"Your phone," Naala groaned moving Dave's arm off her waist. They were asleep until his phone started ringing off the hook.

"Baby your phone is ringing," Naala repeated getting up and tapping his face. Dave stirred before reaching for the beside table and picking up his phone.

"Priest you better be fucking dying," Dave grunted into the phone. Naala shook her head then laid back down on his chest, falling back asleep.

"Where you at?" Priest practically shouted into the phone.

"I'm at home nigga what?" Dave asked frustratedly. It was 2am and Priest was calling him like he was his bitch or something.

"Home home or with your baby mama?" Priest questioned quieter this time.

"I'm with Naala," Dave said moving Naala's hair out his face.

"You need to get your bitches together nigga, Kodi came up here acting a fool because she don't know where you at," Priest said into the phone.

"Up to y'all house? What the fuck?" Dave said rubbing his hand down his head.

"Yup. You know Bri pregnant I'm not having your shit stressing my wife out," Priest said seriously. He may have been always joking but he didn't play when it came to Brianna.

"I'll sort it, tell Bri I apologise," Dave sighed thinking about Kodi.

"You gotta get that sorted because Bri is definitely gonna tell Naala,"

"Naala ain't gonna do nothing anyway," Dave mumbled holding the phone closer to his ear.

"Naala won't do nothing about what?" Naala said lifting her head off his chest.

"Kodi's at Priest's spot acting out," Dave admitted. He was serious about being truthful with Naala from now on.

"Seriously?" Naala said getting up properly. "Are you gonna round there?"

"Priest you need me to come down there?" Dave asked rubbing Naala's back in a circular motion.

"Well yeah nigga," Priest replied. "She still out there causing a scene,"

"Aight I'm coming," Dave said wrapping up with Priest and then throwing the comforter off him and Naala.

"I'm coming too," Naala said getting up quickly. Dave shook his head straight away,

"No the fuck you ain't," Dave responded. "Ion want you fighting,"

"Who said anything about fighting?" Naala said innocently. "I just wanna talk," She added walking to her bathroom.

"What about Malia?" Dave said slipping his sweatpants on. He grabbed a random white tee from his side of Naala's draws and put it on.

"Phat will be okay for now, and Maniya's here," Naala called out. She came out of the bathroom and picked out some black leggings and a black hoodie.

"Dressed like you about to kill somebody," Dave said smartly as Naala brushed her hair into a ponytail.

"I might just kill you," Naala smiled reaching for her lipgloss.

Dave eyed her for a moment, taking in her beauty. Even though she just woke up, Naala looked like she was ready to walk a runway. Her high cheekbones glowed in the light and her naturally pouted lips, shined from the lip gloss.

Even on her worst day, Naala shitted on all the girls Dave chose to run around with and he knew that.

"You look good," Dave said walking up behind her.

"Your mistress is at your cousins house and you're thinking about how good I look?" Naala questioned shaking her head. "You're not serious,"

"What am I meant to do?" Dave sighed lifting his hands up. "Kodi is only looking for attention,"

"Well she's got my attention," Naala muttered slipping on her slippers. She didn't plan on fighting Kodi but if she got smart then Naala would have to slap her at least once.

"Don't go there making a fool of yourself, I ain't fucking her." Dave warned, he wasn't in the mood for Naala's dramatics.

"Since when, two days ago?" Naala retorted. "Get out of my face Amir,"

"I thought we were moving on," Dave groaned picking his keys off the counter.

"I'm trying but you say dumb things like 'I ain't fucking her'" Naala mocked. "You were fucking her that's why she's behaving this way,"

"Naala two weeks. Two weeks we've been good," Dave said sitting on the edge of the bed. "What more do you want from me?"

"Stop guilt tripping me," Naala said scrunching up her face. "Two weeks I've let you sleep in my bed after you betrayed my trust Amir, don't forget,"

"I ain't never gonna forget," Dave huffed standing up. "Come on," He said walking towards the door to leave.

"Wait baby I'm sorry," Naala pouted rushing beside him and taking his hand. "I'm sorry daddy," She whispered hugging his back.

"Gimme a kiss," Dave said pulling her infront of him and dipping his neck.

Naala leaned up slightly and kissed him softly, "I'm working through it," She said in reference to her sudden mood changes.

"I'm trying to change for you Love but you ain't letting me," Dave mumbled staring at her.

