ANMELDEN“None…” I cried louder.“Is that Charlotte?”“Yes… She’s crying. She must’ve heard you—the speaker is on,” Mei replied.“Can I talk with her?” Musa asked.“She’s… not in the state to talk right now,” Mei replied carefully. “She hasn’t eaten anything and she’s been crying nonstop since last night. I think you know why… I don’t know how to console her. It’s affecting her mental health and even the baby. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”She sobbed.“I tried all I could to make her…”“Hey, Mei… it’s okay. It’s normal for her to worry about her husband. Don’t be hard on yourself too.”“I know… I just… if I had been a better mother, I would’ve succeeded in calming her down. I don’t know if anything happened to Leo or not, but he better have some good explanations, or else he can’t hurt my daughter and go free.”“Don’t worry, leave that to me. Leo knows better than to mess up. About Charlotte… She will be discharged soon, right?”“She doesn’t want to leave,” Mei explained. “She said sh
CHARLOTTE’S POVMorning came, but it brought no relief and no news about Leo.I hadn’t slept a wink all night, no matter how much the nurses urged me to rest, no matter how much my mother begged.My body felt heavy, my mind numb. Inside, I didn’t even feel alive anymore.“Charlotte, dear, the baby—”my mom began softly.I didn’t even look up to meet her eyes.I brushed the tears from my face and carefully took the baby into my arms before she could finish the sentence.Mei sighed and went to sit on the couch, staring at me as if she had a lot to say but was afraid it might make me angrier.The nurses came in soon after, quietly checking my vitals and asking questions.“How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Charlotte?” one of them asked gently, her face full of concern.I forced a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes but said nothing.They exchanged glances.“She’s okay… just worried,” Mei replied on my behalf.“Worried? Any pain? Any dizziness?” the nurse asked immediately.“No… not
“When I found out you were a boy, I ran away and called you a stupid boy…” She chuckled softly. “I can’t believe I remember it like yesterday. We were only six years old… neighbors. You know the food I always snuck away to give you? It was mine. I didn’t eat. I starved so we could share. Your stepmother was so evil—she made you stay out in the cold and hungry. My mom didn’t always let me come to you… but I always watched you through the window. When we relocated to Europe". I cried so much. Leo’s eyes widened. “Daniella?” “You remembered!" She snapped in excitement. "I know you will remember me,that means I am still somewhere in your heart, right?" His vision blacked out.. "Well, I will take that as a yes. Sleep well my love...I know you will never forgive me when I finally decides to let you go but you can't possibly abandon me,I will make sure of that". Daniella said and reached for her phone on the couch and dialed a number and waited patiently. “Hello…?”
She didn’t move to cover herself. The sight caught Leo off guard. He jerked his gaze away. “What the hell are you doing naked in bed with me?! Can you cover up? Oh my God—please, tell me… tell me nothing happened between us. I will die. I won’t forgive myself. I can’t… this can’t possibly…” “Relax. Nothing happened, okay?” She said it simply. But how could he believe her? He stood up—and realized he was naked too. “It’s getting worse,” he muttered. He snatched the sheet quickly, wrapping it around his waist. “Where are my clothes?” “You still don’t remember me, do you?” she said instead. Leo got up from the bed his face red with anger. “That’s not the problem here! Why am I in bed with you when my wife just gave birth and I was supposed to cook and take the food to her? Wait—you’re the doctor I gave a ride, aren’t you?” He said it as recognition finally clicked into place. But the doctor didn’t seem impressed. “You still don’t remember me.” “Look, I don
**AUTHOR’S POV** Leo woke slowly, like a man surfacing from deep water—heavy and disoriented. His body felt leaden, used, every muscle protesting as though it had run miles in the dark. A dull hammer pounded behind his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the silence. Then his eyes opened, bringing the second realization. He was in a bed. The last thing he remembered was cooking Jollof rice for Charlotte while she was at the hospital with their new baby. Was the whole thing a dream? The Edwards award? Charlotte’s successful delivery? No… that couldn’t be. If I was dreaming, he thought, I would be dreaming in my own house. He glanced at the curtains. There was no way he owned purple curtains. His body ached in strange places, his head throbbing as if something inside it was trying to claw its way out. He cursed under his breath and squeezed his eyes shut, then slowly opened them again. The ceiling above him was also unfamiliar. His breath hitched as something mo
“I did… every hour that passed… but he never answered,” I said, my voice shaky. “I thought maybe he was in the kitchen, but this isn’t funny anymore…”My mom frowned slightly.“Why not call his assistant? Maybe she knows where he is.”I shook my head.“She’s here… at the hospital. She didn’t go with him.”Then it hit me—someone else I could call.My fingers moved quickly, dialing another number.Emma picked up after a few rings.“Hey, Char—”“Emma… have you heard from Leo?” I cut in immediately, my voice already strained.There was a pause.“…No. Why?”I swallowed.“He hasn’t come back yet.”“What? That’s strange…”“I know,” I whispered, sitting up a little straighter. “I’ve been calling him… he’s not picking up.”Her tone changed instantly.“Okay… okay, don’t panic yet. Maybe he’s with Musa and Angela. You know they’ll definitely help him with Nigerian food.”“I already called them,” I said quickly.“And?”“They’re not with him.”A brief silence followed.“Now that’s certainly a prob
A gentle whisper filled my ear."Miss...."I blinked and opened my eyes.Only then did I realize I had fallen asleep.The bartender was leaning over me.“Are you finally awake?”He asked softly.I nodded and rubbed my eyes. I glanced towards the window. It was dark; I wondered how many hours I had
Leo?My eyes widened in disbelief, but my heart felt lighter knowing it didn’t turn out to be a stranger.How on earth did he find me?He got down from his motorcycle and hurriedly walked up to me while pulling his jacket off.As he got closer, my breath hitched.His face was battered—lip split, ch
The cabana smelled of lavender and vanilla, soft music humming in the background as we stepped inside.Warm light spilled from little lanterns hung at each corner, making the space glow.A row of massage tables lined the room, neatly draped with white sheets.The receptionist smiled at us.“Two ful
Olive’s jaw nearly hit the ground.And me? I blinked once, twice, my heart hammering, but the absurdity of it all bubbled up inside me.Off limits? Me?What was that supposed to mean?Still, I recovered quickly.“Actually…” I cut in brightly, turning to the newcomer. “I’d love to.”Leo’s head snapp







