Her Trauma, His Redemption

Chapter 36: When leila arrived

The mansion felt different the morning Leila arrived. It wasn't anything tangible — no change in security rotations, no shift in routine — but the air itself seemed lighter, charged with something expectant.

Tiana felt it from the moment she woke up, a nervous flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with fear.

Maya had been smiling since dawn.

''She'll be here by ten,'' she'd said at breakfast, smoothing the already perfect tablecloth for the third time.

''Don't let the guards intimidate her. They tend to forget not everyone grew up around men with guns.''

Tiana smiled. ''I'll try to distract them with tea.''

Maya laughed, the sound soft and fond. "You are already doing more than you know. "

When the black SUV finally rolled into the driveway, Tiana stood beside Maya near the front windows. Her hands were clasped together, excitement buzzing through her veins.

She hadn't realised how much she'd been craving this- someone knew, someone untouched by the darkness that clouded hers and Jake's world.

Leila was a new hope to her, a new beginning of what she could learn, what she could become. And her being Maya's daughter made it even more exciting. Maya was a good woman and Tiana was sure Leila took after her mother.

But her excitement didn't mean she wasn't nervous, because she was. She just didn't know how Leila would take her. If she would like her for that matter.

The door opened and Leila stepped out.

She was nothing like Tiana had imagined and everything she'd hoped for.

Leila was warm in the way some people simply were, as if joy lived close to the surface of her skin.

Her hair was pulled into a loose bun that had clearly lost the fight halfway through the drive curls escaping everywhere.

She wore a simple sundress and flat sandals, practical and pretty as she held a baby carrier like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"Mama!" Leila called the moment she saw Maya.

Maya froze for half a second then all composure vanished.

"My girl, " she breathed.

They met halfway, arms wrapping tight the months and distance dissolving instantly even though they met almost two months ago.

Tiana watched with a swelling chest as Maya kissed Leila's cheeks, then immediately leaned over the carrier.

"And this, " Maya whispered reverently. "Must be my miracle. "

Leila rolled her eyes laughing. "You act as if you have never seen her, when last month you were fawning over her. " Leila said.

"Amara meet your very dramatic grandmother. "

Tiana laughed before she could stop herself.

Leila's gaze snapped towards her bright and curious. "And you must be Tiana. "

Tiana blinked, surprised Leila knew her. "You know my name?"

"Jake wouldn't shut up about you even if someone paid him to, " Leila said cheerfully closer. "I'm Leila. "

She shifted the carrier slightly and smiled at Tiana like they were already friends.

Something clicked instantly. "I'm really glad you came. " Tiana's said meaning it deeply.

Leila's smile softened. "Me too. I was terrified honestly. Big house, serious-looking men by Jake's side, his reputation and..." Leila glanced around feeling nostalgic. So many things had happened here. "...but you look normal. "

Tiana laughed relief spilling out of her. "That's the nicest thing someone has said to me all week. "

From that moment on, it was effortless. They moved through the house together, Leila chatting easily as if the walls weren't intimidating, as if armed guards didn't arm the corridor.

She asked questions, not prying just curious, and listened when Tiana answered, really listened, like her attention was a gift freely given.

Amara slept peacefully through most of it, tiny chest rising and falling unaware of the shift she had already caused by just existing.

"She's perfect, " Tiana murmured when Leila finally let her peek properly.

"I know, " Leila said softly. "I stare at her half of the day just to make sure she is real."

There was no pity in her eyes when she looked at Tiana. No awkward hesitation. Just warmth. The same acceptance she experienced with Jake, Maya and even Marco.

"I'm really glad you're here. So glad he met someone like you, "Leila added. "Mama's been happy lately but this-" she gestured around the house then to Tiana."...this feels like something good is finally settling in. "

Tiana swallowed touched that Leila thought so. "It feels that way to me too. "

They ended up in the sunroom, Maya hovering nearby under the pretence of arranging flowers while clearly eavesdropping.

Leila kicked off her sandals curling up on the couch as if she'd been here a hundred times. But then she had.

"So," Leila said lightly. "Are you always this calm or did you practice for my visit?"

Tiana smiled lightly. "I'm still learning."

Leila studied her for a moment, really looked at her. She looked like someone who could break at the contact of little things, but at the same time looked like someone who went through hell and survived. "You are strong," Leila said simply.

Tiana stiffened slightly, caught off guard. "I don't always feel like it. "

"Strong people rarely do, " Leila replied without hesitation. "They are usually just surviving quietly. "

Something in Tiana's chest loosened. She felt lighter now that Leila was here, someone new, someone though slightly older but was almost her age. It felt good to have her around.

By the time Jake got home, the sound of laughter echoed down the hall- unmistakable, unrestrained.

He stopped short when he heard it, recognising Tiana's voice layered with another, lighter one.

When he entered the sunroom, he found Tiana and Leila sitting cross-legged on the floor, baby blankets spread out between them, Amara now awake blinking curiously at the world.

Jake paused, struck by the sight.

Tiana looked up and smiled at him, bright, genuine, unguarded.

"This, " Leila announced cheerfully. "is the woman who's been stealing your soul. "

Jake raised an eyebrow."You've only been here four hours. "

"And I know everything, " Leila shot back.

Tiana laughed reaching instinctively for Jake's hand when he sat beside her, a habit she had grown used to. He laced their fingers together grounding himself in the warmth of her skin.

"Look at you, " Leila smiled watching them. "You look so in love it makes me sick. "

Tiana laughed blushing heavily as she stared at their hands.

"I like her," Leila added, nodding decisively. "I'm keeping her. "

Jake smirked at her. "Good, " he said lightly. "Because I already married her. "

Leila's eyes widened. "You did not," she exclaimed looking at Tiana.

"I did, " Tiana said softly as she pulled her oversized cardigan that covered her fingers showing Leila her rings, pride and wonder mingling in her voice.

Leila squealed carefully not to startle the child but Amara still laughed sensing the happiness around. "Oh, my God. Mama!"

Maya sniffed soundly from the corner. "I told you this house was changing. "

As the afternoon wore on Tiana knew she was welcomed. Leila didn't look at her like someone fragile or broken. She looked at her like someone worth knowing, worth laughing with, worth sitting beside at midnight with tea and whispered secrets.

A sister. A friend. A family.