"I know I'm sorry," Naala apologised. "I'm already failing our assignment," Naala added. The couple had recently been to see Dr Black and she suggested that for a week, they don't blame each other for their relationship failure.

"I don't mean to hurt you Love, I don't." Dave spoke wrapping his arms around her waist. "I spoke to Dr Black and she thinks it's my relationship with my moms that's affecting us."

"What do you think?" Naala replied. She was in total agreement with Dr Black - Dave had some serious mommy issues and it was clear in how he treated Naala.

"I hate that she's damaged me this much," Dave said honestly. Naala nodded wordlessly hugging him tighter.

"I want to be here for you but I can't take anymore hurt Amir, please?" Naala almost pleaded.

"I got you," Dave said lowly squeezing her sides. "Can we go now?" He asked sipping his head.

Naala pecked his lips twice and then wiped his lips to get off the excess gloss, "We can,"

~~

When Dave and Naala pulled up infront of Priest and Brianna's home they spotted Kodi straight away. She was sitting on the steps with someone else beside her. When they got closer, Naala realised it was Taina.

"Oooo I've been waiting for this," Naala whispered to herself putting her hair up in a tight bun.

She didn't even wait for Dave to put the car in park, she ran out of the car and ran up on Taina.

Naala was throwing punches like it was nothing, every single one of them connecting with Taina's face and body. Taina was trying to fight back but Naala was overpowering her.

"Get off her," Kodi screamed trying to pull Naala off but Brianna stepped forward,

"Bitch I will slap the shit out of you," Brianna warned when Kodi looked like she wanted to jump in.

When Naala decided Taina had enough, she turned her attention to Kodi. Pulling her by her hair, she started landing punches on her face, not caring about anything else going on around her.

"You. Bitches. Are. Gonna. Learn. To. Stop. Playing. With. Me," Naala said in between punches. It had been a long time since Naala had fought anyone and it felt exhilarating.

"That's enough," Dave grumbled trying to get Naala off Kodi.

"Amir back up before you're next," Naala warned dragging Kodi.

"My nose," Taina cried on the steps as her nose bled relentlessly. Naala had broken her nose, but Taina deserved it.

"Woo," Naala breathed out letting Kodi go. "That was for fucking my husband and smiling in my face."

"But he loved it," Kodi smiled with blood in her teeth.

"You are nothing but a cum rag, something to get his dick wet when I'm not giving him none. Don't get excited," Naala said dismissively.

"That's not what he told me," Kodi carried on.

"He literally nuts on your back and you think that's cute?" Naala asked mugging Kodi. Kodi didn't respond because it was true, Dave almost always nutted on her back.

"And you," Naala pointed at Taina. "You were meant to be my friend. What changed?" Naala shouted at Taina who was busy tending to her nose.

"Bitch stop trynna play the victim," Taina waved her off. Naala squinted her eyes,

"The victim?" Naala questioned. "You mad I stopped letting you eat my pussy huh?"

"Well damn," Brianna and Priest said simultaneously. Even Dave scrunched up his face, that was news to him.

"Ain't nobody mad," Taina fumed. She thought Naala was a user. Taina was always there for Naala when she was down, especially with Darnell but Naala never reciprocated that energy.

Sometimes that emotional help went too far but Naala always knew when to stop it.

"You're clearly mad about something," Naala snapped. "You're here befriending a bitch you know is fucking my husband." It was so weird to Naala that as soon as girls stopped messing with her, they always found their way to girls she disliked.

"Naala your husband is fucking half of New York that ain't news to you sis," Taina taunted. "Maybe if you kept your shit tight he wouldn't be searching the whole damn city for pussy."

Naala nodded and then ran up again, socking Taina directly in the mouth.

This time Taina was ready, so they were going toe for toe. Naala was dodging the majority of her hits but making sure hers landed. Taina pulled them down to the floor, but Naala flipped her over and started punching her in the face.

"You think this shits a game?" Naala shouted banging Taina's head against the floor.

"Yeah you done," Dave said picking Naala up and throwing her over her shoulder.

"I'ma kill you bitch," Naala screamed over Dave's shoulder. She was clawing at his back trying to get to Taina.

"Chill the fuck out," Dave grumbled holding onto her tightly. He walked up the steps of Priest's home and took Naala into the house.

