006

THE FOLLOWING MORNING

Imani walked out of her room, her hair fully dolled up and dressed up for the day's work.. But as she walked into the dining room, Jaden was already there and his face lit up, and she knew her plans were about to change.

"Mommy, Mommy! We're going to see the horses today, right?" Jaden bounced up and down in his seat, his eyes shining with excitement.

There's an holiday at his school today and that makes sense for his stay at home.

Imani's heart melted as she looked at her son. He had been talking about these horses for weeks, and she had promised to take him to see them. She couldn't say no to him, not when he looked at her like that.

"Of course, sweetie," she said, smiling. "We'll go see the horses. I'll just finish getting ready."

Jaden squealed with delight, bouncing up from his seat and running over to hug her. Imani hugged him back, feeling a surge of love and guilt.

She was always working, always busy, and sometimes she felt like she wasn't spending enough time with her son.

"It's okay, Mommy," Jaden said, looking up at her with big eyes. "I know you're busy. We can go another day."

Imani's heart swelled with love. This kid was too smart, too caring. She kissed his forehead. "No, no, we're going today. I promise."

Jaden grinned, and Imani's heart skipped a beat. He was her world, and she would do anything to make him happy.

“Yayyy! We are going to see the horses!” Jaden squealed.

Few hours later, they got to the horses park.

Imani and Jaden strolled through the sun-drenched park, the sound of children's laughter and horses' neighs filling the air. Jaden's eyes widened as he spotted a majestic horse grazing in the distance.

"Can we go see, Mommy?" he asked, tugging on Imani's hand.

Imani smiled, her expression softening. "Of course, baby."

As they approached the horse, someone appeared beside them, “What a pleasant surprise!” that was Killan, Imani lifted her head and saw him. She narrowed her eyes as to what he was doing here.

“Heyy…Hi” Imani waved at him.

Jaden grin at the sight Killan, “It's Da—” He wanted to call Killan Daddy one more time but Imani shot him a glare and he changed it to “—Mr Killan!”

Killan crouched down to him “Hey little one, How is your bruise?” Killan asked Jaden and he looked down at his knee.

“The pain has reduced. Thank you Mr Killan,” Jaden muttered, he was a cutie pie.

Imani cleared her throat, “What are your doing here?” She asked

Killan stood and looked at Imani, “I came for a volunteer and I'm free now, Mind if I join you?" He asked and one could see the happiness on Jaden’s face but Imani wasn’t having it.

Obviously not, “Thanks for offering Mr Killan but I’m sorry, we prefer to explore the park ourselves,” Imani politely rejected him.

She turned to leave, Jaden's hand in hers. Killan's eyes followed, a mix of frustration and confusion on his face.

"But, Mommy-" Jaden started to protest.

"Not now, Jaden," Imani said, her tone firm but gentle.

As they walked away, Killan watched, his hands in his pockets. Imani's message was clear: she wasn't interested in talking to him. “Why does she keep avoiding a time with me?” Killan sulk but ended up walking away anyways.

Imani and Jaden got to one of the horses, Jaden began to pet it gently and his grin could tell he’s enjoying the explore.

“Why did you like Mr Killan so much?” Imani suddenly asked.

“He’s nice. He gave me lot of gummies and tell me stories about dinosaurs!” Jaden’s face lit up talking about Killan.

Imani scoffed, “You just met him yesterday and he’s already told you all of that? Tsk..” Imani said while Jaden grin softly.

Then while she was still petting the horses a ring came on her phone, Emily’s name displayed on the screen. She walked away from Jaden a little bit so she can hear Emily clear.

“Good morning ma’am, Mr. Norway is requesting for a discount on his wife behalf. Should we negotiate price with him before proceeding with his request?” Emily asked and Imani licked her lower lips.

“Send his profile to me and I will go through it.” Imani simply said.

“Okay ma’am. Should I be expecting you at the office today?” Emily asked further.

Imani shook her head “No Emily, Just reschedule my meeting to tomorrow,” Imani told her then slightly looking back at Jaden…her eye widened when she could no longer find Jaden there.

She cut the call and her eyes began searching… “Jaden?! Jaden?”

——

-LUKE’S HOUSE-

A knock on the door distracted the whole family from their daily activities, “Who is there?” Luke asked going over to the door to open the it. A lady dressed in a black suit appeared at the door, her smile were so sharp.

“Who-“

“Good morning sire, I believe I’m at Mr Luke Anderson’s house right?” The lady asked and Luke nod.

“How can I help you?” He asked looking down at the file with her, she stretch it foward and Luke took it from her.

“You’ve received a letter from the court,” The lady said while Luke stare down at the file in amusement.

“Court?”

“Yes sir. I will take my leave now, thank you,” With that the lady walked away.

Luke went back into the house, the whole family gathered. “What does it say?” Elizabeth was the first to ask.

Luke took out the letter and reading out the first words, his mouth dropped, “Imani. It’s Imani…”

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, “What’s Imani doing again? What does it say…”

“She’s seizing all of our assets, down to the house and cars. That bitch!” Luke cursed, his hands slipping into his hair, sweats was already rolling out of his head.

“You must sue her! She doesn’t have the right to sieze your assets few days to when your debt was transferred to her. That’s absurd!” Sarah, his new girlfriend snapped. Her blood boiling but Luke rolled his eyes.

“Sue her? Don’t you get it? That puts me on a difficult spot! Imani is hell bent on destroying us!” Luke snapped.

“Luke, I think you should go and persuade her. Go on son, she was once your wife and I’m sure she will listen to you. She can’t do this to us…we took her as family…huh?” Elizabeth muttered, her face getting worried.

Sarah scoffed, “What are you saying mother? Are you suggesting he go back to beg his Ex wife?! Mother! What about me?” Sarah was quick to ask.

“This is not the time to talk about you, Sarah.. we are at the verge of losing everything and you’re thinking about yourself?” Elizabeth snapped back at her.

“Mother-”

“Arghhhh!!! What the fuck!!” Suddenly Rachel yelled from where she sat. Everyone looked at her with shock on their faces.

“What’s the noise for?! You scared me!” Elizabeth flinched, snapping at Rachel.

“Did Imani tampered with our accounts?! Why does my card keep declining?! I can’t get my favorite Hermes new collection bag!!” She screamed further.

Luke raised an eyebrow, then he looked at the last part of the letter where it says, ‘Including your bank accounts and cards,’

Imani is hell bent on destroying him. His head was spinning. Not now!

“See son? I told you, beg Imani. She’s kind-hearted…she will listen to you. I can’t lose all my clothes and cars to her, beg her till she listens,” Elizabeth persisted.