Sara didn't know how long she sat there crying but her nose were blocked and her eyes were swollen by the time a soft body pulled her into a hug. Accepting the embrace when she saw it was Hailey, she sank into it, crying harder.

"I love him so much. Tell me why does he insist on doing this to me?" She wailed, feeling like her heart was breaking again and she realized with a pang she had fallen in love with him, again.

"There, there. Let it all out. Then after, you and I are going to have a long talk about this issue between you two," Hailey said, stroking her quivering body.

When she calmed down, Hailey led her to the study located towards the far right of the living room, saying that what she wanted to talk to her about needed no interruptions.

They sat down on the brown leather sofa inside the study that overlooked the bookshelf. Then, Hailey walked to the cabinet beside the shelf to pull out a bottle of Johnny Walker and two glasses before coming back to sit on the sofa. Sara accepted the drink she offered and swallowed it in one gulp while grimacing at the burning taste.

Hailey took a sip of her drink and studied the younger woman judiciously. "I really wish you'd stop feeling this way because of my son."

Sara looked at her quizzically. "I don't understand."

She sighed. "I'll admit quite ruefully that I'm not exactly proud of my son's ways. But as his mother, I've learnt to tolerate it, live with it even and it has not been easy. That however doesn't mean I know what it's like being married to him.

"Over the years, I've learnt to love him, compromise even just because I'm his mother and it's my duty. So I've put in more effort to love him. Love they say is sacrifice, Sara," she finished blandly, taking another sip.

She eyed the older woman, trying to grasp the hidden meaning behind her words. "Are you saying I didn't put effort in loving him?" She shook her head in disagreement. "No, you're wrong. He's the one who didn't put effort in staying faithful in our marriage." Sara was infuriated by this woman's claims.

Hailey nodded, dropping her glass on the side table. "Let me tell you a story, my dear. My love story. You see, I was horribly naïve when I met Eric, my husband. He was handsome, rich and smart, the total package. Let's just say I was hopelessly in love when I became his girlfriend, when I married him and most especially when we had our children. I was the happiest woman on earth. Never once did I think of our future, or the fact that he was from another country, another continent and one day was going to go back there.

"So, imagine my surprise when he came home one day and said he suddenly had to go back to Nigeria and I had to leave with him too. I was enraged by this so we argued and fought like crazy over his decision. I threatened to get a divorce and leave with my children and he swore he would not let me have my way. It was horrible. My family said they wouldn't interfere, that it was my cross to bear for being so blind.

"A week to our departure, I ran to the judge who had gotten us married and asked for our divorce papers to be processed. He called me to come receive it the eve of our departure and he wouldn't stop asking that I think it over. I didn't listen to him. I returned home late to find Eric had gone to the ticket office to process our plane tickets and travel passes. I walked into our bedroom to pack my bag and leave, only to find my three year old son and his one year old sister asleep on our bed. He woke up as I entered to tell me Amanda had been crying nonstop and he brought her to our room so she could be closer to mom." Hailey paused in her tale to sniffle, casting a shadow of a smile at Sara who was listening to her keenly.

She continued when she had controlled her emotions. "I wasn't even angry the nanny had left the children all by themselves. All I could do was climb into bed with my children and cuddle with them. That night I realized I couldn't leave them. I couldn't break them up with their father. He was the exact reason I had them, it was the love I felt for him that made me agree to have them and they didn't deserve to be punished because we couldn't reconcile our differences. The next morning, Eric returned with his brother and a friend, obviously prepared to drag me off to the airport if I put up any resistance. I can tell you he was surprised to find his family ready and all dressed up to go."

She then turned to look at Sara. "I don't know why I told you that story or even if it has any relevance to your story, but I wanted you to see that love is really all about sacrifice. For your family, for your children, for your husband. Most times, sacrifice is a one way thing. He mustn't sacrifice when you do but don't think your compromise is a wasted effort. I assure you it's not. In the end, you'll only reap the fruits."

Sara looked away, thinking about her words. "It's really hard, you know."

Hailey nodded. "And that's why I wish you'd stop feeling the way you do about him. Love is strong, it perseveres but your love my dear, is fickle. It won't last and even as much as it hurts me, I'd rather you guys don't get back together if I'll have a repeat of what happened five years ago in three months’ time."

"But he cheated on me!" She cried out indignantly, feeling as though she was sinking. This woman had clearly stated she wasn't too keen on them getting back together.

"And what is the guarantee that he won't do it again?!" Yelled his mother in anger.

"My son is not an angel, and I'm not condoning his ways but you mustn't expect 100% loyalty from him. He would try his best, I know he will, but what will you do with the 90% he's bringing to the table, Sara?"

She bit her lips together to keep from crying. This woman was being harsh, but she was hitting the nail on the head. There was no way around it. Getting back together with him meant setting herself up for the same thing. There's no guarantee he wouldn't do it again. The question was, if she could go through it again? Would she be able to handle another scandal, another heartbreak?

