INICIAR SESIÓNTaking it out, I gestured for her to hold on.“We'll get back to it when I'm back.”She pouted, clearly disappointed before turning on her side.My eyes still lingered on her lying form as I glanced at the caller ID.It was Zoey.For some reason I knew Bria had a hand in it.I picked up.“Hey, honey. Remembered your old man today?”“Dad.” She sounded down, her voice low.I arched my brow.“What is it, princess? Talk to me. You know you can tell me anything.”She sniffed.“Is it Martins? Is he being a jerk? I swear I'll break his jaw—"“No, Dad. It's not him. It's me."I lowered my voice, speaking more softly into the phone.“Come on, princess. Spit it out. I'm all ears.”“I'm getting cold feet. I don't think I want to have this baby. I'm not so sure.”“Why?”She went quiet.“Did your mom say anything?”“Not much. Bu
~~ DEREK ~~I watched how she swallowed nervously, her slender fingers massaging her collarbones.And I meant every word I said.She signed a contract. She was bound to me for at least six months.And I intended to make the most of those six months.So I decided something.If Bria refused to sign the divorce papers, I'd separate from her temporarily.She was headstrong. Unrepentant. Manipulative.While my private investigator and Fred worked things out with the paperwork, I'll take Tianna somewhere else.Where we could be together. Away from Bria's anger and jealousy.Away from Hudson's constant presence that seemed to throw her off at every opportunity.“So…so what does that mean?”I took her hand in mine, gently, before dipping down and pressing my nose against the back of her hand.God, she smelt of honey and roses.Roses.Other women would kill for a
~~ TIANNA ~~ “Mom?” I heard her sniffle like she’d been crying, and I dug my nails into the sheets. My grip over the phone tightened. “Mom, are…are you crying?” “What does it matter? Our family is ruined. Your dad’s in between life and death. My only daughter is sleeping around. And it’s with a man that’s been there for our family.” She sobbed. Her words knifed through my chest. “Mom. Please listen.” "What's there to listen to? You hurt Mrs. Monroe badly. I’d never seen her break down like that. I never thought my daughter would be the one to make her like that. Not in a thousand years. She was so good to us. To you.” A lump rose in my throat at that admission. I knew it. Why didn’t I think of this before? Of course Bria called my mom. That’d be the first thing anyone would do. And the woman was predictable. To be honest with myself. No matter how Derek tried to paint Bria black. That she deserved this and all. I knew what my mom just said was true.
~~ TIANNA ~~ He went silent on the other end. Like, he didn't get what I just said. He could pretend all he wanted, block his ear out, and stuff, but I was leaving. I called my mom already. I was going back home. “Is that her? Are you leaving in the middle of our conversation because of Tianna?” Bria's voice sounded from the receiver. Faint. Desperate. Angry. Shit. He was coming here. I could hear his dull footsteps from the other end until they grew louder and the door swung open. “You’re not going anywhere. You’d stay right here. And get better.” He said, walking up to me. I winced as the anesthetics were beginning to wear out and the biting ache in my shoulder resumed. "Please, Derek. Let me leave. I need to take care of my dad.” “You’re the one who needs to be cared for. And if you think I’m sending you back to them in such a bad shape, then think again.” His jaw was clenched in that unwavering determination that assured me he wouldn’t let me go that eas
~~ DEREK ~~ "What...what...what are you talking about?” Hudson stammered, looking from me to Bria, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Mom? What is he talking about?” Bria’s face looked ashen with fear, but she masked it up with a small smile. “Can you give me and your dad a minute, honey? Wait outside.” Hudson shook his head, determined to get answers. I released her chin, stepping away from her with anger still searing inside of me. "No, ma. What does he mean by that? I’m not his son? How’s that even possible?” I turned away from them, pouring myself more whiskey. I didn’t have time for this drama. I didn’t want to leave Tianna all alone. She still needed care. She needed me. “Derek, please explain to your son that you’re just mad at me. There’s no truth in what you just said.” My lips lingered around the glass, savoring the aftermath of the liquor burn in my throat before I took another sip. My private investigator, Marvin. He was fast. In just a year of h
~~ HUDSON ~~ Her eyes widened, then her lips grew thinner, like I’d just said the most impossible thing. I knew it. Hell, I felt it. Every bit of Tianna’s attraction toward me. It was pathetically naive to think I didn’t know she had a huge crush on me. Something that has developed from one silly crush to unconditional love. At the start, I was young and stupid. She was our maid’s daughter. Chubby kid. Plump freckled cheeks. Light brown hair, and she always wore the cutest smile. Only for me. I’d hated how much she smiled at me. How she shared her cheap snacks with me. And how she was always staring at me through the peephole in my door each time I didn’t let her into my room. I had lots of toys, friends, and family, so it was easy to ignore her then. But as we grew older, I started to see her for who she truly was. Tianna only reserved the cutest smiles for me. She was usually obnoxious to the adults and never let other kids bully her. She was a figh







