"Ayana Salma De’Mario? What is this? Is this a joke or something? Or am I dreaming?" The woman finally spoke again, her voice tinged with disbelief as they inched closer to Ayana.Ayana nodded slowly, her throat tight with nerves. "Yes, madam, it is me," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Then she held her head high, looking at the woman with unwavering glances. “But I would appreciate it if you dropped the sir name for me—just Ayana Salma, please!”The man stepped forward, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as he studied Ayana's face. "Forget all that nonsense and explain what on earth you are doing here, Ms. De’Mario?" he demanded, his tone accusatory.“Miss Ayana Salma!” she corrected the man."Will you cut us some crap? We know who you are, and running from your family does not mean their blood stopped running through your veins,” the lady said with malevolence to Ayana.Before Ayana could respond, Adam intervened, his expression tense with concern. "Mom, Dad, cut Ayana

Adam's mind raced with conflicting emotions as he struggled to process his father's ultimatum. Part of him yearned for his parents' acceptance, longing for the love and approval he had never truly received. But another part of him rebelled against the idea of bending to their will and sacrificing his own happiness and autonomy to satisfy their expectations."Why do I have to prove myself to you?" Adam demanded, his voice tinged with frustration and anger. "How about you start by accepting that you have failed as parents? Why should I have to bend over backward to earn your forgiveness when you have never shown me an ounce of understanding or support?"His father's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with disapproval. "You dare to speak to us like that after everything we've done for you?" He retorted, his voice laced with indignation. "We raised you, provided for you, and gave you everything you needed to succeed. And this is how you repay us? By defying our wishes and flaunting y

As Adam's parents left, the heavy tension that had filled the room began to dissipate, leaving behind an eerie silence. Ayana's hand remained firmly clasped in Adam's, a silent reassurance amidst the turmoil that had just unfolded.Adam let out a long exhale, his shoulders sagging with the weight of the confrontation. The air felt thick with unresolved emotions, and he couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that hung in the room.Ayana squeezed his hand gently, her touch grounding him in the present moment. Her presence was a soothing balm to his frayed nerves, offering him solace and strength when he needed them most."We did the right thing," Ayana murmured softly, breaking the silence that enveloped them. "Standing up to them was the only choice we had."Adam nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. "I know," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it still feels... surreal, you know? To go against everything they've ever wanted for me."Ayana leaned in closer,

The soft glow of the lamp created a cocoon of warmth around Ayana and Adam as they sat together on the couch, enveloped in the tranquility of the evening. With Lyana tucked in bed, their home seemed to exhale a sigh of peace, granting them a moment of quiet intimacy.As Ayana glanced at Adam, she noticed a faint furrow in his brow, a telltale sign of the thoughts swirling in his mind. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his hand, offering a silent gesture of comfort and support. Their hands intertwined, creating a tangible connection amidst the gentle hush of the room.Adam's gaze met hers, and Ayana saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a silent plea for understanding. She returned his gaze with a reassuring smile, a silent invitation for him to share whatever weighed on his heart.In that shared moment of quiet companionship, Ayana felt a sense of trust and intimacy blossom between them, like delicate petals unfurling under the tender caress of spring. It was as if t

“She threatened to sue me. Her family was rich, and I could have ended up in jail were it not for my parent’s intervention. They paid quite a lot for the family’s seclusion. And that is where the greatest rift between us broke out. They called me a rapist. A disgrace. A bad son. And I embraced it all.” He explained."And the woman, this Lina, you said that you had made advances. Were you in love?” She asked.“I believed so, and she was the first person who had made me feel some affection. We were actually somehow close for a few days prior, and I thought she noticed what I felt. But I was wrong, and I could not take it,” he said.Ayana heaved out a huge sigh. What a revelation! “I will go take a shower. I think…”Adam held her hand, stopping her. “Say anything. Something, please,” he pleaded. “Just don’t walk away like this.”“What do you want me to say, Adam?” She asked with a tinge of hurt in her voice, but she tried masking the pain and the shock. “I never expected this from you. A