Page 36 of Session 33

A nurse appeared, a round older Black woman.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” she asked, checking my vitals.

“Like I got hit by a truck,” I muttered, my voice hoarse.

She nodded. “You have a concussion. You were struck in the back of the head with a bottle.”

I groaned, the memory of the fight flooding back. Keisha’s friend had snuck up behind me.Coward-ass bitch.

As the nurse finished up, a doctor came in, holding a clipboard.

“Ms. Johnson, you’ll be glad to know that the concussion isn’t severe, but you’ll need to take it easy for a while,” he said.

“Great,” I replied sarcastically, wanting nothing more than to get out of there.

He hesitated, looking at his notes. “There was no harm done to your baby.”

Baby?The word hit me like a ton of bricks. I stared at him, my mouth opening and closing, but no sound came out. Pregnant?How?I was on birth control. There was no way I could be pregnant.

I shook my head, extending my arm. “Do the test again.”

About an hour after the doctor left, I was still, trying to process everything.How in the hell...The door creaked open, and Cassius stepped in.

He frowned. “I didn’t want you to wake up and me not be here. I just stepped out to get you some things.”

He came to stand at my side, taking my hand. I let it lay limp in his.

“Angel, I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice soft and filled with emotion. “I should’ve been there. I shouldn’t have left you at home...”

I looked at him, my heart aching. “Cassius...”

“Listen to me,” he interrupted, squeezing my hand. “I swear I wasn’t with Keisha. I didn’t fuck her. Haven’t since I met you. I was there with Jonas and Silas. Keisha showed up, and I wasn’t interacting with her, so I didn’t think it would be a problem. I would never hurt you like that.”

I wanted to believe him, and the sincerity in his eyes made it hard not to. But I didn’t want to. I kept my mouth shut.

His expression went serious when he realized I wasn’t going to say anything. “I told the police everything. I made sure theyknew you were the victim. So you won’t have to worry about that.”

He paused, waiting for my reaction. I tucked my lips and said nothing.

Sighing, he leaned in closer, his eyes searching mine. “I love you, Angel. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to tell you, and I know I’ve made mistakes, but I love you. I want to take care of you, and I’m sorry.”

“I love you” were the three words I had been waiting to hear, but instead of joy, I felt a strange emptiness. I couldn’t bring myself to say it back. I just nodded, squeezing his hand.

Cassius half-smiled, ignoring the fact that I didn’t say anything. “I’ve got a bag ready for you. Clothes, toiletries, everything you need. Let’s get you out of here.”

He helped me out of the bed. As we walked to the car, he kept up a steady stream of jokes and stories, trying to make me laugh. Despite everything, he managed to bring a small smile to my face.

When we got to the car, he opened the door for me and helped me in, tucking a blanket around me. “You’re gonna be okay, Angel. I’ve got you.”

I watched him as he walked around to the driver’s side, my mind spinning with everything that had happened. I was trying to figure out when would be the right time to tell him about the pregnancy. I wasn’t sure how he would react, and I needed time to process it myself.

The drive home was quiet, Cassius holding my hand the entire time. When we pulled up to my apartment, he insisted on helping me inside, carrying my bag and making sure I was comfortable on the couch.

“Do you need anything?” he asked, his concern evident.

“No, I’m okay,” I replied, leaning back against the cushions. “Just need to rest.”

I finally spoke, and I could see his shoulders visibly relax.

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