All Shades Of Us

Chapter 4: The Struggle

The soft hum of the tuning fork vibrated through the air, blending with the gentle chiming of Aaliyah's singing bowl. She sat cross-legged on a woven mat in her makeshift meditation room, her eyes closed as she exhaled deeply. Across from her, Theo mirrored her position, his salt-and-pepper hair tied back in a loose ponytail, his presence as calming as the sounds surrounding them.

"You're holding tension, Aaliyah," Theo said, his voice low and steady. He tapped the tuning fork again, placing it near her shoulder. "I can feel it in the way you're breathing."

Aaliyah let out a shaky laugh, her eyes opening slightly. "I'm surprised I can breathe at all with everything happening right now."

Theo gave her a knowing look, his dark eyes warm with patience. "Tell me what's on your mind."

She hesitated, glancing at the folder lying on the low table nearby. The words Marriage Contract stared back at her, bold and unrelenting.

"A man from my past showed up," she said finally, her voice soft but heavy with emotion.

Theo tilted his head. "The father of your son?"

Aaliyah nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Killian. He wants us to get married... for Kai's sake."

Theo raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"He's offering stability—everything I've struggled to give Kai on my own. But it's not real, Theo. It's just a business arrangement to him. A way to fix what he thinks he's been missing."

"And how does that make you feel?"

She sighed, running a hand through her silver waves. "Angry. Confused. Like he's trying to waltz in and fix things with money and contracts, as if that can make up for seven years of not being there."

Theo struck the singing bowl gently, the soothing sound resonating in the quiet room. "What do you want, Aaliyah? Not just for Kai, but for yourself?"

She closed her eyes again, letting the sound wash over her. "I want Kai to have a better life. A chance to succeed without struggling like I did. But I don't want to lose myself in the process. I've worked too hard to build this life for us, even if it's not perfect."

Theo leaned forward, his voice soft but firm. "Then make your decision from a place of strength, not fear. Remember, you hold the power, Aaliyah. Not him. You always have."

Killian slouched on the sleek leather couch in his office, a glass of whiskey balanced in one hand. Across from him, Jackson Pierce leaned back in an armchair, his arms crossed as he studied his best friend.

"You've got that look again," Jackson said, breaking the silence.

Killian arched an eyebrow. "What look?"

"The 'I might have just made a stupid decision, but I'm too stubborn to admit it' look."

Killian snorted, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "This isn't about me. It's about my son."

Jackson whistled low. "So you're just going to swoop in, marry his mom, and play happy family? Seems a bit... extreme, don't you think?"

Killian's jaw tightened. "I'm not trying to play anything. Kai deserves better than what he has now. I'm giving him stability."

Jackson leaned forward, his expression skeptical. "And what about Aaliyah? You can't just slap a contract on this and call it a solution. She's a person, Killian, not a business deal."

Killian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his platinum hair. "I'm doing what I think is right. Maybe it's messy, but it's the best option I can see."

Jackson studied him for a moment, his gaze piercing. "You sure this is about Kai? Or are you trying to fix something in yourself?"

Killian didn't answer right away, his eyes dropping to the glass in his hand. He hated how Jackson always managed to cut through his defenses.

"I don't know," he admitted finally, his voice low. "But I can't just stand by and do nothing. Not anymore."

Jackson nodded slowly, a rare seriousness settling over his usually easygoing demeanor. "Then make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Kai deserves that. And so does she."

Later that night, Aaliyah sat at the small dining table, the apartment quiet except for the faint hum of the fridge. Kai was asleep in his room, and the folder Killian had left behind sat in front of her, its pristine edges mocking her hesitation.

She opened it carefully, her eyes scanning the neatly typed pages. The terms were clear:

They would marry for a minimum of twelve years, until Kai turned eighteen.

Aaliyah would receive a monthly "salary" of two hundred thousand dollars as compensation for fulfilling the role of Killian's wife, meant to ensure financial independence.

Kai's education, extracurriculars, and healthcare would be fully covered by Killian.

Killian retained the right to pursue relationships discreetly, provided they did not interfere with their arrangement.

Aaliyah, however, was to remain publicly committed to their family image.

She would have access to a personal wellness budget and resources to support her career or passions, should she choose to pursue them.

Her stomach churned as she read. It was cold, clinical—exactly what she would expect from a man like Killian Reed.

But beneath the sterile language, the contract offered a kind of security she'd never had before. Two hundred thousand dollars a month was an absurd number, far beyond anything she could dream of earning as a physical therapist. It wasn't just money—it was freedom. The freedom to give Kai everything he deserved and still carve out space for herself.

Aaliyah leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. It wasn't just a contract; it was a lifeline. A chance to give Kai the kind of life she'd always wanted for him.

But at what cost?

She stared at the final page, where a blank space awaited her signature. Her mind drifted back to Theo's words: Make your decision from a place of strength, not fear.

Could she do this? Could she tie herself to Killian, knowing how much it could complicate her life?

Her eyes flicked to the closed door of Kai's room. She thought of his laughter, his excitement on the basketball court, his wide hazel-green eyes—the same as his father's.

She exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision pressing down on her.

Aaliyah closed the folder and stood, her thoughts swirling like a storm. Tomorrow, she would have to face Killian. And one way or another, she would have to choose.