I’m done waiting. I want a child.

Athonia’s pov

I checked my watch, 7:00 PM. Technically, I should be at the hospital right now, but I took the day off. My sister and her picture-perfect family came home for a visit, and I somehow thought staying back would help. This was a big mistake.

I’m a nurse at St. Calisha Medical Center. And here I was, lying flat on my bed, staring at the ceiling like a zombie. Ten minutes passed. I had done absolutely nothing.

“Ugh. What am I even doing with my life?” I groaned.

This was pointless. I should’ve gone to work. At least the hospital felt less draining than this house. Being here, surrounded by noise, expectations, and fake smiles, was doing nothing but messing with my head.

Ring! Ring!!

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. I grabbed it lazily. Kezzy.

I picked up. “Yeah?”

“Girl! You're off-duty, right? Let’s go out. You need to breathe. That house is killing your vibe.”

I smiled. Finally, someone gets it. Kezzy always knew what I needed, without me saying a word.

“Where?” I asked, already more alive.

“Velvet 9. Meet me there.”

“Done. Wait for me!”

Just like that, my energy came back. I jumped out of bed and rushed to my closet. I needed something bold. Something that screamed new mood. My eyes landed on a red dress, tight, sleeveless, low back, with a daring slit. Perfect.

I tossed off my clothes and headed straight for the shower. Warm water hit my skin, and I let it wash away the pressure, the guilt, the noise in my head.

As I stepped out of my room, I heard it, the soft, sweet laugh of my niece, Vivienne.

Instant peace. I smiled without thinking, but it faded fast when Dad’s eyes met mine. The whole family sat in the living room, laughing like they were starring in a perfect family ad.

Seriously?

“Heading out, sweetheart?” Dad asked gently, like he hadn’t just snapped at me earlier today.

Typically, one minute I’m a disappointment, the next they act like nothing happened. It’s always like that with him and Mum, cold one moment, sugary sweet the next. Like they’re trying to fix things without ever saying sorry.

“Just going to a bar,” I replied, trying to sound chill. “Thought I’d enjoy my day off.”

He let out a slow sigh, then gave a nod. He knew I didn’t want to be here.

“Okay then. Stay safe.”

I walked over and gave both of them quick cheek kisses, fake daughter mode activated. I kissed Vivienne, too, because I actually meant that one.

But Maya and Jayden? I didn’t even look their way. Not because I’m bitter. Just… done.

I reached the door.

“Athonia, take care, okay?” Maya called behind me, voice all sweet and sisterly. “Lots of creeps out there.” I smirked, shook my head, and left. No reply. No need..

Thirty minutes later, I pulled into Velvet 9’s parking lot.

As soon as I got out, I walked straight into a scene, two strangers making out like the world didn’t exist. I quickly looked away, face warm. Still untouched. Still figuring life out on my own.

Bars weren’t my thing. Not really. I barely went out. I lived in the hospital. My days were filled with patients, pain, and healing. And honestly? I liked it that way. Taking care of others gave me something to wake up for. Something real.

I glanced around, searching for Kezzy in the crowd. Before I found her, a hand tugged my arm. I turned, and there she was.

“Girl, where are we going?” I asked, laughing as she pulled me along.

“VIP, second floor,” she grinned. “Let’s chill first, then party like we mean it.”

And just like that, I followed her, ready for whatever the night had to offer. Not just the drinks. Not just the dancing. But maybe… the beginning of a brand-new chapter. One I was finally brave enough to write on my own.

This was Kezzy Celeste, my best friend since high school. The only person who never judged me, no matter how messy my life got.

“Who are you here with?” I asked as we finally stopped speed-walking. Thankfully, she’d stopped dragging me like luggage on a busy sidewalk.

“My boyfriend, and his crew,” she said with a proud smile.

“Oh, okay then. Let’s go. I need to talk to you. Got something wild to tell you,” I said as we climbed the stairs together.

Her eyes lit up. “Ooooh, now that sounds juicy!”

When we reached the VIP lounge upstairs, the door swung open, and I was met with a full room: four guys, two girls, and a whole lot of loud laughter.

I smiled and gave them all a friendly handshake. “Nice to meet you guys.”

Turning to Kezzy, I said, “We’ll be over there for a bit. Girl talk. I’ll join you later.” They nodded, and I gently pulled Kezzy to a quieter corner of the room, away from the noise and attention. As soon as we sat down, Kezzy leaned in.

“Okay, spill. Why do you look like you're carrying a secret the size of a house?”

I sighed. “Of course, I can only tell you this.”

I took a deep breath and started. “Earlier at home, I completely lost it. Mum and Dad wouldn’t stop. They kept asking about my love life or lack of it. Asking why I still don’t have a boyfriend, if I haven’t moved on from Jayden yet. Again.”

I walked her through every annoying moment, their questions and the subtle shame.

She shook her head. “Seriously? Didn’t your sister just arrive?”

“Yes! And they said all that right in front of Maya, Jayden, and even baby Vivienne. I wanted to disappear.”

Kezzy sighed, her face softening. “Girl… I’m so sorry. That’s messed up.”

She crossed her arms. “So… what now? What are we doing about it?”

I looked her in the eye and said the words that had been living in my chest for weeks.

“I’m done waiting. I want a child.”