What the hell did Drakos do? I'm seriously not understanding how his brain cells function. The situation between me and Stephon was already fickle as it is. Now Drakos probably shattered it.

I know he probably meant well but, I didn't want anymore beef around here.

I strode back into the penthouse and found Kirk talking with an angry Falcon in the hallway. Stephon stood beside him as he explained himself to Kirk who nodded understandably at every sentence he spoke.

Stephon caught my approach first and his face twisted with hurt. "What did Drakos tell you guys?"

Kirk's head snapped up and Falcon turned to regard me with a sour expression. Stephon was the one to speak first, "He's selfish. That's what he is. He wants us gone so that he can have you all for himself."

"That's not quite accurate," Kirk said from the corners of his mouth.

"Well that's how I see it!" He snapped and my brows rose up.

I decided to allow Stephon to blow off some steam and focused my attention on Falcon who scowled, looking past me and I followed his gaze, whirling around, coming facing to face with Drakos.

I sighed. "This is going to be lengthy."

"I did what I had to, Asche." Drakos explained, staring at me imploringly.

"Why don't we all have a seat and discuss this in a more comfortable environment?" Kirk suggested, making his way to the living room. Drakos followed suit and I took his rear, leaving Falcon and Stephon to reluctantly follow us.

Kirk sat in a single seat while Drakos and I took the love seat and Stephon and Falcon sat in the three-seater. Kirk crossed his legs and awaited for us all to get comfortable before I spoke.

To be honest, all of this shit I wasn't into. I got fucked senseless last night and I was hoping to get pampered or something afterwards, not this...this fiasco. It didn't help that I felt conflicted about my feelings for Drakos and now here comes the drama only to fill me with irritation.

Better to get this over with now while I felt a shard of control. I exhaled as I glanced around at everyone. Stephon glared at Drakos, Kirk looked bored, Falcon gripped the back of the chair so tightly, it looked as if it would tore at any second and Drakos...Drakos looked calm and collected.

"So...judging by how you guys are scowling at Drakos, he did something wrong. Stephon, mind sharing what happened, seeing as your emotions are boiling passionately?" I urged, leaning back in the chair and biting my inner cheek when Drakos placed a possessive arm on my thigh.

I tried not to blush and focus on the matter at hand.

He pointed an accusing finger at Drakos, "He told me I should leave and never bother you again!"

"You're twisting my words." Drakos said coolly, "I simply said that it's best to keep your distance. And that it's not good for the health of both babies. What did I say wrong, tell me and I will accept if I am wrong. You are too emotional right now to see reason. Asche lost one of our babies to stress. Do you want that to happen to you or worse, Asche again?"

Stephon opened his mouth then closed it, stunned to silence.

"I didn't think so." Drakos murmured.

So Stephon is still in his feelings and Drakos just blew the lid off the pot, leaving Falcon furious because he's trying to keep us apart? Does he feel like there's some kind of rivalry war going on? I'm not sure.

Damn dramatic people. I thought I took the cake on that.

I really do understand where Drakos is coming from now that he explained it further, however, Stephon really overreacted. He's not the one that was betrayed. He's not the one that has trust issues from childhood til now, afraid to open up to others. Why is he acting like the victim? If anyone should be angry, it should be me for trusting him, for losing my baby, for getting stalked and falling pregnant when I wasn't ready to father a child. I'm angry at them and I'm angry at myself.

But I won't show him what his betrayal has done to me. I forgive him but I can't forget what he's done. It still stabs me repeatedly in my mind and in the back. Sometimes I feel an anxiety attack coming on because I feel like I'm surrounded by clowns. Wearing masks and pretending. It's not a good feeling. My chest aches and it feels like my heart is about to concave.

But I'm in control now. I'm not an emotional wreck like I was a few weeks ago. No one controls me. No Kirk, not Falcon, not Drakos and most definitely not Stephon.

"Stephon, I want you to know that I forgive you and I forgive Drakos for the shit y'all played on me but I will certainly not forget it. Seeing you everyday only makes my heart ache. You don't fully understand what you did to me. Nobody ever will! You know me more than any of these guys in the room here. Why would you do that? Kirk didn't, so why would you? You were supposed to be my ride or die. My backbone. But what are we now, Stephon? I don't think you want me to truly tell you how I feel about you now. I don't hate you but I can't stand to look at you and see what you did to me. While I'm eating away inside, what are you doing? Sorry to say, I agree with Drakos. We should keep our distance until I've cleared my mind. It would be best to do that."

Stephon's lips trembled and his eyes glassed over, "Asche please, I'm sorry."

"I know he fucked up big time Asche but is it necessary to keep him away?" Kirk looked remorseful for Stephon.

"Is it necessary to torture myself knowing well that I'm at odds of losing another child? Have you ever miscarried before Kirk?" I said coldly.

Kirk shook his head with an aggrieved expression.

"Then don't comment if you haven't walked in my shoes." I swallowed repeatedly and fought back the tears that rimmed my eyes. Losing my baby was the hardest blow. I felt empty inside even though I still carried one remaining child. Even if I still had one, nothing can replace my lost child.

I'll never know if it was a boy or a girl. Or what they'd look like when they were born. I closed my eyes and breathed out shakily.

When I opened my eyes, Drakos was staring at me with a tormented look. "Baby, are you alright?"

"I need need a moment to catch my myself." I told him, keeping my eyes away from Stephon who cried.

"May I speak on his behalf?" Falcon asked, gazing at me with hurt in his eyes.

"What more is there to say?" I sighed, finally meeting his eyes.

He licked his lips, "I know I may be pushing his luck but...if possible can we all get together after the babies are born? They'll be cousins and I wouldn't want them to--to grow up not knowing each other."

My heart dank as the revelation rolled in. Stephon is pregnant for Drakos' brother so even if I'm displeased with him, I can't keep the babies apart. It's just not in me to do that.

So I nodded and Falcon smiled gratefully.

***