Athonia’s POVI told myself it was better to let Ferdinand believe I enjoyed his company than to give Ethan even a flicker of hope. They always said actions spoke louder than words. In those quick moments, my mind raced, trying to act in a way that showed Ethan I had moved on, while still keeping Ferdinand at a distance.Still sitting in the car, I decided to throw out a remark that would stir things up. “You always used to open the door for me whenever we arrived somewhere. What happened? Have you stopped being the gentleman you always tried to be around me?”I said it lightly, not as though I cared, but enough for Ferdinand to feel the pressure. My tone made it seem as though he was the one eager to impress me. As expected, he hurried out of the car, and by then, we had already lingered for nearly a minute. He must have been wondering why I had not stepped out when the car first stopped. But Ethan, standing at the entrance, could see everything clearly. He probably thought I was ki
Athonia’s POVWhy did I have to end up in this kind of situation? Of all things, seeing someone’s nakedness. Someone I had spoken to so rudely. Someone who had actually tried to understand me. Would this push me to apologise?By the time I walked back into the sitting room, my heart was racing. The worst part was that I could not erase the image from my mind. The more I tried, the more it returned, leaving me flustered and shy. I needed to leave. I no longer felt at ease here.I sat there for nearly ten minutes, debating with myself. Should I go or should I stay? Just as I gathered the courage to stand and finally leave, Ferdinand stepped out from the other side of the house. His name was one I had not wanted to remember, yet my mind seemed to hold onto it the moment his eyes met mine.“Oh, sorry,” I stammered, words tumbling out before I could stop them. “I did not know you were… naked. I mean, bathing.”He did not answer right away. Instead, a slow smile touched his lips, as if he f
Athonia's POVCould this be some kind of curse I do not understand? Every time I give my heart fully to someone, something unimaginable happens. In other areas of my life, I can see progress. Maybe not quickly, but there is growth. At work, I have taken on more and more responsibilities.I took a deep breath, hoping it would release some of my frustration, and suddenly remembered I was in Ferdinand's car. This was what people would call misfortune. If I were alone right now, I would have let it out. If Kezzy were at home, her place would have been perfect to rest my weary eyes.I pressed my fists against the floor of the car, trying to convince myself I was not crying—until I heard him speak.“I truly understand how you feel,” he said.“How does that help your driving? You asked me to get in your car just so you could tell me you understand? What does that have to do with me?” My anger rose uncontrollably, and when I thought I was strong enough to talk and watch him carefully, my comp
Maya’s POVThe first thing I felt was a damp towel brushing across my face. It was cold enough to make me stir, and slowly I opened my eyes. Dora was leaning over me, trying to wake me, and it worked. I realised I was lying on the bed, my head still heavy, but my mind beginning to clear.As soon as I caught my breath, the first words that left my mouth were, “Where is Ethan?” I pushed myself upright before Dora or my husband could respond.“Look at him, he is right there,” Dora said, pointing at Ethan, who was still stretched out on the bed.“What are you waiting for? Take off his clothes,” I demanded quickly.“Why?” my husband asked. His hesitation irritated me. I knew that if Ethan woke up now, everything we had planned would fall apart.“We are almost done with what we wanted, but there is one last thing left,” Dora explained.“What is that?” I asked, my voice tight with anticipation.“You need to call your sister with Ethan’s phone,” Dora said. “When she answers, you will moan as
Athonia’s POVI could not believe what I heard when I answered the phone. I had picked it up with an open heart, ready to tell the man beside me that just hearing Ethan’s voice would explain everything. But instead, I heard a sound that shattered me.“A…aaah… baby, please, harder. Deeper. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. It has been so long since I felt this good…”My whole body went stiff. For ten long seconds, I could not even breathe. My mind refused to connect the words, but the voice was clear. A woman was moaning, her tone painfully familiar, though in that storm of emotions, I could not place her. Could it really be true? Had Ethan left his patient to be with another woman?Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, burning like fire. My eyes squeezed tight as if they wanted to push themselves out of their sockets. For a few minutes, I completely lost myself. I did not know if I was standing, walking, or speaking. It was like I had stepped outside my own body, until I fel
Maya’s POVEthan would never agree to meet me in a bar or a restaurant. That was out of the question. Dora had once suggested it, but I knew Ethan far too well. He was careful, private, and always concerned about appearances. Meeting him anywhere in public was impossible. That was why when he called to say he was stepping out of the hospital for a moment and asked me to meet him inside the compound, I felt an unexpected wave of relief. At least here, he would not feel exposed. At least here, I had a chance to talk to him without shame hanging over us.But even before he came outside, I made a mistake. I had stayed in the back seat of the car. How could I have forgotten something so simple? If Ethan saw me there, he would immediately know someone else had brought me. He would start asking questions I could not afford. I needed him to believe I had come alone, that this was nothing more than a woman clinging to one last chance.The moment I realised it, I acted. With my growing belly, i