The next morning Kane is on the phone with Shalom. He's in his bathroom getting ready for the day.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Shalom asks me as I wipe my face clean for the third time in the last five minutes. I can't stop thinking about my conversation with Olive. I was mean but I had to be, she thinks there's a chance for us to get back together."I'm good baby," I say when I catch my breath. "Are you sure?" She says and I pick up the phone and change from voice call to video. I wait for her to accept the video call."I'm sure baby." I say when I see her face and she smiles."Okay." She says but she still has questions and I can tell. "I would tell you if something was wrong," I say and she nods."I'm glad to hear that." She says and I can hear the bathroom door open behind me. My heart sinks when I see Shalom's face change from joy to fear and then pain. "Hey, Kane," Olive says and when I look i"Is she still not answering?" Jay says looking at me in the review mirror. I shake my head no and he sighs in disappointment. "I'll try to call her with my phone maybe she'll answer." He says reaching for the phone.Mathew is sitting silently on the passenger side. I know he has a lot to say but he's not the I told you type of guy. He might not agree with my choices but will support me by being there.We left the house as soon as we were done packing. We have a two-hour drive ahead of us and I can honestly say I'm terrified of what I am going to find at the end of this drive.I can handle her screaming at me, throwing things at me, cursing me out but I can't take her leaving me.A part of me knows I am going to get home and it's to be empty. "She won't ."I say as his phone starts ringing."I fucked up and I'm going to have to get out of this myself." I say as the phone continues to ring. "I should
It's 24 hours since I got home and Shalom is still not answering my phone. I've been sitting on this sofa since I got home from work two hours ago and I haven't moved an inch. I'm having every emotion a human can experience flow through my bodyBut the worst one is an emptiness in the pit of my stomach.My mind is going back to a place I don't want to be in. Memories I buried a long time ago are resurfacing and
An hour and a half later I walk into my bedroom and find Rene asleep in her crib and Kane is fast asleep on my bed. He's lying on his side with his hand over his chest. I stare at his face and wonder if this is the man I fell in love with. How could he do this to me? I trusted him, opened up to him, had a baby with him and I was ready to get married to him.And then he did this to me.I'm so angry I could strangle him.I want to scream and let all the hurt out of my body. I want the world to know how much I hate him and his ex-fiance"Kane wake up," I say touching his arm. I shake it lightly and wait for him to open his eyes. It takes a minute but he opens them eventually. "It's time to go home," I say and the smile on his face fades slowly."You're kicking me out?" He asks his voice breaking a little. he turns all the way onto his back looking up at me. He touches my hand and I take it away. He looks at me and then
It's been three days since the situation with Olive happened. Shalom is still not talking to me. She hasn't allowed me to explain myself.I feel like shit, I'm not sleeping. I'm not eating and I can barely keep myself upright. The thought of living like this is killing me. I can't imagine a time when I'm not with her and my kids.I've been going to work, mostly 18-hour days. And when I get off I go to her house spend time with my daughter and then go back to an empty house.As soon as I walk through her door she lets me know where Rene is and then she disappears into her office until it's time for me to leave. She's said maybe three words in the last three days.And today is not any different."Hi," I say when she opens the door. She looks at me and then she steps aside to let me in."Rene is on the sofa in her baby pod." She says in answer and then she walks away. I close the door and head to
Day one of my fellowship starts right now. I pull my car into my designated parking spot. That's perk number of this new chapter in my life. I purposefully left home early so I could have five minutes to myself here. I sit back and take in all that I have achieved. It took a lot of blood, sweat, long nights and tears to get here.I had to make so many sacrifices to be in this very position I don't take any of it for granted.I just wish Shalom and I were on good terms. I wish I could call her and tell her how much I love and appreciate the support she has given me in the last year. I needed her and she showed up for me in more ways than I can count.I reach for my phone and stare at it. I don't kno
After the tour, we're led to the department conference room where Dr Hunter is already waiting to meet us. He greets us with a smile when we walk in. I'm surprised by this because during my interview he wasn't particularly smiley and he has a reputation for being tough. I don't blame him though. He has one of the toughest jobs in the country.But it's great to see an actual human smile."Good morning, everyone. I'm Dr Hunter, the Head of the Neurosurgery Department I know we've all met before but I wanted to officially introduce myself to extend a warm welcome to all of you on your first day as fellows here. This is an exciting and challenging time, and we're thrilled to have you join our team." He says once we've settled in our seats."You've already met Dr. Malik. So I would like you to take a moment to introduce yourselves. Tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue neurosurgery. Let's start on the right." He say
