Awa leaned her head against the cool glass of the car window as the city lights flashed by, still caught in the dreamlike haze of her overseas trip with Humphrey. The turquoise seas, the endless sunsets, the laughter they shared as they explored foreign streets—it was all like something out of a fairy tale, a world she'd never imagined for herself. She couldn't stop smiling, her heart still fluttering with excitement as Humphrey pulled up in front of her house.
"We're home," Humphrey said softly, turning toward her with that warm smile she had come to know so well. His hand found hers, squeezing it gently. "I hope you had a good time."
Awa chuckled, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "A good time? Humphrey, it was perfect. I don't think I've ever been so happy."
Humphrey grinned, his eyes softening. "Good. That's all I ever want—to make you happy."
She squeezed his hand once more before stepping out of the car, her entire body feeling light, as if she were floating. She watched as Humphrey drove away, his taillights fading into the night, and stood for a moment at her front door, taking in the stillness of her neighborhood. It felt surreal to be back, like the trip had whisked her away into a world that wasn't quite real, and now she was returning to normal life. But it wasn't normal anymore, was it?
She touched the engagement ring on her finger, the large, sparkling diamond catching the soft glow of the porch light. She was engaged. Engaged. To a man who had swept her off her feet and given her a life she never thought she could have. And now… she had to share the news with her family.
Opening the door quietly, she slipped inside. The house was quiet, the soft sounds of late-night television coming from the living room where her mother and sister were sitting. She took a deep breath, feeling a surge of nerves as she prepared for what she was about to do.
"Mom? Tina?" Awa called out, stepping into the living room. Her mother, Marie, looked up from the couch, knitting needles in hand, while Tina was half-asleep, curled up with a blanket draped over her legs. Both women perked up immediately when they saw her.
"You're back!" Tina said, sitting up straighter, her eyes widening. "How was it? Did you have fun?"
Awa couldn't help but laugh. "Fun doesn't even begin to describe it. It was amazing, like something out of a dream."
Marie smiled warmly. "Humphrey really knows how to treat you well, doesn't he? I'm so glad, Awa. You deserve it."
Awa bit her lip, her heart pounding as she glanced down at the ring on her finger. This was it. She was about to change everything. "Mom, Tina… I need to tell you something."
Her mother's brow furrowed slightly as she set her knitting aside, and Tina sat up fully, now wide awake. "What is it?" Tina asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Awa took a deep breath, holding up her hand, the diamond glinting in the light. "I'm engaged. Humphrey proposed, and I said yes."
There was a moment of stunned silence before the room erupted in excitement. Tina leapt off the couch, rushing over to grab Awa's hand, her eyes practically glowing with excitement. "Oh my God, Awa! Engaged? I can't believe it! Look at that ring! It's gorgeous!"
Marie was slower to rise, but the smile on her face was wide and genuine. She moved to Awa, enveloping her daughter in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You deserve this. You deserve happiness."
Awa blinked back the sudden tears that welled in her eyes. For so long, she had felt like happiness was something that belonged to other people, something she could watch from a distance but never really grasp for herself. But now, here it was, right in front of her, within her reach.
As the excitement settled down, they moved to the dining table, where the chatter continued. Tina couldn't stop gushing about how wonderful everything sounded, already planning the wedding in her head, and Marie was just as eager, though more reserved.
After a while, Beatrice, having been woken by the noise, toddled into the living room, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She looked up at Awa with a yawn, her little face full of curiosity.
"Mommy? What's going on?" Beatrice asked, her voice still thick with sleep.
Awa knelt down beside her daughter, brushing a hand through her soft curls. "I have some exciting news, sweetie. Humphrey and I are getting married."
Beatrice blinked, processing the information for a moment. Then, with a small, hopeful voice, she asked, "Does that mean Humphrey is my dad now?"
The room went silent for a second, and then everyone burst out laughing. Awa's heart swelled with love as she looked at her daughter's innocent, hopeful expression.
With a loving smile, she cupped Beatrice's cheek. "Yes, my love. Humphrey is your dad now."
Beatrice grinned, her sleepy eyes lighting up. "Yay! I have a dad again!" She threw her little arms around Awa's neck, and Awa held her tightly, her heart full of emotion.
Four months later, the engagement party was nothing short of a spectacle. Held at an elegant countryside estate, the air was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music playing in the background. Friends and family gathered, nearly a hundred people in total, all there to celebrate Awa and Humphrey's engagement. It was a beautiful day—warm and sunny, with the scent of blooming flowers in the air.
Awa wandered through the gardens, greeting guests, shaking hands, and exchanging warm smiles. But more than anything, she felt a deep sense of gratitude. This—this celebration, this life—felt like what she had been waiting for. What she had fought for. Humphrey had given her the stability she had always craved, the sense of belonging she hadn't had in years. She caught glimpses of Beatrice playing with some of the other children, her laughter ringing out like music, and Awa's heart swelled with joy.
