All For Love

Kelly leaned back in her office chair, staring blankly at the wall of the bakery she owned with her twin sister and best friends. She sighed, feeling the weight of sorrow pressing down on her chest.

“What’s wrong?” Kate asked as she stepped into the office. She sat down across from her, concern etched on her face, mirroring her twin’s expression.

“It was our anniversary yesterday, and Mitch never showed up,” Kelly admitted softly. “He called and said he had to go out of town for work, but when I checked with his boss, he said there was no reason for Mitch to leave Atlanta.”

“So, he lied about it,” Kate said, her voice tight with irritation. She crossed her arms, clearly ready to defend her sister.

She’d spent the past thirty-three years as Kelly’s bodyguard, therapist, and best friend. She never hesitated to speak her mind, especially when it came to protecting Kelly. Now that she was pregnant, that protective instinct had only grown stronger.

“Yeah, and it’s becoming a habit,” Kelly said, shaking her head slowly. “I honestly don’t know what to do anymore.”

“Divorce his ass.”

“Sis,” Kelly said, giving her twin a gentle, pleading look. She wasn’t ready to give up on Mitch yet, despite everything.

She spent the next hour working the cash register and trying to decide how she would confront Mitch when Matthew walked in.

“Hey, beautiful,” Matthew greeted her warmly.

She looked up and smiled at him. “Matt, what’s up?”

“I came to see my favorite sister-in-law.”

She shook her head with amusement. “Like I keep telling you and Benjamin, I’m your only sister-in-law.”

“That makes you our favorite,” Matthew replied, chuckling.

“Yeah, so, what would you like?” she asked, already reaching for a cup.

“A latte, please.”

“Coming right up.”

The bell above the door chimed.

“Hey, baby. Hey, bro,” Mitch said as he walked in, giving Matthew a quick nod.

“Hey, what brings you by?” Kelly asked, surprised to see Mitch. She didn’t want to bring up the whole anniversary debacle in the middle of the bakery, so she did her best to act normally.

“Just letting you know I’ll be working late,” Mitch said, looking apologetic.

“Oh, babe,” she sighed, feeling a little disappointed.

“I’m sorry, my love,” Mitch said softly, stepping closer.

Kelly forced a smile. “It’s fine. I’ll be okay.”

“If you have to work late, how did you manage to get away?” Matthew asked, looking curious.

“I took a lunch break and came here to tell her. I didn’t want to tell her over the phone,” Mitch explained, glancing at Kelly lovingly.

“And I appreciate you coming to tell me, babe,” Kelly said, feeling warmth spread through her chest.

He came over, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her softly. “I’ll text you when I’m headed home, okay? I know you have an early morning, so you don’t need to wait up for me.”

“Okay, love you,” she whispered, squeezing his hand.

“Love you, baby,” Mitch replied, kissing her once more before heading out the door.

Matthew looked at her with a slight frown as he grabbed his latte. “I should get back to work. See you, Kelly.”

“Bye.”

Just then, Tara and Kate walked in, and she immediately noticed Kate looked pale.

“Hey, sis,” Kate said weakly, forcing a smile.

“You don’t look so well,” Kelly said, concern filling her voice.

“Morning sickness is kicking my butt,” Kate admitted, rubbing her forehead.

“Go on home, sis. You should rest.”

Kate looked hesitant. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, we’re sure. I can call Mel in,” Tara offered quickly.

“No need, I’m here,” Melanie said, walking in right on cue. Her boyfriend, David, had walked in with her, and he was looking at Kate with concern.

“You better call Ryan,” Kelly said, worry creeping into her voice. Kate was in no state to drive, and her husband would need to pick her up.

Suddenly, Kate collapsed to the floor, and Kelly’s heart jumped into her throat as she rushed to her sister’s side.

David scooped Kate up and carried her to the office where he gently laid her down on the couch as Kelly frantically called Ryan. They waited in worried silence.

“Kate!” Ryan shouted, rushing in just as Tara placed a cold washcloth on Kate’s forehead. He knelt down beside her, panic clear in his eyes.

“She said morning sickness was bothering her. I told her to go home.”

“Kel, I think she should take some time off work. Like I said, I can be here more often,” Melanie offered.

“I think that’s a good idea. She needs to rest more.”

“Kate, baby?” Ryan whispered, caressing her cheek.

“What happened?” Kate murmured, slowly opening her eyes.

Kelly squeezed her hand. “You fainted, sis.”

“Oh god,” Kate groaned, closing her eyes again.

“We should go to the doctor,” Ryan insisted, worry etched on his face.

“Ryan,” Kate protested weakly.

“You should go to be safe,” Kelly urged her softly.

“All right,” Kate finally agreed, sighing.

Ryan helped her up carefully, and they left together, leaving Kelly feeling anxious.

She spent the rest of the day working on paperwork while Melanie and Tara handled the front. An hour before closing, she got a text from Ryan telling her that Kate was fine and resting at home.

When they finally closed, she decided to surprise Mitch with some dinner at his office. Maybe he’d forgotten about their anniversary because they’d both been spending so much time at work. With a little extra effort, Kelly hoped she could reignite the romance that they’d once had.

After touching up her makeup and spraying perfume, she drove over to his workplace with some of his favorite takeout. The security guard recognized her and let her through. But as she walked to Mitch’s office, she heard strange noises coming from inside.

Her heart started pounding as she slowly opened the door, and what she saw shattered her completely—her husband fucking his assistant right there on his desk.

“What the hell, Mitch!” she shouted, her voice shaking with anger and hurt.

“Oh god, Kel!” Mitch gasped, quickly pulling away from the woman and scrambling to get dressed as his assistant did the same.

She threw the bag of food at him, tears burning in her eyes. “I can’t believe you!” she yelled, her voice breaking.

“Baby, please,” Mitch pleaded desperately.

“Don’t call me that. Not anymore. We’re done. It’s over!” she screamed, turning and running out the door.

“Kelly!” Mitch shouted after her.

“Leave me alone!”

She rushed to the elevator, heart racing, and bolted out as soon as the doors opened on the ground floor.