The shock of the punch left him dizzy for a moment, but the anger rising inside him burned just as fiercely. “Damian!” Racheal’s voice cut through the room, sharp and filled with panic. She rushed between them, pushing against Damian’s chest with both hands, trying to stop him from going in for ano
Damian couldn't sit still any longer. His leg bounced restlessly, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The tension in the room was suffocating, thick enough to choke on, as they all waited for the doctor to return with news about Jamal. But there was something else bubbling under Damian
Mummy? Uncle Damian? Why are you all shouting?" The room fell silent, as if time itself had stopped. Racheal’s heart skipped a beat, her body freezing for a moment as she slowly turned toward the hospital bed. There, staring back at her with groggy but familiar brown eyes, was Jamal. Her son. Awake
"No, buddy, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just… I wasn’t here when I should’ve been." Jamal blinked, still not fully understanding, but he gave his father a small nod. "It's okay, Daddy. I’m okay now." Racheal glanced up at Victor, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she didn’t say anything. Instea
"Please, Mummy! I want to go to Daddy's place!" Jamal's small voice pierced the quiet of Rachael's room as he bounced energetically beside her desk. His chubby hands gripped the edge of her chair, tugging at her sleeve with urgency. Meanwhile, Rachael's fingers flew over the keyboard, the relentl
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the computer aside and knelt down to Jamal's level. His small frame seemed so fragile, his face a mix of confusion and hurt. The sight nearly undid her. She reached out and pulled him close, hugging him tightly. He didn’t resist, resting his head against her shoulder
“That’s good,” Damian replied. “I miss the little guy.” Rachael could hear the smile in his voice, but her own didn’t come as easily. She hesitated, her fingers lightly drumming against the table. “Damian... there’s something I need to talk to you about.” His tone shifted, immediately sensing the
Daisy seemed to sense the change in her mother's face, her bright smile fading as she glanced at her mother in the mirror. Her little brows furrowed, and she bit her lip, hesitant. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice soft and unsure. “Mummy… are you and Daddy okay now?” Her question hu
Racheal's eyes widened, filled with horror and disbelief. She recoiled, instinctively clutching Anna closer to her chest. "No… no, you don’t mean…" Her voice trailed off, her mind racing to deny the awful truth. "Oh my God!" She staggered, pressing a hand against her mouth, her fingers trembling as
Damian took a slow, hesitant step forward, his gaze never wavering from her. His eyes were filled with a longing so intense it could have brought the stars to their knees. He reached out, his hand trembling as he brushed his fingertips against her cheek, his touch warm and achingly real, grounding
But Anna kept crying, her tiny voice piercing through the calm rhythm of the ocean waves, rattling Racheal’s nerves. She tried everything—bouncing, rocking, singing softly. Nothing eased the crying. Feeling defeated, she finally set Anna down on the sand, her heart heavy, only for the little girl
**A Year Later** He was gone. Two words. They carry the weight of a world collapsing, the brutal truth that life can end without warning, without mercy. Death is so final, so unforgiving. They say it’s a thief that steals more than just a heartbeat. It takes away laughter, shared secrets, future
Victor’s eyes gleamed with delight, an almost feral hunger as he watched Damian crumble. He tilted his head, studying Damian’s broken form with a twisted satisfaction. “Oh, Damian,” he purred, relishing each syllable. “Look at you… crawling, sobbing, like a dog begging for scraps. It’s delicious.
What’s the matter, Rachel? Suddenly shy? I said fucking strip bitch! Fucking strip you fucking slut!” he taunted, cocking his head with cruel amusement. “Or do you need another… reminder?” Her breath hitched, her eyes darting to the man Victor had just killed, the blood still pooling on the cold fl
Rachel’s heart seized, her chest tightening painfully. “No!” she gasped, her voice cracking, terror rushing through her veins as she tried to grab her son swiftly before victor got a hold of him. But before she could move, Victor’s hand shot out, grabbing Jamal’s arm in a crushing grip. Jamal strug
Rachel’s chest heaved as she clung to Damian, her fingers digging into his arm as if he were the only thing anchoring her in this nightmare. Tears streamed down her face, her breath catching in her throat with each sob. Every fiber of her being screamed for Victor to leave, to take the darkness he
The chapel’s heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing Uncle Clark standing with a quiet strength. His arm was steady as he offered it to Rachel, his aged eyes glistening with emotion. His smile, both proud and bittersweet, told her everything: he had seen her rise from the ashes of a life that nea