Homesick For Kenya: An Expat's Memoir

Eight years ago, I broke the heart of the boy I loved. Now, after eight years overseas, Liam Hayes was finally coming home with his new girlfriend to meet his family. That same day, the hospital gave me its final answer. The cancer had won. There was nothing left to treat. Nothing left to try. They sent me home with only time. When Liam saw my mother helping me into a wheelchair, a cold smile touched his mouth. “Eight years,” he said. “And this is what became of you? You can’t even walk anymore?” Disgust laced every word. I only tugged the sleeve of my down coat lower, hiding the cluster of needle marks across the back of my hand. “It’s nothing,” I said quietly. “I fell and broke a bone. That’s all.” Liam gave a short, bitter laugh. “In that case, I’m getting married soon. Why don’t you come be my fiancée’s bridesmaid?” I smiled as if it did not hurt at all. “No, thank you. I’m about to leave for somewhere very far away.” Then I patted the back of Mom’s hand, silently asking her to take me home.

“Ma’am, there’s no marriage record between you and Mr. Mark Henderson in the system.” My fingers tightened around the pregnancy report as my legs nearly gave out beneath me. Five years ago, Mark was recruited by a top law firm abroad with a high-paying offer. Without hesitation, I followed him across the ocean. He had told me, “Once I’m settled, I’ll take care of your status.” However, five years had passed, and my lawful permanent residence was still “in process.” Meanwhile, his assistant, Tonya Irving, who followed him abroad, had secured hers under his sponsorship. Back then, I made a scene, insisting on a divorce so I could return home. For the first time, the ever-composed Mark, an attorney, lost his calm. He grabbed my hand and said, “Tonya’s all alone out here, and it hasn’t been easy for her. Helping her is just the right thing to do. You’re my wife. Your status is only a matter of time. My work is sensitive right now, and I need to avoid any complications. You understand, don’t you?” But I had understood him for five whole years. My phone suddenly rang. Mark’s voice came through, light with laughter. “Tonya’s permanent residence was approved today. We’re celebrating tonight. I need you to get home early and cook up a feast.” I stared at the marriage license in my hand—now nothing more than a worthless piece of paper. A cold chill spread down my spine. As it turned out, I was never his legal wife. I had no legal status and no protection, much less rights secured for the child I was carrying. After hanging up, I scheduled an abortion and booked the earliest flight home. This time, I wouldn’t look back.

I was in love with a man who was already married to another woman. When he divorced her and married me, I thought I had won, only to find out later I was a tool he had been using to produce his heir, his wife couldn't. By the time I saw his true face, I was already pregnant with his child. But he isn't going to get his hands on my baby. I won't let it happen. Later he forced me to stay at his mother's residence while he was busy in spending time with his ex-wife. Despite my desperate pleas against his abusive mother, he rejected all my calls. And by the time he returned, holding hands of his ex-wife, it was too late. The child he was so desperately waiting for... was gone.

On their wedding day, a handsome groom and his beautiful bride said, "I Do." Their hearts were fluttering with pure joy! They had married the love of their life! Is this what I experience? No, this is not that story. You see, love didn't become apparent until after my divorce. I can't wait to tell you how it all transpired. It's a riveting sweet romance novel. No cliffhangers, but a good read! Happy ending? You'll have to read it to find out.

I'd been married to my lawyer husband for eight years. In all that time, he never once acknowledged me as his wife in public. He wouldn't even let our daughter call him "Dad." Again and again, he missed out on her childhood because of his childhood sweetheart. Even when she hurt our daughter, he still forgave her. I was worn out and empty. So I decided to leave. I took our daughter and vanished from his world. But he refused the divorce. He started searching for us like a madman, turning the whole world upside down. Only this time, neither my daughter nor I will be looking back.

Synopsis At twenty-five, Emelia thought marriage to August—a devout, respected thirty-one-year-old—would give her stability, love, and a safe future. But beneath the vows lies a secret that binds her to Ethan, August’s charming cousin whose reckless presence ignites desires she cannot fully bury. Meanwhile, August’s younger brother, Tobi, struggles to balance the life he has with Francesca and the pull of what he once shared with Chisom . Between them stands Rachel, Chisom and Tobi’s four-year-old daughter—innocent yet powerful, the fragile bond that ties broken hearts together in ways no one expects. As family loyalties blur and forbidden passions resurface, each choice threatens to unravel the delicate fabric holding them all together. Love, betrayal, faith, and survival collide—leaving everyone to face the question: How far will you go to protect your heart when every desire demands a sacrifice?