"I'm not being mean. I'm only stating the facts. Despite what has happened, my son is very emotional and he loves quite hard. He may appear all tough on the outside but he's really clueless when it comes to matters of the heart, and I as his mother will not stand by and watch him go through pain again. It was awful the first time around," Hailey said, quite bitterly.

"What I'm saying in essence is, if you cannot love him with all his flaws, with all his imperfections, then do not bother. He would need a love so strong that it can withstand the storms of life, the waves of temptations and tribulations. If your love cannot be strong, it's waste of time and for not just the both of you. Don't offer him something that will break at the first sign of trouble. And this time, it will not only be the two of you, your son will be caught in the middle of it.

"If you cannot love him completely- let him go- Sara, so you both will be free."

Later that night, Sara managed to find her ways out of the house without so much as a goodbye. Hailey had left her in the study to think about her words, and headed back to the party. She didn't meet with Freddie again, but she supposed there will still be time for that.

As she was leaving the house in the same Highlander Jeep that brought her to the party, she looked out of her window towards the direction of the pool to find Lucas and Karen standing very close as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

But surprisingly, unlike earlier that evening, she didn't feel the anger she felt before. No, this time she felt lost and unsure. A foreboding that she was going to let her fears and her doubts force her into making a bad decision. And that was what brought tears to her eyes.

Realizing she couldn't be alone tonight, she asked the driver to drop her off at Lakeview estate, at her family house.

++++++++++

Sara had been at the family house for four gloomy days doing absolutely nothing. It was a pattern in which she sat in her bedroom moping around and thinking about her life since she was born, then ending up crying uncontrollably when her thoughts landed on her ex-husband.

She didn't understand why seeing him and Karen so close together-considering the fact that she had told Lucas she wasn't ready to be with him- had hurt but it did. Damn, it did, and that brought tears again to her eyes.

Sniffling loudly, she pulled on her sweater and climbed out of bed. Her mother had always been a strong believer of the natural remedies, so Sara decided to follow her words. Besides, staring at the grey walls of her room for the past four days were beginning to suffocate her.

Grudgingly, she shuffled to her feet and strolled out of her room to the upstairs balcony which overlooked the swimming pool, a luxury Lucas had brought into the house after they moved in, saying it was necessary for quick sexual rendezvous. Even remembering it now brought foolish tears to her eyes. Angrily, she dashed it away and expelled a ragged breath, calming her emotions.

"I've always believed in the healing effects of the sun, you know," Antonia spoke suddenly, startling her. She turned around just as her mother strolled to come sit on one of the deck chairs lining the balcony in a rectangular manner.

"I know. It was beginning to get stuffy inside," she muttered, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Alleluia! She arose." Evelyn cried happily, walking into the balcony with a tray containing a jug of fresh juice and four glasses.

It was then Sara noticed her mother had carried two round containers of Danish biscuits.

"Are you guys having a party on my behalf?" She asked, coming to sit on a chair too, next to her sister and opposite her mother.

Evelyn shook her head. "Though you are popular, we are not here to worship you. At least not yet. We heard you come out of room and realized you needed another company other your thoughts for a change."

"Besides," Antonia joined looking directly into her eyes. "Even if this was a party, it would not hold a candle to the Caspian-Asiegbus. All magazines are talking about that party like crazy!"

Sara grimaced at her mother's choice of words but it quickly turned into a frown when she remembered the sour details of the party.

"I take it the party was not to your liking seeing as you came here directly from there that night and has been in your room ever since?" Evelyn quizzed, noting at her reaction.

Sara reached for a glass, took a generous sip before replying. "I saw Lucas kissing Karen at the party right after he told me that he loves me and wanted to start again," she said simply while watching the stunned look on the women's faces.

"Hell no, he didn't. How could he?!" Exclaimed Tonya, moving to come take a sit next to Eve. She held a bag of chips in her hands.

Sara nodded, her emotions passive. "I guess he could since immediately after confronting him about it, he went to see her."

The three women contemplated her words carefully and quietly.

"Even at that, shouldn't he have at least waited before going to see that bitchs’ face?" Evelyn was enraged.

"I don't blame him. You were probably playing too hard to get and a man can only fight for your love for so long. I've always known she was interested in him." Antonia said with a grimace, taking a sip of her drink.

"We fought that night and he told me that he was tired of fighting for my love all by himself. He wants me to move on with him, I want to move on too but I can't stand that woman. Seeing them together makes me so mad!" Sara reiterated, scowling at the image.

Tonya snapped her fingers suddenly. "Hey, big sis, don't get me angry, alright. I did not fight that bitch in the club and disgraced myself just for you to give in easily. I like Lucas, I've always liked him. He’s handsome, sexy and rich. But he's always had eyes only for you so I'm willing to back down. But if he marries that bitch, I cannot promise to keep my hands to myself. No sir!" She stated with a serious note in her voice.

Evelyn glared at her and reached for her chips. They started to struggle over it like little children. 

