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Chapter 2 :: A New Life

Kia Ray POV

had to figure out how to move forward. The weight of grief was heavy on my shoulders, but I had to push through for Aries' sake. The days felt long and empty without Dustin by my side, his absence a constant ache in my heart.

I tried to distract myself with taking care of Aries, but the pain of losing my friend was always there, lingering in the background. I felt lost and alone, unsure of how to navigate this new reality without him.

As I sorted through the remnants of our wedding plans, I couldn't help but feel a sense of bitterness. The dreams we had shared were now shattered, replaced by a harsh reality I never could have imagined. I had to make tough decisions, cutting costs and making sacrifices to make ends meet.

But through it all, Aries was my guiding light. His innocent smile and laughter brought me moments of joy in the midst of my sorrow. I knew I had to be strong for him, to be the best mother I could be despite my own pain.

One month after Dustin's death, I was still reeling from the shock of losing him. But I knew I had to keep moving forward, for Aries and for myself. The road ahead was uncertain and daunting, but I was determined to face it head-on, one day at a time.

Two months gone, we were excited for this new adventure in downtown Brooklyn. The bustling streets, the vibrant culture, and the endless possibilities that awaited us in our new neighborhood. As we stepped into our new apartment, Aries let out a squeal of excitement, his eyes wide with wonder at the new space we would call home.

The elevator ride up to the fourth floor was quick, but as the doors opened, I could feel the anticipation building inside me. This was a fresh start, a chance to create new memories and forge new connections.

As I set down the last box in our new living room, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of all the adventures that awaited us. Aries ran over to his basket of toys, already making himself at home in our new space. this two-bedroom apartment may not have the rooftop garden like our old place, but I knew that we would make this new apartment our own. We would explore the streets of downtown Brooklyn, discover new parks and playgrounds, and make memories that would last a lifetime.

As I looked out the window at the bustling city below, I knew that this was just the beginning of our grand adventure in downtown Brooklyn. And I couldn't wait to see where this new chapter would take us.

"That's your room, the first one down the hall," I said, watching as Aries took in the space. "Do you like it?" I asked, hoping he felt comfortable in his new home. It was a far cry from the orphanage he came from, and I was grateful to have him as part of our family. Dustin and I had always talked about adopting kids, and Aries was like an early wedding plan to us. His presence brought a new light and joy into our lives, and I couldn't imagine our home without him now that Dustin is gone.I put the box down and soon my stomach grumbles. "Want to go have dinner outside?" I asked and he nodded.

We took the elevator and he was glued to his iPad, while I checked the bills we needed to pay. Aries needed school supplies for his art project, and I was trying to pick up as many part-time jobs as possible - from Caroline's diner in downtown Brooklyn to the Monte El restaurant in the upper east side.

The upcoming school year, and I made a mental note to go shopping for him soon. As the elevator dinged open, we stepped out into the warm evening air and headed towards our favorite diner.we walk in, We found a cozy booth by the window and a waitress in her forties handed us the menu “is he your son?, does he take after his dad ?” she ask with a smile. “Thank you, he definitely takes after his dad” I replied, flipping through the menu.. Fiona took our drink orders and left us to decide on our meal, flipping through the menu. Fiona returned with our drinks and took our order.Aries ordered a classic bacon and eggs breakfast while I opted for the avocado toast.

Fiona took our drink orders and left us to decide on our meal. Aries was busy His Ipad, his tongue sticking out in concentration.I couldn't help but smile at the sight. After a few minutes, Fiona returned with our drinks and took our order. As she walked away, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her friendly demeanor. This was going to be a good meal.we chatted about our plans for the day. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with the sound of sizzling coming from the kitchen, we dug in, enjoying the simple yet delicious meal.

Aries asked and I chuckled. “What color do you want to paint?” he strokes his hands on his chin momentarily and grins. “Blue! Daddy loves blue” It felt like a knife had pricked my heart at that moment, why did he have to die? “Yes, he did, I'm sure he will love it” Tears fell off my eyes but I flushed staring at him. Fiona soon returned while she Pick up dirty dishes she gave me a card. “Kia everything happens for a reason, the almighty knows best” I didn’t tell her my name

n her cryptic message. Why did she want me to call that number so urgently? Was it a matter of life and death? Was she in trouble? I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that settled in my stomach. I decided to wait until Aries was asleep before making the call, not wanting to disturb him with my worries. As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me on the other end of the line. The unknown was both terrifying and exhilarating. Eventually, sleep claimed me, but the mystery of the phone call lingered in my dreams.

Its Sunday night and I stand in front of the mirror to chant this words “ Kia, you will return to work strong and healthy. I can do it! I am ready to face the day with determination and a positive attitude. Time to get back on track and show my strength. Let's do this!

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