Page 87 of My Only

A fracture beneath the surface. The breaking point… the test of what’s built…

CHAPTER 11

THEN – EARLY WINTER 2022… SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Ayla

I approached the pinboard by my classroom’s Reading Nook, smiling as I pinned up a new class photo.

It was half an hour before my students arrived, and I was getting things ready for their day when I heard a voice at my door.

“Ayla,” Rachel DeLeon—one of Park Avenue Prep’s teachers—called out, poking her head into my classroom. “There’s something waiting for you at the front desk.”

The smile on her face was so big I could count all her teeth from across the room.

I arched a brow. “Could you smile any harder?” I set down the remaining photos on a nearby table. “What is it?”

“Just come and see.” She giggled.

I couldn’t help but giggle, too.

Peeking at my watch, I checked if I had time to spare.

It was a quiet morning at Park Avenue Prep. A freezing one, too. Getting out of bed had been a struggle, and I wasn’t quite over the effort it took to pull on my chunky brown sweater, jeans, and boots before heading out. The upcoming Christmas break couldn’t come fast enough.

As soon as I stepped out of my classroom and into the hallway, my eyes landed on the front desk—and the massive, stunning bouquet waiting there.

A few teachers stood around it, all of them grinning at me.

“Girl,” one of them said, smirking, “these are gorgeous.”

“He did good,” another commented with a knowing nod.

I smiled as I approached the flowers.

It was a mixed bouquet—soft pink peonies, white orchids, yellow roses, lilies, and baby’s breath adding a delicate touch to it all.

I leaned in and inhaled deeply, closing my eyes at the sweet scent.

Our security guard, Kaedee, teased, “Are these from your man, or do I need to call him and let him know someone else is doing his job?”

I laughed. “Not you threatening to snitch, Kaedee. Damn.”

She cackled.

“At ease, soldier,” I assured her. “They’re from him.”

Reaching for the envelope tucked into the arrangement, I peeled it open and pulled out the tiny white card inside.

The message read:

I love you, A. Plus, you know… no take-backs, right? Forever us.

A scoffing laugh left me instantly.

I knew exactly what this was. What he meant.

They were beautiful. Thoughtful. But was this a just because kind of gift, or was Hassani trying to fix something I hadn’t even confronted him about yet?

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