Se connecterBack in Ralph's cabin, he was boiling with anger. He didn't expect I'd figure out who it was when he had called without thinking. He just wanted to hear my voice. He felt a pang of pain in his chest. He shouldn't be here, hiding away like a rat. He threw himself on the floor, and began planking, panting heavily as he lost count. This was his way of dispelling the anger he felt inside. Ralph was doing well for himself, but he felt empty. He didn't have that freedom he wanted – doing the things he loved in the city he loved, with the woman he couldn't take out of his mind. He felt trapped. Ralph had been taking fighting lessons for the last four years; it was needed if he wanted to stand up to the Black Triad and Aldwin when he made a return. He was determined to learn everything possible, to become dangerous — and he had.He stood up from the floor, facing the mirror. His rugged reflection told him he was no longer the Ralph anyone remembered. He was a different man. He didn't like
Ralph seemed to have settled pretty well in Kyrgyzstan over the last five years since he ran away. But no day passed without him thinking about me and what my baby looked like. He would wonder if it looked like Aldwin or me. If only he knew it was twins.A strange number called my phone. I was hesitant to take the call, but I had a strong feeling it might be Ralph."Hello," I said calmly as I answered the phone, praying the voice I’d hear would be Ralph's.A few seconds passed, and it was still silent from the other end. The only sound that came was the TV, which was on a low volume."Hello," I said again, somehow convinced he was the one. "Who's this? If you can hear me, then say something."A heavy sigh came this time, nothing more.Then I felt the urge to ask. "Ralph?" I called out cautiously. "Is that you?" It seemed whoever it was was determined to stay quiet.On the other end, Ralph sat on the sofa in his wooden cabin. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He was conten
"What? How did you come up with that?" Lisa seemed shocked. She was clearly not expecting to hear that."Of course, without Aldwin's knowledge, and that's why I won't be doing this myself." I let the words hang, hoping she would catch on."You want me to do this instead?""Yes," I said without skipping a beat."I already have their hair samples. All I need is for you to take them to a different hospital and run the test.""You're serious about this, aren't you?" The disbelief was evident in her voice."I labeled them using random names, so no one would guess who they actually are," I explained further, ignoring her question."Kora," Lisa said slowly, the way she always did when she wanted to talk some sense into me."Lisa, please."She exhaled loudly into the phone. "You realize what you're asking me to do? If Aldwin finds out…""He won't," I cut in. "That's the whole point of sending you. He doesn't monitor your movements."She sighed, heavily burdened by the task I was assigning her
Aldwin had eyes and ears even in unimaginable places. I didn't want to risk him knowing what I was about to do. But how else could I make such a move without him finding out?I’d already thought about not using their delivery hospital, which was the only hospital we went to, and which already had Zane and Zion's information. I collected samples of their hair from the comb I had used this morning and was pacing the room, not sure how to go about this without raising suspicions. A brilliant idea came to mind – Lisa.It took one ring before she answered the phone.“To what do I owe this morning call?” Lisa groaned, almost mumbling. It seemed like something was blocking her words from coming out freely, cutting off some of her words.It took me a second to realise what it was.“Are you making out?” I asked, furrowing my brows.Lisa was taking time to reply, then I heard lips smacking, kissing sounds.“Wait. Is that what I'm thinking it is?” I asked, almost irritated, but it was another m
Then the front door opened, and all my worries scattered — temporarily.One of their best moments was when Aldwin came back home from work.“Where are my little men,” he said, using the name he fondly called them – little men. “Dad!” They shrieked loudly, running towards him. He scooped up Zion, tossing him into the air once. When they were younger, he would toss them several times, but they were five years old now. He kissed him on the cheek before setting him down and reaching for Zane. Zane was the shy one; he didn't shriek like Zion did as Aldwin tossed him in the air. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Aldwin's neck and rested his head on his shoulders – content and quiet. Aldwin held him for a moment longer than he had held Zion. They always looked forward to this moment. They would chase each other around, playing and laughing. I watched them and the knot in my chest tightened. Aldwin loved both of his sons. I had never doubted that – not even once. He was present in wa
Aldwin kept true to his words – he changed. It had been five years since the birth of Zane and Zion, and the thought of leaving never crossed my mind again. It was different now and I felt at peace. Aldwin made me feel loved. The care and attention I had hungered for from him became present, even though it kept tugging at the back of my mind that if not for the existence of the twins, things would have remained as they were. I pushed aside the loud voice that kept telling me that Aldwin only seemed loving because of the boys and not because of me – that I wasn't enough to make him mine. It was difficult fighting those thoughts and not succumbing to the ideas that built up each time they rang in my head. Zane and Zion gave me a reason, a definition, and that was enough. An obvious dissimilarity could be seen in the twins, but Aldwin was too blinded by his love for them to notice – or maybe he didn't want to talk about it. Not all twins were identical, but Zion and Zane were complete
I flicked my hand near my face, and the bold diamond on my ring caught the light as I showed it to Lisa. “Whattt?” She screamed, placing both hands on her head. “Is that a diamond ring?” She asked rhetorically. I couldn’t hold my laughter. “It’s real now, girl. It’s fucking real!” She sank into
It's just dinner, but why is my heart pounding so loud? Aldwin fixed an amazed stare as I walked down the grand staircase. His eyes held both desire and questions.“You look stunning,” he said as I sat down.“Thank you.” I blushed red. My lips curved into a disbelieving smile, my eyes crinkling at
I wasn't sure how long I’d been asleep, but when I finally woke up, I was startled to realise I had company. Aldwin sat on the sofa in the corner, just watching me with keen interest. He looked lost in thought that he didn't blink, not even when I stirred awake. His eyes were still on my face as I
“Girlll! You are literally living my dream.” She whispered in awe.Just then, the man walked towards us.“Miss Kora?” He asked, his face stern.“Yes,” I replied.He gave a curt gesture towards the car. I waved at Lisa, still in disbelief, and followed him.He opened the back door, motioning fo







