Page 87 of The Devoted Husband

“She says she needed closure and that learning about his condition gave her that, but she also said she felt guilty over not questioning what was going on with him.”

“That sounds like she’s grieving the situation. Give her time. She’ll come out of it eventually. There’s nothing you or anyone else can say to her. I’m sure you’ve already said it all.”

Dante nodded his agreement with a smile. “Yeah, I have. She said it helped and that she heard me. So, I guess I just have to wait and see.”

“Just give her some time. One day, she will wake up and not think about it at all. And when she does think about it, it’ll be processed in a healthy way. One that won’t make her feel responsible in any way. Until then, just continue to give her grace.”

“I will. Thanks, Pops.”

“You’re welcome. Now get out of this corner sulking and come socialize with ya people. You know you’ll be ready to go soon.”

Dante laughed as he stood and followed his father, not even bothering to disagree.

Sade

When Dante first started spoiling her, Sade didn’t think he was up to something. Now, she wasn’t so sure. He’d paid for her to get a massage, mani-pedi, and her hair done. Now that she’d made it back home, he’d laid out a dress for her to wear but didn’t tell her where they were going. Because she trusted him, Sade showered and dressed in the form-fitting, pale pink, off-the-shoulder maxi dress she’d gotten from Meshki.

“Wow,” Dante muttered as he took her in. “You look absolutely stunning, Smiley.”

“I think this is the first day I feel fat.”

His robust laughter turned her pout into a smile.

“Baby, you arenotfat. Even if you did gain some weight, it’s for a good reason.”

“Mhm.” Her smile widened when his hands molded against her waist as he kissed her.

“You’ve never looked more beautiful than you do right now.”

“Thank you, Tay. Now, tell me where we’re going.”

Dante chuckled as he took her by the hand. “You’ll see in a moment. Let’s go.”

For the entire ride, Sade’s nerves got the best of her. She calmed down when they pulled into the parking lot of her favorite restaurant. “This really is just a date that you spoiled me to get ready for?”

“Would you be disappointed if there wasn’t a surprise?”

“No, just surprised.”

“Good.”

Dante got out and opened the door for her, then led her to the restaurant. As soon as they stepped inside, Sade’s hands covered her mouth, and her eyes watered.

“Surprise!” was yelled from everyone in the dining room.

The area was decorated in pink and blue for the surprise baby shower/gender reveal.

“You did this?” she asked as Dante’s hand went to the small of her back.

They walked farther into the dining room, where their family and friends were waiting.

“Nah. This was Veronica’s idea. She and Jessica put it together. You know Mama and Grandma Ava helped, but this was all your friends’ doing.”

That only made Sade more emotional. She went around the room, giving everyone hugs. For a while, she was so in shock she barely talked. Once she accepted what had been done for her, she warmed up to everyone in the room. What put her more in her feelings was Imani calling Ava when it was time for them to reveal the gender of their baby. A cart with a blue and pink cupcake was rolled from the kitchen.

“All right, Dante,” Olivia said. “You feed Sade the cupcake. Pink for a girl, blue for a boy.”

Dante lifted both with a wide grin. He licked his lips and asked her, “You ready, bae?”

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