Natasha POV (Past) Time has passed, and autumn is approaching. Ibrahim offered to spend some time with him before marriage as we usually don’t go far, he planned a trip for us. I never thought that he would think of something like that, and I happily agreed. We went to Bristol. It was a month before our wedding when I eventually found out that I was pregnant. I did a quick calculation in my head, and the only possibility is Kevin. Ibrahim and I had never done it before we went to Bristol. I started to feel guilty and started to think about if I love Ibrahim, because if I loved him, I would not have cheated on him. A month has passed just like in the blink of an eye, and the wedding date is knocking on my door. I remembered that Ibrahim called me the night before the wedding. I can hear happiness in his voice, but what I feel is not happiness but fear. I was very scared and afraid. I was terrified that if he discovered that the baby inside me was not his child, I would spend the rest
Another year has drifted, and my daughter, Emily, is one-year-old. I was sad that this little girl will not even have a one-year birthday celebration because her parents are too poor, and I'm beginning to believe that living with Kevin no longer brings me happiness. It becomes sorrowful, so I decide to leave him.I bring Emily with me, of course. I left him and went back to England to look for my father. I thought that Dad would be willing to accept me back into his house. I looked very pathetic, but I was wrong.“You walked away from my house, and you think you can come back whenever you like? Am I a joke to you?” Dad snapped at me.I kneeled and hugged his legs, begging for forgiveness. “Dad, I'm very sorry. I regretted my decision, and I shouldn't have run from this house. It was my fault.” I cried.My father is a ruthless man. Even if I cried pathetically, he just wouldn't listen. “You were pregnant with a random man’s child, and you came back just because he couldn't feed you wel
PresentIbrahim and Natasha waited helplessly in front of the emergency room. As soon as they admitted their daughter to the emergency room, the doctor seemed to look a little nervous, and it scared the hell out of them. Ibrahim looked at Natasha, who just sat there while she held her head low. What's up with her acting like a real mother for the first time?“Are you the parents of Emily Saunders?” The doctor asked.Both Ibrahim and Natasha stood straight up. “Yes, we are.” Natasha replied.The doctor gave them a weak smile. “It's such a relief that you rushed your daughter to the hospital immediately, or things may have become worse.”“What happened to our daughter?” Asked Ibrahim.“She has a high fever, and she cried in pain each time we touched the right side of her lower abdomen. It's possible that she has appendicitis.”“Appendicitis?”The doctor nodded. “We should wait for the blood test result first, before confirming it. You don't need to worry; if it's really appendicitis, we
He entered his car and drove all the way to see his father-in-law, who was still dealing with things in the police station. It took quite some time before the police let him see Paul Rae. He sat on the chair while waiting for the police officer to bring his father-in-law.“Mr. Rae.” Ibrahim called once Paul was seated in front of him, and his eyes stopped at his cuffed hands. “How are you doing?” He asked.Instead, Paul gave his son-in-law a light smirk. “What do you want?” He asked coldly. He didn't expect a visit from him.Ibrahim’s gaze softened when the guilty feeling started to linger in his heart again. His hand went through his pocket as he took out an old picture. The picture looked rather dusty and crumpled. He pushed the picture forward, letting Paul see it clearly.“I bet you do recognize the person in the middle.” Said Ibrahim.Paul’s gaze is drawn to the image. He does recognize the three people in that picture. Starting from the left, it was him, Cole, and Arthur. They h
“Are you sure about this?”Anna heaved a heavy sigh as she looked at the white-colored envelope that Leo brought. Her hand reached for that envelope and opened it impatiently. Her heart clenched when she read her own name and her husband's name.Once both of them sign this paper, they will have to go their own separate ways. Will she be able to do that? Half of her still hesitates, but another half feels like she can no longer fight for that man. The wound that he caused was so deep that she wondered if it could ever heal. Anna took the pen and didn't hesitate to sign the paper.“Why don't you think about it again?” When Leo noticed how calm she was while signing the papers, he asked her.Anna forced a smile, pretending like she was okay. “I have thought about it enough and I do not regret this.” She replied firmly.Leo looked at her in disbelief. Has she really reached her breaking point where she doesn't even want to think about her husband anymore? This is completely ridiculous.“L
However, Anna’s legs jiggle when she hears the loud bang of the door. Her big eyes met Ibrahim’s, and they were both looking at each other with a surprised gaze. Anna quickly broke eye contact and held her head low because if she kept on looking at those small eyes, she might break down any minute.When Ibrahim notices his wife carrying luggage, he immediately panics. He approached her, and his eyes are still staring at her as if he just witnessed something terrifying.“Where are you going? Are you leaving? Why are you taking luggage with you? You are just staying at your parents' house, right?” Asked Ibrahim. Fear is very visible in his tone. Every question bombarded to her feels like a needle prick on her skin.Anna is still trying her best to keep her expression calm and dared herself to look into his eyes. “How are you doing?” She asked calmly.“I asked you something Anna… where the hell are you going?” Ibrahim asked again. His eyes started to get teary as he looked at his wife. S
