Page 17 of Worship Him

"Have a good night, Mr. Ryder."

I nod, stepping out into the cool night air.

The city is alive with lights and sounds, but it feels like a different world out here. I loosen my tie and start walking. The night is crisp, a welcome change from the stuffy event.

I round the corner and hail a cab, sliding into the backseat as it pulls up to the curb.

"Where to?" the driver asks.

"SynapseX headquarters," I say without hesitation.

As we drive through the city, I let my thoughts wander back to Destiny. I know what needs to be done. It's not about sentimentality; it's about closure and moving forward—both for me and for Destiny.

The cab stops in front of my building, and I hand over some cash before stepping out. The lobby is quiet this late at night, a stark contrast to the hustle during business hours. I take the elevator up to my office floor.

Inside, it’s dark except for the city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows. My desk is cluttered with reports and plans for our next big project.

I sit down, taking a moment to soak in the silence before flipping on my desk lamp and diving into work. Tomorrow is another day filled with challenges and strategies—another step towards reclaiming what was almost lost.

7

ADAM

Istride through the aisles of Gourmet Grove, the upscale grocery store I rarely frequent. I don't usually do my own grocery shopping, but today I have some time to kill and I usually enjoy the food from here.

The scent of fresh produce and artisanal bread fills the air. My fingers brush over perfectly stacked pyramids of vibrant fruits, selecting only the best.

"Excuse me, sir," a store employee interrupts. "Can I help you find anything?"

"I'm good," I reply, waving him off.

I pluck a container of strawberries from the display, inspecting each one through the clear plastic. Satisfied, I add them to my basket.

Next, I move to the avocados, gently pressing each one to test for ripeness.

As I round the corner into the next aisle, I freeze. Destiny. She's here, mere feet away, completely oblivious to my presence.

But she's not alone.

There's a stroller. A baby stroller.

I feel my face growing hot, my throat tightening.

My mind races, processing the scene before me. She leans over the stroller, her lively curls falling forward as she coos at the infant inside.

It's a girl, from what I can see – tiny, dark-skinned, with a tangle of dark hair peeking out from beneath a pale pink hat.

"Who's mama's little princess?" Destiny whispers, her voice carrying in the quiet aisle. "Yes, you are. You're so perfect, cupcake."

She reaches into the stroller, adjusting a blanket. "There we go, all cozy. Now, let's see if we can find those organic puffs you love so much."

A woman passing by smiles at the mother and baby. "She’s adorable," she comments.

"Thank you," Destiny replies warmly, beaming with pride.

She pushes the stroller forward, completely engrossed in her task. I duck behind a display, watching as she passes by.

Glancing between the stroller and the items on sale, she stops in front of a shelf, carefully selecting a few jars of baby food. She holds each one up for the baby to see, narrating her choices as if the infant understands every word.

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