Page 18 of Pieces of Us

“Okay…I think Justin is cheating on me. I can’t prove anything yet, but that’s only because I haven’t started my investigation yet.”

“Why do you think he’s cheating?”

“Because he’s been moving shaky these past few weeks. I mean, I totally get that he’s a highly sought after sports attorney, but it’s like I rarely see him anymore. Then there’s the late-night phone calls. I get the whole being on call for your clients, but it just…I don’t know, Mom. It’s little things he says that makes me question his loyalty.”

“Things like what?”

“‘It’s only you, Mo,’ ‘I’ll never do anything to hurt you,’and so on and so forth. Why does he feel the need to affirm me when I never said anything about him cheating?”

“Well, maybe you’re giving off those vibes, baby. Could be a look you give him or your body language. You never could hide your feelings, Morgan.”

“Well, what am I supposed to think with him keeping late hours and being secretive?”

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Always.”

“You’re not in love with him.”

I frowned. “What?”

“You heard me. You’re not in love with your husband. I have a pretty good discernment about people and things, and from the moment you brought him to dinner that one summer, I knew you didn’t like him like you swore you did. I believe you were trying to move on from your first love, so you found solace with Justin.”

I looked away from her and shook my head.

“You’re wrong, Mommy.”

Her brow hiked as she stared at me. “Am I?”

“I do love Justin.”

“But you’re not in love with him. You only married him and created a life with him because your father enforced it. He didn’t want you giving birth to Megan out of wedlock, so he pressed you and Justin to get married. Although you still gave birth before the marriage, you felt as if you were pressured into that marriage with him. Am I wrong?”

I didn’t speak right away. I couldn’t admit that she was right, because then it would make it real. I did love Justin. He was there ready and willing to take on the task of being my husband and a father to Megan. I didn’t want him to take on a responsibility that wasn’t his, but he and my father made it seem as if it would be effortless. I struggled for years with this sitting on my mental. I wanted Megan’s real father in her life. She deserved that.Hedeserved that.

Now, I felt his presence hovering over me since Drue told me she saw his sister. I could feel things turning from sugar to shit once we encountered one another. We never got closure,and I had his daughter.

“No, you’re not wrong. But I feel so bad for even still having these feelings…They won’t go away no matter how hard I try. Drue told me she saw Nehemiah’s sister at Walmart the other day…I just feel as if he’s not too far behind. We were together for three years. Those three years were the best years of my life. You saw how bad I had it for him…then your husband ruined everything. I never wanted to keep Megan from him. This is not going to end well.”

“It has always been something I knew would come back around. Things that are done in the dark always comes to light. I even told your father that. Whatever happens, Morgan, you tell that man the truth. As far as Justin, don’t you go drumming up false accusations in your head. You need to get proof before youstart acting out. I don’t think he’d cheat on you, but he’s a man, so get proof first, baby.”

I sighed deeply and leaned back in the chair. My head started to hurt.

Would I even see Nehemiah again? Would he be upset with me about keeping this type of secret from him? I deserved it if he did. What about my baby? How would she feel about all of this? What about the threat my father made to have him and his family arrested if I told him?

“I don’t know if I could ever forgive Dad for what he made me do. I should have stood firm on my decisions when it came to how I wanted to live my life. But alas, he started throwing those bible verses at me about rebellion and honoring my mother and father.”

“You’re still holding on to things of the past.”

My head whipped over, seeing my father’s large frame taking up the entryway.

I rolled my eyes away. “I am. It seems as if the past you tried to bury is coming back for me. And I’m sure he’s coming to collect.”

“Mo, I was only trying to protect you—”

“From who or what, Dad? Please tell me.”

“I was in the streets, Morgan. I know all about Cole Newson and what he stands for. I used to work for the man. Once I gave my life over to Christ, I vowed to keep my family safe and train my children up in the way they should go. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Nehemiah was a reminder of how easily the devil could wiggle his way into my life.”

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