“Where are you going?”Anna stopped her steps as soon as she heard a familiar voice when she was about to reach the door. She turned, and a light smirk formed on her lips because she knew that the owner of the voice, Natasha.Natasha stared at Anna, surprised, and her gaze was drawn to her luggage.“Are you leaving?” asked Natasha.Anna smirked; the presence of Natasha gradually made her feel very unpleasant. It feels like she couldn't even stand to stay under the same roof with this woman. It was her mistake to let her stay.“Yes, Natasha. You won.” Anna replied.Natasha scoffed in disbelief. “The battle hasn't even started, and you are really leaving?”Anna let go of her luggage and took a step forward, giving Natasha a stern glare. “I shouldn't have let you stay. As soon as you came into our life everything started to fall apart. It's very fun for you, isn't it?”“What do you mean? I don’t understand a single thing.” Natasha defended.Damn, she is still trying to play stupid. Anna
As soon as Anna walked out of the house, she saw her brother Ethan had been already waiting for her. He didn't say anything but to help her with her luggage. Anna didn't complain either, and she let her brother do it instead. She feels very exhausted, both physically and mentally.“Are you ready?” Asked Ethan once he saw her putting on the safety belt.Anna tried her best to smile and nod her head. “I just want to go home.” She spoke weakly.Ethan nodded back and started the engine. For one last time, Anna looked at the big mansion where she had lived for the past year. A lot of things happened there, be it happiness or sorrow, and it became a wound in her heart. Even if it heals one day, it will leave a scar that will never disappear.On their way back, Anna didn't say a single thing, and she is very thankful that Ethan does not ask anything as well. He knows that his sister is at a very emotional stage, and he does not want to add anything because it will feel like rubbing salt on h
In the next second, Anna could feel his lips brush over hers, giving her a warm yet passionate kiss. A kiss that they missed, both. Each time he has her in his arms, she feels frozen. Why does his touch feel so magical? She can feel his tongue asking for entrance as she parted her lips only to let the kiss go wilder. She circled her hand on his neck, and as soon as she wanted to kiss him even deeper, she felt something kicking from her belly again, making her push Ibrahim away.“Why?” Asked Ibrahim frustrated.“He kicked again, it seems like he doesn’t like it when you kiss me.” Anna replied, rubbing her palm on her stomach.Ibrahim grinned at her. “He kicks because he can feel pity for his father that his mother kept on asking his father to go.”Anna glared at Ibrahim. “Don’t make such excuses! Look at the time. It’s almost evening and you should go back now.”“No, I’m not leaving yet if you don’t let me kiss you properly.” Ibrahim shook his head in stubbornness.She immediately stan
Sitting on the dining table, Anna poured the chocolate syrup on Sofia’s pancakes. “I know you liked your pancake with honey but we only have chocolate sauce and agave syrup. You won't mind right?” asked Anna because she knew her husband could be a little picky eater sometimes.Ibrahim was a little touched by her action. She still remembers little things about him. “It’s fine actually I’m very hungry as I haven’t had my dinner last night so I can eat anything.”“The last time I remember you didn’t eat Alan’s restaurant noodles, complaining that it’s too spicy and oily for you. And why didn’t you have your dinner last night? I've told you not to skip it.”Ibrahim smiled. “You still think of me all the time, isn’t it? And no, because I wasn't able to find a good stay here, all the hotels were previously booked because it's a holiday.”“So, where are you staying then?”“Don’t worry the room is small but it’s okay I can manage it.”Anna didn’t ask any further but focused her attention back
The night had turned into day in just a blink of an eye, but Ibrahim couldn't seem to forget what happened between him and Anna. He couldn't give up just because she was giving him the cold shoulder. Even if she keeps on pushing him away, he will always try to come back to her. He couldn't able to endure losing her for the second time. So that’s why now he is here, in front of a two-story bungalow that's located not too far from the beach where he met her.Ibrahim rubbed his palms together to warm himself because the air was getting colder. “Why is it taking her so long to open the door?” He mumbled on his own.However, not long after that, the door was opened. His lips curled up, thinking maybe it was Anna who opened the door, but the smile faded when he saw it was a little girl instead.“Who are you?” The little girl asked, looking at Ibrahim with a confused gaze.Ibrahim was confused as well. He looked at his surroundings and his phone screen, checking if he really had the right ad
