First day at work!The floor was sticky, a disgusting mixture of spilled soda, dropped fries, and forgotten ketchup. My hands ached from scrubbing the grime off the tables, and my back screamed in protest with every movement. I was exhausted, my legs like jelly, and my belly, a giant bowling ball stuck to my body, was throbbing with every step. It wasn’t supposed to be this hard. I had thought a cleaning job would be easy, a way to earn some money and get back on my feet. But here I was, feeling like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, and my aching back.“You should have gotten an abortion,” a voice sneered behind me. My stomach lurched. I knew those words were meant to hurt, to make me feel small, worthless.“So with this your pot belly, they call it pregnancy…can you even use it to work?” another voice chimed in, dripping with mockery. The laughter that followed was like a swarm of angry bees, buzzing in my ears, stinging my heart. I tried to ignore them, to
Bacon and toast! The smell filled our tiny apartment, making my tummy rumble. My three little sweethearts, Jade, Joan, and Jones, were already at the kitchen counter, their eyes shining bright, ready for breakfast.“Mommy, are we packing for Daddy’s place today?” Jade asked, her voice a sweet melody that always melted my heart.I took a deep breath, my chest tightening as I felt the familiar pang of guilt. “Yes, sweetie,” I said, forcing a smile. “We’re going to see Daddy today. We’re going home.”“But Mommy, why do we have to go home?” Joan asked, her brow furrowed in confusion."Because it's time, sweetie. It's time we go back to our country," I said, trying to keep my voice light. “Can’t we stay here? This place is so fun!” Jones chimed in, his voice filled with a child’s innocent joy. They were right. This place, this little apartment, was where they had grown up, where they had learned to walk and talk, where they had discovered the world with wide eyes and curious hearts. It w
You know those times when you're excited about a trip? Imagine that, but you're also a little scared because you're going back to a place where things went really wrong. Like, really, really wrong. So, there I was, with my kids, all happy and carefree, heading to the airport. I was trying to pretend everything was okay, but deep down, I was feeling like a scared little kid myself. You know how sometimes you get that tight feeling in your chest when you're nervous? Yeah, that was me. But I had to be strong for my kids, right? They were looking at me with their bright, innocent eyes, so I put on a brave face and said, "Come on, team, let's go home!" We got on the plane, and I took a deep breath. This was it, the moment we'd been waiting for. I was going back to my country, to the place where I'd grown up, where I felt safe and loved. But it was also the place where everything had fallen apart. The place where I'd lost everything. We were soaring through the air, the world shrinking
Her words were a venomous barb, a reminder of the power she held, the power he had allowed her to wield. I felt a surge of anger, but I held it back, my anger fueled by the fear I saw in my children's eyes."You know what, Jeffrey," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "You have nothing to do with me anymore. And if you think you can just waltz back into my life and pretend nothing happened, you're wrong. I'm not the same woman I was. I've moved on. And I'm not going back." I turned my back on them, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. I took my children's hands, their small fingers intertwined with mine, a reminder of the love and strength that held us together. "Come on, team," I said, my voice firm. "Let's get home." The taxi pulled up to the familiar brick building, a wave of nostalgia washing over me as I recognized the intricate wrought iron fence and the cheerful potted geraniums lining the entrance. It was home. "We're here, Miss Caroline," the driver announced, his
CarolineI stepped through the front door, feeling so tired after a long day at work. I just wanted to relax and find my husband, Jeffrey. But when I walked into the living room, I was stunned with what i saw.There he was, laughing with another woman on our matrimonial bed."Babe, what’s happening here?" I blurted out, my voice shaking as I tried to make sense of the scene before me.Jeffrey turned, his face hardening as if I was a stranger in my own home. "What does this look like to you?"he snapped, rising from the bed with a fierce look in his eyes. He walked toward me, gripping a piece of paper as if it held all the power in the world. "Sign the divorce papers!"he said, shoving the document toward me like it was a blunt instrument. "B... but babe!!" I stammered, my mind racing with disbelief."Will you shut up and just do it already?" His voice was ice-cold, cutting through my confusion like a knife. Each word stabbed at my heart, making me feel like I was on the verge of fallin
Caroline's povI walked away from the counter and tried to get my bearings when a man approached me. "Hey there," he said softly, leaning closer so I could hear him over the thumping music in the bar. "Do you need a ride?"At first, I felt confused but also curious. I blinked at him, shaking my head to clear the fog. "Who are you?"I asked, my voice slightly shaky."Just someone who wants to help," he replied, flashing a warm smile that, despite my hesitation, made me feel a little more at ease. "Let’s get you out of here."I looked around, seeing the lights and the crowd still lost in their party excitement. I felt out of place. With his support, I took a deep breath and made my way to a sleek black car parked nearby.He opened the door for me, and I slid into the soft leather seat. It enveloped me, making me feel both comfortable and a little uneasy at the same time. I watched him get in next to me, his presence strong and reassuring."Where are we going?"I whispered, trying to sou
Caroline's PovAfter having a good taste of the coffee,i paid and walked down the streets to get a cab.I flagged down a taxi, sliding into the back seat with trembling hands. “Where to?” the driver asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.I hesitated, my mind blank. Where do I go from here? I had no home to return to .Jeffrey had made that painfully clear. My life had been ripped apart, and I had no idea how to pick up the pieces. Finally, I gave the driver an address, not my own but a friend’s, someone I hoped would understand.I entered the and the taxi pulled away from the curb, I leaned my head against the window, watching the pedestrians along the streets. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more painful than the last. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, willing myself to find that strength. I had to. Because if I didn’t, Jeffrey’s betrayal would define me, and I wouldn’t let him have that power over me anymore. The taxi came to a stop in front of my
Caroline I think it’s best if you leave now," she said quietly, glancing away. "I’m sorry, Caroline. I really am. But this is your mess to sort out."My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I turned, stumbling down the steps of Maralyn’s porch. My entire world felt like it was crumbling around me, piece by agonizing piece. The one person I had trusted to help me pick up the pieces had slammed the door in my face. ‘‘Barren?"The accusation rang in my ears like a cruel bell.I walked away from Maralyn’s house, the shock gave way to a rising tide of anger and despair.My body moved in a weak way,my mind spinning with confusion. I had nothing left,no home, no husband, no friends. Everything I thought I could depend on was gone.I reached the corner of the street and paused, feeling the last of my strength drain away. My body shook with silent sobs, the grief and betrayal crashing down on me all at once. I wanted to scream, to cry out, but all I could do was stand there, trembling and