Page 90 of I See You

He knew exactly what he was doing.And that’s what made her blood boil the most.

Braxton moved toward Sevyn, leaning in as if to kiss her forehead, but she tilted her head away before he could make contact. His smirk faltered for half a second, but he played it off smoothly, taking his seat beside her. Across the table, her parents beamed, completely oblivious to the silent war waging beneath the surface.

Sevyn could feel the tension radiating off Dorian, her leg bouncing uncontrollably under the table. The only thing stopping her cousin from flipping this entire dinner upside down was the respect she held for Steven and Trina.

“Braxton, I’m so happy you could join us,” Trina gushed, her smile bright with excitement. “I thought you had to work late tonight?”

Sevyn clenched her teeth, her grip on the silverware tightening. Thiswassupposedtobehermoment—tofinallytellherparents the truth, to let them know she was done with Braxton, that he had betrayed her in the worst way possible. But now, here he was, sitting beside her like nothing had changed, playing the perfect son-in-law.

“I was,” Braxton answered smoothly, flashing that same practiced smile. “But I couldn’t miss your delicious cooking… or the chance to see my beautiful woman.”

HisgazeslidtoSevyn,lingeringwithachallengesherefused to acknowledge. She barely managed to suppress the eye roll that threatened to expose just how much she wanted to stab him with the knife beside her plate.

“Aww,” her mother cooed, clearly eating up the lie Braxton was feeding. But despite the warmth in Trina’s voice, the air was thick with tension. Dorian still hadn’t looked away from Braxton, her glare sharp enough to slice through bone. Sevyn, on the other hand, forced herself to focus on her food, reminding herself that this wasn’t the time or place to drag him for filth.

Steven, seemingly unaware, leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his beer before speaking. “So, how’s the case going, Braxton?”

Sevyn stilled. The question was innocent enough, but it caught her attention for an entirely different reason. She wasn’t interested in his work, not even in passing. But she knew whatever case he was working on somehow involved Hassan.

Braxton took his time, picking up his spoon and stirring his gumbo before finally answering. “It’s still ongoing,” he said, his tone casual, but his eyes flickered toward Sevyn with something unspoken. “Not much I can share, but it’s a big case. It requires a lot of my attention.”

That look. That smug, knowing look.

Sevyn’s jaw clenched as she forced herself to stare straight ahead, refusing to meet his gaze. Because if she did, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from throwing this entire pot of gumbo in his face.

The tension in the room snapped like a live wire.

"So, Braxton, when are you going to pop the question?" Trina asked excitedly, her voice light, completely unaware of the storm brewing beside her. Sevyn’s head snapped in her mother’s direction, her patience evaporating like water on hot pavement.

“Nah, we not doing that.” Sevyn’s voice cut through the room, sharp and final.

Her parents turned to her, confusion etched into their faces. “Not doing what, Miracle? You two aren’t happy?” Trina asked, concern laced in her voice. Steven remained silent, his gaze flicking between Sevyn and Braxton, but the tight set of his jaw told her that he was already putting the pieces together. Across the table, Dorian looked ready to combust.

“Sevyn… not now,” Braxton warned, his voice low and controlled, but Sevyn wasn’t about to let him dictate the moment. She turned to him, her glare scorching.

“Nigga, please.”

Then, she faced her parents. “Ma. Pops. Me and Braxton are not together anymore.”

The words hit the room like a bomb. Trina’s eyes widened in shock, while Steven’s jaw ticked as he shifted his gaze to Braxton, a silent but deadly warning flashing across his face.

“Why?”Trinaasked,hervoicetingedwithworry.Butbefore Sevyn could respond, her phone buzzed against the table. She glanced down, her heart stumbling in her chest when she saw Hassan calling. Now wasnotthe time. She declined the call and looked back up— onlytofindBraxtonstaringdirectlyather,hiseyesdarkeningashe caught the name on her screen.

And then, like a man unraveling, he blurted out, “She left me for a cold-blooded killer.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

Sevyn’s stomach flipped, her mind racing as she turned to him, barely able to believe the words that just left his mouth. But before she could speak, Dorian was already moving, her eyes filled with pure rage.

“Fuck no.” Dorian stood so fast her chair screeched against the floor. “Sorry for my language, Auntie, but this nigga is lying.”

Braxton let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “Of course, you’regonnadefendher.Youfuckingwithhisright-handman.” He turned back to Sevyn, his face twisted with anger. “Both of y’all involving yourselves with dangerous ass niggas. That shit is gonna get you killed.”

Before anyone could process what was happening, Dorian snapped.

She lunged, a blur of movement, grabbing a knife from the table and charging at Braxton full speed, murder in her eyes.

Steven moved just in time, catching her midair like she weighed nothing, lifting her effortlessly as she kicked and fought against his grip.

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