Kelsey agreed, and on the way, he suggested coffee he had «just bought from a vending machine.» The girl drank it unsuspectingly. Minutes later, she lost consciousness and woke up in bed with Ryan, remembering nothing.
Ryan, smirking nastily, shamelessly said he enjoyed it and had an interesting video he planned to show Kyle. Kelsey was devastated, bursting into tears from shame and pain. Ryan, showing the recording, crudely mocked her suffering.
When the girl tried to go to the police, Ryan reminded her his uncle was in law enforcement, and her efforts would be futile. No one would even take your statement. And if you blab, you’ll regret it, he warned sternly.
Ryan had grown up fighting for attention. His parents worked from dawn to dusk, often leaving him alone with the streets and TV. Ryan learned early that love and recognition came through cunning, and he always quietly envied Kyle—his family, successes, and friends’ attention.
When Kyle won Kelsey’s heart, Ryan felt he had to take at least that from him, to feel truly significant for once. She was horrified that her beloved’s friend could be so vile. With tears in her eyes, Kelsey returned home, unsure what to do next.
She spent the night in tears, her only comfort her mother, who advised going to the police. But the girl decided against publicity and preferred to forget it all. She waited for Kyle to tell him everything but feared his reaction.
In her seventh month of pregnancy, a fire broke out in their house due to faulty wiring. Kelsey and her mom barely escaped, left homeless. Learning of this, Olivia seized the opportunity and quickly offered «help.»
Kelsey and her mom moved to an elderly aunt in a neighboring area. Soon, Kelsey gave birth to a son, naming him Kyle in memory of her first and only love. Aunt Anna Peterson was a woman of strict principles but a kind heart.
She always said, you can’t pity yourself, my girl. Hardships are just steps upward. Anna Peterson sheltered her niece and her mother in her modest home until another tragedy struck.
She died of a heart attack. Kelsey had to battle not only external circumstances but also her own mother’s misunderstanding.
- You don’t understand, Kelsey, life isn’t fair,
her mother said one day, irritably packing things.
- You dream too much. Kyle’s just forgotten you, and you need to accept it finally.
- No, Mom, he hasn’t forgotten,
Kelsey raised her voice, daring to contradict her mother for the first time.
- You just don’t know what real love is.
- Real love,
her mother scoffed.
Kelsey couldn’t stop thinking about Kyle and what had happened to her life. She tried not to dwell on it and focused on caring for the child.
But life kept throwing new challenges. Her aunt’s death and her mother’s stroke made things even harder. By the time Kelsey resorted to begging at the station, she had no money even for bread, and the child needed feeding.
So she decided to do it. Kyle listened, clenching his fists in rage. He saw she was still the same honest and sincere girl, only now she looked utterly crushed, like a flower battered by harsh winds.
He understood much remained unclear in this murky story. And now he felt ashamed for so easily believing his mother’s words. With a breaking voice, he said,
- Kelsey, I won’t leave you now. Everything will be okay, trust me.
She looked at him with tear-filled eyes and stayed silent. Then her gaze fell on her son, and Kyle gently stroked his head.
- I won’t abandon you,
he whispered.
And Kelsey, bursting into tears, tenderly leaned on his shoulder. Kyle sat beside Kelsey, glancing at her son.
The boy looked at him cautiously, then snuggled to his mother. Kyle pulled a small Airborne tag from his pocket, inscribed «Airborne,» and handed it to the kid.
- This is for you, so you remember you have a protector too.
The boy, not letting go of his mother’s hand, took the tag carefully and smiled.
Kyle spent his entire leave with Kelsey and her young son. He helped fix up the old house, arranged necessary medical care for Mary, and bought expensive medications for her quicker recovery. And one day, sitting together on a bench, Kelsey brought Kyle a letter with a stamp marked «Ready to Send.»
The man opened it and began reading.
«My beloved Kyle,» Kelsey addressed him in the first lines. «I never thought I’d write you such a letter. I’m scared, it hurts. But I want you to know, I love only you. Everything that’s happened in my life, I can’t explain to you. But please believe me, my heart is forever with you. I promised to wait for you, and I will, no matter what. You’re my strength.»
