Marcus had been sitting outside his and Julissa's home for a good hour. They live in a spacious two-story, five bedroom, three, and a half bathroom house in the suburbs. He knew once he went inside, there was a very good chance he was about to lose her. He had his eyes closed, and his head was leaned against the seat.

If it came down to it, he was choosing his son. He knew Julissa would never ask him to choose, but it'll feel that way. He loves that little boy more than anything and while he wishes Zaiden had a different mother, he couldn't bring himself to deny the fact that before Zaiden was born, he wanted a baby as badly as Julissa did. The day Zaiden was born, he felt like his heart was complete. He didn't need a paternity test, but still got one to be on the safe side.

Each time Julissa was pregnant, he got his hopes up. More than anything, Julissa's hope was up. Only to be crushed when she never carried their baby to term. They would've had three children by now. He was a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. He didn't blame her. He just thought that maybe God was telling them it wasn't their time just yet. Julissa's recent miscarriage was a few weeks before he cheated, which makes everything more heartbreaking. She loses a baby, and he goes and gets someone else pregnant.

"Fuck!" He angrily hit the steering wheel.

Sighing heavily, he said a quick prayer before pulling into the garage. Turning off the car, he stepped out of his car before making his way to the front door. Once he made it inside, he locked everything up while preparing himself.

One thing he could say was that he's thankful Paris wasn't on no messy shit since she was a messy person. Truthfully, Paris had nothing against Julissa and wasn't about to come at her sideways about a man and baby she doesn't want. She knew Marcus's dick was good just from the feeling of soreness her coochie was feeling and the limping when she woke up. It was that good soreness when you know some good dick was put on you. Still, she didn't want Marcus.

The only reason Marcus was trying to force Paris to be a part of Zaiden's life is because he saw firsthand how not having your parents could mess a child up mentally. That hurt could stay with you well into your adult years. He's seen it with Cherish. It was a little different since her parents were dead and has been for years, but it messed her up in a lot of ways. He was only trying to prevent his son from having to endure not having a mother.

"Julissa, baby, where you at?" He called out, but didn't get a response.

"Julissa!" He called out again.

"I'm up here." Julissa said while standing at the top of the stairs. "You forgot everything else, I'm surprised you remember my name." She rolled her eyes as he smiled. He got her way too spoiled.

"I thought my things and your ring were going to be on the porch waiting for me?" He asked amused.

"That could be arranged. The fuck, are you amused for? Don't play with me, Marcus." She crossed her arms underneath her chest.

"Stop being like that, spoiled ass." He chuckled.

Not to be mistaken, Julissa has her own money. She works for Priest at his real estate company. She was the best realtor in the city before Priest even came onto the scene. When Priest opened up his real estate business, he quickly surpassed the others while draining their business, which put Julissa out of a job. He offered her a job at his, and she didn't think twice when accepting his offer. Nonetheless, Marcus never had a problem spoiling his heart.

Both she and he have been a little busy, which is why they were having date night on a Monday. He knew that would not happen once he told her everything. Regardless of the situation, he's always wanted to tell her right off. The thought of losing her is what stopped him. There was no hiding or running from the truth anymore in his case. He rather that Julissa hear it from him than someone on the street who seen him out with his son, since he wasn't about to hide him anymore.

He just couldn't bring himself to tell her at this moment, which meant it'll have to wait until their date. "Come here."

"What for? I'm still mad at you." She rolled her eyes, but made her way down the stairs.

When she made it to the last step, Marcus pulled Julissa into his arms. She melted at his touch as he kissed the side of her neck softly. "Stop being so damn crazy. I called Yaz, and she said she'll squeeze you in. Better go get ready."

"For real?" She smiled. He stared at her for a moment, seeing her smile about that just made him smile. Julissa was a woman who loves getting her hair done every week. Her, Cherish, and Yazmine were a trio of women that he never saw with the same hairstyle for more than a week, unless it was braids or another protective hairstyle. Since Cherish stayed a little far before moving back, she sometimes went to another stylist or wore her natural hair.

"Don't I always make shit happen?"

