Chapter 1: My Secret

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As the first light of dawn casts a gentle glow across my room, I slowly open my eyes. The calm serenity of morning is something I've always treasured. It's a fleeting moment before the world wakes up, before my other life catches up to me. The life the world knows nothing about. I get out of bed, my bare feet touching the cold hardwood floor. It's a new day, a blank canvas. I walk over to my vanity and gaze at my reflection, brushing through my hair as thoughts race through my mind, just like they do every morning.

It's been 12 years. A dozen years since my world expanded in a way I never anticipated, with the arrival of my daughter, Bridget Andrea. I fondly call her Bee, a little buzz of joy in my life. The world sees me as Taylor Swift, the woman who pours her emotions into her music. But the most treasured part of my life is a beat that resonates far beyond the stage lights, in the laughter of a little girl who has my eyes. My hiatus before diving into the Reputation era wasn't just a break from music—it was my segue into motherhood. The chapters of love aren't always written the way we envision; Joe, her father, and I, we gave our best shot, but our duet turned into solos. Yet, love for Bee keeps the cord between us intact. He's in the UK, a reality that crafts a bitter-sweet tune as we navigate co-parenting across the oceans.

Every choice I've made, every time I've cloaked my personal joy under layers of anonymity, every clandestine escape, it's been to veil Bridget from the relentless storm of fame that whirls around me. I yearn for her to lead a normal life, to discover her own rhythm in this boundless cosmos. Bridget Andrea Swift, a name that echoes only within the private chambers of my life, a sweet melody that remains unheard to the world. And I hope it stays that way. She goes to a regular school, makes friends, and experiences the mundane and marvelous life without the shadow of my fame clouding her world. Sure, our shared last name and the curve of our smiles could spark a few whispers here and there, but they remain just whispers in the wind. I stalk my fans on social media and my vigil tells me that our secret is safe.

After freshening up, which now just means slipping into the usual sweatpants and a T-shirt, I head towards the kitchen. Bee is still tucked away in bed, a typical teenage routine on a weekend. I get it. She's been facing a tough time at school since I've put a firm no on sleepovers, both attending and hosting. It's all to shield her privacy, but lately, she sees me as the villain in her story. Mom says it's just the teen phase, yet on days like these, I wish Joe could step into my shoes for a bit.

With a sigh, I begin our Saturday morning pancake ritual, a tradition since her toddler days. Blueberries for her, strawberries for me. As I mix the batter, the rhythmic whisking sort of calms the churn of thoughts. Soon, the kitchen fills up with the warm, sweet scent of pancakes sizzling on the griddle. She has her orange juice, I brew my coffee. It's a comforting routine, a slice of normalcy in our unconventional world. This simple routine has been our thing for over a decade, a sweet rhythm amidst the beats of chaos that sometimes mark our lives.

I'm just smoothing out the tablecloth when Bee bursts through the living room door, decked out in her running attire. This catches me off guard - I was sure she was still in the land of dreams.

"Morning sweetheart!" My smile fades as I catch a glimpse of the alarm in her eyes.

"Mom," she pants, trying to catch her breath, "I think a paparazzo snapped a photo of me."

My heart plummets. "WHAT? WHERE?"

"I was on my usual lap around the track when I spotted what looked like a camera lens peeping through the bushes. There were definitely flashes."

My fork clatters against the table as I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath to quell the storm brewing inside me. I had invested in this secluded haven precisely to shield Bee from prying eyes, granting her the freedom to enjoy an array of outdoor activities right in our backyard -- a swimming pool, a running track, a playground, a tennis court, among other amenities, all nestled within a gated perimeter.

This breach was not just unexpected, but a harsh jolt to the bubble of privacy I had so meticulously crafted around us. The whole area was gated - there was no way they could have gotten in without some serious effort. The very thought of someone breaching our sanctuary to invade her privacy sent a chill down my spine.

I opened my eyes, my mind racing as I faced my worst fear coming to life. "Alright, let's not panic," I told her, though I could feel my own heart pounding against my chest. "We'll handle this. Let me make a few calls."

Bee nodded, her face pale but trying to keep it together. I admired her strength. I quickly dialed my security team to review the surveillance footage and to sweep the entire property for any intruders. Then I called my lawyer, preparing for the possibility that we might need to fight to keep her privacy protected. Next was Tree - I made her aware of the situation so she can quickly squish down any articles.

In between calls, I glanced at Bee who was now seated at the table, picking at her pancakes. She was trying to act normal, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I ended my last call and sat down across from her, reaching over to hold her hand.

"We'll get through this, Bee. I promise," I said, squeezing her hand gently.

She looked at me, her eyes welling up but nodded. "I know, Mom. It's just... scary."

I nodded, understanding exactly what she meant. The world we had built, the quiet life that allowed her to grow up away from the chaos, now felt threatened.

The phone rang again, pulling me away from our moment. It was going to be a long day, possibly the beginning of a longer battle. But as I answered the calls and began dealing with the situation, I knew I would do whatever it took to keep my daughter safe, to keep our world intact.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't a call. It was a news notification.

Taylor Swift has a daughter she's been hiding for YEARS - exclusive pics by TMZ.

Fuck. 

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