A V E L I N AI spent the whole day at the office, and when it was time to pick the twins up, I quickly went to the day care center and signed them out.We got into the car and drove home. After pulling into the driveway, I shut the engine and stepped out. The kids and I walked into the house, and I led them to their room.They sat on the floor, while I unpacked their backpacks. "What did you do today?""We colored, played and took a nap.""That's good.""Can we have ice cream?" Autumn asked."I don't think so. It's not time for ice cream yet. Maybe later, okay?"She nodded. "Can we go play in the garden?""Of course. Go."They stood up and ran out of the room. I decided to use my little time to go take a shower and prepare dinner.I went to my room, and entered the bathroom. I stripped off my clothes and got into the tub. I relaxed, enjoying the hot water against my skin. It had been a long day and I couldn't wait to go to bed.After taking my time, I shut the water and stepped out.
A V E L I N AI was seated in the dining room, watching Autumn and Lorenzo play outside. He'd been trying to make her laugh, and she was eating it up.She had so much love in her heart, and seeing her being affectionate towards him made me have a mixture of emotions. I was proud that she was a sweet and kind person. However, it broke my heart that she had a connection with the man who'd abandoned her.Lorenzo was sitting beside her, holding the ball as she tried to throw it into the basket. Zion was not too far away either, he was playing by himself in the sandbox. He had a toy truck in his hands and kept driving it through the sand.Lorenzo got up and took the basket, carrying it towards the garden. Autumn followed behind him and he began to teach her how to throw it in.The sight was bittersweet, and it reminded of the days when we used to be a happy family. Just us two. Before he ruined it all. I imagined him being there for the twins since birth, how perfectly the role of a fathe
A V E L I N AI shook my head in disbelief. "You want to file for custody?" My ears were ringing, and everything was happening too fast."I don't want to, but if I have to, I will."I couldn't believe my ears. "So, this was your plan, right? Get close to the kids, and then threaten me that you would have the rights to them.""No, that's not–""It's exactly that. Don't try to deny it. I'm stupid for even considering trusting you." I scoffed, throwing the plate on the counter."I never planned any of this, Avelina. Why are you so difficult? The kids know nothing about our past, why are you hellbent on dragging them into it? They don't deserve this. You're only been selfish for bringing them into the mix."His words pierced through my chest, and I gasped. I didn't know what hurt me the most. The fact that he was threatening me, or the fact that he was right."What do you want me to do? Lie to them about you? Tell them that you didn't exist? What if they started asking about you, and I to
A V E L I N AMy siblings were back for a visit from college and I couldn't wait to see them. I felt guilty that I haven't been able to spend time with them and I do badly wanted to make it up to them.I felt like a horrible big sister. Lani and Andre were the best siblings I could ever ask for and I wanted to make sure they knew how much I loved and appreciated them. As I waited for them to arrive, I couldn't shake off the lingering tension from my conversation with Lorenzo. Despite my resolve to keep him at arm's length, his words still echoed in my mind, stirring up emotions I'd buried deep down.When Lani and Andre finally arrived, their bright smiles instantly lifted my spirits. We hugged tightly, laughing and chatting like no time had passed. They were my rock, my support system, and being with them made me forget about all the chaos in my life.Over dinner, we caught up on everything that had happened since we last saw each other. Lani shared stories about her college adventur
A V E L I N AAt first, the day seemed so ordinary. Like every other day, we woke up, had breakfast, and the kids went to school. But, little did I know that a single encounter would change my life forever.I was walking down the street, minding my own business. Then, suddenly, a car stopped right in front of me, scaring the shit out of me."Oh my God, are you okay?!" The driver yelled.I was too stunned to speak."I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" He said, clearly distraught.I finally found my voice and responded."It's alright, I'm okay," I reassured him."Are you sure?" He asked, concerned."Yes, I'm fine. Really," I said, calming down. He sighed in relief and then asked me if I needed a ride. I was going to refuse, but then I realized that I was a bit far from home."Um, actually, if you're heading downtown, I would really appreciate it," I replied."Sure, no problem," he smiled.He offered to drive me and we started chatting along the way. I got to know his name and I t
L O R E N Z O"She's playing a dangerous game," I growled, throwing the glass of whiskey against the wall.Nicholas looked at me with amusement. "What did you expect, bro? That she'll fall into your arms, just like that?" He asked, his eyebrows raised.I glared at him. "She's fucking mine.""Then, make her yours," he said simply, shrugging his shoulders.I ran my fingers through my hair, frustration and anger consuming me. "It's not that easy." I muttered."It's not rocket science, either.""Fuck, you're infuriating," I groaned, walking towards the window. It was almost six-thirty and I knew any moment from now she was going to come here to drop the kids."She's going on a date with another man. Is that how easy it is for her to move on?" I said, feeling agitated."You've fucked more girls unlike her in the past five years. You of all people shouldn't judge her for being in her SECOND relationship since you. At least check the bright side, you get to see your kids now. Isn't that what
L O R E N Z O"Hey, big boy." I brought out my first and a smile grew on his face as he brought his tiny fist and bumped it with mine.He looked up at me and smiled shyly. "Hello."My heart warmed at the sight of him. This boy was a part of me. A part of the woman I loved.Autumn went back to her mother and Avelina kneeled and hugged her, and the twins. "Mommy will be back, okay? Be good.""Yes, mommy." They said simultaneously."Can you both go inside for a second? I'll like to talk to your Mommy."They shrugged and ran into the house, leaving me and Avelina alone. "I guess I'd get going." She said attempting to leave but I stopped her."Wait–" She turned to look at me and I really got a look at her and my words got stuck in my throat. She looked at me expectantly and I cleared my throat, "Uhm, you look stunning."
A V E L I N AI could feel Christian's eyes on me as we drove away from my house."Are you okay?" He asked, his voice low and comforting.I turned to him and plastered a fake smile on my face, "Yes, I am."I knew he wanted to ask more questions, but thankfully, he didn't. I didn't want to explain the whole situation to him. He didn't need to know the ins and outs.We drove to the restaurant, and the drive there was quiet. It wasn't the usual comfortable silence. It was the awkward silence, which meant he was bothered by something. And I was pretty sure it was the scene he had witnessed before he drove off.When we arrived at the restaurant, he got out of the car, and helped me down. We entered the restaurant and the maître d' guided us to our seats.He pulled out my chair and sat down across from me."How are you liking the place?" He asked, breaking the silence between us. I was relieved that he didn't address the elephant in the room, and was instead acting like everything was norma