Eighteen

Anthony

Life was good—better than I ever imagined it could be. I never thought I’d feel this way again and be this happy after everything I’d been through. 

But here I was, lying with Zina, watching her as she slept peacefully beside me. She had brought me back to life in a way I didn’t think was possible. 

Just being near her made everything seem brighter. She didn’t want to go all the way with me yet and was still feeling the need to mourn her late husband properly before she could fully move on.

I respected that. So I took whatever scraps of affection she was willing to give, treasuring each one like it was the most precious thing in the world.

My eyes drifted to the ceiling, and a gnawing feeling crept into the back of my mind. I was enjoying everything my brother had left behind—his woman- and now the money will soon be transferr