Chapter Two:UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Tiana left The Nook in a daze

She had planned to spend her Saturday in peace—grabbing coffee, flipping through books, and maybe, just maybe, convincing herself she had moved on from the past

But Lagos had a cruel sense of humor.

She gripped the warm cup of caramel macchiato, her footsteps hurried as she crossed the street. The farther she got from that bookstore, the better.

Why him?

Why now?

She had spent three years avoiding thoughts of Zayden Knight, and in the span of five minutes, he had undone all of that.

Tiana exhaled sharply, forcing herself to focus on the present. She had things to do—errands to run, work to finish, a life to live that had nothing to do with him.

And yet, his voice lingered.

You still drink caramel macchiatos.

His smirk. His voice. The way he had looked at her like he hadn't missed a single detail.

Tiana, stop it.

She shook her head and quickened her pace.

****************************

Rain pelted against the car windshield, each drop blurring the city lights beyond.

Tiana sat in the passenger seat, arms wrapped around herself, heart sinking lower with every passing second.

Zayden gripped the steering wheel, jaw tight, eyes fixed straight ahead.

It was always like this—silent wars, unspoken words.

"You don't have to go," she finally whispered, voice barely audible over the rain.

He exhaled, a long and tired breath. "Tiana, don't do this."

Her throat tightened. "You're the one leaving."

He didn't deny it.

That was the worst part.

He reached for something in his pocket, pulled out a small, folded note, and set it on the dashboard. "I have to."

Tiana stared at the note. Then at him.

And for the first time, she realized—she had already lost him.

So she nodded, pushing back the ache in her chest.

"Goodbye, Zayden."

She opened the door, stepped into the rain, and didn't look back.

**********************

Tiana clenched her fists, pushing the memory aside.

She hadn't thought about that night in a long time.

Not the note.

Not the way her heart had shattered when he didn't fight for her.

Not the way she had told herself she was better off.

But seeing him again? It felt like the universe was mocking her.

Her phone buzzed in her bag, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She pulled it out, expecting a message from work, but instead—

Mom: Come home when you can. We need to talk.

Tiana frowned.

Her mother wasn't one for cryptic messages. She was straightforward, always to the point.

Something felt… off.

Her stomach churned with unease as she hailed a taxi, the coffee in her hand suddenly tasting bitter.

An Unwelcome Surprise

Tiana stepped into the house, kicking off her sandals as she called out, "Mom? What's going on?"

She heard voices from the living room—familiar ones.

And then, she saw him.

Zayden.

Sitting comfortably on her mother's couch, his arm draped over the backrest like he belonged there.

Tiana's heart stopped.

"What the hell?" The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Her mother, standing beside him, blinked in confusion. "Tiana, you're back. I was just catching up with—"

"Why is he here?"

Zayden's lips quirked in that same irritating smirk. "Nice to see you again, T."

Tiana's eyes darted between her mother and Zayden. "What's going on?"

Her mother sighed. "I was going to tell you, but I didn't know how you'd take it."

Tiana's stomach twisted. "Tell me what?"

Zayden stretched lazily. "Looks like we're family now, sweetheart."

Tiana felt the world tilt.

Her mother gave an apologetic smile. "His father and I… we're getting married."