"Let me get down," Naala whined. She wasn't done beating their asses.

"What did I tell you about fighting?" Dave said pinching her thigh once he put her down. Naala mugged him,

"I'm fighting because of you!" She shouted at him. She was on 10 right now and Dave was about to be on the receiving end of it.

"I'm fighting because you can't keep your dick in your pants," Naala screamed at him. "That's why hoes think they can talk shit because we're all equal. We're all fucking you!"

Brianna and Priest had entered the house now and we're watching Naala explode on Dave.

"Stop shouting at me Naala, I ain't shouting. Let's have an adult conversation for once," Dave said calmly,

"An adult conversation?" Naala questioned him. "It's fucking embarrassing Amir can't you see?" Dave didn't respond he just stared back at her.

Naala picked up the nearest thing to her and threw it at him. She took off her slippers and threw them at him one by one.

"See what I have to deal with?" Dave said to Priest shaking his head.

Naala bit her lip and tried to run around the couch to get him. Priest grabbed her by her waist before she could get to him.

"Lala stop," Brianna pleaded. The look in Naala's eyes was scaring her.

"I hate you." Naala spat at him. "I honestly hate you. Why can't you just be for me? Is that too much to ask of my husband?" Naala felt tears clouding her sight so she quickly blinked to clear them.

"We're not doing this here," Dave shut her down quickly.

"Why?" Naala shouted. "You don't want them to see how fucked up you've made me. You did this to me, all of you. My dad, Azure, Darnell, Taina even you Amir!"

"You guys have finally broken me," Naala screamed, angry tears flowing down her cheeks. "You've broken me," She repeated getting out of Priest's grip.

"Lala," Brianna said sadly. She was able to pull Naala into a hug before she broke down completely. Naala had finally had enough.

Dave moved across the room to hold her and Priest stopped him. "Let her be for a minute," He said as they both watched Naala sob in Brianna's arms.

"It's okay," Brianna whispered in Naala's ear, trying to soothe her.

"It's not Bri," Naala cried. "I can't do this anymore, I can't. This abuse it-it's too much,"

"Priest let me go man that's my wife," Dave almost shouted. Priest shook his head and let him go, he wasn't about to fight a grown man.

"Naala," Dave said smoothly standing beside her.

"Get away from me," Naala sobbed. "I hate you," She added moving away from both Brianna and Dave.

"We're leaving," Dave said taking her hand and pulling her towards him. He leaned down to her ear, kissing it lightly.

"I love you Naala, you know that, tell your friend we need to go," He spoke lowly into her ear. Naala nodded and moved her head.

"You don't love me?" He asked her looking deeply into her eyes. Dave wiped her face and hugged her, putting his face in her neck.

"It's only you Love, only woman I'll ever love," Dave continue whispering against her skin. This is how he got her every time.

"She's not going with you," Brianna looked at him weirdly. There was no way she was gonna let her best friend leave with someone who's been hurting her.

"Brianna stay out of this. I know Naala tells you everything bout us but this our relationship not yours," Dave said lifting his head out of her neck. They made eye contact and he nodded for her to speak.

"I need to get home to my babies," Naala sniffed wiping her face. Dave moved his hand to her hand and intertwining their fingers.

"You're not leaving like this Naala, not with him," Brianna said eyeing Dave, she was seeing a different side of him and she didn't like it.

"I have to," Naala almost whispered, she didn't feel like she had a choice.

"Brianna." Priest said in a warning tone. Brianna shook her head sadly,

"Call me tomorrow Lala, I'm serious," She said to Naala who smiled weakly.

"I'll try," Naala croaked cowering behind Dave. Dave spoke to Priest briefly before they left. He helped Naala into the car before jogging over to his side and getting in.

Across the street, Kodi and Taina sat in Kodi's car on the phone to her cousin, Tone.

"She broke my nose," Taina said looking in the mirror. "What a bitch,"

"What car she drive?" Tone asked through the phone.

"A black G-Wagon," Kodi answered. She knew everything about Naala, down to where she went to elementary school.

"Almost every bitch in New York drives a G-Wagon," Tone said sucking his teeth.

"He got her pink fucking rims. It's a custom made, you won't miss it." Kodi replied quickly.

"What are you doing?" Taina asked looking at Kodi. Taina didn't even like her but anyone that was an opp of Naala's was her best friend.

