He walks past me without a glance, the air shifting as he moves through the space. Still my man. Still the Don. But right now? Mi feel like just another woman in his orbit, watching him from across the room, wishing I hadn’t made him walk away like that. I step outside, the sunlight biting at my skin. The air feels heavier than usual, like it knows I’m walking with something sitting on my chest.
“Zara,” Lizzie calls gently behind me. I pause and turn back. She walks toward me with a cup of orange juice in her hand and the softness in her eyes says more than her mouth ever could.
“Thank you,” I murmur, taking it. My voice merely above a whisper.
She nods once, like she understands too much. I turn again and head toward the car. Nickoi’s already there, door open, adjusting something in the console.
“Babe…” I call softly, nerves rising in my throat. “I’m sorry, enuh.”
He doesn’t speak. Just looks at me. Long and quiet. Like he’s measuring whether my apology is weighty enough to tip the scale. Then, without a word, he starts the car, pulls out the driveway and leaves. Just like that. The gravel crunches under his tires as he fades down the road, taking the rest of my pride with him. I stand there for a beat, blinking at the emptiness he left behind.
Wow.
That hurt in a way I wasn’t ready for. I exhale shakily, my shoulders curling inward. Everything mash up from morning. Inless than four hours mi whole world start spin, argument with Sash, heartbreak fallout, Nickoi acting cold like mi nuh matter.
Now this. Now him. Not even a glance back. Mi apologize how much time now? And it still not enough? Silent treatment loud, enuh.
Today a nuh your day mi love. Not even close.
My chest is tight, my poor little pride sore, and I still haven’t even checked my results yet. Mi cyaah bother. Honestly?
Mi just a go sleep. If disappointment had a time stamp, it would be today.
***
Lizzie gently shakes me, and when my eyes flutter open, I see her standing beside the sofa, holding a plate in her hand. “Here,” she says softly, offering it to me.
The warm aroma of salmon, broccoli, and seasoned rice greets me instantly. “Mmm… thank you,” I murmur with a faint smile, adjusting my body against the cushions.
It smells amazing. My stomach growls in agreement. “A wah time now?” I yawn, glancing around the dimly lit living room, still groggy.
“You been out for a while, man. It’s 5:30 now,” she says, and I nod, trying to wake up properly.
“Nickoi come back yet?” I ask, already expecting her answer.
She shakes her head. A sigh escapes me. Mi a go call him. Lizzie heads back toward the kitchen, and I reach for my phone, unlocking it quickly. I tap Nickoi’s name and wait but it goes straight to voicemail. Mi know the phone deh right inna him hand, I think bitterly.Yes, but him nah answer you.
I try again. Then again. Still nothing.
Frustrated, I toss the phone onto the sofa beside me and dig into the food. I don’t even want to be angry, but the silent treatment burns worse than the argument itself.
“This nice,” I say between bites, forcing a smile toward Lizzie, who’s now seated around the island. She nods gently.
“Thanks, Zara.”
I get up and walk over to join her, bringing my plate with me. The kitchen feels calm. Too calm. Like a reset button I can’t quite find. Then, she breaks the silence.
“What kind of baby you want to have?” I glance up at her, and a real smile tugs at the corners of my lips.
“A girl,” I say, already picturing a tiny version of me with fat cheeks and too much attitude.
She nods like she saw it too. “Yeah… I think you’d be a great girl mom,” she says, then reaches across and holds my hand. Her eyes soften. “And congrats… yuh deserve it.”
It catches me off guard. I pause, confused for a second until I glance down and remember the ring on my finger. Oh.
“Thanks,” I whisper, a little choked up. But Nickoi’s still heavy on my mind. Then an idea hits me. I look over at Lizzie. “Yuh have yuh phone on you?” I ask.
She reaches into her bag and passes it to me without question. I dial his number.
