SABRINA MORALES
“Alex?” Mum’s confused question hung in the air. She narrowed her eyes at him. She eyed the flowers, surprised to see him. That made two of us. “Alex what are you doing here?” I sat up. “Who is this guy?” Blaze asked me. He lacked patience so he shifted on his chair and asked Alex. “Who are you?” His tone held suspicion. He had a guess of who Alex was. And he was right. Alex held my eyes. He softened his gaze hoping it would do something to me. “I’m Alex Bailey. Sabrina’s fiance.” Alex held his chin up and spoke with pride. “Hi, mum.” He said, turning to my mum. Jo looked around, well aware of the stale energy radiating off everyone. Blaze stood up in one movement just as mum looked away. Her shoulders fell. She was disappointed in the one she once called her son. “I don’t care who you say you are,” Blaze stated clearly. “But it doesn't seem like you’re welcome here.” “And who are you?” Alex laughed, mocking Blaze. Alex thought Blaze was a stranger. A nobody. Blaze was the rebound after him. There, I said it. Blaze was my rebound no matter how many times I assured myself he wouldn't be. “Blaze Williams,” he introduced himself briefly. “Not nice to meet you.” Blaze spoke robotically maming it clear he didn't want Alex at our table. I was silently thanking him for standing up for me. But watching him care was not an experience my heart and my body were ready for. Alex was done arguing with a nobody. Blaze was blocking Alex's path. So Alex stepped to the side. “Sabrina, can we talk?” He was begging now. If I didn't know any better, I would have fallen for his timidness. But he had his hands on her, had her ass pressed to the wall, pressed between his fingers. It was painful to say. I closed my eyes and pushed through the words. I owed my family a proper explanation. “Alex and I broke our engagement yesterday because he is in love with someone.” I swallowed. “He was cheating on me.” “Alex please can you leave?” Mum asked. Jo stepped in too. He got up and moved around our table to where Alex and Blaze were. “Young man, please excuse yourself.” His voice was clipped. He didn't have time to waste on anybody that was disturbing the peace of his family. They were family and they were all standing up for me. “Now,” Blaze added. He glared at Alex. He knew me in a way that made him hate Alex more than I did. Looking at them all protecting me warmed my heart. But it was also a reminder of my pathetic life. I watched my nails on my lap. I didn't look up when the waitress returned with our meal. I didn't know when Alex went, or if he had even gone. My vision blurred bit by bit. If I could, I would have pushed my heart out. Every second was torture and I sank further until I couldn't be here anymore. I had to be alone and nurse my humiliation. I had to breathe in my space. I was too sad to be here. My family deserved the happy Sabrina, not the one Alex had chewed and spat out. I grabbed my purse and stood up. I was hurrying when I spoke to mum. “I need to sleep. I have a headache. I'll see you tomorrow,” I said. My resolve was breaking and so my voice cracked. “Are you sure–” Mum, clearly worried, asked. I forced a smile. “I want to be alone, mum.” I pleaded with her silently. Sparing everyone a glance, I said a quick goodbye. “Good night, everyone. I'll see you tomorrow when I'm feeling better.” I don’t know how I did it but I managed to put on a good show. I forced a smile and walked away. I didn't turn around but I could tell that Blaze had glued his eyes to my back. I wished for a redo of the previous night in his bed. That was the only thing that could make me feel better now.SABRINA MORALES I wanted nothing more than to be alone when I stepped out of Mum’s apartment. My heart felt heavy, and I needed space to breathe and process everything. The ghost of our conversation lingered, pulling me into my thoughts as I walked away. My vision was blurry, clouded by stinging tears that refused to stay back no matter how hard I tried to hold them in. They welled up, spilling over, and I couldn’t stop them. Each tear carried a piece of the pain I felt inside, making it tough to see clearly. And trust me, I really tried. I fought to keep my emotions in check, to stay strong, but the tears kept coming. It was like my heart was pouring out through my eyes, and no amount of effort could stop the flood. I climbed into my car and drove off without looking back even once. I couldn’t bear to see Mum’s face in my mind again. The image of her expression was too much, too raw, and I needed to escape it for now. The look on Mum’s face haunted me, etched into my thoughts