He damn near had to gravel just for Yazmine to agree to squeeze Julissa in. He even sent Yazmine an extra thousand dollars, plus the charge of the hairstyle Julissa wanted. It was a good thing Julissa only wanted a quick weave that would take Yazmine no time to do.

"Yes." She wrapped her arms around his neck, then kissed his lips. "I guess I'm not mad anymore. Thank you, baby."

"Damn shame. No thanks necessary." He kissed her cheek. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yes. I love you too. Six more months until I'm Mrs. Jones. The count-down is real." She pecked his lips a few times before running up the stairs to get ready.

Damn, I fucked up. Seven years together and a drunken mistake is about to ruin my life. Marcus shook his head.

__

Yazmine was laughing with Cherish, and Julissa, as she did Julissa's hair. Julissa's craziness kept them both laughing and plenty entertained.

"Girllllll, when I say that man dick was so big and thick..." A client was talking loudly on her phone, causing Yazmine to frown.

"The ghetto." Cherish chuckled.

"Exactly, she all loud for what? That shouldn't be broadcasted." Julissa chimed in.

"Excuse me." Yazmine said, getting the client's attention. "Can you keep your conversation down?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." The client chuckled before continuing her conversation that didn't exactly go any lower.

"You so stupid." The client laughed loudly. "I wonder if that's why they call that man Truth. He the truth for real. He already fine, but that BDE is exactly why I'm about hop on that. Issa future husband." Yazmine stopped what she was doing when hearing that. "YESSS! He said we'll link up again, and I hope he ain't lying."

Cherish looked at Yazmine who face expression was blank. It was too much of a coincidence, but Cherish still hoped it wasn't Omari who she was referring to. The fact that she was telling her business all loudly meant she wanted to be heard. Meant she wanted it to be known she slept with Truth.

"I met him at his friend's gym. I won't give out too many details because I'm in this shop, but hold up—" The woman removed her phone from her ear then smiled while her thumbs was the hitting the keys on her phone. Clearly, she was responding to a text. "I done spoke him up. He just texted me back. I'm too fucking happy."

"Not to be in your business, but what Truth are you talking about? I have a brother named Truth. You not talking about handsome, dark with a nose piercing Truth?" Cherish asked the woman. Yazmine looked from Cherish to the woman.

"Omg yes! That's your brother?" The woman smiled all widely. "I'm so embarrassed talking about him like that in front of his sister."

"How long y'all been talking?" Cherish gave a fake smile. Yasmine was curious, and she was glad her cousin was asking these questions.

Cherish wasn't fucking with Truth considering the way he was acting towards her, but she knew Yazmine wasn't going to ask anything because she was scared to hear the answers. Yes, Yazmine wanted to know, but she wouldn't ask herself.

"We're not necessarily talking just yet. I met him last night at the gym. He just texted that we could link up together." The woman said, still with a smile on her face. Why was she telling her business? They all wondered about it except Yazmine. Cherish could've easily been someone Truth was also sleeping with.

And your hoe ass fucked him already. Yazmine turned up her nose. That's what she was wondering. She had no problem with one-night stands; she was jealous and hurt that Truth was this woman's one-night stand hours after he was sleeping with her. To top it off, he texted her back for them to spend time together.

How do you tell someone you love them, then go sleep with the next bitch just because you didn't get the answer you wanted? Yazmine could feel the tears building up, so she walked to her office; slamming the door in the process while catching everyone off guard. Yazmine was always professional, so it was surprising that she was slamming doors. Cherish and Julissa looked at each other before following her.

Cherish closed the door. It was rare to see her cousin cry, and she hated this for her. It wasn't Yazmine's fault that she's broken. As much as she would like to tell Truth she loves him, it wasn't as easy for her. She wish that she could tell him as simply as Cherish and Priest falling back into old habits after years of not seeing or talking to each other, but she couldn't. She doesn't know how they do it.

"Cousin..." Cherish started to say.

"I can't believe this shit." Yazmine shook her head while wiping her tears. "That's exactly why I didn't tell him that I love him back. These niggas get in their feelings and the first thing they do is fall into some pussy. Not take some time for themselves, but sleep around." Yazmine chuckled bitterly. "Hours after, he slept with me and told me he loves me at that!" Yazmine slapped her knee.

