Chapter 1: THE ROAD BETWEEN US
The sun dipped low behind the Nairobi skyline, casting long shadows across the quiet road. Joey’s fingers trembled as they laced through Paul’s, their palms warm but heavy with unspoken truths. The air between them was thick—like the moment before a storm, when everything holds its breath.
Joey looked up at him, her eyes fierce yet fragile.
“I’ll miss you,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.
Paul’s jaw tightened. He hated goodbyes. Especially this one.
“No, Joey. I’ll be back soon… believe me.” His voice cracked, then softened. “I’m doing this for you. For your good.”
Joey’s lips quivered. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
“I know, Paul. But we had an agreement… for better and for worse.”
Paul pulled back, cupping her face. His eyes searched hers, desperate to anchor her to his promise.
“Yeah… but not for Paris,” he said, half-joking, half-aching. “Look at me. I’ll be back soon. Once I’m done, I’ll come to see you.”
Joey wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then with his. She nodded, slowly.
“Okay… okay. I’ll leave now.”
She turned and walked away, her silhouette shrinking with every step. Paul stood frozen, watching until she disappeared into the dusk. He sighed, shook his head, and walked the opposite way—toward a future neither of them could see.
