Stardust and Kisses

Unraveled

Aaron

As I pushed open the front door, a sense of relief washed over me. The day had been an exhausting blur of accusations, confrontations, and Heather’s relentless grilling. I wasn't sure what she thought of me—probably somewhere between a spoiled brat and an i***t—but it didn’t matter. She was working, and that’s what counted.

Before I could fully step inside, Jasper came rushing down the hall, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process. He looked panicked, but there was something else in his expression, something almost… relieved.

“Aaron, dude!” he gasped, skidding to a stop in front of me, holding his phone up like it was some kind of treasure. “You won’t believe this.”

I tossed my keys onto the counter, eyeing him warily. “What now? More headlines?”

Jasper shook his head, his eyes wide. “No, man. That’s the thing! I’ve been checking every site, every blog, even the shady ones—and they’re gone. The articles, the pictures—poof. Like they never existed.”

That got my attention. I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms as I leaned back against the door. “Gone? Just like that?”

“Yeah! Heather must’ve pulled some serious strings or paid someone off because it’s like they’ve been wiped off the face of the internet. No one’s talking about you anymore.” He grinned, almost giddy with excitement. “It’s like she’s a damn magician!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking my head. “Heather doesn’t mess around, does she?”

Jasper laughed too, but there was an edge to his voice, like he still couldn’t believe it. “Dude, I don’t know what she did, but it worked. I mean, I thought you were screwed, and now—”

“Now,” I interrupted, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over me, “everything’s going to be fine.”

I wasn’t sure why, but I believed it. Heather had stepped in and, true to her word, was already making things happen. She wasn’t just good—she was dangerous. And for the first time since this whole mess started, I felt like maybe—just maybe—things would actually settle down.

“Alright,” I said, clapping Jasper on the shoulder, “go get some rest. We’ll regroup tomorrow.”

Jasper gave me a nod, still buzzing with nervous energy as he backed away and disappeared down the hall. I walked over to the couch, collapsing onto it with a sigh. Everything seemed to be shifting, and though I didn’t know what Heather’s next move was, I knew she was in control now.

I must’ve fallen asleep at some point, the exhaustion finally catching up with me, because when I woke up, it was dark. The living room was still and quiet, save for the faint hum of the fridge in the kitchen. I stretched, groggy and disoriented, before noticing my phone buzzing on the coffee table.

A call? At this hour?

I frowned, picking up the phone and squinting at the screen. It was an unknown number.

For a second, I thought about ignoring it, but something told me to pick up. Maybe it was Heather, or maybe it was just curiosity, but I hit the answer button and held the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” I said, my voice rough with sleep.

At first, there was nothing—just silence. But then, I heard it. A sob. Faint, but unmistakable.

“Hello?” I repeated, sitting up straight now, a knot forming in my stomach.

“Aaron…” A girl’s voice, shaky and barely holding it together, came through the line. “I-I don’t know what to do.”

The knot tightened. “Who is this?”

There was a pause, and then the voice whispered, “It’s Veronica.”

I froze, every muscle in my body going rigid. Veronica. The last person I ever thought I’d hear from again.

“Veronica?” I asked, my mind racing. I hadn’t spoken to her in months. What the hell was she doing calling me now? And why was she crying?

She sniffed, trying to keep her voice steady. “I didn’t know who else to call. I—I’m pregnant, Aaron. And it’s yours.”

The words hit me like a freight train, slamming into my chest and knocking the breath out of me. For a second, I couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. My mind went blank, and all I could hear was the echo of her words in my head.

Pregnant. Mine.

“Are you sure?” I finally managed to say, my voice hoarse.

She let out another sob, her