"I just don't believe Truth would sleep around with a random bitch." Cherish defended him, causing Yazmine to snap her head in Cherish's direction.

"That nigga been acting fake as hell towards you, and you're really going to defend him?" Yazmine rolled her eyes. "You're too fucking nice, that's your damn problem! That's exactly why you let Soul get away with saying whatever the hell he wants!"

"Don't snap at me, bitch. I'm just saying, I don't believe that! As for Priest, he's going to speak his mind regardless. Let me go ahead and leave before I go off on your ass, and we end up saying some things we don't mean." Cherish frowned before turning around.

"Wait." Yazmine stopped Cherish. "I'm sorry, cousin. I shouldn't have directed my anger at you. This whole little revelation got me mad. It's just he ain't shit like the rest of them. Birds of a feather flock together."

"Look, I'm not fucking with Truth at the moment, but he definitely is nothing like Shooter's ass. Priest, well, I have nothing to say. I don't know that man. And Marcus? Girl, he's the second most loyal of the bunch." Cherish shrugged. "No, but for real, none of them will ever be on the level Shooter used to be on. I'm not sure how Shooter is now, but he used to put the 'D' in dog."

"No my man is the most loyal." Julissa agreed while smiling.

"And I'm not saying Truth is right, but he's not exactly wrong." Julissa added causing Yazmine to frown. "No, wipe that frown off your face, sis. Truth is single and moving like a single motherfucker. It may hurt to hear, but that's the reality of it. You can't push him away, then be mad at him for moving on. Whether it's with one-night stands, or just causally sleeping with women. He has a right, and men have feelings too. You said he told you he loves you, and you didn't say it back. That probably hurt him."

"If you don't want anyone else to have him, then you know what to do. Tell that man how you really feel, tell him about your past, and stop running away. That's all you and I know how to do is run." Cherish sighed.

"You're one to talk." Yazmine eyed Cherish.

"This isn't about me, boo. It's about you. I won't lie and say that I wasn't in my feelings when I was on the phone with Priest and his girlfriend was in the background asking for more dick. The difference between us, Priest, is in a relationship. Truth was only dealing with you until you pushed him away." Cherish said.

"Girl, fuck that and fuck his ass, too. The minute I let another man clap these cheeks, he will be in his feelings even more just like you be having his best friend in his."

"And that right there gone have them crying all motherfucking night." Julissa added causing him to laugh.

"It's always her. Y'all don't take nothing serious. Yaz done went from crying to snapping at me, to talking shit. Julissa done went from giving advice to making jokes." Cherish shook her head while chuckling.

"I am serious. Soul was damn near having a heart attack seeing you all hehe haha with Assad. That's just proof his love runs deep for you. There's no way he should be acting like that when you and him ain't seen nor talked in years. Yet, his body language, along with that mug, was saying another man can't have you. That you are still his. All in front of the supposed girlfriend at that. On the real, that couldn't be me. I would've killed Marcus's ass for playing with me. Maybe not kill, but it was going up." Julissa laughed.

"Soul love him some Cherish. Can't tell that man shit about her." Yazmine egged on. "He be in his feelings and talking out the side of his neck which will quickly get him fucked up by me, but he know what's up."

"Y'all are irritating. Yaz, don't deflect and turn this around on me and Priest. It's definitely fuck him too. The question is, what are you going to do?" Cherish asked.

"Not a damn thing. I really didn't want to think Truth was that type. Now that I know, I'm just done with him." Yazmine spoke sadly.

𝟾:𝟷𝟻 𝙿𝙼

"Why you being a creep? Keep staring like I'm about to disappear or something." Julissa chuckled.

It was twenty minutes into their date, and Marcus found himself constantly staring. His heart tightened each time she smiled, laughed, a small giggle escaping her lips, rolled her eyes, saying something crazy. Reality was hitting him that it just might be the last time.

"You just so beautiful. You got a beautiful soul. A big heart." He reached over the table and grabbed her hand. "I know you feel like sometimes you aren't enough for me or that because you've had miscarriages that make you less of a woman, but that's not true."

