"Susan, oh, I'm very sorry, you had to give birth to your son prematurely because of me, I'm sorry.” Lisa said as she sat in a wheelchair in front of Susan's hospital bed."Hey, hey, as you can see I'm fine. Thankfully, my son was not at risk, so he will be in the incubator for just a day. It wasn't your fault; you are also a victim like me," Susan explained with a smile."Thank you. Is the pain bearable?" Lisa asked,"Yes, it almost feels like my old self," Susan replied,"I'm glad. I was hoping to attend your baby shower, though." Lisa said and Susan responded with humor, "It's fine. To be frank with you, I was getting bored of the nine months’ journey," Susan said, and they both laughed."I'm glad I met you, Susan. You became the closest figure to a sister I never had." Lisa expressed her gratitude,"Same here, Lisa I'm very glad I met you," Susan replied. After spending a few minutes talking about unimportant but happy topics, the doctor accompanied by two nurses came and helped
Clara and Michelle, dressed in matching glistening white gowns with a bow adorning the back, gracefully made their way down the aisle. They clutched a wooden basket embellished with a delicate white ribbon, brimming with white rose petals that they gently scattered along the path. Following close behind them was Luis, dashing in his white elegant suit, holding a cushion bearing the wedding rings. Antonio and Susan, exquisitely dressed in their white outfits, walked arm in arm, radiating elegance. Mrs. Cooper joined the procession, cradling two weeks-old baby Miguel, as well as Diego and his fiancée, Lucy, Trey's secretary, both resplendent in radiant white outfits. Then Mr. and Mrs. Collins, followed by the old Master Collins and Mrs. Lynn, their hands linked in a display of endearing unity creating an aura of elegance and refinement. As everyone took their seats, the air of anticipation filled the room. The moment finally arrived as the bride, escorted by her uncle, made her g
Feeling drained from the day’s work, Lisa dropped herself onto the couch in the living room for a quick nap. She has left work 2 hours early to arrange a candlelit dinner to celebrate today being 6 months of her marriage. She was awakened by the sound of the door being opened a few minutes later. She immediately sat up upon smelling the familiar scent of her husband’s cologne infiltrating the air. She stood up and straightened her blue-fitted peplum knee-length dress and happily walked over to welcome him.“How was your day?” She inquired with a smiling face. However, Trey ignored and walked past her taking his seat on the couch. Lisa disregarded his demeanor and the pang of pain in her chest, a pain she’d now become accustomed to. She smiled to lighten up her mood and walked to the living room, stopping right in front of Trey.“Are you alr...” Lisa trailed off when Trey handed her a brown envelope and then said.
“Sign it.” His voice was deadly, it sent a chill down her spine, he ha
Valerie took everything she cherished away from her since when they were little, but not this time, not her man, no she won’t give up without a fight. 
She ignored the warning bells in her head and the obvious red flags that waved at her then, she slapped her cousin and said in her teary voice.
 “I won’t let you take Trey away from me! He’s mine, you took everything away from me, I won’t let you take him too, he loves me.” Valerie feigned hurt by holding on to her slapped cheek and said courteously.
 “Lisa.., why are you doing this to me, all I ever did was to love you, but why do you want to take everything I love away from me, you know Trey and I have been in love since we were little, why are you acting like I’m the one who hurt you, when you are the one who has been hurting me?” Valerie choked out, tears running down her cheeks. 
Lisa opened her mouth to retort when another slap landed on her cheek causing her to fall. 
“I told you not to fucking touch her, but you dared me, I d
She silently turned to walk away but stopped when her name was called.
“Lisa…?” Nathan called. She stopped, sighed, and turned around with an awkward smile.
“Nathan….. hey,” she greeted with a wave of her hand.
“Were you leaving just now? I mean were you trying to sneak off?” Nathan asked. 
“Yes, I.. was…..!” She replied truthfully.
“Didn’t you see us?” He asked gesturing more at Trey, making Lisa frown.
“If I knew it was you guys earlier, I wouldn’t have approached.” Lisa sneered. The moment she said that Trey turned to look at her, his gaze was dark and icy, and it immediately sent a shiver down Lisa’s spine. She shuddered. 
 Nathan frowned in confusion. He turned to Trey for clarification but then noticed Trey’s demeanor towards Lisa. He then realized there must be some misunderstanding between them, so he decided to help resolve whatever dispute there was between them.
“Sit with us, Lisa?” He asked. However, Lisa shook her head, smiled, then said.
“Than
On Trey’s twentieth birthday. His family hosted a banquet to celebrate him. However, Trey felt such an occasion was of little significance and decided not to go. 
Because all he ever accomplishes on occasions like this is going around from one business partner to the other toasting and drinking, the only reason he doesn’t end up drunk by the close of such events is because of how he trained himself to have alcohol tolerance. 
When he arrived at the banquet an hour later. He was delighted he did. Standing amidst the guests was the face that had been occupying his thoughts for the past 6 years. Valerie Lynn, his childhood sweetheart. She stood there, looking stunning as ever in a strapless evening gown, as her brunette hair fell down her back, complementing her blue eyes. 
Trey met Valerie when he and his parents were living in Country B before he came back to Country A. Valerie was six years old back then, She was very little but was the most beautiful girl he had ever set eyes on,
The next morning/the old mansionTrey finished his breakfast and left for work. On the way to the office, his cell phone started ringing, he checked the caller ID to see Valerie’s name, and a tender smile braced his lips.
“Valerie, what's wrong?” He asked.
“I’ve missed you, I want to see you,” Valerie said in her sweet gentle voice. Trey smiled and told her he’d come and pick her up in half an hour. He asked his driver to change route to Valerie’s apartment. After ending the call, he called his private secretary and canceled all his appointments till the afternoon, and asked her to book a suite at the LEISUREQ hotel and send him the details.
In 30 minutes, his car was parked inside the parking lot of Valerie’s apartment. In a few minutes, she came walking out of the elevator. Trey’s bodyguard opened the car for her.
“Thank you,” Valerie said entering the car. Trey scowled angrily.
“What happened?” Valerie asked, noticing Trey’s expression.
“Nothing” he answered dismissively, ma

 -/Country B/-

Three weeks later.
After standing on her feet for the last 6 hours operating on a patient with a brain tumor, Lisa walked out of the operating door, feeling exhausted and famished. She disposed of her blood-stained gloves and mask into the red infectious bin, then turned to leave.
“You were extraordinary in there Dr Lynn, the surgery was successful.” Susan, her assistant nurse, said coming out of the operating room.
“Thanks, you were a good help. But I don’t consider a surgery successful till my patient wakes up.” Lisa said with a smile.
“Thank you, Dr Lynn,” Susan said.
“You’re welcome, call me Lisa, Dr. Lynn makes me feel old, I’m only 21,” Lisa said.
“I will, Lisa..?” They both laugh. 
“Our shift ended 2 hours ago so, I will leave first, see you tomorrow,” Susan said with a wave as she walked away. Lisa waved back with a “Sure”
Lisa walked to her private office and showered. When coming out of the bathroom, she suddenly felt dizzy.She supported herself on