جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

—Mabel— “Everyone is seated in the boardroom. They're waiting for you,” Mr. Martins announced. I stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of my office, hands folded, staring across the aerodynamic testing field. It was Tuesday morning—another day to chase the future and the fortune that came with it. But my mind was still fogged by the weekend’s chaos. The way he held me, the way his eyes lingered on mine, and the quiet conviction in his voice when he told me he'd spent six years looking for me. I let out a breath and turned to Mr. Martins, waiting by the door. “Please, lead the way.” We left my office and made our way to the boardroom, where the team was already waiting around the mahogany table. The meeting was a routine review of feedback from last week's inspections, a few charts, and a list of what still needed fixing. I stared at the screen, but my mind wasn't on the graphs. It was on the man whose card now burned a hole in my pocket. “What do you think, Ms. Parker?” I

—Mabel— Sunlight spilled through the windows. I peeled my eyes open as three familiar voices reached my ears. The bedroom door swung open, and their laughter filled the air. “Mommy!!” They clambered onto the bed before I could sit up, pinning me against the silk sheets with kisses. “Easy, guys,” I laughed, my voice thick with sleep. “Hollow bones here.” “Good morning, Mommy,” the children chorused. A laugh escaped me. “Morning, sweeties. Hope you had a restful night.” They nodded, wrapping their tiny arms around me. Fizzy appeared in the doorway and barked. The children jumped off the bed and ran after him, their laughter reaching the stairs. I let out a breath and slid out of bed. My phone vibrated on the dresser. I picked up and answered. “Hello, Ruth.” “Did I wake you?” I glanced at the time. It was 7: 05 a.m. “No. What's up?” Ruth chuckled. “I have something to tell you.” I walked to the window. “My brain’s already spinning a hundred scenarios.

—Mabel— Monday morning came with a list of problems waiting to be solved. The biggest one had three names. “Mommy, are we really going to school?” I glanced at the three hopeful faces staring up at me from the backseat of the car. I sighed. Apparently, I had created a promise I couldn't take back. Mrs. Chukwuemeka and I had spent the weekend surveying schools in D.C. until we settled on one. Blue Ridge Academy, located in the heart of Washington, had tall, modern buildings and very tight security. Our car rolled into the parking lot, and we headed inside. A few minutes later, we were seated in the administrative lobby, waiting to see the headmistress. A parent sauntered out of the headmistress’s office, and her secretary turned to me. “You can go in, ma’am.” I stood and turned to the kids. “Wait right here, loves. I’ll be out in just a few minutes.” Smoothing my dress, I walked into the office and met with the headmistress, a very chubby woman with a big smile, seated behind

—Mabel— A strange warmth spread through me as I climbed down from the car and walked down the red carpet. I didn't realize that little things like a phone call could stir something I thought I’d buried all these years. “Ms. Parker! A shot please,” a photographer called out to me. Smiling, I gave them a few practiced poses. Their cameras flashed, but I was lost in my thoughts. All I could think about was the sound of his voice, the way he said my name like it still meant something. Oh! And his last words before I ended the call. My gown swept the red carpet as I resumed walking, the night breeze caressing my skin. I wondered if he was here already. Then I looked up and saw him standing on the grand terrace like the male lead in a James Bond movie, impeccably dressed in a black tux, hair styled to the side. I should’ve stopped smiling, but I couldn’t bring myself to— instead, my smile grew and heat crept up my cheeks as our eyes locked. He beamed and started walking down the s

—Mabel—The next day, Mrs. Veronica Allwell called and I updated her about our most recent test flight inspection.She was impressed.“Keep me posted on the rest of the development,” she instructed, before hanging up.I closed my laptop with a soft click and rubbed my temple, just as the unmistakable sound of thumping footsteps echoed down the hall.Right on cue, the bedroom door burst open and the children rushed in.“Mommy!”They scrambled onto my bed, bombarding me with questions about the auction.I laughed as I answered them.A few minutes later, we stepped into the foyer, where Mrs. Chukwuemeka and the butler were hanging the portrait.The children stopped.Their eyes widened as they stared at the massive painting.“Did you buy it at the auction?” Nathaniel asked.I looked at my youngest with a smile and gently ruffled his hair. “No. A friend bought it for me.”“Who?” he asked.His siblings stared at me.“Do you have another friend, Mommy?” Damian asked.I blinked and looked past