LOGIN—Amira—Anxiety swept through me as I paced the hallway, restless. If there was anything I hated in my life... it was surprises.They always have a way of messing with my mind.“Madam?” His butler came rushing toward me. “Sir is here.”A slow smile spread on my lips. I hurried to the stairs, in time as he walked in, looking impeccable.He froze.I caught the way his breath quickened, his eyes raking all over me with the same hunger I'd seen in them last night.He gasped—twice.“God… look at you.” He stepped closer. “You’re doing something to me right now.”“Are you sure?”I grabbed the hem of my dress and slowly descended the stairs until I was a breath away. He offered me his hand, and I took it, gently guiding me to his side.“You have no idea what you do to me.”Together, we stared at our reflections in the vanity.His tuxedo, black, beautifully contrasted against my forest green dress. He kissed my cheek. “You look gorgeous.”“You don't look bad yourself,” I murmured.We shared a
—Nathaniel—The moment she slept last night, I threw on pajamas. Grabbed my phone from the nightstand and slipped into the hallway.My heart pounded as I dialed home.It rang twice, then Eloise answered.“Nate?”It was a video call.Mom. Dad. My great-grandmothers and my two brothers stood behind Eloise.“How's everything?” Eloise asked.I took a relieved breath.“We've made up.”They erupted into cheers and hugged each other.“Congratulations, Nate,” my mother whispered.I smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”“So...are we moving to the next plan?” Eloise asked.“That's why I called,” I murmured. “I'll see you all tomorrow.”I ended the call and lowered my phone.The hallway felt too quiet.Careful not to make a sound, I tiptoed back into the room.Warmth tugged at my heart watching her sleep.Slowly, my eyes drifted to her stomach where our little one was growing.More than anything, I wanted to caress her belly—but that could wake her, and she might become suspicious of how I found out.Until she
—Amira—He claimed my lips with a hunger that matched the fire inside me. I held him closer and squirmed against the mastery of his lips.“Nate,” I gasped.“Say it,” he said softly.“Please.”A low sound rumbled his chest before he trailed kisses past my neck and collarbone.Then he captured my n*pple into his mouth and sucked before rolling it gently with his tongue.Gasps ripped my throat.I raked my fingers through his hair as every flick of his tongue sent a shiver down my spine.“Nate,” I cried.He moved lower and lower—until his breath fanned my waist.Slowly, I pushed myself to my elbows and watched him kiss my waist, belly and hips.His dark gaze pinned mine as he gently parted my legs and brushed light kisses along my thigh.He pulled back—then I felt him against my p*ssy.I gripped the sheets and closed my eyes.The pleasure was overwhelming—consuming—until I could barely think.“Nate—”I didn’t even finish his name before it hit.My back arched, fingers tightening in his ha
—Amira—He stood there in a white T-shirt and blue jeans, a bouquet of flowers in hand.His cologne wrapped around me, stirring passionate memories I wasn’t ready to face.I couldn’t breathe. Not with the way my heart was pounding in my chest.“Who’s that?” Mama’s voice came from behind me. She appeared at my side and gasped. “Mr. Rivera!”For the first time since he got here, he smiled. “Good evening, Mrs. Nwosu.”“Evening. We weren't expecting you.” Mama glanced at the gift boxes. “Was that you?”Nathaniel exhaled. “Merry Christmas.”Mama grinned before turning to my cousin.“Come, Oluchi. Let's give them some privacy.”Their footsteps faded down the hallway.I glanced over my shoulder, watching them disappear… then slowly turned back to him.The father of my unborn child.He did come back after all.My breath hitched and tears pricked my eyes.“Hello,” he said.My fingers tightened around the letter. “Hi.”He stepped forward slightly, holding out the bouquet.“This is for you.”I t
—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
—Mabel—A bullet of panic rose in my throat as I jerked to my feet.“The kids? What about the kids?”Mrs. Chukwuemeka drew a breath. “They've refused to go to school, have been throwing tantrums asking to see you.”Relief swept through me. I lowered my cutlery on the table and dragged a hand across
—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.
—Alec— My fist curled tight on my thigh as my convoy tore through DC streets. The thought of losing Mama Emelda left a bitter taste in my mouth. I kept checking the time again and again, as if staring at it could somehow hold the world still until I reached her. Sweat pricked the back of my ne







