Page 86 of Dr. Bell

Tears formed in my eyes, which I quickly dashed away. Instead of wallowing in grief for what would never be, I ordered myself some takeout and drew a nice warm bath to soak in before it arrived.

Thirty minutes later, I was a little more refreshed and just in time to catch the door as the delivery man showed up. I paid his handsome self a nice tip, then carried my big belly self to the couch to enjoy my meal.

My due date was two weeks away. Some thought I was crazy to continue to work through my pregnancy. I had to though. It was the only way I kept my mind from continuously wandering throughout the day. Work kept me busy and kept Adir off my mind. After eating my entire meal, I fell asleep watching my favorite dinosaur movie.

What seemed like hours later, I was jarred awake by someone standing over me.

“Shit! You scared me!” Sitting up, I glared at him. “What are you doing here?” I hated that he had a key to my place. However, it was the only way I could keep him from harassing me otherwise.

“The fuck you mean? I pay for this shit.”

I stood and placed my hand on my hip as my eyebrows bunched together. “Has it skipped your mind that I can afford to pay my own shit? Let’s not get it twisted. The only reason you’re paying for this place is because you owe me. Right?

Some of the wind left his chest. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Inwardly, I cringed at him calling me that.

“Look, it’s been crazy lately, aight. I’m sorry.”

He attempted to touch me, but I took a step back. “What are you here for?”

Scratching the back of his head, he brushed off my rejection and said, “We gotta think of a plan B.”

I cocked my head. “Excuse me?Wedon’t have to think of shit. I’m done. Adir is tearing the city apart, and you want me to risk everything I have for the likes of you?”

He chuckled. “What? What happened toI want my man back by any means necessary?”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, “Where did you hear that?”

“Doesn’t matter. Just know that I know you want the same thing that I do.”

Putting some space between us, I grimaced at a cramp that attacked my lower back.

“I don’t want anything. Leave me out of whatever you have going on.”

This time he laughed heartily. “You think it’s that easy? You’re knee deep in this shit, Genika. Sooner or later, he’ll find out.”

“No, he won’t. If I go down, do you really think I’m going to give a fuck about who you are?”

“You should give a fuck.” His tone deepened.

“You’re right, I probably should. No matter how afraid of you I am, I won’t take the fall for you.”

He approached me with his hands resting deep in his pockets.

“What happened to you, Genika? You used to be so…arrogant and willing to do anything for what you wanted.”

He was right. That used to be the old me before a child knocked some damn sense into me. I spent too much time trying to fight for a man who wasn’t mine.

“What changed you?”

“My son,” I answered and rubbed my belly. My baby boy was in there doing tricks.

“He’s the offspring of a man like Adir. Don’t get ya hopes up.”

Perturbed, I pursed my lips. “If you don’t need anything, I’d like for you to leave.”

“You’re really gon’ protect him? After all he’s done to you?”

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