Page 107 of Until the Ink Dries

“You lied.” She stepped forward. “All that time we had together. I loved you and you never made me your woman. You only wanted to fuck me. You used me!”

“I used you?” I echoed. “How did I use you, Tierra? We were two consenting adults. You never brought up us being together until after you got pregnant. A baby wasn’t going to keep me and as soon as you realized that, you decided you didn’t want to be a mother.”

“I could have come around to it?—”

“Come around to it? It’s been six fucking years! How much time did you need to come around to being a mother to your seed! I’ve been doing this shit by myself! You didn’t want her, and your people said fuck her, too!”

“We can get past that!” Her eyes were wild and full of delusional hope. “If you just give me a chance?—”

“No.”

“You promised me!” she screamed.

She picked up one of the potted plants and hurled it at my head. I ducked just in time for it to crash into the wall behind me.

“You’re a fucking liar! What does she have that I don’t?”

“Y’all aren’t even on the same playing field, Tierra. Willow is different. She’s just her. I can’t tell you anything other than that. You aren’t her.”

She started walking toward me, gripping whatever was in her hand, and I reached for the gun in my waistband. I didn’t want to shoot her. I didn’t even want to put my hands on her. In spite of everything, she was the mother of my child and I just couldn’t take her out like that.

I looked down briefly, only for the door to chime again. Tierra stopped and my head snapped up towards the door. Willow was walking in, holding her smoothie container and looking down at her phone. She bumped into Tierra, still not fully recognizing her as she walked around then apologized.

“Baby, where is the bathroom at again?” she asked.

I was silent, so she glanced up, her eyes widening as she finally took in the moment.

She groaned. “Fuck.”

I couldn’t find the words to say. I wanted to tell her to go, but it was too late. She had gotten too far in to keep her out of the line of fire that was Tierra.

“You just don’t give a fuck about me, about us! Why the fuck is this bitch here?” Tierra asked, her tone cold.

I dragged my hand down my face because I was doing everything in my power to keep it cool. But I’ve had enough, and it was time for this shit to end.

I stepped from around the counter.

“Willow, come here,” I called her.

Without a second thought, she walked to my side without taking her eyes off Tierra, who watched her every step. Once Willow reached me, I pulled her behind me and stepped forward. I could see this was the last straw for Tierra and something in her clicked by seeing me protect Willow.

She stormed over to the waiting area, then snatched the vase from the table, tossing it against the wall. I would not give her ass the attention she wanted, so she kept going. She picked up the table and tossed it through my business's front window, causing it to shatter. Her ass was like King Kong in this bitch. I prayed she didn’t bring her ass over here because I didn’t want to have to knock her ass out.

Once she seemed to grow tired, she stood, glaring at me, panting heavily. Sweat coated her skin and her hair was all over the place.

“I hate you…” she said in a low voice. “I hate you and I hate that bitch! You think I’m just gonna let her have you and play mommy to my kid?”

“Play mommy?” Willow echoed. “I’m not playing anything. I love that little girl, something you’ve never felt.”

“Shut up!”

Tierra tried to run at Willow, her hand raised with whatever metal she was clutching. This time, I pulled my gun, causing her to stop in her tracks.

“I’m done playing these games. You need fucking help and I’m gonna make sure you get it. Tierra, whatever the fuck you have in your hand, put it down now!” I practically barked. My tone left no room for a response.

Tierra’s eyes widened as she released the heavy metal object, causing it to clank against the floor. I glanced down to see it was nothing but a damn wrench.

“You… you would shoot me?” she asked, tears in her voice and eyes.

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