I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I know it's my fault, and you'd say the same. We broke even before your accident, but I was too scared - too much of a coward - to leave. You deserved better, despite the crap you put me through. I know you hate me; you have every right to, but not as much as I hate myself. The day we split, you told me this would happen, and I didn't believe you. No, it's not even that. I didn't want to believe you. You'd lied so much, played with my emotions, and pushed me until I gave in, and I wasn't going to be that person anymore, so I ignored it. I overlooked your warning and all the signs I saw along the way until it was too late.
My kids - your kids - deserved better than you. Better than what you couldn't give to them. They have that now, so you don't need to worry. I'm sorry I pushed you to the edge; however, I'm not sorry I left.
I hope you can rest in peace, whatever that might mean for you.
I've had some writer's block lately, so I figured this might help me free myself. I'm writing this to you, in particular, because amongst everyone in my life. You were the only one that doesn't believe in me. You didn't believe in my ability, my talent, my worth.
"You'll never amount to anything."
"I read that garbage. Your writing is subpar, at best."
"You don't even understand the basics! And you call yourself a writer?"
Those are things I'd hear from you regularly, and they honestly brought me down. You were someone I looked up to, admired—someone I idolized. But then you showed me your true colors. And just like that, my fantasy came tumbling down.
It took a while to get back to where I truly believed I could do something, to make something of myself and my work. Luckily for me, I had surrounded myself by wonderful, caring people that only ever wanted the very best for me. People that saw my strengths and, instead of pointing out my flaws, helped me build myself accordingly.
Thanks to you, I stopped idolizing false Gods and began cherishing those who mattered - those closest to me - and I've never been prouder than I am now. You mean nothing, and you will continue to mean nothing as long as I'm doing what I love, no thanks to you.
AURORA'S CELL PHONE: Oliver keeps his deceased ex-wife's cell phone in the drawer in his office, though no one knows it's there. When he retrieved her things from the police, after the accident, Olly was going through it and decided to keep it, if only for his children. They deserved to have something of hers that shows evidence of just how much she loved, and cherished, them.
RUBBER BAND BALL: If he's being completely honest, Oliver has no idea how this ball even wound up in his drawer. It literally appeared one day while he was gone. He has a sneaking suspicion it's the children, but that has yet to be confirmed. It also seems to be growing with every passing day.
POST IT NOTES: Oliver uses these for whenever inspiration strikes, so he keeps a pack or two as backups in his office in case he ever runs out and needs one in a hurry. He also carries them around with him, though no one knows about that, either.
GO FISH CARD GAME: The children love to play games. Often times, he's found they come to his room while he's "trying" to write and asks to play. Oliver keeps this spare in his drawer for when that moment happens. There are times when all six kids are in his office playing GO FISH with him.
PAPER CLIPS: He may or may not have an obsession with fancy paper clips. These, however, were given to him by his children after seeing his habit and quietly enabling him. Being a writer, Oliver keeps things like this close to him at all times.
UNSENT LOVE LETTER: At the very bottom of his drawer, shoved back in the corner where no one can see, Oliver keeps an unsent love letter he'd wrote for Riley while she was in England and he was in New York, at college. It was after Aurora's miscarriage, after they'd split again, but before Riley got pregnant with Henry.
Oliver loves working out. He loves to be adventurous and try new things. Hiking and rock climbing are two of his favorite outdoor sports. Every morning, after dropping off the kids, Olly heads out for his daily run; here is a playlist that helps keep him motivated.
Charlie Puth - Light Switch
Ed Sheeran - Shivers
Dua Lipa - Physical
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber - Stay
5 Seconds of Summer - Teeth
TXT - Magic
The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face
Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop The Feeling
Jason Derulo, LAY, NCT 127 - Let's Shut Up & Dance
A look at the life of Oliver Brighton and his hectic fully detailed morning routine. Complete with Starbucks coffee order and Cracker Barrel breakfast favorite.
Vt Dirty Chai Latte
Light Ice
4 shots Espresso
4 pumps Vanilla
2 pumps Caramel
2 pump Cinn Dolce
Almond Milk
Sunrise Sampler
Scrambled eggs
Grits [sweet; 2 butters & 2 sugars]
Gravy and biscuits
Fried apples
Hashbrown Casserole
2 Smoked sausage
2 Country ham
2 Thick-sliced bacon
ADD: 3 stack of pancakes
515 AM: shoo Riley away to sleep fifteen more minutes
530 AM: begrudgingly wake up
545 AM: head downstairs and start a pot of coffee (it's not Starbucks but it'll do for now)
6 AM: sit and enjoy the quiet for a little while
630 AM: go back upstairs and wake up Liam
640 AM: recruit Kate and Anna to wake up their brothers
650 AM: break up the fight between the siblings due to the way the girls woke up the boys
7 AM: holler at the kids to make sure they're all awake
715 AM: head back downstairs to start making breakfast
725 AM: yell up the stairs for the kids to come to eat
735 AM: praise Henry as he's the only child that listened; ask him to set the table for breakfast
748 AM: finish the pancakes before going upstairs and fighting with Liam to get off his PS5
752 AM: scold Mylo for going back to sleep; rush him to get ready
759 AM: grab the girls from their room where they're playing with their dolls
8 AM: usher the bunch downstairs to eat their breakfast
820 AM: warn them they have five minutes to get done and at the car
828 AM: rush them all to the SUV
830 AM: drop Liam, Henry, Mylo, and Zoie off at elementary school
845 AM: drop off the little ones (Katie and Annie) at daycare
9 AM: pull up at Starbucks and finally get the good coffee
Oliver has many fears, just as any other human does. They influence his actions from day to day, even if he doesn't notice it. There are a few that's been around since childhood, as one would have guessed. Then there are those that have grown from experiences in his life. Traumatic things that have happened to him - that changed him as a person. However, he does not allow those fears to control his life. These are his 'Top 3'.
