Chapter 2 Defying the Odds

Ardal

Kadeem clips out the words, instantly stabbing me right in the heart. I feel my chest rise and fall as I study his face, as I stare at the man who was once my everything.

Where is that man now? The one who would hold me when I cried and tell me over and over that he loved me? Or the one who laid in the field with me when we were twelve and told me it would always be me and him?

He’s nowhere to be found now. Every hint of him has disappeared and now…now this man might as well be a stranger to me.

But he doesn’t care. He may never care again.

“GET OUT!” Kadeem yells that time, practically shaking the house with his roar.

Part of me wants to cower away, but I keep my feet planted, my hands balling into fists as I hear a quiet sound beside me. It’s Susan - she’s secretly snickering at me again.

Anger boils through me, causing me to turn to face her. She’s won - she knows she’s won. Just as she planned, she’s officially taking everything from me again.

It’s enough for me to lift my hand once more, bringing it forward until I can slap her a second time. It’s all I can do to manage this pain in my heart - even if I’d rather strangle her. But for now, I’ll let this be my parting gift to her.

After my actions, Kadeem is screaming again as he comes toward us. “Ardal, just get the fuck out!”

I can tell he plans to grab me, but I sidestep him, keeping my features blank as I walk out of the room. I hear Susan’s screams and cries behind me, making me walk faster as I need to get away. Without another word, I leave the bitch and my mate alone as I grab a packed suitcase and leave the house in a daze.

Rain pours down on me as I’m outside again, soaking me quickly as I head toward the car. As I get in, I feel my emotions finally catch up to me, causing tears to fall from my eyes and mix with the rain as I pull out of the driveway.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I hadn’t expected to find Susan in my home and had hoped I would meet Kadeem alone. I wanted to tell him the news.

I’m pregnant. I’d just found out that morning and had planned to tell him. However, I didn’t have the chance.

Images of us rejoicing from the news and falling into each other's arms fill my head then. Only, they’re soon corrupted and destroyed as I know they'll never be real. Kadeem and I had always wanted a family, but now I’ll have to do it alone.

I lose myself to sobs, the road becoming blurry in front of me as I begin to shake. I blink as more tears fall, trying to clear my vision. However, I’m too late. I see the lights just before I feel the impact, my hand flying to my stomach as if to protect my womb.

I hear metal colliding, I feel undeniable pain as another car smashes into mine, throwing me out of my seat.

And then all I remember is staring up at the sky, rain falling down on my face as I keep my hands over my stomach.

I try to save my unborn baby with the only strength I have left. As my eyes begin to close, leading me to unconsciousness…I only pray they will survive.

~

It has been eight months. Eight months since the horrible accident and I’m back again in an operating room. Only this time, it’s not to tend to my wounds, but to deliver my babies.

However, I’m once again slipping in and out of consciousness as machines beep around me, as voices begin to yell and scream.

“We’re losing her!” someone calls out, but I know it’s me they’re talking about.

“Save the babies,” I try to murmur, but everything is foggy.

And then everything goes dark - the world is gone. All I can hear are muffled voices, sounding like a dream.

I listen as the doctor curses, as the doors to the operating room open.

“She’s gone,” he says. “We lost her in childbirth after what happened due to the complications of the car accident.”

I’m not dead, I want to say. I’m not.

But my words never meet the air. Instead, my ears are filled with my best friend, Julia’s, cries before the doors are flying open again. And right before I drift off again, I hear her gasp as she stops - staring down at what she believes is her best friend’s corpse.

“The babies?” Julia eventually asks through tears.

“Alive…All five of them.”

~

Six Years Later

“Have we met before?” I hear someone ask, causing me to look up at the man in front of me. I’m surprised to see him there, wondering why he’s not buckled into his seat. The plane is about to take off and I’ve been settled for nearly half an hour.

Eager to get in the air, I scoff at him and the obvious desire in his eyes.

“Really? You’re trying to use that old trick?” I ask. “How old are you?”

The man laughs, clearly not deterred. Instead, he keeps staring at me…almost like he knows me.

I’m not sure why…I’ve never seen this man before. And I don’t know why he’s drawn to me either. I’m dressed plainly, trying to stay comfortable for the plane ride ahead.

However, maybe it’s because my figure is still noticeable under the clothing, which also caught the eye of a few men on my way to my seat. They’re even watching us now as the man still stands in front of me. It seems my attempts have only aroused him more as he smiles at me.

“I’m Mateo,” he offers. I have to admit he’s quite handsome and dressed well, but I don’t care to meet his advances.

“That’s nice,” I tell him, still scowling at him.

“You know,” he continues. “You’re very beautiful. You have this…healthy glow about you. Sexy, mature -“

“Thanks,” I cut him off, not impressed. “Now take your seat.”

My words continue to amuse Mateo as he laughs again, but he still follows my request. He finally moves to take his seat a few rows in front of me, causing me to release a sigh.

With the plane finally settled, we’re able to take off. Beside me, my babies are seated, bouncing in their chairs as they experience their first flight. I smile at them, trying to make sure they relax before they cause too much noise.

After a while, they contain themselves, but they stare out the window in wonder. Still, I grin at them, loving the excitement across their faces. However, I soon have to get up to use the bathroom.

“Excuse me?” I say, touching the arm of a nearby flight attendant as I get up. “Would you mind keeping an eye on my babies? I’m just going to use the restroom.”

The woman smiles at me and nods. “I would love to!”

From there, I head toward the back of the plane before I’m able to slide into the open bathroom. I take care of my business quickly and then I open the door once more. However, my features fall as I see the man - Mateo - standing there.

“Hey,” he says, gracing me with another smile. Only, I don’t smile back.

“Excuse me,” I say, already slipping past him. Only, I only manage a few steps before I hear a sound behind me…a phone camera taking photos

Swiftly, I turn back, watching as he swiftly shoves his phone back in his pocket. But my eyes are already narrowing and I’m heading right toward him. Mateo’s eyes light up as I get closer, only adding to my anger.

When I reach him, I back him up against the bathroom door, caging him in with my slender arms. I can see by his features that he’s excited, but I continue to sneer at him.

“What the fuck are you doing?”