Antonia shook her head in defeat at the two. "Tonya is right. If you let him go, I'll be very disappointed. He loves you, I saw it in his eyes when we met at the club. He wouldn't admit it, of course, but his behaviours were dead giveaways. I don't think he ever stopped. But just because he loves you doesn't mean he won't get tired. And he's bound to give in easily if that girl, Karen, is by his side always."

She nodded, wringing her fingers in worry. That was her fear, Lucas giving in easily to Karen's charms. He's not that immune to her despite what he tries to make her think but if they ended up together, she knew the fault would be hers only.

If you cannot love him completely, let him go

"What do I do?" She asked quietly, looking around her at her family. She did not want to let him go.

They were always her support. They might not have stood by her when she divorced him but they never hid the fact that they loved Lucas and were extra happy when he married her.

"You have to get him back. Period." Evelyn deadpanned while scooping chips into her mouth, obviously from her conquest. "I know it won't be easy but you can't give up. You've taken five years to heal, it's time you let your heart love again."

Tonya pouted. "How can you be getting a second chance at love and I'm yet to fall in love once?!"

Antonia eyed her. "You are being too materialistic. That Tolu boy looks like a good man if only you'll give him a chance."

"But he's not as rich as Lucas!" She whined, looking like she's about to throw a tantrum.

"And we are not talking about your love life!" Evelyn interjected sharply, poking her. She hit her back and another scuffle ensued.

Antonia sighed, eyeing her three daughters despairingly. One was 29, unmarried and unbothered, the other was 25 and acts like an 18 year old. The third, Sara, was 28 and about to make another mistake because of love. That is, if she allows it.

"Sara, dear. You have to forgive him for that night. You have both been given another chance at love and you need to take it. He's willing to try and so should you. Don't be a coward, I didn't raise no weakling as a daughter," she encouraged, giving her a smile.

"But you raised a whore," Tonya supplied, smiling cheekily.

Antonia felt her jaw drop, Sara started laughing, and so did Tonya. At least until Evelyn grabbed her by the ear and pulled sharply.

"This girl will be the death of me!" Their mother cried, clutching her chest and panting.

When the commotion had died down, Sara stood up from her chair and moved to go stand in her former position backing her family. Her family awaited her decision.

"I don't even know where to start from but I'm going to try. Loving him is easy, he makes it very easy to love him. Trust, on the other hand, is very hard but I'll give it to him anyways," she stated, smiling vaguely as she remembered all the times this past few weeks Lucas had brought happiness into her life.

After a minute of silence, Tonya asked. "We love you and all, but this stuff you're telling us, shouldn't he be the one to hear them?"

Evelyn nodded. "I think you should let him know you are ready to start again. Don't leave him open for hungry sharks to dig in."

"Where is he right now? Perhaps sooner than later is better." It was Antonia who asked.

Sara swallowed against the bile cropping up into her mouth. She had awful memories just by remembering that place.

"Enugu. He told me he's a speaker at the Miss Nigeria Pageant. The petroleum sector is in conjunction with the tourism department for the dinner convention of the pageant."

"What? You can't be serious!" Evelyn was stupefied. They all knew what an event like this entailed.

"Why is it in the same place that scandal occurred?" Antonia was most concerned by the eerily Deja vu.

"And probably with the woman who caused it!" Tonya cried in frustration.

"We must be positive. Everything went wrong there, so the fates must insist all things be made anew there also," Antonia reflected with a fake smile on her face. It was very clear she did not believe her own words.

"I still say sooner than later. He can't be too busy to hear you out. I'm sure your affirmation is what he needs the most right now. Poor thing," Antonia said, sniffling quietly at the thought.

Sara looked at the sisters and at her mother. Their support was the push she needed to take her leap of faith. She wasn't certain about starting anew with Lucas, and she didn't exactly trust him not to break her heart again. But she didn't voice it out. She couldn't let her doubts defeat her.

His mother was right when she told her to let go if she could not love completely. What is Love without sacrifice? She wondered. She wasn't willing to let him go, especially not to that manipulative girl, so she would love him completely. Her love would hold on, her love would hold strong.

"I think you should leave now if you're to meet him there. Jude Thomas will be there and so will his daughter, Karen. Don't stay here and let her snatch Lucas away. Go get the man you love, Sara."

And that was exactly what she did. No, not really, we may be getting ahead of ourselves here.

Actually, she packed an overnight bag and had the driver drop her off at the airport. She waited for an hour before boarding. By the time she was in a taxi heading to the Presidential hotels and suites in Enugu, it was already 7pm, just in time for the dinner convention.

~~~~~~

Dedicated to jirogzy for always telling Sara to 'go get her man'. She finally listened to you. 😊

Do you agree with Hailey's words? Do you agree with Sara's? Do you even agree with anything going on in this book? Damn, I'm confused as well.

Note: Song in the media fits the scene where Hailey and Sara were talking. 😌😝

This chapter may be a filler chapter before the big event but don't worry, cause I've got you guys covered. At least, I hope I do. 😶

Vote and comment, please.

Thank you😍😘