A few hours ealier. My mother walks into our bedroom and she sits on the settee at the window. I'm getting ready for my date with Kane. I'm doing my makeup at my beauty corner."Hey mommy" I say looking at her in the mirror. "Hey mommy." She says back at me and I smile. She looks so happy in this moment. Her skin is glowing and her eyes have a little sparkle behind them. She is a far cry from the sick and frail woman I remember. I'm happy she's here to see her granddaughter. There was a time I was sure this would never happen. "Thank you for watching the kids for us tonight." I say and she smiles. I don't know if I would have been comfortable to leave tonight if she wasn't watching my kids. I know Junior and Renee are in good hands with her. We have a nanny coming through to do the haevy lifting so that she doesn't have to but I know she has everything in hand. "You don't have to thank me for taking care of my grand babies." She says waving me away. "I've been telling you to go o
"Hi Noni." Mathew says walking into the living room towards Noni who is holding my daughter. He leans down with arms open to take her from Noni and I hold my breath waiting to see how this will go down. These two haven't seen each other since high school and let's just say the last they saw each other it wasn't pretty. Their breakup was painful to watch.I know Nonin had regrets about the way things went between the two of them."What do you think you're doing?" Noni says looking up at him. Mathew smiles looking at her. I guess I should be glad he's smiling and not argueing with her. I don't want my child to be caught in a back an forth between these two."I'm saying hi, to my beautiful niece." He says taking her. Noni resists for a split second but she gives in and Mathew takes her."Well, hurry up and get her back to me. we're not done with our girl time." She says making a face at him. He chuckles not really listening to w
"Did she fight you?" I ask Kane when he comes back from putting the baby down for the night. Having him on nights like this is always a blessing. He takes care of his daughter so beautifully, He gets into bed and wraps his arms around me. I sigh molding my body into his. I breathe in his sent and smile. I love how this man smells. "No. I'm a professional," He says so proud of himself. He's not lying though. Hecan put her to sleep so quickly I just let him do most nights, "How was spending the day with Noni?" He asks burrying his face into my boobs. He loves doing that, especially since my they got bigger. "It was intersting." I say thinking of my conversation with her. I feel like she wanted to say more but she stopped herself. I tried to encourage her to talk about what she felt but she didn't open up to me. "Oh?" He says already sounding sleepy. How does he expect me to fall asleep in this position? He might be comfpratble but I'm not. "Yes. I think she's going through some
"Hi, Shalom!" A very familiar voice says behind me and I turn around and blink a few times trying to clear my vision. I can't not be seeing what I'm seeing. Thomas?I knew leaving the house was a very bad idea, But Mom and Kane were sure it was important that I get out of the house. Breathe in the fresh air and take a break from taking care of the baby. But now here I am staring at my ex in a robe, about to get a massage, with a group of people I don't know. Again my brilliant fiance thought it would be good for me to get a massage. So he booked it and dropped me off here. He Well, I do know one person. My ex!"Hi, Thomas," I say and he smiles. I smile too because it feels weird to just stare and not respond. "It's so good to see you." He says taking a few steps closer to me. He leans in for a hug and I look at him awkwardly not sure if I want to do that. It feels a little awkward. "I didn't think I would see after our last conversation." He says embracing me. "I know what are
"Is that your baby?" He says picking my phone up so he can have a closer look."Yes." I say and he smiles looking at her."She's gorgeous." He says looking at me and then at the picture."Thank you. I had help." I say and he swipes left landing on Kane's picture."I see."He says swiping back to the previous picture. "Is it weird that I don't like him?" He asks and scoffs as soon as the words come out of his mouth."I think you know the answer to that question," I say hating this whole day already. Who's bright idea was it for me to come here in the first place? Oh yeah. My baby daddy."The thing is..." He says and I sigh. I don't know if I want to hear this. I came here to relax, get a few knots out of my body and then go home. I didn't come here for the godown memory lane with my ex package. The worst thing is I'm too nice to tell him to F off. I can't do that to him even though he deserves it."I know he's a gr
Thomas is sitting on the chair next to mine as we get foot massages. I close my eyes and lean back. I refuse to let this day go to waste. I choose to enjoy."So are you happy with him?" Thomas says choosing to take away from joy. "Yes." I say and he sighs making me look at him. "What does that mean?" I ask too shocked to ignore him. "I was hoping you don't like him so much." He says staring at me. "A guy can dream right?" He asks and I sigh."No, you can't" I say and he frowns. "Look, I messed up and...." He says and I raise .my hand to stop him'"I don't want to talk about this with you. There's no point in us rehashing old things." I say speaking softly so the lady doing my feet. doesn't feel uncomfortable. I can't do much about her overhearing but I can make sure she doesn't feel uncomfortable. "Shalom I just want closure." He says and it takes so much for me not to laugh out loud. Closure? Where was closure when he left me brokenhearted? It didn't matter then did it? Now that
An hour later our group is sitting in the spa gardening enjoying a refreshing drink while we wait for our next treatment. Thomas comes to sit opposite me and he sits silent. The minutes tick away and I can hear him sigh with every silent second. I sit there and say a little prayer so this hell I'm in will end."Are you going to say whatever it is you want to say or am I going to have to listen to you sigh the whole time?" I ask unable to listen to his breathing anymore. This is not peaceful at all."The only thing I want to talk about is the past and since you are not really into that ." He says and he smiles."Why do you want to talk about anything at all?" I ask and he frowns. "I remember a time when you didn't want to talk at all," I say and pain hits my heart. I don't want to back to that place anymore. A place where I felt like I was not worthy of someone who actually wanted to spend time with me."It was a different time
"You chose to leave.""I know." He says in answer."I tried to make it work. I tried to make you understand." I say feeling myself getting angry. I loved him, I wanted to be with him. It was hard to let him go. He made the choice for me, there was no way I would leave my mother alone."I'm sorry." He says sounding so deflated."Your sorry is a little too late. It won't do anything for me right now." I say trying to make him understand how unnecessary this conversation is. "There was a time when I needed it. A time when I felt worthless." I say looking him in the eyes to make sure he hears me and processes what I am telling him."But I healed by myself. I pulled myself out of all the hurt, doubt and fear." I add and he sucks his teeth."I have to admit it hurts hearing you say that." He says his voice low. "I know I fucked up but hearing you say it makes it even harder." He adds and I stare at him not sure what to say.
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