Ibrahim heaved a deep sigh. He took off his spectacles as he massaged the bridge of his nose gently. He couldn't help but force himself to concentrate on his work as he looked at the piles of documents he had to go through. He put on his spectacles and moved his gaze back to his notebook screen. At the same time, his phone rang.“Yes Jessica.” He picked up the phone with his left hand while clicking the mouse with his right.“Sir, the annual shareholder conference will be held this afternoon after lunch. I have the documents and presentation slides ready.”Ibrahim kept quiet for a while when he heard Jessica say the annual shareholder conference because it usually takes place somewhere near the end of the year. Oh, how time flies, and it should be his wedding anniversary soon, but he is still here, alone.“Sir, are you there?” Jessica's voice was heard again.“Ah, yes. Notify me when we're about to start.” Ibrahim replied.“Noted.”After sleepless nights, skipping meals, and consuming
Anna POVHow does it feel to live in circumstances where you have to battle with your own feelings? To me, it feels like torture. People said feelings are more dangerous than ideas, because they aren't susceptible to rational evaluation. They grow quietly underground before exploding all over the place. You tend to act in the opposite way from the rational side if you act based on your heart, and vice versa, because your heart doesn't have thoughts.I loved that man. Oh no, I still love him. If the feelings could not be forgotten after sixteen years. I doubt if several months can. Day by day, I missed him a little more than yesterday. I missed his voice. I missed his smile. I missed his smell. I missed his hug, and I missed how he made me feel wanted. I missed how he praises every bit of my body while making love with me. If I love him that much, why would I leave him? I left him not because I no longer love him, but because I love him so much that it started to hurt me.I realized th
The cool breeze blew through her hair softly. The leaves have turned yellow and are slowly falling, filling up the street. Summer slowly collapsed into fall. There is a saying that goes, Autumn leaves don't fall; they fly. They take their time, wander around, and this is their only chance to soar.Anna tightened her coat as soon as she got off the taxi, walking into one of the most famous barbeque restaurants in London Road.Her lips curled up upon looking at the faces that she recognized wholeheartedly. She could see one of them waving their hand at her, and she didn't think twice but to approach them and hug them tightly.“Sorry for the delay. There was a lot of traffic.” Said Anna as she took a seat.Lily laughed softly. “It's okay, Anna. We are used to it.” She joked.“Let's order something first. I'm very hungry.” Jacob interrupted them before they could even start their bickering.Just like in the old days, the three had a nice barbeque meal with cheers and laughter. Anna couldn
“Dad!”Anna shrieked with delight as she noticed her father seated on the couch in their living room, smiling broadly at her. She didn't hesitate, but immediately plunged herself into her father's embrace.“Dad, are you alright? You didn't get hurt anywhere, right? How are you?” Anna bombarded the questions at her father, her eyes welling up with tears.Paul laughed amusedly. “You stupid girl. I’m fine.”“Dad, when did you get home? And why did no one even tell me that you came home.” Anna pouted, still hugging her father. Rachel and Paul looked at each other letting out an awkward laugh which didn’t fit into the environment. She looked confusedly at her parents’ reaction.“It's not such a big deal, Anna. The thing is that I will be fine.” Said her father trying to convince Anna.Anna sighed. “Why didn't you tell me? I have been so worried about you.”It's not that he refuses to tell her daughter. She just got discharged from the hospital and he does not want to add more pressure to h
“Okay. I will do everything you want, but could you please consider your thoughts again?” Asked Ibrahim as he looked at Anna with an expectant gaze.Could she really tell him to stop giving her that look? It feels like she is going to break down soon. He had become her weakness as much as she became his.“I have told you. We are done, and there is nothing more that we can do. I can’t even if I want to.” She replied the last sentence like a mere whisper without looking at him, trying to sound firm, but deep inside her heart, she's crying hysterically.Ibrahim tried to inhale as much air as he could to calm himself down because the atmosphere started to become suffocating for both of them. There was a brief moment of silence before he dared to look into her eyes, again.“Anna, do you remember when I first met you in the French restaurant?” Asked Ibrahim.Of course, she does, and things in her head start to fly back to the first time they met, when Luke had to gather all of his forces to
Alan patted Ibrahim's shoulder lightly, as if he were giving him strength. He even gave him a light smile. “Everything will be alright, Ibrahim.” He spoke.Ibrahim sighed instead. It has been two days since Anna was admitted in the hospital, and he couldn't see her since she was awake because he was told that she didn't want to see him. It feels extremely excruciating for him.“Do you think she wanted to see me now?” Ibrahim asked with his head held low.“Where did the strong headed Ibrahim Saunders go?” said Alan trying to calm him down. He understands from which phase his best friend is going through and he knows how to make Ibrahim face this situation, a little push is what he needed right now. Ibrahim looked up at Alan in confusion. “What do you mean? It's not the time to joke around.”“I have known you for how many years… twenty years Ibrahim. You’re a strong and capable man that everyone in his office is afraid of, but the one in front of me now is a coward.” Alan said, trying