He had given her a ride to the airport with her trying to pretend she was happy. The whole problem was that he appeared upbeat as well. The man practically radiated it, and although she didn’t expect it, she’d almost hoped he would beg her not to go and declare his undying love. He’d done neither. He’d tilted her chin up and kissed her until she felt faint. Then he let her go. Jada walked into her office the next morning, praying the old adage was true, that absence and time would heal her heart. She headed toward her cubicle wishing for higher walls so she could let go of the forced smile as if nothing were wrong. After all, this was the life she had chosen, wasn’t it? No maid, no bodyguards, no unlimited funds—and no family. But I will have my baby. That’s the important thing. “Jada! You’re back,” her coworker Leena exclaimed. “How was California?” “The weather was nice.” She didn’t elaborate but kept walking. Leena chuckled and linked arms with Jada. “I think more than the weather was nice.”
