Chapter 18

Mike sat in his living room surrounded by his family, his mother and sister were ecstatic that Layla was finally out of their lives and Mike was nowa free man. It had been a long and tumultuous process, but finally, after months of legal battles, they were able to reach a settlement, and everything was done. Mike had given away almost everything he owned including several businesses, cars,and properties in the process of divorce. But he had agreed to it, so he couldn't complain.

As his family chatted and laughed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. He had been married twice and both times, things had gone wrong. He had been hoping to have children from one of his marriages, but it hadn't worked out. Mike was starting to worry that something was wrong with him and he would never be a father.

"Mike, why do you look so sad?" his mother, Carolina, asked.

"I don't know, I guess I'm just tired," he lied. Mike didn't really want to talk about his fears with his family. He didn't