She smiled, "Being 28, I have faith that we will have a baby one day. Even if we have to adopt. I've seen too many lifetime movies that I won't even suggest a surrogate. You make me feel so beautiful, Marcus. Despite the three miscarriages, you never treated me like I was less. You never blamed me or anything. Times I've picked arguments, you let me say whatever without throwing something hurtful in my face. I am so lucky to have you. I really can't wait until we get married."

"Julissa—" Marcus was cut off by the waiter bringing their food.

"This looks so good." Julissa said, not noticing Marcus's mood changed.

He just kept thinking about the fact they've been together for seven years. They've had more ups than downs, but like any relationship, they went through their fair share of problems. He wouldn't trade Julissa for any other woman. She made him a better man. She brought so much happiness into his life. Now he was about to lose the love of his life.

"What's wrong, handsome? You haven't touched your food. Meanwhile I'm nearly done." Julissa chuckled.

"I love you so much. More than you realize, baby. I would do nothing to intentionally hurt you."

Julissa's face fell from the tone of his voice and the words that just came out of his mouth. Suddenly, she got this feeling in the pit of her stomach. She didn't know why tears were glossing over her eyes when he hadn't elaborated more. It's like she knew whatever he was about to say wasn't about to be good.

"Why are you saying that?" She blinked away her tears.

"Remember the night of Truth's grand opening?" He asked. She nodded because she couldn't find the words to verbally answer. The knot that was forming in her throat was another reason.

"I got so drunk. It was a few weeks after losing the baby, and you kept blaming me for it. I just needed to forget. I swear baby—"

"What happened?" Those tears quickly turned into anger. Still, she didn't know what he was about to say, but he was dancing around the story too much for her liking.

"I got filthy drunk; I don't remember if I called an Uber or someone did for me. Someone—a woman had got in with me asking if she could ride. I don't even remember my response. I couldn't even think of my address, so I gave my moms. I couldn't tell you if the woman remembered her address or not. After getting drunk, everything was a blur. I remember some things, but not much. It's like I blacked out in between—"

"What. Happened?" Julissa spoke through gritted teeth.

Marcus ran a hand down his face. "I love you, baby."

"Marcus!" Julissa shouted while banging her hand on the table, gaining attention from other people. Tears once again glossed her eyes. "Please, just tell me."

"I fucked up. I don't know how it started or how we even got to the point. I knew I was..." He ran a hand down his face again. "I knew I was sleeping with someone. I just didn't stop."

"Seven years of us being together and that meant nothing to you?" Her tears finally fell. "You knew damn well you weren't fucking me, yet you continued sticking your dick in someone, knowing that it wasn't me."

"It wasn't like that—"

"What the fuck was it like then?" She spoke calmly. "You being filthy drunk is no fucking excuse. At the end of the day, you still cheated. At the end of the day, you knew you were cheating, but continued to do it."

"It was a mistake."

"Cheating is a choice, not a mistake. You knew somewhere in between being drunk that what you were doing was wrong. I'd respect you more had you stopped when you knew you were fucking someone else." Her voice cracked.

"That's not all..."

Her heart rate increased at the sound of that. She held her breath as he continued. "She ended up... she ended up pregnant. I have a one-year-old son."

"Take me home, Marcus." She stood up from the table before walking away.

The drive home was silent. He'd glance at Julissa often, who stared out the window. She wasn't crying. She wasn't angry. She was calm. Way too calm. He didn't know what to say after that.

As he pulled in front of the house, Julissa jumped out before he made a complete stop; storming into the house. Marcus turned off the car before following Julissa into the house. When he found her, she was in the kitchen. Her hands gripped the sink as she held her head down.

"It's bad enough you cheated, but you got her pregnant and she had the baby. Your baby. Weeks after I lost ours." She raised her head, tears stained her cheeks. "She gave you the one thing I couldn't, and at that, she gave you your first son."

"Baby—"

"That shit hurts, Marcus. So fucking much. You're standing there looking all sad, as if you didn't cause all of this. You fucked her without protection?" Her voice cracked. You could hear the pain all in it.