Fear of accidents: Since his ex-wife's passing, Oliver has found it hard to be in a car and not think of the worst. When Aurora got into her accident his children were in the car; Mylo was sitting in the front even though he was still too young. By the time Oliver had been informed, a few hours had already passed and his children were left alone at the hospital. Upon his arrival, he was informed that his son had internal bleeding and needed a blood transfusion, while his daughters remained unharmed. Of course, Oliver would give whatever he could to help save his son's life. His fear stems from this traumatic experience making it difficult for him to operate a vehicle.
Fear of thunder and lightning: He wished he could explain this fear and why he has it, but he can not. It's something that's been part of him since he was a young boy and grew with him well into adulthood. It's ironic because he loves the rain - enjoys it even - but he can feel his anxiety spike the moment the claps of thunder start. Dark clouds, bright flashes of light, loud atomic booms rumbling in the sky: those are a few of his least favorite things.
Fear of death: This is a bit more complicated than the other two as it has many layers to his fear. Firstly, he's afraid to leave those he's close about alone. His daughters without a father, when they've already lost their mother. His friends without someone to talk to, to confide in. His parents, without a son, and his sister, without a brother. Secondly, Oliver is scared of what happens when he dies. What if he doesn't go to Heaven? Is there even a Heaven or a Hell? Are these thoughts his children will have once he's gone? He sure hopes not.
When Oliver caught his wife cheating, his first call was to his best friend Riley. She was there for him, just like every other moment in his life. When - not even three months later - his wife was involved in an accident that resulted in her death, Oliver's first call was once again Riley. She suggested he and the girls come live with her in Charlotte, NC while they adjusted to life without Aurora. Olly took her up on the offer; this is the home they share.
Estate home in the gated community in the heart of Dilworth. Entertainment abounds w/ resort-style pool w/sun bathing landing & spa, putting green, two built-in grills (on the main level outdoor terrace and on the pool level), and poolside built-in fire pit. 2 story grand entrance w/ curved staircase, grand 2 story great room with brick/stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace. 2 story keeping room w/ floor to ceiling fireplace featuring pool views. Open concept kitchen w/ built-in Kitchen Aid refrigerator, 2 Bosch dishwashers, Thermador double oven & gas cooktop, open coffee/pantry area & butler's pantry, & formal dining room. Gleaming hardwoods throughout the main living area. Primary suite on main w/ marble flooring, sitting area, double walk-in closets, laundry & spa bath. The upper level features 3 additional bedroom suites. The lower level features a great room with fireplace, bar area, 1000 bottle temp controlled wine room, & 3 additional rooms for exercise, office, and/or bedroom.
The outside of the house is simply stunning with the contrast of white walls and grey roofing, a round brick driveway, and bright green grass. In the backyard is an underground pool and mini-golf course. Oliver loves this home and hopes he doesn't have to ever leave it.
The living room/kitchen area is an open concept making the room feel large and impressive. With the presence of six children under the age of ten, this was the best option for the duo. (Even though Riley picked the home out before Oliver arrived. Shh, it's okay, he can take some credit.)
The grand entryway is one of Oliver's favorite parts of the house. It's so breathtaking when the home is first entered that one can't help but love it. The stairs have a balcony overlooking the front door which leads into a formal dining area the pair rarely uses.
Riley was gracious enough to give Oliver his own study/office area in the home. It's much more exquisite than what he's used to, which makes him want to work that much harder. The shelves are full of books - his and those he enjoys reading - as well as awards he's won and fan gifts he has received.
Zoie is obsessed with the color purple, so it came as no surprise that that was the chosen theme for her new bedroom in Charlotte. She has a place for her stuffed animals which she collects (whether by choice or by force, Olly isn't too sure). Her bathroom is the same theme of purple, of course. She enjoys her space as she is getting older. Oliver loves seeing how grown up she is, but he also wishes she'd slow down a little. It's moving a bit too fast for him.
Anna and Kate share a room since the two are only a year apart, but also the youngest of the group. They really enjoy spending time in their own space as any girl does. They have two single beds with giant flowers painted on the wall behind them. It's beautiful and very them. On the other side of the room is a small play area that, if Oliver can say, is always scattered with toys. They also have a soft pink bathroom of their own, though they only use it when accompanied by an adult.
Henry and Mylo also share a room as they are so close in age. They enjoy the same things and often have to be pried from their room by force. It's an adventure theme with mountains painted on the walls and a dual desk area for them to sit and do their homework. There are multiple things around the room to keep the boys occupied including a PS5, Xbox One, and a switch that they share. They also have an attached whale-themed bathroom.
Oliver's bedroom is simply a place for him to rest his head at night, and that's it. The walls are black, with a simple design and theme. His attached bathroom is the same way, only the walls are a rich grey color. It's simple and very Olly. He loves that space though he doesn't spend a lot of time there.
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