to sign the divorce papers and shoved

ed while I was agonizingly

and deprived woman, but I wouldn't, no matter what,

ut on a tight-

stions that were heavy on my heart.

marriage?" I tried to make my voice as firm as

coff

He asked in the most

ely n

aintain those gazes of ours and watch him an

answer, but the sentimental part of me did.

s feet. I sighed, not ver

oice broke. He gave

women who smother me with

lip, keeping his gaze on mine. "She's exceptionally good in

o him, everythi

rom me..." My voice cracked

ose garden." He was unrep

e to transfer the company into my name

demanded, anger sudden

ther's company, and since he laid hi

fe. And I can't believe Chloe had a hand in this

and dumb I was, a fool. Yes,

ing from sex." He stated as a matter of fact. By then, I was managing to h

d the papers wi

e over to him. "Good."

treated me." And then I was gone, ove

r him, hope that I will never be reduced to tears again b

be able to help her because I, myself, was disorganized. And remaining in the same place, with the

r the last time, I wondered wh

d me too much for me to have

be disappointed at me for having al

been a week, but it felt like yesterday. Was I supp

otherfu

mother fairy tale. She had not moved a limb as regards my ex-h

ase of her life. Likewise, she was not prepared to be truly there

usiness, she ha

e I was alone, I was deserted. My biological mother wouldn't do that to me. If Mrs.

Ethan's, and then I went to Africa. You could call it fleeing or

o

look after me after Aunt Layl

only that, but I hated her for leaving

t allow me to talk to Layla on the phone. She even warned me not to d

vil between her and Agath

know where she went and how she was doing

hloe to the church and got remarried. I pondered on the issue for a long

matter how much I'd asked her to get my dad fo

g the identity and whereabouts of my f

a to come back. She'd been the on

I burst open the piñata on my fourteenth birthday, that Aunt

a

r years, I found my country as cold as the North Pole. I had not chosen

lasped in my palm asked. I stared down at him for a moment, my little boy

ut a bar of his favorite choco

ough I had worn layers of clothes for him to make him warm and snug, the sharp cold was still getting to him. Partly, I gues

our luggage box while we waited for the Uber. It was

e brought the confectio

" I took a

y." I kissed him as s

ked his platinum blonde hair, which was exactly like mine. His beautiful pair of blue eyes were the most mesmerizing. I loved him. I

ear of chocolate around his mouth. I often di

nod

ater from his carry-

goo

colate wrapper. A man who was behind me was helping a senior citizen walk towards the parking lot. I fe

e. I didn't expect to bump into them quickly, but yes, I was not surprised they

a feigned smile. She was looking much

to her or even Ethan, who wouldn't p

the matter?"

son." He added, a frown creasing his face. Chloe's eyes widened. I

cof

being a joker." I cl

meeting mine, and I remembered those sepia eyes o

We are long separated. You should proceed with

answer

port you to airport security." I was irritated

aven't you?" he stepped closer

me." He

ything to do with you. In fact, I don't want him to kno

r flight." Chloe grabbed his arm, but

ok on my face as I star

uldn't you rot wherever you

if the plane leaves you behind." I got hold of my traveling box and started moving awa

my son? You can't do that, Layla! I won't let it happen. Stop being a b

d hear Chloe as I moved

said tartly. He was still the

s like a leopard who couldn'

without him. He was launching towards

ghed, very much satisfied with myself. Though I had not expected to s

t have gotten from his father, were staring up at me. His baby hands had cr

m but I knew I would have to increase the layers of clothes he would be

Daddy?" H

I immediately refuted what he

some man. Not daddy." I said to him,

me

oked his hair. He nodded an

e would ask, and he did. It wasn't hi

ell him that his thirty-one-year-old mother had had a one-night st

n the same year. Nathan being four was different from Nathan being three or two

rning magic at Hog

h a bright smile on t

oliday, all right?" I added to che