The following morning, Destiny packed her things, said goodbye to Ethan , and boarded the morning flight to Lagos. As the plane took off, she stared out the window, lost in thought. Ethan's words from last night echoed softly in her heart "Believe my actions."
Back home, her ex-in-laws welcomed her warmly.
"Ah, my dear Destiny! You're back," her ex-mother-in-law said, embracing her. "We missed you so much."
"I missed you too, mommy," Destiny smiled.
Her ex-father-in-law helped her carry her bag. "You've grown even more beautiful," he said teasingly.
Destiny laughed lightly, feeling the comfort of home again. "You both are the best. Thank you for always being here."
Life settled into a peaceful rhythm again. Destiny continued her writing, her contract projects growing steadily. Yet, somewhere deep inside, Ethan lingered in her thoughts his words, his eyes, his sincerity.
Days turned into weeks. They texted often, exchanged short calls, and Ethan made sure to check up on her every other day.
Sometimes, she replied quickly. Other times, she let him wait just to remind him that trust takes time.
Ethan didn't complain. He understood.
One evening, Destiny received a video call from him.
"Hey, you," Ethan smiled through the screen. "How's my favorite author doing today?"
"Busy," she replied with a teasing smile. "But fine. How's work?"
"Work's fine, but it's not the same without you scolding me about being late to lunch."
Destiny laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he said. "But I'll prove to you that I mean every word I said that night."
Her heart fluttered. "We'll see, Mr. Ghana."
A few weeks later, everything changed.
Destiny woke early one morning to a strange, dull ache in her stomach. She brushed it off, thinking it was just fatigue. But minutes later, the pain returned sharper, stronger. She clutched her belly, breathing heavily.
Her ex-mother-in-law heard her cry out and rushed into the room. "Destiny! Are you alright?"
"It's it's the baby, I think it's time," Destiny gasped.
Without wasting a second, her ex-father-in-law grabbed the car keys. They helped her into the car, panic and prayers filling the air as they raced toward the hospital.
Inside the maternity ward, the nurses hurried around her.
"She's in active labor," one said. "Get the doctor immediately."
Destiny gripped the bedrails, her face contorted in pain. Sweat rolled down her temple.
"Breathe, Destiny please breathe," her ex-mother-in-law said, holding her hand tightly.
"I can't, it hurts too much!"
"You can, my dear. Just breathe with me."
Hours passed. The pain grew unbearable. The doctors encouraged her, the nurses comforted her. And in the middle of the chaos, Destiny's phone buzzed on the table. Ethan's name flashed on the screen.
Her ex-mother-in-law picked it up. "Ethan," she said breathlessly, "she's in labor!"
"What? I'm coming right now!" he said.
By the time he arrived, Destiny was deep in labor, tears and strength blending into one. Ethan ran into the hospital, heart pounding. The nurses almost stopped him, but when Destiny saw him from the doorway, she weakly smiled.
He rushed to her side, took her trembling hand, and whispered, "I'm here, Destiny. I'm right here. You're not alone."
Her voice cracked as she whispered, "I told you not to come."
"I promised to prove my love," he said softly, pressing her hand to his chest. "And I'm keeping that promise."
The next few minutes felt eternal pain, sweat, prayers.
Then came silence.
Followed by the most beautiful sound a baby's cry.
Destiny's body relaxed instantly, tears streaming down her cheeks. The doctor smiled. "Congratulations, it's a baby girl!"
Her ex-mother-in-law clapped her hands in relief. "Thank You, Lord!"
Ethan wiped Destiny's tears as the nurse placed the tiny, pink-faced baby in her arms. Destiny stared at her child in awe. "She's perfect," she whispered.
Ethan leaned closer, his voice breaking. "She's beautiful just like her mother."
Destiny looked up at him with soft eyes. "Her name is Hope," she whispered. "Because she's my reason to keep believing."
Ethan smiled, kissing her forehead. "Hope. I love that."
As the evening settled, Destiny lay resting, baby Hope asleep in her arms. Ethan sat quietly beside her, holding her hand.
"I'll never forget this moment," he whispered. "You've given me something I never knew I needed a reason to love deeper."
Destiny smiled faintly. "Just don't ever walk away again, Ethan."
"Never," he promised, squeezing her hand gently.
Outside, the rain that had started earlier cleared away, and a soft golden light peeked through the clouds a sign that life, once again, had given them both a second chance.