Cleo’s gaze darted between us. “What?”
“You didn’t just agree to help, did you?” Imani crossed her arms, her voice tight with frustration. “He forced you.”
Cleo’s lips parted in disbelief. “Oh my God. He blackmailed you.”
Imani’s expression darkened. “Again.”
I groaned, pressing my fingers into my temple. “Would you both stop making this sound like a crime?”
Imani shook her head, anger creeping into her voice. “Vi, this is exactly what we were talking about before. He pulls this shit every time. You know that, right?”
My stomach twisted. Of course I knew. Julian Carter had spent years perfecting the art of making compliance look like a choice.
Cleo waved a hand. “You could have told us! We would’ve figured something out.”
“There wasn’t time,” I muttered.
“There’s time now,” Imani said. “Look, I know it’s not ideal, but loans exist. Grants. I can ask around at work?—”
I shook my head before she could even finish. “I don’t qualify for scholarships.”
Cleo frowned. “How do you know?”
“Because my last application got denied before they even read it,” I muttered, picking at the seam of my napkin. “They don’t give financial aid to students with rich parents.”
Imani rolled her eyes. “God, I hate rich people.”
Cleo perked up. “Oh! My office is looking for a temp assistant. Not glamorous, but it pays well.”
I sighed. “Guys.”
“No, listen.” Imani’s determined eyes fixed on me. “If you got a job now, you could start saving, move out, find a way to cover tuition yourself.”
“And then what?” I asked. “Juggle work, school, and a move all at once? What happens when my schedule clashes? Or when I can’t get enough hours to cover rent?”
“You find a way,” Cleo said firmly.
I let out a slow breath, gripping my glass a little too tight. “I appreciate it, really. But this is temporary. I can deal with it for a few months, get my tuition paid, get my doctorate, and finally be done with him.”
Imani’s jaw clenched. “Until the next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Cleo shot me a knowing look. “You keep saying that.”
I pressed my lips together, my heart hammering harder than it should.
Imani sighed, rubbing her temples. “Fine. Be stubborn. But you know we’re right.”
Cleo huffed but reached for her drink. “You’re exhausting, Carter.”
Imani’s gaze softened. “We just don’t want him taking any more pieces of you.”
There weren’t many pieces left to take.
“Why are you so calm about this?” Imani stared at me. “You’re living with a man whose entire personality is just controlled arrogance and raw talent. You’re taking care of his child. And the entire world doesn’t even know she exists.”
Cleo scrunched up her nose. “Yeah, I feel like that part should have gotten more discussion time. Because, babe, how is that even happening?”
