Chapter 006

“Fatima, don’t walk away like this,” he said, his voice tight. “We haven’t finished talking.”

She didn’t turn around. “We finished the moment you lied to me.”

“That’s not fair,” he shot back.

Fatima closed the bedroom door and stood still for a moment.

The world was quiet again.

Somewhere downstairs, she could hear Nicholas moving around, his voice low, hurried. As if logistics mattered more than betrayal.

She walked toward the window and stared at the rain sliding down the glass.

Three years.

The number no longer felt abstract. It felt physical—like a weight pressing against her ribs.

The door opened without a knock.

Leslie stepped in.

Fatima stared at her. “You know my bedroom passcode?”

Leslie rolled her eyes, amused. Of course she did. All those times Fatima had been at work, all those hours Nicholas claimed they were busy, what else did she think they’d been doing?

“I’m not leaving until we talk,” Leslie said quietly. “Unless you want the kids to wake up.”

Fatima hesitated, then stepped aside, allowing Leslie in. Leslie was right, she had no choice. The kids would wake up, and that was something she wasn’t ready to deal with. And even then, a part of her wanted to hear what the woman had to say.

Leslie walked further into the room, glancing around—not like a guest, but like someone assessing territory.

“I’m not here to argue,” she said. “I just don’t think this needs to be dramatic.”

Fatima let out a soft laugh. “You slept with my husband for three years and you’re worried about drama?”

Leslie didn’t flinch. “Nicholas and I didn’t mean for it to happen. We work together. Feelings developed.”

“For three years,” Fatima repeated calmly.

“Yes.” Leslie lifted her chin. “And he loves me.”

The words didn’t shatter Fatima.

“If he loved you,” Fatima said quietly, “he should have had the decency to leave me first.”

Leslie’s jaw tightened. “You two were already over.”

“That wasn’t your decision to make.”

Silence fell between them, thick and heavy.

Then Leslie spoke again.

“I’m pregnant.”

This time, the words did land.

Fatima’s expression didn’t change, but her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

“You have proof?” Fatima cut in sharply. “And how far along are you?”

“Oh, what are you, my doctor?” Leslie scoffed. “I know my body. I’m positive I’m pregnant.”

“Hold on.” Fatima chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “So you don’t have proof that you’re pregnant?” she asked calmly. She was a doctor, no one could fool her when it came to these things. “You just know you’re pregnant?”

“I get really scared in the rain,” Leslie said abruptly. “So I’m leaving.” She picked up the clothes she had left there earlier and walked out without looking back.

Fatima stood there, stunned. The way Leslie had rushed out, the tension in her voice, it was as if she wasn’t even sure herself. Could she be lying?

The thought barely had time to settle before Fatima’s phone started ringing.

She inhaled deeply before answering. “Mad,” she said, forcing her voice steady.

“Tima, hey! How are you?”

“I’m good. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Oh my God, this wedding planning is no joke. How did you do it twice?”

“I hired a planner, Mad. You should do the same,” Fatima said. Her older sister was getting married in a few months and had refused to hire a wedding planner.

“You’re right. Please send me your planner’s contact.”

“I will,” Fatima replied. They talked a little longer before saying goodbye. Madelyn was only a year older than her, and since losing their parents in a terrible accident, it had always been the two of them, until Bonnie and Wave came along.

Madelyn loved them like her own, and they were so protective of each other. She was a journalist, and if she ever found out what Nicholas had done this time, she would destroy him. Lucky for him, she was too busy planning her wedding.

Fatima placed her phone on the nightstand and wiped her tears away before heading to the bathroom to prepare for bed. She was going to sleep in the kids’ room. The storm was loud, and Wave was afraid of thunder.