***Five Years Later***You might be wondering about the young man who showed up at the hospital four years ago. Yes, that was Rachael’s uncle, Clark. But you might be thinking, “Rachael was an orphan!” And you’d be right. However, miracles do happen. Clark, Rachael’s father’s brother, had been searching for her tirelessly, determined to find her so she could inherit her father’s substantial estate. When Clark finally found her, he fulfilled his promise, handing over every property and asset her father had left behind. Rachael wasn’t the same woman who had been humiliated and oppressed. She had transformed into someone powerful and determined, ready to confront anyone who had wronged her.Rachael stood in front of the mirror in her master bedroom, the soft hum of her makeup brush punctuating the contours of her face. Her hair, styled in glossy waves, framed her face perfectly. The tailored designer dress she wore accentuated her transformation into a figure of elegance and strength
Rachael and Damian raced forward, their hearts pounding as they watched Jamal teeter on the edge of a fall. But just before he could hit the ground, Jamal managed to catch himself, landing on one knee instead. He quickly popped back up, dusting off his pants with a proud grin on his face. "I’m Superman! Nothing can hurt me!" Jamal declared, puffing out his chest like a little hero, his eyes sparkling with a mix of triumph and childish innocence.Rachael, breathless with relief, placed a hand over her heart and shook her head. “Jamal, you scared me to death!” she scolded gently, her voice still trembling slightly. She knelt down to his level, brushing a stray curl away from his forehead. “You’ve got to be more careful, okay? Even Superman has to watch his step.”Jamal nodded earnestly, but the cheeky smile never left his face. “Okay, Mama. I promise!” He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, the playful sparkle in his eyes melting her frustration instantly.Damian stepped
Rachael stepped away from the noise, finding a quieter corner away from the laughter and splashing water. She pulled out her phone, dialing Damian’s number, and impatiently waited for him to pick up.“Hey, babe,” Damian’s voice came through, slightly muffled but still warm and familiar.Rachael let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Hey, you’ve been gone for a while. I was starting to worry. Everything okay?”Damian chuckled, the sound easing some of her tension. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Just a little drama with a business partner trying to play smart. It got sorted, though. I’m wrapping things up here, and I’ll be back soon.”Rachael smiled, relieved to hear his voice and that everything was under control. “Good. I miss you,” she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper.Damian’s tone shifted, becoming more teasing and playful. “Oh, you miss me, huh? Well, I’ve been thinking about you too, baby. And when I get back tonight…” He paused, his voice dropping low
Rachael’s world tilted as she stared at Victor, memories flooding back with a vengeance, hitting her like a ray of light.She could still remember that day—the sterile scent of the hospital room, the ache in her heart, and the cold, empty spot beside her where Victor was supposed to be. He hadn’t even bothered to stay; he’d walked out as if she were nothing, as if their son meant nothing. The pain of his betrayal was still fresh, festering like an open wound that had never quite healed. Rachael’s mind spun back to that fateful day: the tears she had shed, begging him not to leave, the way he had brushed her off with a callous indifference that cut deeper than any physical wound. And then the cruelest blow—the image of Victor tangled with Evelyn in their bed, her moans echoing like a cruel symphony of deceit. She had watched, frozen and shattered, her heart splintering as she saw them together, the man she once loved choosing another woman over her and their unborn child.Rachael’
Jamal’s laughter echoed as he ran toward Damian, his little legs moving as fast as they could carry him. “Uncle Damian!” he called out, his voice filled with joy that made the tension in the air feel momentarily lighter. Damian crouched just in time to catch him, lifting Jamal effortlessly, ruffling his curly hair with a playful smile.“There’s my Superman!” Damian grinned, holding the boy close. “How was the party, champ?”Jamal beamed, his excitement bubbling over. “The party was really great, Uncle Damian! I swam and ate lots of candies!” His voice dropped suddenly, his smile fading as he looked down. “But... I made Mommy cry.”Damian’s smile faltered, his brow furrowing with concern as he glanced over at Rachael, who stood a few steps away, her expression guarded. “Why was that, buddy?” he asked gently, his gaze flicking between Jamal and Rachael. He could sense something wasn’t right.Before Jamal could answer, Rachael stepped in quickly, her voice tight and strained. “Nothing h
Damian glanced at Rachael as he drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel tighter with each mile.He could sense the quiet tremors in her breath, the faint sobs she was trying to hide. Today’s events had stirred something deep within her, reopening wounds that were never truly healed.Jamal, seated in the back, was lost in his little world, playing with his favorite toy car. But even in his innocence, he could sense the tension in the air.He looked up at his mum, his big, curious eyes filled with concern. “Mummy, you cry more often. What’s the problem? Was it that man’s fault? Tell me what he did. I’ll beat him up with my fists, Mummy!”Rachael couldn’t help but smile, a bittersweet warmth washing over her as she turned in her seat. She reached back, gently cupping Jamal’s cheek, and planted a tender kiss on his forehead.“My brave little boy,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. “Mummy loves you so much. But listen to me, okay? I need you to stay away from that man. I
Rachael stood before the mirror, her fingers delicately gliding over her skin as she applied a touch of makeup.She preferred it light—just enough to enhance her features without feeling caked under layers of products. The soft glow of her vanity lights highlighted her natural beauty, but her mind wasn’t on her reflection; it was drifting somewhere far more dangerous.She bit her lip, trying to focus on perfecting the wing of her eyeliner, but the memory of that heated encounter with Adrian in the car earlier that day played on a loop in her mind. She blushed, the corner of her lips twitching into a small smile. She could still feel the heat of his touch, the urgency in his kisses. But underneath that brief thrill was an ache she couldn’t quite shake. How had she ended up here? Tangled in a mess of old wounds and new desires?And then there was Victor. Oh, Victor. The very thought of him sent a shiver down her spine, and not the good kind. It was a cold reminder of the past she’d t
The server arrived with menus, but Rachael barely glanced at hers. Her mind still lingered on Jamal’s words, on the weight of what Damian had become in their lives, even if unspoken.Damian, noticing her quiet distraction, gently tapped her hand, drawing her attention back to him."You seem miles away tonight," he said, his voice laced with a softness she had grown accustomed to. "What’s on your mind?"Rachael offered a faint smile, her fingers brushing absentmindedly against the stem of her wine glass. “Oh, just…things.” Her voice trailed off, unwilling to open that door right now. She didn’t want to spoil the night with the worries that gnawed at her. "Nothing important," she added quickly.Damian studied her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Well, whatever it is, I hope it’s not about dinner. Because I have something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Rachael’s heart skipped a beat. There was something about his tone—serious, yet tender—that made her pulse quicken with uncerta