"Shh," Kodi shushed Taina. "Tone, she leaves the house every morning with her dusty ass kids - get her then."

"I'm not about to shoot up someone's kids," Tone grumbled.

"You owe me!" Kodi snapped at him. Taina now knew she was in the wrong place.

"Ion think that's a good idea —" Kodi cut her off with a glare.

"She just broke your nose and you talking bout it's not a good idea," Kodi started. "She deserves everything that's coming to her,"

Kodi was extremely jealous of Naala, she was jealous at the fact that no matter what she did for Dave he would always go back to Naala and she would always take him back.

~~

"Mama," Maniya almost shouted jolting Naala out of her sleep. It was now 8am and Naala got barely any sleep.

"Malia's hungry," Maniya said rocking a crying Malia side to side. Naala nodded and sat up in the bed,

"Hey there my Phat girl," Naala cooed at her. "Where's your dad?" She asked taking Malia from her.

"Downstairs," Maniya responded sitting beside her mom on the bed. Maniya took in the dark circles around her mom's eyes and how red her nose was.

"Are you okay?" Maniya questioned watching Naala feed Malia.

"I'm fine," Naala responded curtly, giving Malia all her attention.

"You don't look —" Maniya started to say before Dave walked into the room with a plate of breakfast for Naala.

Maniya watched carefully to see how her mom would react but Naala simply ignored his presence.

"You got to eat something baby," Dave spoke putting the tray down on the nightstand. Maniya spotted the pill bottle on the tray aswell. Her parents have never outwardly discussed Naala's mental illness but it was always there.

"Are you ready for school?" Naala asked Maniya tiredly, completely ignoring Dave's statement.

"Yeah but I can get the bus if you're too tired," Maniya spoke quickly. Naala shook her head,

"I always take you guys, give me 10 minutes," Naala replied. Dave stood there stupidly waiting for her to notice him.

"So you're just gonna ignore me huh?" Dave laughed shaking his head.

"Make sure Sinai's hair is done please Niya," Naala muttered softly rubbing Malia's cheek.

"My miracle baby," She said to herself looking down at Malia. Her kids were the reason she hadn't done something stupid. Naala didn't have the will to live anymore but her children were her saving grace.

"Mommy are you sure you're okay?" Maniya said as she stood up,

"She's fine," Dave answered for her making Maniya squint. Her mom was always very vocal but today it seemed like she was waiting for Dave to say something before she answered.

"I'm good." Naala said softly, Malia started to move her head away from her nipple so she raised her up and patted her back.

Dave took the plate and sat at the end of the bed. "Open," He said to her. Naala sighed and opened her mouth slightly so he could feed her.

"Go get your sister ready," Dave said to Maniya, practically dismissing her.

"I'm sorry," Dave said staring into Naala's empty eyes. "I'm sorry for everything, I fucked up with Kodi. You're my world Naala,"

"I'm tired of hearing that word. Does it even have meaning to you anymore?" Naala said finally speaking to him. "Do you even care about me Amir because I care about you a lot, but you don't see it," Naala said starting to cry.

"I've given you 4 children, I lost our son on my own, how much more hurt do you think I need?" Naala asked him with tears running down her face.

"Mom," Maniya pouted watching her mom break down.

"You don't care about me, all you do is hurt me continuously and I stay, but why?" Naala cried. "Why can't I leave you? Why couldn't I leave Darnell? What's wrong with me?"

"Niya give us a second," Dave said putting the plate down. He saw the beginning stages of an episode as he didn't want Maniya to witness it it.

"No!" Naala shouted. "She doesn't need to leave. Let her hear this, let her see how much you've damaged me. You promised you would put me back together after Darnell, you said you'll protect me."

"Naala stop this," Dave warned her. Naala cried placing Malia on the bed. Maniya didn't know what to do.

"Get out of my house before I kill you," Naala muttered standing up from the bed. "Get out," Naala screamed throwing the plate at him. The food went everywhere and the plate smashed against the wall.

"Mommy stop," Maniya said with tears in her eyes. Naala couldn't hear anything, all she saw was red. Maniya quickly grabbed Malia off the bed before Naala started going crazy at Dave.

"Leave!" Naala screamed at Dave throwing various objects at him, "I can't stand you, I want a life without you, without all of this hurt. Just leave me alone," Naala cried.