ANMELDEN—Amira—A week later....It had been a week since Mama and I learned the DNA results— a week since Nathaniel left my house.I tried not to think about him. I tried not to miss him.A lot has happened since then.Sammy was flown to America five days ago and is currently undergoing trial in a federal court. Turned out I wasn't the only girl he'd trafficked to Mr. Nobody.And Mr. Nobody?His real name was Martinez Santiago.The FBI cracked down on his mansion and cuffed him—just before he could hop into his helicopter.“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”He was still in his pajamas. Had probably just woken up and was about to sit for breakfast.A lot of young women were rescued, a handful of them looking malnourished and ill.“Do you know who I am?” he snapped. “Let me go, now.”He tried to make a run, but an agent tactically swept him off his feet and pinned him on the marble floor.Goosebumps skidded over my skin a
—Amira—Adrenaline coursed through me.My hands trembled, my finger hovering over the phone.A simple click would open the email and reveal the father of my baby— whether Sammy or Nathaniel.My heart pounded.A bead of sweat rolled down my spine.“Is everything okay?”I spun. Mama stood in the doorway, eyes dark with worry.I clutched my chest and let out a relieved breath. All my life, I'd never been this close to a panic attack.“Y-yes,” I stuttered.“Where's Mr. Rivera?”I lowered my gaze. “He's gone, Mama.”“So soon?” She stepped onto the balcony. Not even a goodbye.”“I— I told him I needed space. I've spent all these years putting them—men, ahead of me. I don't want to do that anymore.”My gaze flicked to her, vision blurry.“Does that make me a bad person?”“Oh, Amira.” Mama sat beside me and took my hand. She massaged it gently, the motion so soothing. “You're not a bad person. You're just trying to heal.”“Just a few months ago, you were trafficked by the person you loved int
—Amira—I regained consciousness and the first thing I registered was the steady beep of the heart monitor.And that faint smell of antiseptic.I opened my eyes and squinted against the rays of sunlight.My head hurt as I tried to sit up.“Amira,” a familiar voice broke through the haze. I forced my eyes open and saw her.“Mama?” My heart warmed. She rushed to my side and pulled me into her arms.“Thank goodness you're awake.” She straightened, a teary smile on her face. “How are you feeling?”“I'm better. What about you, Mama? Where's Oluchi?”“I'm fine. Oluchi has gone to school.” She paused and drew a breath. “I learned what happened last night. I–I should've been there to protect you.”Tears welled in my eyes.“No, Mama. It's not your fault. I shouldn't have stayed out late.”“The bastard has been arrested by the FBI, thanks to Nathaniel who swung into action.”I wrapped my arms around myself as mixed feelings twisted in my stomach.He might've saved me, but that doesn't erase h
—Nathaniel—The moment Mama Emelda told us about Amira's abduction, I literally collapsed on the chair behind me.It felt like my entire world was collapsing beneath my feet.“Nate!” Eloise rushed to my side. I shook my head. “Sammy set a trap for me, and I foolishly walked right into it.”“Don't say that,” Eloise soothed. “At least, you flew in so you can resolve the issue surrounding your engagement.”“Yes,” Mother joined in. “Mama Emelda's spy can keep an eye on them, right?” she asked, glancing at Mama.“Of course.” Mama smiled. “I'll have him spy Sammy and his gang to their destination, but we must come up with an idea to rescue her before it's too late.”“Yes, the Pentagon.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts.Swift response was one of the perks of producing the nation's military and presidential aircraft.“I'll get the chopper hot in five.” Damian said, lurching to his feet and racing out of the room.Everything happened so fast. One moment Damian and I we
—Amira—“Well, well, well. Who do we have here?” he drawled.“Sammy!” My breath lodged. Coming face-to-face with my evil ex-boyfriend in the middle of a lonely road was the last thing I wished for today.“What are you doing here?” I asked.“You don't seem happy to see me, my love,” he drawled.I fished my phone from my pocket, but he was faster. He snatched it from me and slipped it into his pocket.“Give me back my phone.”“What happens if I don't?” he spat.I kicked him in the groin, abandoned everything I was holding and ran.But my body seized mid-step as a violent jolt ripped through me.I hit the ground hard and writhed in pain.Sammy approached, a taser in hand.“Going somewhere, sweetie?”Everything faded into darkness.*. *. *. *. *Something wet and cold landed all over my body.I jolted awake, panic surging through me as I scanned my environment.I was in a shipyard, tied to a chair. Then I saw the monster glaring down at me, a bucket in his hand.“Wakey... wakey, my love.”
—Nathaniel— The flight to D.C. was the longest I’d ever endured. Silence stretched, a cold reminder of what I'd lost. “A bottle of whiskey please,” I ordered the flight attendant with me. “Yes, sir.” She left and reappeared with an ice bucket and a tumbler. “Sir?” she asked. I nodded, and she filled the glass before lowering the bottle and stepping away. Yanking my tie, I picked up my drink and gulped half the glass—then everything. The sting burned down my spine, but not enough to erase the memories of her. Her weeping face haunted me, her words like a knife twisting in my side. “I believed you. Gave you my heart, my loyalty. But to you, it was just a game.” I fought back tears and dragged a hand through my hair, then again, unable to stop the restless motion. “Leave me,” I said to the flight attendant. She hurried out, and I pressed a fist to my mouth. My hands trembled as I connected to the jet’s Wi-Fi. The signal locked in almost instantly. Of course, it did. I opened
—Mabel—Once again, the children were asleep when I got home.I adjusted the pillow beneath Damian’s head, pulled Nathaniel’s blanket up to his midriff. Eloise’s little hand dangled over the side of the bed—I tucked it back under the covers and stood for a moment watching them.Each one was his spi
—Mabel—Tuesday evening came like a whirlwind.One moment I was in my office, staring at the paper Alec Rivera left in my hand—the next I was home adjusting my makeup before the vanity in my bedroom.The children were back from school and were currently observing siesta in their room. Done with my
—Mabel—The tears wouldn't stop rolling down my face. The more I wiped them, the more they came gushing.An ache pushed my heart, but it was nothing compared to the lump forming in my throat.“Hello, Mabel. Can you hear me?” came Ruth's voice through the phone.I'd forgotten the call was still on.
(Warning ⚠️: Explicit content ahead.)—Mabel—I slowed before the double doors and pushed them open.The cool night air brushed against my skin as I stepped onto a lonely balcony. The scent of jasmine and white roses filled my nostrils, just before I sighted a garden below opposite a small pond.Tw







