MasukHow the hell was that even possible? Being in love with two men at the same time? Both jerks? What was wrong with her? She wasn’t some teenager. She was twenty-eight, for goodness’ sake. What in the world was this?Okay, Fatima decided she had had enough of talking about her messed-up love life. She dismissed the conversation before her therapist could dig any deeper, said goodbye, and promised to call back soon.Right then, a knock sounded at the door. It was Mrs. Wilson and Bonnie.“Mommy, why is she here?” Bonnie asked as soon as Fatima opened the door.“Honey, it’s business.”“She still works with Daddy?” Bonnie sounded judgmental. She didn’t want Leslie anywhere near her mom. “And why was she asking for you?” Fatima looked at Mrs. Wilson, whose facial expression clearly showed she agreed with Bonnie.Yeah, Leslie had been rude to her kids before. Fatima still remembered that day when Leslie insisted she would rather Nicholas take her to the hospital than drive the kids to school.
On the other hand, Fatima didn’t give a damn about either man. Sure she would have felt a little bad for Ian because of how sweet he had been to her, but that goodwill vanished the moment he threatened her children.As for Raphael, who would want a man who used and threatened her daily? Deep down, a dark part of her hoped one of them would get hurt badly. Maybe even killed. That would finally end this nightmare.Fatima had never wished death on anyone before. That wasn’t who she was. But right now, if either Raphael or Ian died, her life would become so much easier.“It’s not my business,” she told herself firmly as she dialed Leslie’s number instead. “Come to my house,” she said the moment the call connected.“Alright. I’ll be there in an hour.”“Great.” Fatima ended the call, then sat down at her computer and started her therapy session.“Mrs. Ashford, I was expecting your call,” the therapist said warmly. “I’ve heard what’s been happening in your life. As a fellow woman, I’m truly
They say the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. Right now, Fatima was starting to believe whoever came up with that quote knew exactly what they were talking about. Because as she stood looking at the man before her, fear coursed through her veins.“You showed up with a bullet in your arm,” she began, her voice low. “When you invited me to the club, I had to do my research.”“That’s how you met Raphael?” Ian asked, watching her closely. She shook her head. “Don’t lie to me.”“I have kids. I had to check you out. I needed to be sure you were safe.”“Understood. So you’ve been working for Raphae, how long now?” He was only interested in that.“I hired a detective to run a background check on you. He flagged your enemies… and Raphael came up.”“Okay. So…?”“They say keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.” As a doctor, Fatima was smart and quick.“I don’t understand.”“When we got married, I had to know who Raphael was. I’m sorry. I was just looking out
Just as Fatima had guessed, right at the bottom of the gallery were photos of Leslie and Ian. They appeared to be in a club, judging by the background.The pictures were crystal clear, whoever had taken them had been very close. It was obvious from the images that Ian and Leslie had no idea they were being photographed.“When was this?” she asked.“Two years ago. But that’s not even what will shock you.”“What do you mean?” Fatima was already shocked. She hadn’t expected this from Ian. Sure, he was a player, but this was different.“Remember the big contract Nicholas was working on? The one that required Leslie’s partnership?”“Yes?”“Well, guess who nominated Nicholas for it.”Fatima didn’t even have to guess. She remembered how excited Nicholas had been that day, saying a friend had put his name forward. It had been Ian all along.“Ian?”“That’s not all. From then on, he planted Leslie in Nicholas’s life without either of them knowing.”“No… this is too much. I can’t…” Fatima pushed
One thing Fatima had noticed was that Raphael was evil in the sweetest way possible. And before you think she had lost her mind, remember how he had taken down Leslie’s father for her, how he had always lent her an ear, and how, even now, while threatening her, he had still listened to her first. Yes, he was evil in the sweetest way.“Okay.” Fatima placed her cup down and reached for her phone. She knew exactly how much power Raphael held over her.If she didn’t have kids, she was sure she wouldn’t be dealing with any of this. But her children were the best things that had ever happened to her, so she didn’t regret that part. It was just an innocent thought.“I’m so sorry about last night,” Leslie said as soon as she picked up. “Isabella is the worst.”“You don’t have to pretend to be nice to me, Leslie.”“No, really, I’m not just pretending. You’re a good woman and—”“I’ll text you the details. I think I can find a position for you,” Fatima interrupted, not wanting to hear the fake l
Meanwhile, Fatima went straight to bed after taking some sleeping medication. She didn’t want to deal with herself or with what she had just done, apologizing to Nicholas right in front of Ian. Strangely enough, she wasn’t regretting it either.Leslie might have entered their relationship and ruined it. It might not even have been Nicholas’s fault, and Fatima knew that. But she had to stay with Ian, or else Raphael would deal with her. That was why she refused to drive herself mad with guilt. Besides, the kids would be fine with Mrs. Wilson and Ryan. Feeling stretched and exhausted, she simply went to sleep.The next morning, Fatima woke up with surprisingly few thoughts. She headed straight to the shower, got ready for the day, and went downstairs. The kids were having breakfast with Ryan and Mrs. Wilson.“How did you sleep?” Bonnie asked as Fatima greeted them, planting big kisses on their cheeks.“Eat your food, baby. I have to rush and take care of something,” Fatima replied. She
Isabella made herself at home. She placed her handbag down and went to the kitchen, saying she needed a drink.“Me and flights, you know how I get,” she said casually.Fatima just stared at her in awe. Given Ian’s reaction, he was still frozen in place, and how comfortable the lady was, Fatima figu
Fatima stood outside with guards on either side of her. Ian had come with many men, otherwise the crowd couldn’t have been held back.“I’m not going to repeat this,” Ian declared. People quieted down as the news reporter held the mic toward him. “Fatima, or as you all know her, Doctor Fatima, is my
Violet almost walked away when Fatima stopped her.“You do know Raphael promised me you can’t do anything, right?”“Oh, really?” Fatima reached for her phone and dialed Raphael.“Fatima. Did you call to have lunch?” Raphael said excitedly as soon as he picked up.“Why would I—ugh, never mind. I tho
After navigating the narrow hallways, they finally stopped in front of a door. Gisele opened it and gestured for Fatima to go in first.Fatima had never been in a place like this. A small living room with old-fashioned furniture opened directly onto a visible kitchen. She already figured it must be







