“I agree, but I wish she’d reach out so you know that she’s okay. She could at least let you know that she’s safe.”
“Exactly. No matter what she’s done, she knows that I will be here for her. I just don’t get why she wouldn’t at least try to contact me.”
“Me either,” I admitted. “I just hope she comes to her senses soon so you can stop worrying.”
“You’re so sweet for being concerned about me and Mia, especially after everything she’s done to you,” Carol said with a hint of disbelief in her voice. “I couldn’t believe it when the police questioned me about Mia after your house fire. You’re so kind to still check on me.”
“Despite what she’s done to me, I’m still worried about you. I don’t have children, but I can only imagine how hard it is to have no idea where your child is. I just wish she’d reach out. It’s hard to believe she would go this far.”
“I know.” Carol’s sigh was filled with regret. “I’m really sorry for how things have turned out. Mia has always been impulsive, butthis…this is something else.”
As I smoothed the body butter over my skin, I noticed my stomach felt less bloated, and I could tell it had gotten smaller. I was losing weight, likely due to all the stress I’d been under since Mia’s arrest.
“I’m just so worried about you, Aviana,” Carol said, pulling me back to the conversation. “You need to take care of yourself, especially with everything happening.”
“I’m trying,” I assured her. “But honestly, I think the stress is helping me shed some pounds.” I giggled slightly.
“Stress isn’t a good weight-loss method. You need to take care of yourself first.”
I smiled weakly. “I know, Carol.”
As I glanced at the time on my phone, I realized it was almost time for me to leave for work. I reluctantly wrapped up the call with Carol. Just as I hung up, the bathroom door creaked open, and a groggy, naked Damar strolled in, clearly not yet fully awake.
He walked behind me, lifting the toilet seat and started to relieve himself.
“You and Carol need to stop looking for Mia,” his sleepy voice croaked. “It’s obvious she’s run and doesn’t want to be found.”
“But she should at least find a way to get in touch with her mom. It’s not right to leave her mom hanging.”
“That’s not how hiding works, Aviana,” he replied, flushing the toilet.
He washed his hands before leaning over to plant a quick kiss on my cheek.
“I just think she needs to reach out. It’s hard to believe she’d leave without a word.”
His eyes were filled with sympathy for my naïveté. “Sometimes people do stupid, unrealistic things when they’re scared.”
I let out a slow breath. “I just hope she’s okay.”
Damar shrugged. “You’re worried about somebody who didn’t give a fuck about killing you.” I winced at that realization. Seeing my discomfort, his tone softened. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s the truth. She’s been trying to ruin your life over an assumption. She’s obviously not thinking clearly, so just let it go, and focus on you.” Then he slowly smiled, creeping up behind me. He slipped his arms around my waist. Our eyes locked through the mirror. “Focus on us.” His deep rumble-spoke against the sensitive skin on myneck. “Focus on applying for nursing school and having our baby.” Then he began to place sweet, wet kisses on my neck.
Guilt made my stomach turn. I could still feel Mythic all over me.
I giggled nervously. “Stop, bae. I have to get ready for work.”
He growled lowly as he stepped back with eyes focused on my hips. Holding his bottom lip tight between his teeth, he softly smacked my butt cheek. “Well, you better hurry up and cover up before I have you face down, ass up.”
I managed to blush as he finally tore his eyes away from mine and left the bathroom. As soon as he disappeared, I let out a breath that I didn’t even realize I was holding.
DAMAR SCOTT
My mind was all over the place as I headed south toward the city. Stress was riding with me. Trying to cover up Mia’s murder while keeping up this front as the innocent husband was wearing me down. It felt like I was carrying around the weight of a mountain. Every single day felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying to balance everything just to keep my lies together, keep Aviana by my side,andstay free.
From Damar and Aviana’s lack of messages since he’d been at the hotel, it didn’t seem like the visit was anything more than friendly. But I knew that he was everything I wasn’t. I had to pull her back to me, give her what she wanted to keep her focused on us. I was determined to get her pregnant, though I was dreading it. I had no plans of taking care of another crying ass baby. My plan was to trap her with the baby. I wouldn’t be there for her like I’d promised or provide her with any of the help that I said I would. Then she’d have no choice but to drop out of nursing school and stay home with the baby. I could control her that way, keep herclose, and ensure she wouldn’t have the freedom to consider Mythic or anyone else.
My plan seemed to be working. She was still with me, still loved me. But the lies I was weaving were growing thicker, and the more I thought about it, the more suffocating it became.
As I drove through the streets, my eyes narrowed at a familiar sight.