After Kyle read the letter, Kelsey added that she couldn’t send this last one back then. In her soul, she always believed they’d be together. A week before his leave ended, they got married quietly, without fanfare.
Kyle promised a proper wedding later. He also adopted little Kyle. Returning to his hometown, he told his parents exactly what he thought of them.
His mother kept crying and insisting she acted for his happiness, while his father stayed silent, as usual. Kyle just waved it off and said,
- Mom, you’re a criminal, do you realize that? You orchestrated all this. Kelsey and I will be together, and now you can’t change anything. You acted despicably and lowly, don’t you see? You ruined my life and Kelsey’s. My foot won’t step in your house again. Goodbye to you, dear parents. I won’t come back and don’t want to know you.
With those words, he left, slamming the door. He knew he said it in anger, but now he’d only hear about his parents through acquaintances.
Betrayal, even from loved ones, is hard to forgive. And perhaps time would pass before he could. Leaving the house, Kyle stopped on the bridge where he often watched sunsets as a child.
He pulled from his pocket a photo of Kelsey he once carried in his wallet. On the back was written «You’re my light.» Kyle clutched the photo and whispered quietly,
- Mom was wrong, but I forgive her because I don’t want to carry this pain anymore.
A year later, Kyle finally found his former friend Ryan.
- How could you do something so cruel to Kelsey? You knew well we loved each other. You were my friend.
Ryan fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness.
- Forgive me, buddy, the devil got me. I don’t know how it happened. I’ve liked her for so long, and I envied you so much for snagging such a beauty. Guys invited her to clubs so many times, but she refused. She was faithfully waiting only for you. That’s what ate at me with jealousy.
- And your mom worked hard at it too,
Ryan continued.
- After all, she suggested the idea to me.
Olivia was a big shot in the city administration. She was respected for her firm character and business acumen, but behind her back, people whispered about her excessive strictness. She was used to keeping everything under control, whether construction projects or raising her son.
For her, it was important that Kyle met her high standards, as she always believed his success would directly reflect her efforts as a mother. Olivia was also known as someone who simply didn’t tolerate objections. She could achieve her goals not just through professionalism but via personal influence that extended far beyond her office.
She was accustomed to solving problems quickly and harshly, disregarding others’ opinions. On that fateful day, Olivia invited Ryan for tea under the pretext of thanks for help with organizing an important school event. The guy, flattered by Kyle’s mother’s attention, gladly accepted.
- Ryan, listen,
Olivia began after brief small talk,
- you know Kelsey, right?
- Of course I do,
he replied, trying to hide awkwardness.
Olivia looked at him closely.
- You know, I’ve noticed for a while that she’s not indifferent to you. Am I right?
Ryan tensed and quickly said,
- I don’t know what you mean, Olivia.
- Don’t be modest, my boy,
she said with a smile.
- I see how you look at her.
Ryan averted his eyes, but his silence spoke volumes.
- What if I say you have a chance?
she added, leaning closer.
- A chance?
Ryan echoed.
- To steal her from Kyle,
Olivia said bluntly.
- She’s not his match. A girl from a simple family with no prospects. But you’re ambitious, bold, with drive. You can charm her.
Ryan stared at her distrustfully.
- But why do you need this?
Olivia smirked slightly.
- I’m a mother, Ryan. I want my son to make the right choice. And Kelsey is just a mistake; Kyle’s too blinded to see it. But you can help me open his eyes.
Ryan hesitated. The offer was humiliating on one hand, but on the other, he’d always envied Kyle.
- And what do I need to do?
he asked, clenching his fists.
- Seduce her,
Olivia said coldly.
- Better yet, make her slip up. Let Kyle see she’s not who she pretends to be. And don’t fear consequences. If things go wrong, I’ll cover for you.
Ryan froze, digesting what he heard.
- Okay,
he replied shortly.
When he left, Olivia sighed in relief. Her plan was in motion, and she was sure she’d soon rid herself of the hated girl. Once and for all.
- I’d like to punch you in the face, you know?
Kyle said.
- But I don’t want to dirty my hands. You’ll get what’s coming anyway.
And he left. When Kelsey’s mother improved, the young couple moved to the military base where Kyle served. They were given an apartment, and in a small chapel, they exchanged vows, now guarded by angels.