LOGINGesareI stared around the hospital room one last time, just a few days ago, I had been wheeled in here screaming in agony, convinced I was going to lose my baby.But now I was leaving with her safely tucked in my arms.Life had a strange way of changing in the blink of an eye.A nurse walked in carrying a folder."Good morning." She smiled warmly "Ready to go home?"I looked down at Lola, who was sleeping peacefully against my chest."I think so.""You guys will do just fine."She handed me the discharge papers."We have gone over your medications, wound care, and follow up appointments. If you experience excessive bleeding, fever, severe pain, or anything that concerns you, come back immediately."I nodded, "I will."A few minutes later, Dr. Valentina stepped inside for one last check."How are my girls doing today?""Tired," I admitted, "But excited."She examined my incision, checked my vitals, then smiled."Everything looks good."She looked at Kumba."You remember the instructio
GesareSunlight spilled through the curtains, warming my face as I stretched slowly before the events of last night came rushing back. It had all been perfect atleast it was before our daughter demanded our attention. "Our daughter really does have impeccable timing," I whispered to myself as if she had heard me, a tiny giggle floated through the baby monitor on the bedside table.I climbed carefully out of bed and made my way downstairs.The smell of coffee and pancakes greeted me halfway down the staircase.I rounded the corner to find Kumba standing at the stove in gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt, flipping pancakes with far more confidence than skill.Lola sat in her little baby bouncer nearby, happily kicking her tiny legs while watching him as though he were putting on the greatest show on earth.I leaned against the doorway, folding my arms."You know" I said, "I was wondering why the house smelled like something was burning."Without turning around, Kumba chuckled."I will
KumbaThe lake was quiet, Its still surface reflected the gray morning sky, peaceful enough to fool anyone into believing nothing terrible had ever happened here.I hated it, the silence and how still the water was. I hated that every time I looked at it, my chest tightened with a fear I couldn't explain.I sat on the weathered wooden steps of the lake house with my elbows resting on my knees, my hands hanging loosely between them, I hadn't sleptEvery time I closed my eyes, I was dragged back into the same nightmare.Except it wasn't a nightmare anymore, It felt more like a memory.For years, it had always been the same Pieces of blurred faces and this strong smell of gasoline and how could I forget my hands and clothes covered in blood. Then I would wake before I could understand any of it but last night was different, I saw myself, when I was sixteen years old and terrified shaking so violently I could barely I remembered collapsing onto this exact floor."I left her there."The
DianeThe first thing I noticed was the pounding in my head, It felt as though someone had driven nails into my skull. I winced before I even opened my eyes and then came the dryness in my throat.I swallowed, only to discover my mouth felt like sandpaper."What" My voice came out weak, "what's going on?"I blinked several times, trying to focus as the living room slowly came into my view.Then I noticed the IV taped to my arm and my eyes widened."Kumba?"He was sitting in the armchair across from me, elbows resting on his knees. The worry etched across his face made my heart ache.Beside him stood Dr. Valentina, quietly packing away the last of her medical supplies and then the memories came flooding back.I slowly pushed myself into a sitting position."What happened?"Valentina offered me a small, reassuring smile."You drank far more than your body could handle, I gave you fluids. You are going to have one terrible headache, but you will be okay."I couldn't even look at Kumba, a
GesareThe first thing I heard was the ocean, the gentle waves rolled against the shore, their rhythmic melody drifting through the open balcony doors. A warm breeze slipped into the room, carrying the scent of salt and tropical flowers with it.For a long moment, I simply lay there with my eyes closed, smiling, then I felt it.A pair of strong arms wrapped securely around my waist, of course it was Kumba, I smiled even wider.Carefully, so I wouldn't wake him, I turned in his embrace.The morning sunlight spilled across his face, softening every sharp line I had once found intimidating, he looked peaceful which was a rare thing to see. I had grown used to seeing him restless in his sleep, some nights he would toss from one side of the bed to the other and other nights he would wake up breathing heavily before convincing me he was "fine."Sometimes he would mumble words I could never quite make out.There had even been nights when I had reached for him, only to find his side of the b
GesareBy the time we got home, the afternoon sun had begun to sink behind the trees.Neither of us spoke much during the drive from the hospital. There wasn't anything left to say.The silence between us wasn't empty anymore.It was simply tired.The kind of silence shared by two people carrying more than either of them knew how to put into words.As soon as we walked through the front door, I heard the familiar sound of tiny giggles."There she is!"Diane, who had offered to watch Lola while we were at the hospital, smiled as our daughter kicked excitedly in her baby seat.The smile on Diane's face faded the moment she looked at Kumba, she saw it immediately.The exhaustion and the pale complexion.The way he forced himself to stand a little straighter than he really could."How did it go?" she asked softly.Kumba forced a smile."I'm still standing."His attempt at humor made my heart ache.Diane walked over and hugged him carefully."I'm proud of you."He nodded "Thanks, Mom."The
Kumba. The moment I read the message, something in me snapped, I didn’t even remember grabbing my keys.One second I was staring at my phone, the words “She signed herself out” burning into my skull, and the next I was already halfway out the door, jacket thrown over my shoulder, the faint burn of
KumbaThe ultrasound image wouldn’t leave my mind, it was all I could see. No matter how hard I tried to focus on anything else, that grainy black and white picture kept flashing behind my eyes.I shoved the thought away and walked straight through the hospital corridor, ignoring the curious glance
Gesare. The first thing I noticed when I woke up was how quiet it was apart from the machines humming and the soft murmurs of the nurses talking at the station down the corridor.The second thing I noticed was the pain.It throbbed through my leg like a slow drumbeat, dull but heavy, reminding me
Kumba. After everything today, after the accident, the hospital, bringing Gesare to my mom's house, sleep should be the obvious next step, but my mind isn’t wired for rest tonight, not when too many things don’t add up.Not when I can feel something moving beneath the surface, something I haven’t c







