Chapter 4.

Five years later

As I drained the last of my coffee and set the cup down, I pulled my phone from my pocket. The moment I saw the time, my heart skipped a beat. It was already an hour past eleven!

"Mummy, we're ready! Let's go!" A tiny, excited voice broke through my panic. I looked up to see Asher, my adorable little boy, beaming at me. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Come here, baby Ash," I said, holding out my arms. He dashed over, and I ruffled his hair affectionately. "Where's Anna?"

"I'm right here!" Anna's sweet voice called out as she ran over, her bag slung tightly over her shoulder. Her long brunette hair and round hazel eyes were a striking contrast to her brother's short hair and forest-green eyes.

Five years had passed in what felt like the blink of an eye, and even though I was expecting just a “baby”, I ended up giving birth to two.

I patted their backs and knelt down to their level, planting a kiss on each of their right cheeks. "Let's go, you two. We don't want to miss our flight."

We gathered our bags and headed to the airport. In no time, we were on our way to New York City.

As we soared through the sky, a swirl of emotions churned within me. Returning to NYC after four years felt surreal. Four years of motherhood had changed me profoundly. I wasn't the same Selene Norman anymore.

Seated in the back of the vehicle taking us home, I glanced at my kids, completely absorbed in their games. They were my greatest treasures, even more so than Angela, despite their father being a complete scumbag. He was someone I vowed they'd never meet, no matter how curious they got. As far as I was concerned, he no longer existed.

The chauffeur's voice broke through my thoughts. "We're here, ma'am," he said with a smile.

We unloaded our luggage and made our way into the house. Angela greeted us with a beaming smile, and the kids lit up with joy at seeing her again.

Having lived in Georgia for four years, Angela decided it was time for us to come back home. She visited often during those years, and the kids adored her. Her presence was a blessing, distracting them from questions about their absent father.

"I'm proud of you, Selene. Welcome back," Angela said, hugging me tightly. My heart swelled with joy. It was incredible how a once dire situation had turned out so well.

Angela had helped me achieve more than I ever imagined. Thanks to her, I had fulfilled my dream of becoming a medical doctor. Now, I was not just certified but also recognized and respected in my field.

"Thank you, Mother." I pulled back from the hug and kissed her cheek, making her giggle. She had truly become like a mother to me.

"Grandma, we missed you!" Asher and Anna beamed as they ran to her, throwing themselves into her arms. Watching their joy made my heart flutter with happiness.

***

"Sleep tight, babies." I kissed them goodnight and tucked them into bed. Yet, I noticed their faces looked a bit sad. Had I done something wrong, or were they not happy to be back in NYC?

“"What's wrong, babies?" I asked, and they sat up, staring intently at me before Anna finally spoke.

"You told us we’re going to meet Daddy soon. How soon is it?" 

Her voice carried a hint of pain, and though her question felt like a dagger to my heart, I managed to chuckle. Every time they asked about their father, it hurt deeply. I couldn't let them know about Maximus. 

"Yes, Mom! Our friends have papas that hug them and tell them how much they love them. Where is ours?" Asher added, his innocent eyes full of longing. Despite the ache in my heart, I smiled wider.

"Babies, you'll meet your father soon. Don't you trust Mama?"

"We do," they chorused, settling back into their pillows without another word. Each time they asked about their father, I crafted a lie to soothe them, but as weeks passed, their questions grew more insistent.

I walked to my room with a heavy heart, knowing that no matter how many lies I told, the truth would eventually have to come out.

The next morning, I was greeted by the sight of someone I had never seen before. She stood at my doorstep, looking a bit out of place but insistent.

"I'm Nelly," she said, extending her hand. I leaned against the door, staring at her in shock.

"I don't know you, Nelly. Like I said, you're probably at the wrong house," I replied, eyeing the bags of goodies she held. My heart began to race with fear. How did she know I had children?

"Nelly, is that you?" Grandma's voice suddenly echoed through the room as she walked briskly to where I stood. "Nelly, welcome. Come on in."

I was stunned. I had never seen her before, and Grandma had never mentioned her. My surprise grew even more when Asher and Anna rushed forward and threw themselves into her arms.

"Aunty Nelly, we missed youuu!" 

After what happened the previous night, their mood had been dampened, but seeing their faces light up at Nelly made me happy a little, even though I was still in the dark.

Grandma turned to me. “Selene, this is Nelly, my helper.” I nodded, still unsatisfied. I needed to know how she knew Anna and Asher.

“She knew Asher and Anna through the video calls we made when I babysat them in Georgia. You were busy with work at the hospital, that’s probably why you never met her,” Grandma explained. I hummed in response, surprised that talkative Asher had never mentioned her. I turned to Nelly and smiled.

Even though I sensed something off about Nelly, I pushed it aside. What mattered most was that Anna and Asher liked her, which might finally end their questions about their father. That thought made me extremely happy.

“Nelly, it’s nice to meet you,” I said, giving her a brief hug. She immediately went to hand each child a bag of goodies.

“Thank you, Aunty Nelly!” they shouted in excitement, eagerly opening their bags. A soft giggle escaped my lips as I watched them twirl around.

Days passed, and Nelly being a Godsenx would be an understatement, she was more than that. Of course,I had time for my babies but I never even had to bother about re assuring them about their father.

*****

“Dr. Andrea, you have an emergency situation!” I rolled myself out of bed and got up, having heard those words my secretary seemed to greet me with first thing in the morning. It was 6am. Besides, I was on a leave.

“Dessie, I’m on leave. I only came by the hospital yesterday for an inspection, and you know that. There are other doctors who can handle this,” I said with a deep sigh.

Grandma had insisted on a two-week leave for me to rest properly. Since the hospital was mine, I had plenty of qualified junior doctors who could manage things.

“Dr. Andrea, the patient’s family insists that you handle it.” 

I smiled at hearing her use my name. I had changed it to keep a low profile and avoid being recognized.

“They’re willing to pay a million dollars—”

“Fine, I’m on my way,” I interrupted and hung up. It wasn’t the money that swayed me; I had more than enough. Something inside me compelled me to go, and the patient would be lucky for that.

A few minutes later, I was dressed and heading to the hospital. As I entered, several people bowed and made way for me, while Dessie guided me to the patient’s room.

Room 302. I flung the door open and walked in, but was met with a man pacing round in circles with his head bowed, so I tried to keep him calm.

“It’s okay, Mr. We’ll get this done,” I said, but as soon as he heard my voice, he looked up and turned around.

“Y-you’re Dr. Andrea?”

The moment our eyes met, my bag slipped from my grasp.