I Was the Secret, She Got the Ring

When I got home, my mother, Clare Peck, was already sitting on the couch waiting for me.

The moment Mom saw my red, swollen eyes, she rushed to her feet. "Esty, did Kieran give you a hard time at the birthday party?"

She sighed and reached out to brush my cheek with a look of pure heartache.

"Even after all these years, Kieran still hasn't let go of his misunderstandings. He's always been so hostile toward us. I have Andre by my side, so I can handle it. It's you I worry about."

My secret relationship with Kieran was a secret even from her.

For the past five years, every time Mom tried to comfort me, I'd feel a secret surge of thrill. I was thrilled that Kieran and I were lovers and that I could one day be the link between him and Mom, helping him fully accept her.

I had even daydreamed about a future where the four of us could finally be a real family.

Now, I realized it was all a pathetic delusion. The brutal truth Kieran spat out tonight had shattered every fantasy I had for the future.

I wiped my eyes. "No. I just got something in my eye."

Mom and my stepfather, Andre Brock, were truly happy together. The last thing I wanted was for the mess between Kieran and me to ruin the life she had built.

Mom let out a breath of relief and patted my back. "Alright. As long as you and Kieran can at least be civil, I can rest easy."

I fought back the lump in my throat. Terrified she'd see through me, I mumbled a quick goodnight and hurried upstairs.

Once I sealed the outside world out, I sank to the floor with my back resting against the door.

The tears finally broke.

It had never crossed my mind that the last five years with Kieran were nothing more than a calculated act of revenge.