Novels by sulaimon Afolabi

SLOANEI couldn’t sleep throughout the night. Christine’s words kept ringing in my ear. As usual, Rowan didn’t come home. I freshen up quickly and eat my breakfast before going to work. It’s been almost a month since I took my leave of absence, and I’m a little bit nervous; at the same time, I’m happy because I’ll be able to distract myself from the drama in my life. The hospital corridors buzz with the usual crowd, footsteps echoing, voices of doctors giving instructions, and nurses trying to calm patients down. I don’t miss the look some nurses give me when I enter. But I assume it’s about the wedding.“If it isn’t my favorite Intern,” Mark says as he approaches me and gives me a cup of coffee. “You’re the only one that looks good in a scrub.” He teases further. “Mark,” I hit him on his arm playfully. “You need to stop flirting with me, I’m married.” I show off my ring, and an emotion flickers in his eyes, but he quickly masks it before I can recognize it.“Ouch. You wound me, swee

SLOANEWhen awareness slowly claws back, I realize two things. First, it’s morning already. Secondly, I’m floating in the air, and I am no longer on the chair. I force my eyes to pry open slowly, and my eyes meet someone’s hard jaw. The person is carrying up the stairs. I close my eyes again, trying to stop my throbbing headache. The person drops me on the bed softly, and I finally see his face.Rowan?How is he here?He was with Christine yesterday. I hold my head as the memories rush in. I am married. And my husband spent our wedding night with another woman. I sit up slowly, and his hard gaze makes my heart stutter. He’s staring at the ground, clenching and unclenching his fist. And it is then that I realize that my robe is open, and my nightwear is on display. I don’t know where the sudden boldness comes from. I remove the robe from my body, wearing only the silky nightwear, as I stand in front of him. “Where were you last night?” I say, looking up at him. I knew where he was. Th

SLOANE“Can I have this dance, pretty lady?” I turn back to see Rowan’s grandfather smiling at me. I notice Rowan leaving the wedding before the reception. However, I keep smiling, trying not to let her people know how I’m feeling. This is my wedding reception, and once again my groom is nowhere to be seen. The guests are eating, dancing, and celebrating. But here I am all alone. Even if he doesn’t love me, the least he can do is make this day special. Not only did he come late, but he also left early. I don’t know much I can tolerate for the sake of keeping my parents and Rowan’s grandpa happy.“What’s going on in that head of yours, Sloane, my dear?” His grandfather continues, as he extends his hand for me. I place my hand on his gently and keep the other one on his shoulder. “It’s nothing, Grandpa,” I reply, trying to smile once again.“It’s written all over your face. I don’t know where that grandson of mine has wandered to. I know this day is special for you, Sloane, and how muc

SLOANEToday is my wedding day. I am about to be Mrs.Prescott. Although I’ve always dreamt of this day, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet feeling in my stomach. I keep tossing on the bed, replaying my meeting with Rowan in my head. It's been a week since we last saw each other. Instead of helping with the wedding preparations, he sent his grandfather instead. The door bursts open, and my best friend, Catherine, enters."My girl" she beams.“Oh my goodness, you look stunning.” Catherine fawns, spinning me around. “Trust me when I say Rowan won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” She says, winking.She has always known about my love for Rowan. We went to college together and we’ve been best friends since then. But what she doesn’t know is that my soon-to-be husband hasn’t even bothered to check if I’m alive. He doesn’t care about me.“You’re here,” I say softly. “Of course I am here. I won’t miss your wedding for anything in the world. Now let’s go, your dad is waiting.” She hooks my

SLOANEI get out of the car nervously, clutching my bag tighter. I watch as the reporters crowd the restaurant's entrance. They are obviously here because of him. They shout different questions, their voices overlapping like crashing waves.“Rowan, is it true you are getting married?”“Who is the lucky girl?”“What is the girl’s name?”When I finally lay my eyes on him, my heart flutters. My Rowan, the boy I grew up believing is mine. The boy I waited for, holding onto the promise that was made thirteen years ago. Rowan enters the restaurant with bodyguards on either side of him. And I duck my head, trying to avoid the reporters as I enter the restaurant. My heart beats with each step I take towards him. He looks more handsome in person. The cameras did not do enough justice. Rowan sits at a corner booth, his high cheekbones and jawline carved just like they are in magazines. A sudden draft from the air conditioner makes the hairs on my nape stand on end. I smile widely, enamored by