Asche cried himself to sleep again. It's been three hours since then and my nerve was on me. I sat in my living room with my head thrown over the back of the couch with a sigh. It seems as if ever since he met me, all he's been doing is crying. It makes my heart ache at the thought.

Perhaps I should give him some space. He may need it to collect his thoughts. Accepting his pregnancy is one thing but starting a relationship with me is a whole other situation that he wouldn't be willing to accept right away. Raking my hand through my crimson mane, I pondered if it would be fitting to pay for a weekend trip to one of my resorts. Just a getaway.

It would be perfect if he and Stephon reconciled but it is evident that that's not happening. There's always Kirk. A longtime employer of Asche's. Asche likes him and I think Kirk can persuade him to see reason.

As I was in my thoughts, my doorbell rang. I smelt the distinct scent of my sister before I even turned on the security monitor. I groaned and ran my hand down my face before rising from the couch and proceeding to the front door.

I plastered on a calm expression before I opened the door to my beautiful sister. She stood there wearing a red cashmere sweater with dark, ripped, denim jeans. Her black, strappy stilettos elevated her by several inches, almost having her face to face with me.

She smiled, her blood red lips spreading to show pearly-whites.

"Drakos, it's been a while." She said, coming over to me to envelope me in a hug. She kissed my cheek and cupped my face with both hands, examining it.

Her wise, crimson eyes studied me closely without a word for several seconds. I longed to pry her manicured fingers away but this was my sister and she hadn't seen me in nearly a week. We're always together so that week felt like a month.

"You look stunning today," I complimented, genuinely. "Please, do come inside." I stepped aside after she finally released me to allow her in.

She strode elegantly into my abode, taking a seat into the sitting area that was located before you got into the living room. She cast a cursory glance around as she took in her surroundings. Crossing one leg over the other, she leaned back into the couch, making herself comfortable.

After closing the door, I came over to her and settled into a single chair opposite her. I knew this demeanor all too well. She behaves this way when she's curious about something.

I gritted my teeth and mustered up the most patience that I could've gathered. Felicia was a difficult woman at times. On some occasions, she carries on as if I'm her younger brother when I'm actually the eldest. It's exasperating and infuriating at the same time. I'm a grown man and I can make my own decisions, rational or not.

Time ticked on as we stared at each other in the pregnant silence.

I tipped my head up defiantly, awaiting a scolding from her but what I got was a simple question.

"Is the prostitute now your lover?"

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. How could I even forget about her disliking Asche? A few days wouldn't have changed her thoughts. She's so stubborn, she refuses to see that what Asche and I share is something special.

"Must I always report my love life to you?" I said, archly.

"If it concerns your wellbeing, then yes." She replied, not offended by my rude tone.

I sat up straight in the chair, keeping intense eye contact with her. "Who I fuck does not concern you, Felicia."

Her calm demeanor shattered and she undressed her legs, digging her nails into the arm of the couch, angrily. The red tips dug deeply, causing multiple dents in the soft fabric. "He is a disaster in the making. Why you are keeping him baffles me. Why did you not choose Lisa instead?" She gritted, her eyes a burning inferno.

"Because Lisa is a slut," I replied flatly.

She gasped and she looked absolutely offended by the remark. "How could you say such a thing about the woman you adored so dearly?"

I clutched both arms of the chair tightly to stem my trembling anger. It was getting fueled from both directions; by Felicia's selfish meddling and Lisa's infidelity. The combination was unbearable.

"I will not keep myself in a deteriorating relationship with a mindless whore. She claims that she is pregnant with my child but I know it is all a fallacy to get rich off of me. I know you favored her and your friendship is still blooming but for me, I don't want to have anything to do with her." I slid my hand across my throat in a gesturing motion to indicate that I was through with her.

"But you wanted a child all your life!" Felicia argued.

"Yes, but not another man's child!" I said, hotly. "You expect me to accept this just because I want my heart's desire!? How could you suggest something so cruel?"

"Does it matter!?" She snapped back with equal indignation. "You can raise the child as your own. It will grow to love you." Her tone softened in the last sentence.

I stared at her for a lengthy moment, holding back my fury. Felicia would never understand my pain.

"It does." I got out through shuddering breaths of anger. "Because at the end of the day I will share nothing with that child but a title and that's the harsh reality of being unable to produce children," I said softly.

After the brief silence and staring at Felicia's wounded expression, I smiled and said, "But that will not be my pain any longer for my prayers have been answered."

Her brows came together with confusion then they went up in realization. "Did you get another woman pregnant?"

I chuckled, but it was mirthless, "Oh, no, sister dearest. It is that man that you so disdainfully speak of that I impregnated and he is actually fast asleep in my bed, upstairs."

***