Page 1 of Chosen By Love

Prologue

Rebecca

Seven Years Earlier

“Rebecca, we need to talk,” Shawn, my boyfriend, said as I entered his apartment.

“Okay, but do I get a kiss first? You’ve been so busy interning at work that we’ve hardly gotten to see one another these past three months.”

“I can’t help it if I’m busy, Rebecca. My dream is to make partner one day at Bates and Montgomery. I thought you realized that,” he said, going over and slumping down on the sofa.

I didn’t miss the fact that he didn’t even take the time to acknowledge my request for a kiss.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about? Oh— before you begin, I forgot to mention that my surgery for fibroid removal is scheduled for next Monday at eight in the morning.”

Shawn’s lips stretched in a tight line. An uneasy feeling began to rise in my belly. “What’s wrong, Shawn?” I asked.

“I could use something to drink. Do you want something?” he asked, getting up from the sofa, not waiting on my reply. Shawn rushed off to the kitchen, and I sat there, wondering why the hell he was acting like this.

We hadn’t seen one another a lot lately. Every time I suggested we get together over the last couple of months, he always said he had a work thing, he was too tired, or he would put me off altogether. We texted much more than we got together, and that wasn’t sitting well with me at all. I felt I had been busy at work too, but I made the time for us to be together. I just needed him to make more of an effort.

“Here, I brought you a juice because I know you can’t drink alcoholic beverages with the medication you’re taking.

“Thank you,” I replied as he handed me over my juice, and he took a swig from his open bottle of beer. I sat the juice on the table on a coaster because I wasn’t thirsty.

Shawn began pacing back and forth in front of me. The uneasy feeling in me upgraded to full-blown panic.

I had been nervous lately. I went for years with heavy periods, and the pain was something awful. Three months ago, I was diagnosed with Cancerous Myoma. I have muscular tumors growing in the wall of my uterus. I was put on medication to help my pain by my GYN. I was at first told that I would have to have a full hysterectomy. But thank God, my mother talked me into getting a second and third opinion from two other Fibroid Specialists. Both doctors came to the same conclusion, that I could have less invasive surgery and that I could have full fibroid removal without a complete hysterectomy.

I knew that was the best news for my mother and me. She wanted grandchildren in the future, but not so much if it risked my health.

“Shawn come and sit down. You’re making me dizzy.” I gazed up at him when he paused before taking my advice. He took a seat directly across from me instead of sitting beside me on the sofa.

I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was. His hair was cut in a low wavy fade, his dark chocolate skin was smooth, free of any blemish, except a tiny scar above his right temple that he received from an accident as a child. His light brown eyes were fringed by the longest eyelashes. His full lips and muscular build would always cause other women to notice him. He was not only good looking, but he always showed me nothing but kindness and respect. I still thought he was the most handsome man alive— because he belonged to me.

“Ah, Rebecca, I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to come out and say it. I think we should have a break. I—”

My heart skipped a beat, my breath caught in my throat, and time seemed to stand still as I sat there. My stomach twisted and turned in knots. This couldn’t be happening!

“What? How is this happening?” One hand flew to my chest.

“Don’t get upset, Becca... just hear me out, okay?”

I took in a deep breath and expelled it before I spoke again. “Are you breaking up with me? I’m having surgery next week, and you’re suddenly breaking up with me today of all days? You have perfect timing, Shawn!” I hopped up from the sofa.

Shawn stood and rushed over to my side. He urged me to sit back down and plopped down beside me. He took my hands in his. I tried to tug them free, but he wouldn’t allow it.

“Rebecca, listen to me, please. I just think we need a break. I’m not saying we will never get back together, I just need to focus on my job right now. I—”

“Tell me Shawn, while you’re focusing on your job, will you be dating other people?”

He glanced away, his grip on my hands went slack, and I was able to slip them from his grasp.

“I— I don’t know what I want to do. I’m only twenty-five. We’ve gotten too serious lately. I just think—”

“You’re a liar, Shawn! Ever since I was diagnosed, you changed. I’m not stupid,” I said, standing to my feet. “Why are you doing this to us? I love you...” my voice trailed off as tears dripped down my cheeks.

Shawn stood to his feet and tried to grab my hands again, but I stepped away.

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