08/09/2026
CONCRETE ROSES
Chapter Three — Kristen
Miami had taught Kristen Vega how to smile while keeping secrets.
Atlanta had taught her that sometimes the past didn’t stay buried.
She sat in the back of a black SUV, watching the Atlanta skyline disappear behind her as her driver pulled into a quiet neighborhood.
She hadn’t been back in months.
Not since she and KJ ended things.
But this time was different.
Kristen placed one hand over her stomach.
She was pregnant.
And KJ didn’t know.
She stared out the window.
“How long are we staying?” the driver asked.
“However long I need.”
He nodded.
Nobody questioned Kristen Vega.
Not when her last name carried the kind of weight that made grown men lower their voices.
Her family didn’t just have money.
They had power.
The kind of power people didn’t put in bank accounts.
The kind people whispered about.
Kristen had spent most of her life trying to distance herself from her family’s business.
KJ was one of the few people who had known the real her.
Or at least, she thought he had.
She pulled out her phone and stared at his name.
KJ Walker.
She hadn’t called.
She didn’t need to.
She knew where he’d be.
⸻
KJ was sitting in his living room when his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He ignored it.
It rang again.
He frowned and answered.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then a familiar voice.
“Still don’t answer numbers you don’t recognize?”
KJ sat up straight.
“Kristen?”
“Hi, KJ.”
His jaw tightened.
“What the hell are you doing calling me?”
“I’m in Atlanta.”
He stood.
“Why?”
“I need to see you.”
“For what?”
She paused.
“Because there’s something you need to know.”
KJ rubbed his face.
“Kristen, whatever this is—”
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
Complete silence.
KJ stared at the wall.
“What?”
“I’m pregnant.”
He laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“Kristen…”
“I’m not joking.”
“How long?”
“Almost four months.”
KJ’s stomach dropped.
“Four months?”
“Yes.”
He started pacing.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I needed to be sure.”
“You been pregnant this whole time and didn’t tell me?”
“I found out after I left Atlanta.”
KJ stopped walking.
“Is it mine?”
Kristen’s voice became cold.
“Yes.”
Another silence.
Then KJ whispered,
“Are you sure?”
Kristen’s laugh was soft.
“Don’t insult me.”
KJ closed his eyes.
He thought about Nia.
Last night.
Her smile.
The way she’d looked at him when he’d kissed her.
Everything he’d been hoping to build suddenly felt like it was standing on a cracked foundation.
“Where are you?”
“At your old place.”
KJ’s eyes widened.
“You went to my house?”
“I’m waiting for you.”
“Kristen, don’t—”
The call ended.
⸻
Twenty minutes later, KJ pulled up.
Kristen was standing outside.
She looked almost exactly the same.
Long dark hair.
Designer sunglasses.
Cream dress.
Gold jewelry.
She looked like she had stepped out of a luxury magazine.
But KJ knew better.
He knew what lived underneath that beauty.
“Kristen.”
She turned.
“KJ.”
They stared at each other.
He walked closer.
“You really pregnant?”
She slowly removed her sunglasses.
“Yes.”
KJ looked at her stomach.
Then back at her.
“Why now?”
“Because I wasn’t going to raise your child without giving you the opportunity to be involved.”
He shook his head.
“You could’ve called me months ago.”
“I could have.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
Kristen looked away.
“Because I was angry.”
“At me?”
“At everything.”
KJ sighed.
“Kristen…”
She stepped closer.
“I’m not here to get you back.”
He looked at her.
“Good.”
Her expression didn’t change.
“I’m here because you’re the father of my child.”
KJ nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
“And there’s something else.”
He frowned.
“What?”
Kristen looked him directly in the eyes.
“My family knows.”
KJ’s face changed.
“Knows what?”
“About the baby.”
He stared at her.
“And?”
“They’re very interested in making sure their grandchild is protected.”
KJ’s stomach tightened.
He knew exactly what that meant.
Kristen’s family didn’t do anything halfway.
“And Kristen…”
She stepped closer.
“You should probably know something else.”
“What?”
She smiled.
“Your new girlfriend?”
KJ froze.
“What about her?”
Kristen’s smile disappeared.
“My family doesn’t like surprises.”
KJ’s voice hardened.
“Leave Nia out of this.”
“I didn’t say I was bringing her into anything.”
“Kristen.”
She held up her hands.
“Relax.”
But KJ knew that tone.
It was the same tone she’d used years ago when she was about to turn a quiet problem into a disaster.
“I just came to tell you the truth.”
She turned toward the SUV.
Then stopped.
“Oh, and KJ?”
He looked at her.
“Congratulations.”
She smiled.
“You’re going to be a daddy.”
She climbed into the SUV.
KJ stood there watching the vehicle disappear.
His phone vibrated.
A text from Nia.
Nia: Good morning ❤️ Hope you slept good.
KJ stared at the message.
His heart sank.
For the first time since meeting Nia, he didn’t know what to say.
Because whatever he said next…
was going to change everything.
