As the Bungatti glided through the desolate streets, Ayana's mind raced with concern while Adam appeared unperturbed, as if insulated from the worries plaguing her. The dimly lit surroundings only exacerbated Ayana's apprehension, accentuating the desolation of the closed shops and sparse pedestrian traffic. Despite the city's inherent allure, Ayana found herself unable to appreciate its charms, her focus consumed by the plight of the downtrodden souls scattered along the sidewalks.As the car decelerated, Ayana found herself drawn to the downtrodden figures lining the streets, feeling an inexplicable kinship with their struggles. Though her own circumstances had not spiraled to such depths, she recognized the precariousness of their existence and empathized with their desperation. In them, she saw a reflection of what could have been her fate had she not encountered a guardian angel to rescue her from the brink of destitution.The sight of the impoverished individuals, spanning gener

As Adam's pointed questions hung in the air, Ayana's heart sank. She hadn't realized Robby had tried calling her. A mix of guilt and frustration welled up within her as she retrieved her phone from her bag. She checked it, confirming Robby's claim of a missed call. "Sorry. I didn’t hear the phone," she murmured, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.Robby's tone oozed with sarcasm as he responded, "Oh, yes. I was worried. Your daughter was. She waited for you until sleep swept her off, and I had to play the night nanny." Ayana's irritation rose at his mocking tone. She wasn't an infant in need of diaper changes, and she couldn't discern whether his affection for the girl was genuine or not.Ayana gritted her teeth at the mockery and sarcasm dripping from Robby's words. It felt like he was belittling her, and she couldn't stand it. Adam's intervention provided a brief reprieve as he snatched Ayana’s phone and scrutinized the call log. With a smirk, he read out the time of the call, re

Lyana was nestled in her room, cocooned in the softness of her blankets. Peacefully. Ayana entered, her heart heavy with the weight of the evening's turmoil. As she approached Lyana's bedside, she felt a pang of guilt for being absent for most of the day. Tenderly, Ayana brushed a stray lock of hair away from Lyana's sleeping face, her eyes filled with remorse."Ooh, my sweet girl," Ayana whispered, her voice a gentle caress in the quiet room. "Mommy is so sorry, okay? I am so sorry that I wasn't here with you today. A lot caught Mommy off guard and took much of her time, but I promise, I will make it up to you."The series of events replayed as she gently leaned down to press a kiss on Lyana's forehead, her lips lingering for a moment, seeking solace in the warmth of her daughter's presence. Lyana stirred slightly in her sleep, a small smile gracing her lips as if she sensed her mother's remorse and forgave her without words.Ayana lingered by Lyana's bedside, her heart aching with t

Ayana's mind raced with frustration and indignation as she dressed Lyana, her daughter's innocent questions adding to her turmoil. She couldn't believe the audacity of Robby, or rather, Jerry, to treat her like a prisoner in his own home. The thought of being confined, of having her freedom restricted once again, filled Ayana with a sense of suffocation."What a man! And what an attitude!" Ayana muttered under her breath, her hands moving with practiced ease as she fastened Lyana's buttons. "For goodness sake! What does this man want? To confine me like a prisoner in his house? Freaking no! I did not just break free from one cage only to get myself right into another one."As she spoke, Ayana couldn't help but feel a surge of anger coursing through her veins. How dare Robby and Jerry try to control her life and dictate what she could and couldn't do? She refused to be confined or shackled by someone else's expectations."I don’t understand where all this nonsense fuss he is throwing i

As Ayana stood before Robby, her heart weighed down by the burden of uncertainty; she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Despite Adam's claims and her own nagging doubts, Robby remained steadfast in his refusal to reveal his true identity."Robby, I need to know the truth," Ayana pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. "Why won't you tell me who you really are?"Robby's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with a hint of frustration. "Ayana, why are you letting other people come between us?" He countered, his tone laced with reproach. "You know me; you know who I am. Why would you believe their lies over me?"Ayana felt a pang of guilt shoot through her chest, but she refused to be swayed by Robby's deflection. "I need to know, Robby," she insisted, her voice unwavering. "I can't continue living in the dark, not when there are so many unanswered questions."Robby's features softened slightly, his gaze flickering with a hint of uncertainty. "I understan