Kelly’s face went pale, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Kylee, this is crazy. Like, beyond crazy. What are you getting yourself into with him?”
Kylee’s chest rose and fell, her hands trembling. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But for the first time, I feel like I have control.”
Kelly’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer. “Kylee… I’m just gonna say it… Maybe Jake deserves this. I mean, look at what he did to you. All those lies, all that cheating… he shouldn’t get a free pass.”
Kylee shook her head, a small, guilty smile forming. “I know… it still feels weird though. I didn’t think I’d ever feel good about what happened, but…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked down at her hands, twisting them nervously.
Kelly grinned. “Girl, don’t even apologize to me. You walked in on him screwing his assistant, and he thought he could just act like nothing happened. You finally flipped the script, and I’m here for it. Honestly, if anyone deserves a little payback, it’s you. And if Rio’s making it happen? Well… that’s just icing on the cake.”
Kylee laughed softly, shaking her head in disbelief. “I never thought I’d be in a position where I’d actually… enjoy it.”
Kelly nudged her playfully. “Enjoy it? Kylee, honey, you rocked it. And now you’ve got your babies safe, Jake’s being taught a lesson, and you’re finally taking care of yourself. I’d say that’s a win.”
Kylee let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders easing a little. “You’re right… maybe this is exactly what I needed.”
Kelly smirked. “Exactly. Now go hug those little troublemakers of yours. They’ve been waiting all day for their badass mama.”
Kylee smiled, finally letting herself breathe. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was reclaiming her life her way.
Kylee walked into Kelly’s living room, and the kids’ faces lit up instantly. Jake Jr. ran toward her first, arms wide. “Mommy!” he yelled, almost knocking her over in his excitement. Kylee scooped him up, hugging him tightly. “I missed you so much, sweet boy,” she whispered, her voice catching.
Macy squealed and ran into her arms next, followed by little Kayla reaching forward with tiny, eager hands. Kylee held them close, laughing through her tears. “You three are too much for me,” she said, kissing each of their heads.
Rio stayed back, leaning casually against the doorway, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched the moment. Seeing Kylee with her kids how natural and loving she was made his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t explain.
Jake Jr. spotted Rio and grinned. “Hi Mr. Rio! You’re back!” he exclaimed, running over and giving him a big hug. “Well, hello there, little troublemakers. Looks like I’ve got my hands full today,” he said with a laugh.
Kylee looked at Rio, still holding Macy. “Thank you… for everything. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you,” she said, her voice soft.
Rio shook his head, his eyes softening. “Hey… you didn’t need me. You’re the one keeping these little ones happy and safe. I’m just making sure no one interferes while you do your thing.”
Jake Jr. hugged Kylee tighter. “Mommy, we get to stay with you and Mr. Rio forever?” he asked, eyes wide with hope.
Kylee laughed quietly, looking at Rio. “I don’t know sweetie… maybe for a little while.”
Rio smirked, leaning closer to whisper in Kylee’s ear. “I hope for forever.”
Kylee’s chest tightened at his words. Relief, excitement, and something else she couldn’t name washed over her. Holding her three kids close, she allowed herself to imagine a life where they were safe, happy, and in control.
The house was buzzing again, but this time it was the good kind of chaos. Kelly had snacks laid out, the kids were running through the halls, and Jake Jr. was proudly showing Rio acrayon drawing he’d made of “Mommy, me, and Mr. Rio at the beach.”
Rio crouched down to study it, nodding with exaggerated seriousness. “Well, I don’t know, buddy. I think you’re already a better artist than me.”
Jake Jr. beamed. “You just have to practice, Mr. Rio. Mommy says if you practice anything, you get better.”
Kylee leaned against the doorway, watching Rio with her son. Something twisted inside her warmth mixed with guilt, but also pride. Jakey had always craved this kind of male attention, and Jake had failed miserably at giving it.
“You looked powerful today,” he said, voice low and teasing.
Kylee raised an eyebrow. “Powerful? I was just wrangling three kids who wanted to eat cookies for dinner.”
Rio shook his head, stepping closer. “No, Kylee. Not that. I’m talking about last night. The way you stood there, unflinching, while he had to watch. The way you laughed at dinner after. That wasn’t the same girl who walked into my green room broken.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip. “It felt… wrong. But also… right. Like I finally made him feel what I felt when I walked in on him and Rachel.”
Rio brushed a strand of hair from her face, his gaze locking on hers. “Exactly. That’s power. You took back the narrative. And don’t think I didn’t notice when Jake Jr. hugged me earlier, you looked at me like you were imagining a different life. One where he has a real father figure.”
Kylee froze, her stomach flipping. “Rio…” she started, unsure if she should correct him, but the truth sat heavy in her chest. He wasn’t wrong.
