The Sum of My Past Mistakes

Chapter 3

A year later, I returned to school just in time to finish the second semester of my third year. I had left little Benjamin with my mom, and though she still had her concerns, she had grown to love him dearly. I knew I wasn't making it easy on her, but I had promised myself I would finish school and make something of myself for Benjamin's sake. Mom had even gone so far as to tell me not to embarrass her again, and though I resented the pressure, I also knew she meant it with love.
Now, I was starting my fourth year at university, and life seemed to be in motion again, moving forward, like the pages of a book I was eager to read. Melanie had left, and I had to adjust to life without my best friend. But I wasn't alone. I had found a new friend—Cecilia. She was studying Banking and Finance, and we quickly became close. Our schedules lined up, and we spent hours studying together, talking about everything from school to our personal lives. She was a great listener, and that helped me a lot, especially with everything that had happened in the past.
School had gone well for the most part, and we wrote our exams in May, leaving us with a few weeks before the holidays. When I returned home for the break, things were peaceful—well, as peaceful as they could be. Benjamin was growing fast, and my mom was doing her best to balance being a mother and a grandmother. I could see the joy Benjamin brought her, and that made me feel less guilty for leaving him behind.
In July, I returned to school for my final semester. I was determined to finish strong. But in August, during the mid-semester break, life threw a curveball my way.
As I strolled through the aisles, I caught sight of a tall, confident-looking guy near the entrance. He looked so much like Willie that I froze, staring without realizing it. My stomach twisted—could it be him? But as I looked closer, I noticed some differences. His face was slightly softer, less guarded, and he seemed... kinder. Before I could snap out of my daze, he looked up and caught me staring. A smirk spread across his face.

"Can't stop looking, huh? I get it—I'm pretty hot."
I felt a flash of embarrassment but rolled my eyes, covering it up with a scoff. "Don't flatter yourself," I said, crossing my arms. "You're not even that pretty."
He feigned hurt, clutching his chest dramatically. "Ouch! That's harsh. And here I thought I was making a fan."
I laughed despite myself, his charm catching me off guard. Just then, he glanced outside and noticed the rain pounding against the store windows.
"Looks like it's coming down hard," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Need a ride?"
I hesitated, but something about him felt oddly familiar, even comforting. Besides, I wasn't keen on walking in the rain. "Alright," I agreed, following him to his car.
Once inside, he started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot.
"So, mystery girl who won't admit I'm good-looking," he said with a grin, "what's your name?"
I paused. "Olivia," I replied smoothly, deciding that a fake name would help me keep any connection to Willie hidden.
He raised an eyebrow. "Olivia, huh? Nice name. I'm Ayanda Navicha."

The name struck me immediately—Navicha. My heart skipped a beat. Could he be related to Willie? I glanced at him, trying to hide my curiosity, but he seemed oblivious as he drove, drumming his fingers casually on the steering wheel. I took a breath, deciding to test the waters. "So, Ayanda, do you have any siblings?"
"Yeah, I do," he replied easily. "I'm the youngest. I've got two brothers and a sister: Angelina, Raymond, and... William."

There it was. The confirmation I needed. Willie was actually named William. He'd lied to me about something as simple as his own name. I kept my expression neutral, nodding politely.

"Big family," I said. "Are you all close?"
He shrugged, his mouth curving into a slightly bitter smile. "Some of us. Raymond's great, Angie's the best, but William... we don't talk much."
My heart raced. "Why's that?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Let's just say he's got a habit of messing with people," Ayanda replied, his tone suddenly more guarded. "He's... complicated."
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to ask more questions. Instead, I leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. This was perfect. The very brother of the guy who broke my heart—and didn't even bother to look back. I could almost feel the pieces falling into place.
"Well," Ayanda said, glancing over at me with a playful grin. "Enough about me and my messed-up family. What about you? What's an Olivia like you doing at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences?"
I smiled. "Oh, you know... surviving classes, dealing with a mountain of assignments." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "Honestly, just trying to focus on myself these days."
He laughed. "Yeah, I get that. Law school was the same for me—barely had time for anything else. But here we are, right?"
"Yeah," I said, returning his smile. "Here we are."