By the time the party came to an end, Awa felt overwhelmed with happiness. It was as though everything had finally fallen into place. She could imagine her future with Humphrey so clearly now—a life full of love, family, and joy.
In the months that followed, Awa's life continued to flourish. Humphrey, ever the doting fiancé, began taking on more responsibilities with Beatrice. He insisted on dropping her off and picking her up from daycare, much to Awa's relief. It gave her more time to focus on herself, something she hadn't been able to do in years. She had always been interested in business, and now, with Humphrey's encouragement, she began studying again, enrolling in courses to pursue a bachelor's degree.
They moved in together into a sprawling home that felt both luxurious and warm, the kind of place Awa could see herself growing old in. They started planning their wedding, setting it for the following year, and everything seemed perfect. For the first time in a long time, Awa felt like she had control over her life. Or so she thought.
It started with small things. Little things she brushed off at first. Like the way Humphrey always ordered her food at restaurants without asking for her opinion. She had found it endearing in the beginning, thinking it was a romantic gesture. But now, almost a year into their relationship, Awa realized that she never had a say in what she wanted. He would hand the menu to the waiter and confidently choose a dish for her, as if her preferences didn't matter.
"Awa, the duck is incredible here. Trust me," he'd say with a charming smile, waving away her attempts to speak.
And she let him. For a while, she didn't mind. But then she started to notice other things.
Humphrey always bought her clothes—beautiful, expensive dresses and shoes—but they were always in the colors he liked. When they went on vacation, he chose the destination without consulting her, whisking her away to places she hadn't even mentioned. It was as though he had already mapped out their life together, leaving little room for her own desires or thoughts.
One night, as they sat at dinner, Awa couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. Humphrey was talking about some new business venture, but his voice felt distant, almost muffled by the growing unease in her chest. She was sitting in a beautiful home, with a man who adored her, but she felt… suffocated. Like everything around her was being decided for her, and she had no control.
That night, after putting Beatrice to bed, Awa finally gathered the courage to speak up. Humphrey was sitting on the couch, reading something on his phone when Awa sat down beside him, her heart pounding.
"Humphrey," she began, her voice hesitant, "can we talk?"
He looked up, his brow furrowing slightly in concern. "Of course, love. What's on your mind?"
Awa swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I've been feeling… off lately. Like I don't have much say in things. I know you've been taking care of me a lot, and I appreciate that, but I feel like I'm not making any decisions for myself anymore. You always order for me, you pick out my clothes, my collage, Beatrice daycare, you plan our vacations—"
Humphrey's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm just trying to take care of you, Awa. You deserve to be treated well. I thought you liked it."
"I do… or I did," Awa said, her voice wavering. "But it's starting to feel like I don't have control over anything. Like I'm living in a beautiful prison."
Humphrey's face darkened. "A prison?" His voice was sharp, cutting. "Is that what you think this is? A prison?"
Awa's heart raced, her chest tightening with anxiety. She hadn't meant for the conversation to take this turn. "I'm just saying I need more freedom, more say in my life. I love you, but I need to feel like I'm still my own person."
Humphrey's eyes flashed with anger, something cold and hard in his expression that Awa hadn't seen before. "Freedom?" he snapped, standing up abruptly. "You think you're a prisoner? I've given you everything, Awa! A home, a future, a life you could never have had without me. And now you're complaining?"
Awa stood too, her voice shaking. "I'm not complaining! I'm just asking for some space, some—"
"You're ungrateful," Humphrey interrupted, his voice rising. "Do you have any idea how many women would kill to have the life I've given you? You think you know better than me, Awa? I know what's best for you. I've always known. Everything I've done is because I love you, and you repay me by calling it a prison?"
Awa's breath caught in her throat, fear creeping into her chest as Humphrey's anger flared. She had never seen him like this before—this cold, controlling side of him. He had always been so calm, so patient. But now, the mask was slipping, and she could see the cracks beneath the surface.
"Humphrey, please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just need you to listen."
But Humphrey wasn't listening. His face was twisted with rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. And then, before she could react, his hand lashed out, striking her across the face with a sharp, stinging slap.
Awa stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek, her heart pounding in her chest. The room went silent, the air thick with shock and disbelief. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her mind reeling.
Humphrey's face was blank, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just done. For a moment, neither of them moved. The reality of what had happened settled between them like a heavy weight, and Awa's mind raced.
This wasn't the man she thought she knew. This wasn't the man who had promised her happiness and security. And in that instant, Awa realized just how wrong she had been. The life she had thought was perfect, the dream she had been living, was crumbling around her.
And now, she had to decide what to do next.