Chapter 37

***Kenya***.

"Levi, you never stop being a tease." Kirsten remarked, her eyes shifting to me. "Never mind them. You'd soon get to know that the men in our husbands' circle are scoundrels of the utmost degree."

Her husband, Henry, placed a hand on his chest dramatically, feigning hurt. They all laughed. I couldn't help but admire the woman. She was of the same height as me, although slightly curvy. Her hair was braided and draped to her side. A small diamond pin accessorizing it. Her face was really beautiful, her skin a similar hue to mine. Even her husband was extremely handsome. Same height as Levi, with arresting features. Especially his auburn curled locks, golden hued eyes.

"How are the kids?" Levi asked, breaking my musings. I stared at the couple in a new light. *Kids?! They didn't even look it.*

"They are fine. With their grandparents. You know my in-laws now live with us in Canada. My mum has found their relocation a blessing." Henry pulled his wife into him, affectionately, kissing her on the lips. I saw adoration between them, stemmed from pure love. I envied them. Grabbing some flutes of champagne, Levi extended one to each of us.

Seeing Kirsten refuse her drink, Levi followed her gaze to her belly.

"No way! You both are expecting?" Levi gasped in shock, his voice beaming with excitement and disbelief. Both Kirsten and Henry smiled, triumphantly. Levi pulled Kirsten instantly into an affectionate hug. I saw a loyal Levi.

"Congratulations." I finally greeted, after Levi pulled back. Excited for them.

"We just found out this month, after everything we went through with Catherine, the scandal at Dylan's wedding. It was like a drop of sunshine to our lives." Kirsten reached a palm to her husband's face. Kissing him and sharing an intimate moment. The air crackling.

"Catherine was Henry's ex-wife that recently caused an uproar for Henry and Kirsten." Levi dropped his voice to a minimum elaborated. His breath, grazed my ear. *Distracting*.

"She had pulled a scandal at Dylan's wedding- Henry's cousin-from the holding cell, where she was awaiting her trial. And the issue had pulled a strain on their relationship."

"How was she able to do that from the police custody?" I asked, bewildered.

"Her father's connections. Plus she had external help." Henry tightly spat, his hair gleaming under the chandelier.

"Henry." Levi called. "Let's leave the ladies to acquaint themselves, while we go to my office." He suggested, pulling Henry along with him as they walked away.

"I must have a rest from these shoes." Kirsten's voice came beside me. I stared, amused.

"Do they hurt?" I managed. I was mildly intimidated by the woman's charisma. She was perfection in everything; perfect limbs, perfect husband that she loved. And now she was pregnant. Things that I lacked.

"They do." Kirsten turned a studying gaze to me. "For a bride who just got her man, you look awful." Kirsten observed. My gaze faltered. My mask slipped under her penetrating gaze.

Defeated, I breathed. "Is it that obvious?"

"If you count the number of times you disdainfully gazed at your new husband, yes."

I gauged her expression, wondering how much to divulge.

"I don't love my husband." I blurted out. My words, surprising Kirsten a bit. There was a pregnant pause. One where I wondered if the woman saw me as a gold digging bitch. The way others regarded me in the paper and media.

Regaining herself, Kirsten replied.

"If it's any consolation, my marriage to Henry hadn't been a love at first sight." Kirsten declared. I was awestruck.

"How so?" I asked, intrigued.

"I was once married. My late ex-husband had been a brute. Shattered me. Ruined me. Scarred our twins, Louis and Louisa." Kirsten revealed. I raised my brows questioningly.

"Yes, my twins- our kids we just spoke of- weren't biologically fathered by Henry. They got adopted by him, when we married." Kirsten's revelation stunned me, my eyes wide.

"That means this baby is your first together?" I mumbled. The news of Henry loving another's child, unbelievable.

"And he has loved each of us, without inhibition, ever since. There were ups and downs. Days when I doubted his sincerity towards the union. But in all, he is true." Kirsten smiled. She came to sit on a bar stool, urging me to do the same.

"It's not the same, Mrs Mackles"

"Please call me Kirsten. Don't make me feel old." Kirsten smiled, her face lit with mild mischief. I nodded.

"I am not asking you to love him immediately. Just give him a chance. Allow yourself to yield into the union. Enjoy every part of it." Kirsten remarked.

I tensed hearing that. *How was I to do that*? My fists clenched tight.

"Levi stole my entire existence. He forced me, no, *blackmailed* me into marriage."

"*Blackmailed*?" Kirsten questioned, confused.

I weighed how much I could disclose to Kirsten. I wasn't in the habit of discussing my private matters, no matter how dire. But somehow speaking with Kirsten eased me, making me want to unwind.

"He just transferred a ridiculous amount of money into an account he opened for me. Money I don't need." I mumbled. Kirsten nodded her head in understanding. Her eyes lit with amusement. After a moment of silence, she cleared her throat.

"Take this as a chance to re-invent yourself. Like I did." Her words caught me. "My husband did the same thing to me. Changed my life, a 360 degree. Instead of persistently fuming, I used the funds to carry out pet projects that I always dreamed of. I opened a charity fund. One which is already in full swing. *Beauty for ashes."* She suggested. Her words filled me with fascination. A new light.

"Carve a new niche for yourself, Kenya. Don't let this change inhibit you. To enslave you. Be the girl you always wanted to be." Kirsten held my hands in hers at those words. My eyes pooled with tears. I cried.