Page 40 of Pieces of Us

“Oh, he definitely does. It’s why I told you our story first. That was my first time seeing him in almost fourteen years. He knew as soon as he saw you. He just couldn’t face you when his emotions were all over the place. He wants to meet you this Friday, but like I said, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

She was quiet for a moment, then a small smile drew up on her face.

“He is pretty handsome.”

I chuckled lightly. “That he is.”

“I’ll meet with him, only because you had no choice…And I liked your story up until you told me Papa interfered. What did Nana do?”

“Nothing. There was nothing she could do. His word was law, and we had to follow it.”

“I’m sorry that happened to you, Mom.”

“It’s okay, baby. Maybe this is God’s way of giving me a second chance to right my wrongs.”

“But you did nothing wrong.”

“I did. I didn’t tell your real father about you. Your papa had me scared to tell him, but I’m not afraid anymore. He used what your other grandfather did as a manipulation tool because he knew I wouldn’t want anything to happen to your father or his family. Not anymore though. Whatever happens, I’m just glad to get it off my heart.”

“I love my dad, but I wouldn’t mind having two rich dads.” She beamed.

I chuckled. “Good night, Gingerbread.”

“Good night, Mommy. I love you, and thank you for sharing your story with me. I’m going to send some prayers up for you and Dad.”

“Thank you, baby. I really need them.”

She kissed my cheek and left the kitchen. I uncorked my wine, pouring me half a glass as I continued to drown out my pain and look forward to releasing myself from my lying, cheating, trifling husband.

Nehemiah

“Doctor Newson, you have a call on line three,” my nurse, Anna, announced over the intercom.

I peeled my eyes away from my computer from going over billing reports to the phone. Usually, I’d have Shawn from the billing department handling this, but he had been out sick for the past three weeks. I picked up the receiver and pressed line two.

“Dr. Newson speaking.”

“Hemi…It’s Diana.”

I instantly frowned.

Fuck is she calling me for?

I didn’t speak for several seconds, trying to understand why this unstable creature was contacting me.

“Hello? Are you there?”

“I am. Just trying to figure out why you’re dialing my number, D.”

“Listen, I know I’m the last person you want to talk to, but I really need you right now…Daddy…He’s not doing so well, and I had no one else to call.”

“What he has going on has nothing to do with me.”

“Nehemiah…please?”

The audible cry that came through the receiver had me clutching it tightly. I was conflicted. Although our marriage was forced and full of shit, I did at one point, care a lot about her. The way she played me had me wanting to hang up in her face. I couldn’t block her from calling my office, but I for sure blocked her from my phone.

“Why should I help you, Diana?”

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