BLAZE WILLIAMS “It’s not what you think,” I said to Mum, rushing to her side, my voice shaky. Mum pulled away, refusing to let me touch her. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, then shifted to Sabrina, narrowing with suspicion. “How long has this been happening?” Mum’s voice boomed, her anger aimed at me. After a moment, she blinked, shaking her head as if rethinking her words. “No, I shouldn’t even ask you,” Mum said, turning to jab her accusing fingers at Sabrina. “You started this, didn’t you?” Mum snapped at Sabrina. “How long have you been seducing my son? How long have you tried to wreck his life with your schemes?” Sabrina tucked her hair behind her ear, her hands wrapping tightly around herself for protection. “Me? You’re blaming me?” Sabrina cried, her voice cracking with shock as she let out a bitter chuckle. There was no trace of humor in her tone, only disbelief. “Yes, I blame you!” Mum shouted. “Who else? My son brought a date tonight. He’s committed to someone
SABRINA MORALES Marcy kept her eyes locked on Blaze, staring him down with a fierce intensity, even though he refused to meet her gaze. Blaze avoided her completely, his eyes darting to the table, then to his lap, anywhere but Marcy, who sat right next to him, her presence impossible to ignore. Marcy’s glare burned into the side of Blaze’s head, so intense I thought his skull might split open any moment. Her eyes were like lasers, unrelenting and sharp. “I think I should leave too,” Marcy said, her voice cold and final. She shoved her chair back with a loud scrape, and I couldn’t help but watch her, my disdain growing stronger by the second. I had promised myself I’d come here with an open mind, determined not to hate her just because she was Blaze’s date. I wanted to give her a fair chance. But after sitting with her for just five minutes, I wanted to kick her out the door. Sure, her being on Blaze’s arm fueled my resentment, but it was her siding with Leticia to attack my mo
CAROLINE MORALES “Are we waiting for someone?” Caroline asked as we all settled into our seats at the dining table. Everyone was here except my daughter, Sabrina, and I didn’t want to start the meal without her presence. “My daughter,” I replied to Caroline, my voice tight with frustration from having her in my home. I was still fuming because I didn’t think I should have been the one to answer Leticia’s question. Jo was sitting right next to me, so why couldn’t he have spoken up for me instead? “Oh,” Leticia said softly, her hands dropping to her lap beneath the table. “Have you tried calling her?” Blaze asked, reaching for his phone on the table. I stood abruptly, tossing my napkin onto the table with a sharp motion. “Excuse me,” I muttered before leaving the dining room. I didn’t glance back to see the expressions on anyone’s face. I started dialing Sabrina’s number when a knock came at the door. A wave of relief washed over me, and I clutched my chest, exhaling deeply.
CAROLINE MORALES I never imagined the next person to show up at our door would be Leticia, Joseph’s ex-wife. Jo and I were just stepping into the cozy living room when Jason headed to answer the doorbell. He swung the door open, and there stood Leticia on the other side. I recognized her face instantly, not just from old photos Jo had shown me, but from all the sneaky online stalking I’d done. I couldn’t help myself. I had spent hours scrolling through her profiles. Leticia was a dazzling lifestyle and fashion star, practically a celebrity. Her face graced magazine covers, her skin glowing like smooth butter, always soft, supple, and seemingly untouched by time. She had this radiant, ageless beauty that made her stand out. I would never confess to Jo or anybody that I made fake social media accounts just to keep tabs on Leticia’s posts. Nope, that secret was staying locked away, never to be shared with anyone. “Leti’s here,” Jo muttered beside me, his voice drippi
JOSEPH WILLIAMS Caroline’s giggles echoed through the living room as she squirmed to escape my playful chase. “Someone’s at the door, baby!” she called out, pulling away from my tickling fingers with a big smile. She darted around the couch, putting it between us like a barrier to keep me at bay. “Stop it, please!” Caroline said, still giggling uncontrollably. She clutched her stomach, trying hard to put on a stern face while giving me a warning look. “Whoever’s at the door can wait a minute,” I teased, wiggling my eyebrows at her playfully. Caroline shook her head, her laughter bursting out again, filling the room with joy. Seeing her distracted by her giggles, I seized the chance and crept around the corner of the couch to get closer. Caroline let out a surprised squeal when she saw me right beside her. She jerked back, dashing away with a playful scream. “Joseph!” she shouted, her voice breaking with laughter as tears of joy sparkled in her eyes. Caroline wiped her cheeks