My heart breaks for Kane as soon as he walks through the door. To say he looks like shit is an understatement. I can tell he hasn't slept since Olive Gate happened and he started his new job a week ago. I wish he would stop pressuring himself by showing up here every day. I know he; 's trying to get closer to me but I'm not going to let him back in any time soon.I don't know if I can forgive a cheating man."R
"You expect me to believe that?" I ask turning to look at him. I feel so many emotions run through my body. I don't know if I want to cry, scream or sit in silence forever. I love this man with all of my heart. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him."I expect you to trust me." He says and I laugh a little. "I will never lie to you. And I will never cheat on you." He says and I sigh feeling so angry."Kane, your ex-fiance walked into your vacation room naked," I say closing my eyes for a second. I shake my head trying to remove the image from my head. I will never unsee this. "What do you expect me to think or feel?" I ask looking back at him."She wasn't supposed to be there""But she was," I say cutting him off. I hate doing that to anyone but I don't know how to be civil right now. I don't know how to be understanding."I know, I know," I say placing his face into his hands, robbing it a li
Six months later, our wedding day arrives. The venue is a charming chapel nestled in the hills, surrounded by a sea of white flowers. Everything is draped in white: the chairs, the aisle runner, even the delicate lace that adorns the altar. The soft glow of fairy lights adds a touch of magic, creating a dreamy atmosphere that feels like a scene out of a fairytale. Our guest list is intimate, just fifty of our closest friends and family, making the occasion feel even more special.I’m in a small room at the back of the chapel, getting ready. My dress is a vision of white silk and lace, hugging my curves in all the right places. The intricate beadwork sparkles as I move, catching the light. My hair is styled in loose waves, cascading down my back, with a simple veil trailing behind me. My mother and daughter, my beautiful flower girls, are beside me, dressed in matching white dresses with delicate floral crowns on their heads.My mother fusses over me, adjusting my veil and smoothing ou
I lie on my side and stare at Kane lying next to me. He closes his eyes and then he sighs happily as his body slowly calms down from the high of our orgasms. “I missed you so much,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. I reach out and touch his brow, feeling the familiar warmth of his skin. The simple contact brings a rush of relief.He opens his eyes and smiles, the tenderness in his gaze melting the remaining shards of hurt within me. “I missed you too,” he replies, moving closer.“I don’t want to fight like that with you ever again,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, yet carrying the weight of a heartfelt promise. His nod is immediate, his eyes reflecting the same resolve.“We will never fight like that ever again,” he assures me, his tone filled with sincerity. He takes my hand into his, his grip firm yet gentle. Lifting it to his lips, he kisses it softly, the gesture a silent vow of commitment and love.I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of contentment that flows throug
I'm in bed watching Shaolm get ready to go to sleep. She's wearing one of those lingerie sets where you can see through the material. I watch the way her skin peaks through and wish my lips were slowly gliding over it. I wish I could feel the softness hidden beneath the material."You okay?" She says when she stops in the middle of the room to look at me. I nod and she starts walking into the bathroom.When she comes back to the room she gets into bed next to me."You're very silent tonight." She says looking over at me."I'm just thinking about how beautiful you are." I say and she smiles shyly."You're beautiful too." She says her smile getting wider and I just stare at her. There's so much light and warmth in her eyes it makes me sigh. She's incredibly gorgeous."Thank you." I say leaning over to kiss her. She wraps her arms around me leaning into the kiss.I slide onto my back, pulling her onto me. I moan
After a long day at the hospital, I finally make my way home, the weight of the day’s events pressing down on me. The evening air is cool, a welcome contrast to the sterile feeling of the hospital. As I unlock the door, the familiar scent of home greets me, and I immediately feel a bit lighter.“Baby?” I call out, stepping inside.“In the kitchen!” Her voice rings back, cheerful and warm.I find her at the stove, stirring a pot of something that smells amazing. She turns and smiles when she sees me, her eyes lighting up. “Hey, you. How was your day?”I lean in to kiss her, savoring the brief moment of normalcy. “Busy. Interesting, too. Smells great in here.”“Chicken curry,” she says with a grin. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you get changed and relax for a bit?”“Sounds perfect.” I head to our bedroom, changing into more comfo
