Jackson leaned back, exhaling slowly. You did the right thing, man. Standing by Anna, getting to the truth. He swirled the liquor in his glass before adding, But now, there's only one way forward. You need to get the police involved. Who knows what else Rose has done over the years working for Wolfe Industries?
Kelvin nodded, knowing Jackson was right. If Rose had gone to such lengths to manipulate the truth, there was no telling how deep her deception ran.
This wasn't over.
Not yet.
The view stretched endlessly before them, the shimmering lake reflecting the afternoon sun, its surface rippling gently with the breeze. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh earth and the distant hum of birds settling into their late-day rhythm.
Kelvin leaned back into the chair, absorbing the peacefulness that radiated from Jackson's home. It wasn't just the scenery it was the love that seemed to fill every inch of the space.
Jackson spoke animatedly about the baby's nursery, describing the color scheme, the tiny clothes Rita had carefully picked out, and the way he had built the crib himself. His excitement was infectious, his joy boundless.
Kelvin saw it the deep fulfillment in Jackson's face, the unshakeable certainty of a man who had found his place in the world.
Then, Rita appeared, carrying a tray of cookies and cake, her graceful presence filling the space with warmth. She and Jackson exchanged a look one of effortless, unspoken understanding, and Jackson wasted no time picking a cookie, munching, and showering her with praise for her baking.
Kelvin watched them, the ease of their interaction, the quiet love wrapped in simple gestures. It was undeniably pure.
Something inside him stirred a silent longing.
For all his success, all his power, his mansion remained just that, a structure, devoid of the laughter and affection that bloomed so easily in this home.
Cold. Quiet. Empty. As always.
He forced a smile, lifting his glass, pretending at least for tonight that the solitude of his world didn't weigh so heavily on his soul.
Kelvin strode into Wolfe Industries, his mind sharp, focused. He barely glanced at Rose's empty desk her absence only solidified the inevitable. Today, her reckoning had arrived.
He wasted no time settling into his office, waiting for the county sheriff. No distractions, no second-guessing. When the bulky red-haired sheriff finally arrived, Kelvin laid everything bar the deception, the CCTV footage, the tangled web of lies Rose Baker had spun over the years.
The sheriff nodded grimly, wasting no time in alerting his men. Soon, they were on their way to Rose's home, ready to bring justice to a woman who had spent years manipulating her way through Wolfe Industries.
As the officers filed out of his office, the door swung open again, this time, revealing Mr. Roberts. His face was tight with anxiety, his movements uncertain as he stepped inside.
You called the police? Roberts' voice was hoarse, his expression a cocktail of shock and fear.
Kelvin leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady, firm. She has to face the consequences, Roberts.
Roberts' breath hitched. This was worse than he imagined. If Rose was cornered, she wouldn't hesitate to drag him down with her.
He cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. Listen, Kelvin maybe we don't have to go this far. She's worked here for years. We can fire her, make sure she never gets another opportunity here. There's no need to send her to jail.
Kelvin exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. She framed an innocent intern. Who knows what else she's been hiding? I won't sweep this under the rug.
Roberts swallowed hard, his pulse hammering against his skull. His whole life was unraveling before him. If Rose talked if she spilled his secrets, he would lose everything.
His job.
His reputation.
His family.
Would Kelvin believe him if he came clean now? Could he trust him with his darkest truths? Would he be fired? Humiliated?
His breath grew uneven, his limbs weak.
This wasn't just about Rose anymore this was about survival.
His head pounded, forcing himself to retreat to his office. The world around him felt colder, but somehow, sweat dripped down his spine, soaking through his shirt despite the air conditioning humming at full blast.
His hands shook as he gripped his desk.
This was it. The moment that would define the rest of his life.
Kelvin stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over the call button. He had tried multiple times. No answer.
His heart clenched with unease. Was she still angry? Had she not forgiven him? The questions twisted through his mind, each one more suffocating than the last.
He pictured Anna how fragile she had looked the last time he saw her. The weight of grief and betrayal had hollowed her out, leaving behind a version of herself that barely resembled the woman he once knew. The pain she carried was deep, and he had been part of the reason for it.
He wanted to fix it.Needed to fix it.
For a moment, he considered driving straight to her house. To see her, to plead his case, to promise that he would stand by her no matter what.
But duty called. A board meeting loomed on his schedule, demanding his attention.
Still, his resolve remained firm. Once the meeting was over, nothing would stop him. He would go to her. He would beg for her forgiveness. He would make her understand that his love for her ran deeper than mistakes, deeper than regrets.
His thoughts wouldn't settle. Every second felt like an eternity.
He closed his eyes, clasping his hands together.
God, please help me make this right.