LOGINNoah's POVBirthdays had never meant much to me.I had learned that at an early age.Some people looked forward to their birthdays months in advance. They made plans, booked restaurants, invited friends, bought new clothes and counted down the days until they could celebrate another year of being alive. I had never understood the excitement.For me, it had always been just another date on the calendar, another day, year and another reminder that time kept moving whether I wanted it to or not.Tomorrow was my birthday.I knew that because my mother had mentioned it several times over the past few weeks, even though she hadn't mentioned it, I would have still known it because of him.Ethan had also made some careless remark about it recently, though I had ignored him.I hadn't told Karma, there was no point.She had enough things to worry about without adding a birthday celebration to the list. Besides, I wasn't expecting anything. I never did.I sat behind my desk, staring at the repor
Karma's POVI ended up staying at Yvonne's house much longer than I had intended.What was supposed to be a quick stop by, after dropping them off, stretched into almost three hours, yet somehow, it still didn't feel like enough.After lunch, Auntie Grace insisted on doing the dishes. I volunteered to help, but she shunned me. After which she and Yvonne took turns sharing stories about Dami. Some of them made us laugh until tears gathered in our eyes, while others left an ache in my chest that I doubted would ever completely disappear.For the first time in years, remembering Dami didn't feel like reopening a wound.It felt like honoring her. I found myself smiling more than crying. Maybe healing wasn't forgetting, maybe it was learning to remember without breaking apart.By the time I stood to leave, the afternoon sun had begun its slow descent. Yvonne walked me to the front door despite my protests."You should be resting.""I've rested enough in that hospital bed," she replied with
Karma's POVI stared at Yvonne after asking the question that had been tormenting me for weeks. "Won't he one day wake up and leave?"The room became so quiet that I could hear the ticking of the wall clock. Yvonne didn't answer immediately.She simply looked at me, really looked at me, as though she was trying to understand why a woman who had become one of the country's finest surgeons could ask such a fragile question. Then she smiled, a sad, understanding smile."Marriage is a funny thing, Little Karma." I lowered my eyes. "I don't think anyone enters marriage with a guarantee."She leaned back gently on the sofa. "There isn't a manual that tells you your spouse will never hurt you. There isn't a contract that promises your marriage will last forever." She chuckled softly. "If there were, my ex, Williams and I would probably still be married."I looked back at her. "You loved him.""I did.""And he loved me too." She sighed. "But sometimes love alone isn't enough." I listened quie
Karma's POVI pulled the car to a gentle stop in front of Yvonne's house. For a few moments, none of us moved.My hands remained resting on the steering wheel while my eyes wandered over the familiar neighborhood, so much had changed.The road had been paved years ago, replacing the dusty street I used to race across as a little girl. Some of the neighboring houses had been renovated, while others had been demolished entirely and replaced with modern buildings.But despite all those changes… something about this place still felt painfully familiar, It was here.This was the neighborhood where it all happened, my house was a stone throw away.Where Dami and I had played until sunset. Where, for brief moments, I had been allowed to forget the horrors waiting for me back home."Thank you, Little Karma." Yvonne's gentle voice pulled me back to the present.I forced a smile. "You're welcome." Auntie Grace had already climbed out of the back seat and was gathering Yvonne's small overnight b
Karma's POVThe week slipped by almost unnoticed.Life had settled back into its familiar rhythm, and for once, I welcomed the routine. Every morning began with the same drive to the hospital, the same greeting from Sandra, the same pile of files waiting on my desk, and the same determination to leave each patient a little better than I had found them.Still, there was something quietly lingering at the back of my mind.Two days.That was all that remained before Noah's birthday, he hadn't mentioned it once, not a single hint, complaint and not even a passing comment about getting older.If I hadn't met Eleanor the previous Saturday, I probably would have remained completely unaware that the day was approaching.Every time I looked at him, I had to stop myself from smiling, the surprise party was almost ready.Eleanor had everything under control. The decorations had been ordered, the cake confirmed, Ethan and Lily had promised to arrive early, and Richard had quietly taken responsibi
Gaius' POVThere were days I convinced myself that I don't owe anyone anything, neither information or news. I simply like the simple life I lead.Then there were days like today.The crisp autumn breeze swept through the streets as I walked out of the architectural firm where I had spent the better part of the day reviewing structural designs for a new waterfront residential project.Life has become... predictable, wake up, go to work, attend meetings, review blueprints and argue with engineers over minor details.Go home, repeat.Years ago, I would have complained about such a monotonous routine. I once loved the flare of life, remembering the fact that I almost entered into the medical field.When the thoughts come, just like now… I appreciated it.Predictability meant peace. It meant no family scandals, no painful memories waiting around every corner, and no unexpected tragedies threatening to turn my life upside down.My phone buzzed inside my pocket. Amelia.A small smile found
Karma stood up so fast her chair had scraped against the floor. "Nurse," she called, stepping into the hallway. "I need you in here with the patient. Don't leave him alone. Not for any reason, not even if this building was collapsing."The nurse nodded and went inside.Karma walked straight to her
Marcus stumbled backward, his shoulders hitting the mattress. The woman's hands pressed against his chest, pinning him there. Her perfume—something sweet and seductive, filled his nostrils.His fingers moved toward her hips. She stopped them, pressing one manicured finger on his lips with the corne
Chapter 5The police car smelled like stale coffee and leather.Karma sat in the back seat, hands folded in her lap, watching the city pass through the tinted window. Buildings blurred into each other. Traffic lights, people walking in a hurry, an old woman walking a dog almost like she was crawli
Rosa's cleaning supplies fell to the floor and scattered. The spray bottle rolled across the carpet, leaving a trail of blue liquid running through the blood.The sound tore from her chest, echoing everywhere, filling the hallway as the once rowdy, loud and dirty hotel became empty that morning. S







