Shadows of Regret

CHAPTER TWO

Imani Williams

"Mommy! I can't get these pants on!" Kai cried out, his voice full of frustration. I immediately stopped what I was doing and hurried over to him. Kneeling down to his level, I gently took his little hands in mine and helped him with his pants, wiping away the tears that had started to stream down his cheeks.

"It's okay, sweetheart, Mommy's here," I whispered, my voice soothing as his sobs began to quiet.

After helping him with his pants, I could see the tension leaving his small body. Wanting to lift his spirits even more, I flashed him a playful smile. "You know, these pants must be super tricky today—maybe they’re trying to play a game with us!"

Kai looked at me with wide eyes, momentarily distracted from his earlier distress. Seizing the opportunity, I started to tickle him gently, my fingers dancing over his belly. His giggles filled the room, the sound bright and infectious, as all traces of his tears melted away.

"There it is! There’s my happy boy," I laughed along with him, feeling a rush of warmth as his laughter turned into full-blown belly laughs.

Ten years ago, when I first found out I was pregnant with Kai, I thought his father would be different. I had always believed he was kind and understanding, someone who would support me through this life-changing event. But I was wrong.

When I told him about the pregnancy, he abandoned us without a second thought. His departure left me reeling, shattered by his betrayal. I had imagined a future where he would be there for us, but instead, he chose to walk away, leaving me to navigate this new life alone.

My parents' reaction was equally harsh. When they discovered I was pregnant, they disowned me without hesitation.

They berated me with cruel words and stopped paying for my university education, forcing me to drop out. With no place to go, I remember wandering the streets in the middle of the night, pregnant and homeless. I found myself sleeping in parking lots, desperately hoping that nothing would happen to me or my unborn child.

I couldn’t even turn to my best friend, Roslin, for support. Her family had moved to Italy just after we went to the club where I met Kai’s father, leaving me without my closest confidante in my time of need. I sometimes wish I hadn’t gone to that club, but despite everything, I never regretted having Kai.

Surviving those dark times was made possible by an unexpected kindness. After Kai was born, a compassionate doctor noticed how poorly I was eating and almost reported me to child services.

When I shared my story with her, she chose to help instead. She provided me with a place to stay and offered to cover my education expenses, allowing me to finish school.

With her support, I graduated and became a successful writer. Now, my books are read by millions, and I’ve saved enough to move out of the doctor’s house and into my own home. I continue to take care of Kai, and while I have my regrets about the past, the one thing I never regret is having him.

As I tickled Kai, the doorbell rang, interrupting our laughter. I paused, giving him a reassuring smile.

“I’ll be right back, okay? Finish getting dressed and I’ll join you.” I left him in his room, continuing to put on the rest of his school uniform.

When I opened the door, my breath caught in my throat.

Standing on the other side was none other than Ryujin Matsumoto, the man I had never expected to see again.