The hospital corridors hum with the usual morning bustle. As I head to the conference room for the morning briefing, I notice a familiar figure ahead, her brown hair tied back in a neat ponytail. My steps falter for a second before I continue walking, my mind racing.Olive.I know she ran into Shalom a week ago and I don't know how she'll react. It sucks that we have to work together but their internal medicine fellowship and our neurosurgery program h work together from time t time and I'm stuck with her this week. The unexpected sight of her here, in the same hospital, stirs up a whirlwind of emotions.Entering the conference room, I take a seat and try to focus on the meeting. Dr. Malik outlines the cases for the day, his voice steady and authoritative. When he mentions a complex case requiring collaboration with internal medicine, my heart skips a beat.“And for this case, you’ll be working closely with Dr. Olive Bennett from Internal Medicine,” he says, glancing around the room
Today is my first solo surgery. I can't believe it but I can because I worked harder than most people and I'm not surprised I've progressed so quickly in the program.It's both exciting and nerve wrecking blend as I prepare for my first solo surgery. It's a simple procedure—a lumbar discectomy—but the significance of it being my first is huge.Dr. Hunter's words from that first day echo in my mind as I scrub in: "This program is designed to challenge you and expand your capabilities." I’ve spent countless hours observing, assisting, and honing my skills under the watchful eyes of the attendings. Today, it’s my turn.I walk into the OR, the sterile environment buzzing with the quiet efficiency of the surgical team. Dr. Malik, who has been an incredible mentor, gives me a reassuring nod from across the room. “Ready, Dr.?” He smiles at me and I exhale slowly.“Ready,” I reply, my voice steady despite the
Sitting in my car, the world around me blurs as tears fill my eyes. My chest tightens, and I struggle to catch my breath. The image of Shalom with her baby is burned into my mind, a constant reminder of what I’ve lost. Panic grips me, making it hard to think, hard to breathe.I close my eyes, trying to calm myself. "In and out," I whisper to myself, focusing on my breathing. "In and out." Slowly, the panic begins to recede, but the pain remains, a dull ache in my chest.I lean back in my seat, staring at the ceiling. How did it come to this? How did I end up here, alone and broken? Kane was everything to me, and now he’s gone, living a life I can only dream of. I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing I could erase the last few minutes from my memory.But the truth is, I needed to see it. I needed to see that Kane has moved on, that he’s happy. Maybe now I can start to heal, to find a way to move forward without him.With a shaky breath, I open my eyes and wipe away the tears. I need to get ou
I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's her. My heart pounds as I duck behind a rack of summer dresses, and my breath catches in my throat. I peek through the fabric, watching Shalom browse the store with her baby. The scene stirs a whirlwind of emotions in me—a mix of anger, jealousy, and a tinge of curiosity.Shalom moves gracefully, her attention focused on the baby in a stroller. I can see the soft coos and the gentle way Shalom interacts with her baby, a smile across her lips. I feel my heart break at the sight. I want to get closer, to see the baby, and to understand what has changed in Kane's life since he broke up with me.My mind races with thoughts. Why did he choose Shalom? What did she have that I didn’t? I need answers, and this might be my only chance to find them.Taking a deep breath, I straighten up, trying to appear nonchalant as I step out from behind the rack. I pick up a dress and pretend to examine it, all the while inching closer to Shalom.Shalom seems oblivious
I stir awake, blinking sleepily the scent of coffee and pancakes fills the air. I sit up, stretching, and for a moment, a soft smile touches me lips as shei remembers the warmth of Kane beside me."Good morning, sleepyhead," Kane greets me with a grin as he places a plate of pancakes on the table. "I made your favorite"I smile, my eyes brightening. "You spoil me," I say, sliding into the chair. "Thank you, Kane."He pours me a cup of coffee, watching me as I take my first sip. "I thought we could spend the day together. Maybe take Rene to the zoo. What do you think?"My smile widens at the mention of our daughter. "I think that sounds perfect," I reply, reaching for Kane's hand across the table. "I love the idea of a family day."As we eat breakfast, our conversation is light and filled with laughter. I find himself marveling at how easy it is to talk to him how natural it feels to plan our day together. There's a sense of normalcy that I cherishes, a reminder that we are building som