Novels by sulaimon Afolabi

ROWANThe drive home is slow, and filled with regrets. I had been so hard on Sloane that she had to leave. My mind unconsciously drifts to the last day we met. I didn’t know she worked at that particular hospital. I was so mad at her for hurting the mother of my child, that I spoke to her harshly. I had planned to apologize to her today when we meet Grandpa for dinner. I just wanted her to stay away from Christine, especially now that she’s pregnant. The first time we met at the restaurant, it took a lot of strength not to stare at her. Deep down, I knew she was still the girl at the hospital. Even if she had grown, her freckles are more visible. Her bubbly character is still the same. She still fumbles with her lower lip whenever she's nervous.The truth is she didn’t deserve to be treated that way. All she ever did was love me, but what did I do? I made her run away. How am I going to confront her parents? Her father had saved my life years ago, and now I’m the reason his daughter

ROWAN​“Grandpa, can we have dinner some other time? Sloane is a bit unwell, and I have to take care of her.” The lie rolls out of my mouth smoothly.​“Can I speak to her?” His sharp voice cuts through my ear.​“I already told you—”​“Rowan, I need you to tell me what is going on right now!” Grandpa’s voice booms in my ear, his tone laced with anger and fear. “Why did I just call your wife, and she sounded like she was hiding something?”​Oh my goodness, so grandpa had called her. How can I be so dumb that I don't have her number?​“She is not with you, is she?” His sharp voice sounds in my ear again. “Tell me what is going on right now, Rowan! I don’t care what you are hiding, but I know something is wrong. I am on my way to your house, and for your own sake, Rowan, tell me the truth, because if you don’t, I’ll find out myself.” I hate seeing this side of grandpa. I don’t even like that I’m making him worried because of my recklessness.​“One more thing, Rowan.” His voice drop

ROWANChristine’s pregnancy had become my most important concern. The late-night craving, early morning sickness, and doctor’s visit are just constant reminders that I’m about to be a father. During this period, I can't help but think about Sloane. As much as I love Christine, I know, deep down, that I have a duty to fulfill towards Sloane. Sloane and I are supposed to have dinner with my grandfather today, but I’m stuck at the hospital with Christine. I’m sure grandpa would understand that my child comes first. “Sir, the baby is healthy, but you need to take constant care of the mother, because her blood pressure is a little bit high.” The doctor says, and I look at Christine. I hold her hand tenderly and place a kiss on her stomach.“I’ll make sure of it doctor.” The doctor nods slowly, before leaving the room. “Baby, you’re already late for your dinner. We’ve been here since the afternoon, and I don't want your grandpa to get me mad at me. I’ll go home with the driver.” Christin

SLOANEFour days laterI am currently sitting in Mark’s garden, and there’s something eerie about the way the wind blows. I wrap my arm around myself, staring at the sky. It’s been four days since I left home, and there has not been a single call, or text from Rowan. Even if I leave forever, I doubt if he’ll notice. Part of me had expected, no, prayed that he was going to notice my absence, and ask me to come home. But there was nothing. The past four days have been a blur of shadows and sad moments. I almost gave up on my plan to leave Rowan. Every day, I wear an oversized hoodie and watch my family from afar. Sometimes, I stay a street away from my parents’ house, watching from a distance. My mother still waters the flowers every morning. My father still reads the paper on the porch. Ordinary routines, painfully familiar. He retired from the hospital after my wedding, to spend more time with his wife. I watched as he wrapped his arms around my mother's waist and kissed her fore

ROWANSince Sloane forced her way into my life, chaos has followed. My calmness and patience were thrown out the window immediately she stepped into my life. She’s not the sweet Sloane I used to know. She’s infuriating, too stubborn to bend, too proud to step aside, always challenging me in ways no one else dares. When Grandpa reminded me about the marriage, I was hoping she would reject me, because there was no way she’d have held on to the promise I made years ago.That period was the most disheartening time of my life, and I have forced myself to forget about everything that happened. I had planned to propose to Christine that week and introduce her to grandpa, but when he told me Sloane agreed to the marriage, all my plans were shattered. When Sloane returned, I felt like she brought up the past that I tried so hard to bury, feelings I don’t want to uncover. I’m not that little boy again. I agreed to the marriage just to fulfill the promise I made to grandpa. He is very fond of

SloaneI walk into my room, and I feel like a stranger. I rummage through my closet and take what I am looking for. I remove it from the box and caress it softly. I stand in front of the mirror, place it around my neck, and stare at it. The family heirloom. The necklace his grandfather gave me. I am finally letting it go, because it will be selfish of me to keep this. The one possession that I have always cherished.It belongs to her, not me. I put it back in the box, before heading to his room. I know Rowan is not at home, not like he has been here since our wedding. He doesn’t care about what happened today. He thinks I hurt the mother of his child on purpose. I gently put the necklace on his nightstand, and take off my ring. It represents my marriage, my love, my dream, and his betrayal. What is the essence of holding onto it when it clearly doesn’t belong to me? Although I’ve held onto it for years, the harsh reality is that I was taking care of it for Christine. Why should I w