Wrong Injection

Chapter 56

I'd been waiting for this day for what felt like an eternity, and nothing, not even Sarah was going to stop me from leaving for my own place today.
With Dream fast asleep, I seized the opportunity to pack my belongings. Just as I was in the midst of it, a knock at the door interrupted me. I let out a frustrated groan, anticipating another attempt to persuade me to stay.

"Please come in!" I called out, not pausing from my task.

The door opened, and Sarah's voice filled the room. "Are you leaving already?" I turned to face her, and her sad expression didn't surprise me. But I was resolute.

"Yeah," I replied curtly, returning to my packing. Her disappointment was palpable, but I wasn't going to let it sway me. I was leaving, and that was final.

"You can't take my grandchild away from me Milani," Sarah said aggressively and I stopped packing and turned to face her, letting out a sigh.

"Sarah I literally cannot stay here," I emphasized, trying to reason with her. But she persisted, her expression softening slightly as she walked over to me and sat down beside me on the bed.

"But why my child? This is your home. You literally have a place here." I shook my head, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness.

"No, I don't." I said and Sarah's eyes sparkled with a gentle persuasion.

"Of course you do, my child. You have a baby with Sultan, which means you have every right to be here. Or didn't we treat you well?" I couldn't help but chuckle at her question, a small smile playing on my lips.

"You do Sarah. Look at me now. I've gained so much weight, thanks to you. I'm not little anymore." Sarah laughed softly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Then why do you want to leave?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Because I don't want to be a burden to you all, especially you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "You bathe Dream, feed her morning and night, every single time. Even at dawn, when I'm fast asleep and too tired to tend to her crying, you come in and feed her formula before putting her back to sleep. You're an amazing person, Sarah. I just don't want to be a burden anymore."

"I totally don't have a problem doing all of that. Besides, I'm doing all this because she's my grandchild, and I'm not complaining, Milani."

I felt a surge of frustration and guilt, and before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. "She's not your granddaughter." The moment they left my lips, I felt a pang of regret. It wasn't intentional, but I was tired of maintaining a facade that would only lead to more problems down the line.

"What?" she breathed, looking like she'd been punched in the gut. I felt a wave of regret, knowing I'd hurt her deeply.

"I'm sorry you have to find out this way, but it's the truth Sarah. Sultan and I lied to you from the very beginning."

"Milani..." Her eyes welled up with tears, and I struggled to hold back my own. The truth was always going to hurt, but it was necessary.

"I'm so sorry Sarah. So sorry," I apologized, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Sarah sniffed, her eyes red-rimmed as she wiped away her tears. "I'm so hurt right now... but what can I do? This isn't right." Her voice trembled, and I felt a pang of sorrow.

"I'm sorry," I repeated, not knowing what else to say. And she took a deep breath, her expression resigned.

"It's okay. Now I'm not going to stop you from leaving because I don't have the right to." I nodded, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. "you can leave, but Dream will always be my granddaughter in my heart," she said, her voice cracking with emotion as she struggled to hold back tears.

"Alright Sarah," I said softly, my voice filled with a mix of emotions.

We shared a tight hug, and Sarah's voice trembled as she whispered, "I love you, Milani. Please take good care of yourself and Dream. You're like family to me."

I held her close, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I love you too Sarah. I'll take care of us, I promise," I replied, my voice shaking slightly.

As we pulled back, Sarah's eyes brimmed with tears. She walked over to Dream's crib and gently stroked her cheek, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll miss you so much little one. You're my world, even if you're not my biological granddaughter." I watched as she savored the moment, her emotions raw and vulnerable. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped back and nodded. "I'll let you go."

With Dream in my arms, I stood in the compound, feeling a mix of emotions as I watched the servants load my belongings into the car. I tried calling Bella several times to let her know I was leaving, but she wasn't answering her phone, adding to my sense of uncertainty and anxiety.

"We're done, ma'am," The servant's words marked the end of an era. I carefully got into the car with Dream in my arms, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. As I settled in, I caught Sarah's gaze, standing at the front door with tears streaming down her face.

"Take care, my child!" she called out as the car began to move, her voice filled with emotion. And I leaned out the window, waving at her and said, "I will!" Trying to reassure her.
She waved back, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. I watched as she grew smaller in the distance, feeling a mix of sadness and gratitude towards the woman who had been like a mother to me.
~~~
I sat comfortably in our home, breastfeeding Dream, and Bella walked in with her signature bright smile. I looked up at her, a hint of playful reprimand in my voice. "I called you several times today, but you never answered any of them." I said and she plopped down beside me, her expression apologetic.

" I'm sorry. I was a little busy."she apologized and I shifted Dream slightly, adjusting her position.

"How's everyone at the restaurant?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Everybody is doing great," She replied, her eyes lighting up. "I went to the penthouse and Sarah told me you left." I nodded, a small smile on my face. But Bella's gaze turned concerned. "Have you eaten?" she asked, her brow furrowed slightly and I nodded again.

"I had salad as soon as I got here." I said.

"Great, I'm so exhausted," She said, leaning back on the couch, her eyes closing slightly as she let out a tired sigh. I smiled, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. It was clear she'd been running on fumes, juggling both my restaurant and her pub while I was away.

"You deserve a friendship award, honestly," I said, my voice filled with genuine appreciation.And her face lit up with a warm smile.

"Really?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Absolutely," I replied, my smile matching hers.

"That wouldn't be bad, but who's going to host that event?" She joked, her laughter mingling with mine. I chuckled, feeling grateful for her presence in my life.

"Silly," I said, shaking my head in affectionate exasperation. She was one of a kind, and I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything.

"Hey, munchkin," Bella cooed, stroking Dreams's cheek, her eyes filled with warmth.