Naledi had finally had enough of her sister, Tiana Taiyo. Her patience, already thin, snapped completely after the humiliating accusation. Her voice was calm, but carried an unmistakable edge.
"Do you honestly think so little of me?" she asked, locking eyes with Tiana. "I won't tolerate this. If you ever try to defame me again—publicly or privately—I will take legal action."
Tiana stood frozen, caught off guard by Naledi's unshakable tone. The rest of the family turned silent, the weight of her words slicing through the tension.
Turning to Shawn, Naledi offered an apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry about that. She had no right."
But Shawn brushed it off with a wave of his hand and a casual grin. "Don't worry about it. Families are complicated. I get it."
He extended his hand toward the group. "Shawn Hayes. I'm Naledi's ex-husband."
The family gasped collectively, taken aback. Her mother, Mrs. Lomunyak, stared at Naledi in disbelief.
"You were married? Why didn't you tell us?"
Naledi sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "There was never a right time. I didn't hide it out of shame—I just never had the chance."
In the days that followed, fate had a way of putting Naledi and Shawn in each other's path. Whether in the hotel lounge, by the pool, or during breakfast, they kept running into each other. Mr. Lomunyak took notice and one afternoon, pulled Shawn aside.
"You should join us for dinner," he said. "You're already here, and you're family, in a way."
Naledi felt her stomach twist when she found out. She tried to object, but her father was persistent. Eventually, she and Shawn came to a mutual understanding.
"Let's just be friends," he said, offering a peaceful truce.
She agreed, albeit reluctantly.
A few days later, the hotel hosted a grand party for all its guests. Music echoed through the hallways, and laughter spilled out into the night. Naledi attended, dressed in a soft, flowing gown that turned more than a few heads. Unfortunately, not all the attention was welcome.
A group of men cornered her near the drinks table, their advances crude and persistent. She tried to brush them off, but they wouldn't back down. Just as her heart began to race, a familiar hand slid around her waist, firm and protective.
Shawn stepped forward, his eyes cold and piercing.
"She's with me."
The group, startled by his presence and his tone, backed off immediately.
Naledi let out a shaky breath. "Thank you."
He smiled. "How about a dance? You can thank me that way."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
As they danced under the soft lighting of the ballroom, the music wrapped around them like a spell. They moved with ease, their bodies syncing naturally, as if they'd never lost touch. Her family watched from across the room, whispers carrying.
"Why did she ever divorce a man like that?" someone asked.
As the music swelled, their eyes locked. In that moment, it was as if time bent. The chemistry between them reignited like a match to dry leaves. Memories came rushing back—both beautiful and painful.
Shawn leaned in, his face inches from hers. Their breathing synced, and his lips found hers in a kiss that was both hesitant and desperate.
But then, in the corner of her eye, she saw him.
Noah.
He stood across the room, expression shattered, watching everything unfold.
Naledi gasped, her heart slamming against her ribs. She pulled away from Shawn instantly.
"Noah…"
But it was too late.
He turned and walked away.
She rushed after him, the sound of her heels echoing behind her.