Years

ffee and set the cup down, I

, my heart skips a beat.

ce squeals. I glance up to see Asher, my adorable l

p but smile

t my arms. He bolts toward me, and I ruffle h

chimes as she runs into the room, her

zel eyes-a striking contrast to her brothe

ed in what feels lik

ust one baby, but li

d up w

acks and plant a kiss on each of their cheeks. "Le

airport. Before long, we're soaring th

years feels surreal. Those years

the Selene Nor

ack of the car taking us h

tely absorbed

them makes me reme

hing but a gho

e vowed they'

ncerned, he does

rom my thoughts. "We're here, ma

house. Angela greets us with a beaming smile,

r years, Angela decided it was

ing those years, and

distracting them from questio

gela says as she pulls me into a tight hug.

a once dire situation

achieve more than I e

dn't just become a doctor-I becam

eam; it's my reality, and it's

as I pull back from her warm embra

urn towards the childre

both mi

a squeal in unison. Their faces glow with e

them, and wraps t

ad Asher and Anna to their

ssing them both on the forehead and tu

ch the faint shadow of sadness on t

wrong ? Or Were they not

on the bed. They exchange a glance before Anna

oing to meet Daddy s

I forget how

ke a dagger to my heart, I force

their father, it feels li

them, and they deserve

hug them and tell them how much they

s wider as I lock

I say softly, brushing a strand of hair

en settle back into their p

crafted a lie to soothe them, but as weeks

ing that no matter how many lies I tell, t

meone I had never seen before. She stood at my do

esitate and then my gaze flickers between her an

How does she know

door, confusion kno

ave the wrong house," I reply as I c

nd me. "Nelly, is that you?" I turn, surprised to see Grand

nd my hear

s woman, and Grandma ha

rward and practically launch themselves into

usion d

youuu!" Asher and Anna

arm smile on her face. "Sele

remain uns

stion at the back of my min

ew Asher and Anna through the video calls when I babysat them in Ge

the info

t. I hum in response, surprised that Asher, so

to Nelly and

ing that's been growing

ow is that Anna and A

endless questions about their father, a

g her into a brief hug. She smiles warmly and

queal, tearing into their bags. I can't he

Nelly a godsend barel

fortlessly fills the gaps I

with my kids, but Nelly hand

ather, something I can't bring myself

*

" I hear my secretary's voice thro

upposed to be enjoying

my tired limbs. "I only came in yesterday for the inspection, and

ed I take a two-we

more than enough qualified staff

insists that you handle it." Dessi

help b

w profile, to avoid being recognized, but

I say, cutting Dessie

I'm dressed and rus

wing slightly in respect. Dessie qui

m 3

only to freeze when I see a man pacin

rd, trying t

y calm and reassuring tone. But as soon as he hear

re Dr.

g slips from my hand and falls

stop as my hea

..Max