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Destiny told him about growing up in Atlanta, about putting herself through Harvard, about wanting to change the world through law. At the end of the night, Marcus knew he was in love. They dated for 2 years. Marcus kept the relationship secret from his mother for as long as possible. He introduced Destiny to his college friends.
They all loved her. His friend James said, “Marcus, do not mess this up. She is perfect for you. But Marcus did mess it up.” After his mother’s ultimatum, Marcus sat alone in his apartment for 3 days. He held his phone. He thought about fighting for destiny. He thought about choosing love over money. But he was weak. Fear won.
He called Destiny on a Thursday night. His hands shook so badly he almost dropped the phone. “Marcus,” Destiny answered. Her voice was happy. “I was just thinking about you.” “I cannot do this anymore,” Marcus said quickly. The words came out like vomit, fast and wrong. What? Destiny’s voice changed immediately.
What are you talking about? This relationship. Us. I cannot do it. Marcus, what happened? Talk to me. We can fix. There is nothing to fix. Marcus lied. I just do not want this anymore. I am sorry. Marcus, look at me and say that. Come over. Let’s talk in person. No. Marcus said, I have to go. I am sorry. Goodbye, Destiny. He hung up. Then he turned off his phone.
He sat on his apartment floor and cried until the sun came up. Destiny called him 20 times over the next 3 weeks. She left voicemails. Marcus, please call me back. I need to talk to you. Something important happened. Please, Marcus, please. He listened to every voicemail, but he never called back. His mother had already arranged everything.
Two weeks after the breakup, Elizabeth invited Marcus to dinner at the Greenwich Country Club. A woman named Rebecca Hart was there. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and came from another wealthy Connecticut family. “Rebecca just moved back from Paris,” Elizabeth said, smiling like a shark. “She studied art history at Yale.
You two have so much in common. 4 months later, Marcus proposed to Rebecca at the Greenwich waterfront. He knelt down on one knee. He said the words he was supposed to say. Rebecca cried happy tears and said yes. 6 months after abandoning destiny, Marcus married Rebecca. 300 guests attended. The ceremony was held at the estate. Everything was perfect and expensive and completely empty.
Now 5 years later, Marcus sat in his office and felt nothing. His marriage was cold. He and Rebecca barely spoke. They slept in separate bedrooms. They had tried to have children for 5 years with no success. Doctors said nothing was wrong physically. But Marcus knew the truth. You cannot build life on top of lies. His phone buzzed again.
This time it was not Rebecca. It was an unknown number, a text message that made Marcus’ blood run cold. They ask about you every single day. Marcus stared at the screen. His heart pounded. [music] His hands started shaking. Who was this? What did it mean? Then a photo came through. Three children. They looked about 5 years old.
Two boys in matching blue shirts. One girl in a yellow dress. They were beautiful. They had light brown skin and curly dark hair. And they had Marcus’s green eyes. Marcus dropped his phone. It clattered onto his desk. [music] His hands would not stop shaking. Three children. Three children with his eyes. He picked up the phone again.
He stared at the photo. His office suddenly felt too small, too hot. He could not breathe. Another text came through. Her name is Chloe. His name is Cameron. His name is Caleb. They are 5 years old. They are yours. Marcus stood up fast. His chair rolled backward and hit the window. He needed to sit down. He needed to think, but his brain would not work.
5 years old, he did the math quickly. 6 years ago, when he was with Destiny, his phone rang. the unknown number. Marcus answered without thinking. Hello? His voice cracked. Marcus Richardson? A woman’s voice, not Destiny’s voice. This voice was younger. Yes. Who is this? My name is Angela Williams.