LOGINChapter 78I wasn’t going to let this slide. This was the third time Kirah had threatened me. I opened the car door and ran after her.“Kirah! Kirah!” I yelled, my voice echoing down the quiet street.I was done with her threats. It was time I put her in her place. She didn’t answer me. She kept walking toward an empty, dark street.I followed her. The street was deserted; the only thing I saw was a cat scavenging from a trash can. I looked ahead,Kirah was gone.“I thought you wanted me out of your sight. Now you’re coming after me” Kirah whispered beside me.”I turned. There she was, leaning casually against a wall, her eyes shining in the dim light.“Kirah,” I said, stepping toward her, “you’re biting off more than you can chew.”She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. “You’re the one pushing me, Drew. Always shutting me out. You look at me with disgust that same mouth” she pointed to my lips “ that once showered me with praises now curses me. And you expect me not to be hurt?”“Kirah,
Chapter 77Drew's pov It’s been three days since I broke the news to Alia, and I haven’t seen or heard from her. It was obvious her absence had already given me the answer.I heard a horn blaring, breaking me out of my thoughts.“Oh shit.”The traffic light had turned green and I didn’t even realize it. I looked at my rearview mirror—cars were already piling up behind me, drivers throwing annoyed looks. I quickly pressed the accelerator and drove off.I have lost so much focus these past days. Even when I’m in meetings, when I’m driving… I’m always absent-minded.I parked at the bar Louis had said we should meet at, got out, and started walking in. The bar wasn’t crowded, just a few people here and there, sitting under dim lights, listening to soft jazz as they drank. The faint smell of alcohol and polished wood filled the air.I sighted Louis; he waved, and I headed there.“Wassup, man?” Louis clapped my hand, pulling me into a brief half-hug.“I’m good,” I breathed out and sat, rub
Chapter 76“Hello Alia, how are you doing?” Priscy answered.“Hmmmm… I’m fine,” I said quietly, staring at the river as I spoke.“Alia…” she paused, “I have not been myself after last night. Are you mad at me?”“No… no, Priscy. Far from it.” I shook my head slowly. “I’m mad at myself, not you.”“You know what…” her voice softened, “where are you? This is not a conversation we can have over the phone. Are you free? Can I see you?”I let out a small breath, rubbing my forehead.“Of course… I really need company. I’m at the park. Do you want to come over or should we pick somewhere else?”“The park is fine. Just send me the address.”“Okay, I’ll text it to you right away.” I took another sip from my coffee.“I’m waiting. See you soon.” Priscy’s voice sounded excited.The call ended.I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the blank screen for a second before dropping it beside me.Priscy has always been a happy soul. Being around her always lifts my spirit… back then and even now, that’s
Chapter 75I didn’t go to work today. I woke up knowing I couldn’t get myself to go into that office after all that happened yesterday.My mum and Alice had asked why. I told them I took a break.I can still remember how shocked they were when I told them I was now working with Drew, but after explaining how it would affect my company if I didn’t, they understood and never mentioned it again… until this morning when they realized I wasn’t getting ready like usual.For now, I’ll have to keep what Drew said from them. I don’t even know how they would react to it. Until I figure things out, it stays a secret.I didn’t need anyone pressuring me on what to do right now.I was alone. Alice had taken the kids to the dentist, and my mum had some errands to run, leaving just me.And my thoughts… they were eating me up. It felt like the walls were closing in on me.If I stayed in this house all day, I would lose my mind.My hands tightened around my bag.“I’m going to the park…” I muttered to m
Chapter 74I stood in front of the mirror for a while after dressing up. My hair was still a bit damp, falling over my shoulders, and my face looked… tired.Not just tired.I felt drained, like everything in me had been pulled out and left empty.I wanted nothing more than to lie in my bed and shut my mind off, but Alice was cooking for me, I hadn’t seen my kids today, and Harry was still waiting downstairs.Get yourself together, Alia, I whispered under my breath.I couldn’t afford to break down or look weak right now. No one could know what Drew had said to me… not now.I took a deep breath and walked out of the room.Downstairs, Harry was sitting, eyes glued to the TV.He looked up the moment he noticed me, and his expression softened immediately.“You’re all dried up now… did you catch a cold?” he asked his eyes filled with concern.“No,” I shook my head, glancing around. I could hear Alice moving in the kitchen.I walked over and sat on the couch, keeping a small distance between
Alia's pov I held Harry’s jacket together tightly around me. I was still shaking, not as badly as before, but my body was deeply soaked, water still dripping from my clothes onto the car seat.“Sorry… I’m making a mess of your car,” I said weakly to Harry, my voice barely audible.“Alia, it’s fine,” he replied quickly, his eyes still fixed on the road. “I’ll drive faster so you can get home and change before you catch a cold.”“Thank you, Harry…” I whispered, closing my eyes slowly.Harry had called at the right time.I was still walking under the rain, confused, not knowing where I was going or what I was even doing, when my phone rang. It rang several times, but I didn’t pick up. When I finally did, it was Harry.I couldn’t even say anything to him.I just kept crying.Within minutes, his car had arrived to pick me up.I knew he had so many questions to ask me, but even till now, he hadn’t said a word about why I was walking under the rain like a stray cat.I didn’t even know how I
Chapter 24 I stood in front of my parents’ house with the kids by my side. I felt stuck. The door was right there, but I couldn’t bring myself to go in. I was afraid that once I was inside, it would finally feel real that my dad was truly gone. I knew it in my head, of course, but my heart refu
Chapter 26“Get out of my way,” I said, my voice filled with anger.Drew didn’t move “I didn’t come to argue, Alia.”“Does it look like I care? You have no business being here.” My chest tightened, a mix of frustration and exhaustion pressing down on me.“I came to pay my respects.” He spoke calmly
Chapter 23Alia's povSome people say marriage can stop you from reaching your full potential.For me, it wasn’t marriage.It was how much of myself I gave away trying to be loved.I was so busy trying to get Drew’s love and acceptance that I forgot the great things I could do on my own.If someone
Chapter 28 I stood by the window, staring at the city below. The streets were alive as usual, cars honking, people going on with their normal day-to-day life, but here I was, unsettled. My mind wouldn’t let me focus on work knowing Alia was close by. I had said I wanted to give her some time to he







