Page 79 of The Devoted Husband

“It’s okay. I love you too.”

When she disconnected the call, Dante asked, “Do you ever feel guilty about lying to them?”

Sade released a long exhale as she shook her head. “I did initially, but I felt less bad about it when she started judging me without proof. I don’t ever want them to find out that I really killed them, but I also won’t make her suffer because it’s the truth. As long as she can talk to me respectfully and not be so negative, I don’t mind going around them after I have the baby.”

Dante could accept that, so he didn’t bother responding. They’d been having a great day, and he didn’t want anyone, especially Ava, to ruin it.

Sade

Late November

Sade’s Audio Journal

“I feel like I haven’t recorded one of these in a while. That makes sense. For the first time in a really long time, life is so, so good. Since I’ve been using this method to vent and get the bad things out of my head, I can finally put this to rest. I’m healthy, my baby and my man are healthy, and our relationship is going strong. Hopefully, I won’t need to record again. Hopefully, life can stay this good.”

“You didn’t have to deliver these yourself, but it was so good to see you!” Veronica exclaimed, hugging Sade a third time.

She’d finished the canvas paintings for Veronica’s clinic and decided to deliver them herself.

“I don’t mind. It was nice coming back to Vanzette and not feeling like I had a target on my back, you know?”

“I get it. Do you have time to stay for a little while so we can catch up?”

“Sure!”

Sade took her time going inside Veronica and Lathan’s home.

“How are you feeling?” Veronica asked, leading Sade to the sitting room.

“I’m feeling good. I’m peeing a lot, and the baby is moving like crazy. But other than that, it’s been pretty good lately.”

“Good. Can I get you some water or something? Have you been staying hydrated?”

“I’ve been trying. Dante literally makes me drink water every hour.” Sade’s eyes rolled as she smiled. “Especially if I do a light workout. He treats me like I’m fragile.”

“Aww, that’s cute.”

As they continued to talk, Sade relaxed more and more. After years of not feeling connected to women because of how toxic things were with her sister, she finally had a genuine friendship with both Veronica and Jessica.

“So, what are you working on next?” Veronica asked.

“I finally have an idea for my next coloring book. It’ll be for expecting moms. So, it’ll have bellies and babies for each trimester they can color.”

“I’ll definitely need to order those in bulk for my clinic. I’m bummed you’re not coming back to Vanzette so I can be baby boy’s pediatrician, but this will make up for it.”

Sade laughed. “Listen, I honestly don’t know where me and Dante are going to end up. I wanted to stay in Memphis to be close to family, but this whole ordeal with Jones kind of ruined that for me. We’ve moved on and have peace now that he’s gone, but...I don’t know. A part of me still wants to leave.”

“No one will blame you if you do. But I also understand your desire to stay and be close to family. Especially since things are getting better between you and Imani.”

“I know, right? She’s starting to understand just how long she will be gone. The twins will be in their midtwenties when she gets out, and her nephew will be a preteen.” Sade sighed as sadness consumed her. “Adam and Atlas are dead, and she’s still here being punished. I know to some, death is the ultimate punishment, but somehow, that doesn’t seem fair.”

“It sounds like you’re feeling compassion for your sister, and that’s something I never thought I’d witness.”

Sade smiled. “You and me both. I know she was terrible to you too, and I apologize on her behalf. I won’t make excuses forit because it was wrong. But I don’t know...she’s...maturing. I just hope she keeps it up so that she can make the most of her freedom when she gets out.”

They continued to talk for several hours before having lunch. Then Sade headed back home to Memphis. She was grateful for the brief trip and visit with her friend. It finally felt like life was back on track.

After a day of getting the nursery together, Sade decided to unwind, watchingBreaking Badand eating fruit. The show had never caught her interest before, but Jessica mentioned how good it was when she first watched it, so Sade decided to give it a chance. She was only on the second season but had been pleasantly surprised.

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