ripped me as I worried he might deny any involveme

tly fine if you don't want to be a part of our lives, but it's just that after that night, I can't stop

that ignited a wave of emotions within me, e

voice soft and reassuring,

? Just alright?" I asked a

onging as he gazed at me. "I... I

nty wash over me. "Believe?" I echo

ing mine. "I trust your intuition, Jasmine. And

at him warily, unsure if I should trust him. He showed up at my workplace, no

my mind, so he reached across the table and

here for you. Whatever you decide regar

my decision to have a one-night stand, which I am not proud of. I just want to ta

asmine, I won't rush you into making decisions a

mething he thought I should know. So, I ask

myself, but within me, I was happy that I found him. Yet, my doubt re

e for the day. Stepping out of the restaurant, I was

ed, looking at me intently, sil

ven know him. What if he is a serial killer? What if he has been sent by Maxwell? T

my face, he could tell that I wasn't going to cha

He looks too young to have acquired such

ughts swirling in my head. Soon, I got home, grateful. I thanked

Gabriel with Ava, sensing h

ing Gabriel's unexpected appearance and our conver

va remarked, her brow

hard to trust someone so quickly, especially considering everyth

hing that's earned, not given freely. And if Gabriel truly cares abo

*

on with his undeniable wealth. His luxurious lifestyle was evident in his extravagant residence, cars, and access to exclusive es

ponsive to messages, canceling plans at the last minute without

't help but ask, "Ava, what's up

t work, but I promise to sort thi

about what was bothering her. "But you k

ur

d I went about my life, shuttling

was soothing to see children playing on swings, families having

hand on my growing belly as I talked on the phon

distance. My heart skipped a beat as I reco

y. It was clear that he had put two and two together, with

ion. I turned to face him, my emotions held tightly in

nt?" he gazed at my s

am," I

. "How dare you! You're still my

s. It was clear that he hadn'

I am carrying is not yours. It's time

n't let you take my child away!" he said, stor

desperation, I took a step back, frustration bubbling within

rged, trying to keep my voice st

with fury. "You can't keep me away from my child

e curious gazes of passersby, but I sto

his discussion," I said firmly, hoping to def

ing the tense exchange from

smine and I are together now. You s

ime. Maxwell's face twisted with irritation. He

ell left me shaken, my

dent on his face. I knew that moving forward, I needed to ensure our safety. Maxwe