Chapter 76 Good MemoriesNINA’S HOME, NEW YORK.Nina turned to the side, letting out a soft yawn. It's been so long since she slept so soundly. Repositioning herself, she felt a protective arm around her. It took her a second for the positioning to register in her heart. She looked up to see Xander’s handsome, sleeping face.A small smile played on her lips. She had been having difficulty sleeping due to excess peeing last night. Her refusal to remain at home and resume office had prompted a bit of discomfort in her body. Even after taking her pills, she couldn’t stop moving around. Xander wouldn’t have known of the ordeal she was enduring if she hadn’t gone to the kitchen to get water to drink and found him in the living room, drinking by himself.He looked distraught when she explained her condition. She assured him it was nothing serious; they stayed quiet for some time and started talking and reminiscing about their time together when they were dating in college. It was always a s
Chapter 77 Dolled UpTHE MALL, NEW YORK.“Why are we shopping again?” As they walked into a clothing store, Nina asked Tania for the umpteenth time.Tania groaned, “Can you just trust me, please? I am trying to get you a nice dress and take you to dinner.”“Dinner? Why is that all of a sudden?”“Just because I want to spoil you! I want to treat my friend nicely. Especially since I want to be your child’s godmother.”Nina laughed. “Like anyone else would ever be the godmother. You know it will be you. Like there is anyone else.”Tania grinned eagerly. “Now that we have agreed on that. How about you try this on?” She pulled out a lovely white dress on the cloth rack, handing it to Nina.“This looks nice.”“Try it out then.”Nina walked into the dressing room a bit reluctant. She wasn’t a fan of changing, but Tania wasn’t a person she could refuse. She wore the dress, and a pleasant gasp escaped her lips. The dress clung to her nicely and didn’t make her uncomfortable. She already loved
Chapter 1 The DinnerTHE TAYLOR’S HOME, NEW YORKButterflies ran free in Nina’s belly, making her the happiest person on earth. It's been so long since she had desired the gift, and it finally came to her when everything seemed to be heading for the rocks. Her eyes lingered on the paper in her hand, and she squealed in extreme delight. It's been days since she kept the news to herself, hoping she wouldn’t let it all out in excitement before the right time. Now that the day had finally come, she couldn’t wait to tell the world. Humming a Beyonce tune to herself, she changed from her outing attire to something more comfortable and headed to the kitchen.“What would you like me to prepare for dinner, ma’am?” Tania, the kitchen help, asked Nina.Nina smiled sweetly at her. “There is no need to worry, T. I will cook myself.”She raised a brow in surprise. “Why, ma’am? There is a lot to cook today. Are you sure you can handle it? Is everything okay?”“Everything is fine. I am just willing
Chapter 2 He is SterileTHE TAYLOR’S HOME, NEW YORK.The silence that followed her announcement wasn’t what Nina expected from the people she considered her family. She looked from one person to the other, her smile fading. Her hands rubbed at her belly unconsciously.“Didn’t you all hear me? I get that, and it is the shock. But this is good news. I am six weeks pregnant. I am carrying the first grandchild of the family.” She said, staring at her parents-in-law.Asher blinked in shock and didn’t know what to say until he felt someone kick his foot under the table, like someone touched by a hot pan. He yanked his hand out of Nina’s hand, hissing loudly.“What did you just say?” He bellowed.Nina stared in evident confusion. “You heard me, baby. I am pregnant. We are having a baby.”Asher got up from the chair, ruffling his hair. He took his time to come up with the right things to say as he kept pacing the room back and forth. Pausing abruptly, he pointed a shaky finger at Nina. “Is t
Chapter 3 The Divorce PapersTHE TAYLOR’S HOME, NEW YORK.Nina's heartbeat raced as he dropped the bombshell on her. Immediately, she went down on her knees and tried to touch his legs, but he kicked her off. “Asher—““I am going to get a divorce from you!” Asher repeated himself, this time with more finality in his tone.Nina felt the ground spin under her. She hoped this was a nightmare and she would wake up from it. The tears kept pushing their way out of her eyes, burning her cheeks. She slapped herself to be sure she wasn’t having a bad dream, and it hurt badly.It seemed she had finally crossed the thin line between life and its unforeseen circumstances. She never thought something like this would tear her world to pieces today. Probably, if she knew, she would have remained in bed.Even though Asher had been acting strange for a while, they were refined and cordial with each other. He still makes love to her and kisses her goodbye whenever they arrive at the company. Even if sh
Chapter 4 Earning Her KeepTANIA’S APARTMENT, NEW YORK.“Ma’am, you should get up. Don’t forget you are on the early morning shift.” Tania said to Nina as she tapped her gently to wake her.Nina mumbled incoherent words and turned back to Tania before opening her eyes. She groaned inwardly. Nina had never had a hard time waking up before. But with her pregnancy, she wakes up grumpy or tired in the early hours. Sighing in exhaustion, she sat on the bed, scratching her eyes.“Good morning, Tania. Can you please stop calling me, ma’am? My name is Nina. And you are the reason I have a roof over my head. I don’t know what would have become of me.”“Just because you are in this state now doesn’t change that you are a woman of respect. This moment won’t go on forever, and I know you will return on your feet in no time. So, please, let me call you as I please.”Nina laughed softly. “You are such a sweet person.”“I owe it to you. You are the first person I worked with who didn’t treat me like
Chapter 5 The EXSIMS GROCERY STORE, NEW YORK.Xander kept staring like a thunderstorm had hit him. He would never have imagined in a lifetime that Nina would be checking goods at a grocery store. She had bags under her eyes even though she had make-up on. Nonetheless, Nina looked as beautiful as ever. It would have been shocking if she had lost her beauty. And his heart seems to be doing a victory dance at the sight of her.“How have you been?” He asked, finally breaking the almost consuming silence.Nina cleared her throat, shifting in the chair awkwardly. “Good. I guess.” It appears the universe has a thing or two against her. She would have preferred Andrea to meet her at the store instead of Xander.“I’ll check your items in now.” She was grateful for a while that he saw her on duty and wouldn’t have the excuse to talk to her.But to her shock, he was waiting right outside the store after her shift was over. Which meant that he would have waited longer if she had to stay until la
Chapter 6 Blocked OffXANDER’S HOME, NEW YORK.“Did you get home safe?” Xander said into the receiver while tapping lightly on the car wheel. Nina made incoherent sounds in the background before making her voice clear again. “Yes, thank you.” “I mean what I said, Nina. We should meet to talk again. I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me drop you off at home, especially in that state you are in.” “I am pregnant, not handicapped, Xander. And I have been doing fine by myself, and I don’t need a knight in shining armor to do so.” Her words sliced through his chest like a knife, but he chose to ignore it. “I just wanted to be of help.” She exhaled, “I understand what happened in the past was a misunderstanding. But I need you to know that times have changed, and I am no longer the Nina you used to know. I would like this to be the end of us seeing one another again. I only gave you my contact to avoid coming off as rude. It's okay if you choose to delete it. Have a good night, Xander.”