“So, three weeks ago, I tested her with a swab of her cheek, and I sent in your toothbrush to find out if she is biologically yours.”
I jumped to my feet.
“So, you did a test without my knowledge? What the fuck kind of shit is that, Ariana?”
“Proctor, I told you, I wanted to believe she wasn’t yours so that I could walk away and not care about you. But even after the results came back saying that she wasn’t your child a few days ago, I still loved you. I still yearned for you, so that test did nothing and I broke my heart and yours for no reason because I still feel like you are my person.”
She cried as I started to slowly pace the floor back and forth.
“How the fuck is a toothbrush test going to tell me I’m not her father? I can’t believe you did that shit, Ari. You were ready to leave me, and that says a lot. Maybe you are not as committed to this shit as I am. Shit, I know I come with a lot of fuckin baggage because I have my entire life, but most of it comes from me loving too hard, and when I love someone, they are always protected by me. Even to the point that it’s a fault for me! I did what I did because they hurt my son!”
Ari grabbed my arm and held it tightly as she looked up into my eyes. A tear dropped down my cheek, and I wasn’t a nigga who cried much, but I was so mad I wanted to do some crazy shit right now, not to Ari, but to someone. Take my anger out on anyone. But I knew I couldn’t. So now all that anger had festered up in my body. These tears were probably from the steam inside me, not from emotions.
“I know you probably don’t feel the same about us anymore, but I still love you.”
She wiped the tears from my face, and I stepped closer to lock eyes with her.
“Look, Ari, to be honest, I don’t give a fuck about no DNA test from no saliva on a toothbrush,” I said firmly.
“That’s my daughter. I don’t know what kind of fucked-up shit you were trying to prove to yourself, but she's always been mine and will always be mine.”
“I don’t care about the past, and all I care about is her future. After I fight this new case and get through this shit. I’m divorcing Tania, and you and I are making this relationship official.”
She looked at me, stunned.
“On the outside, I might have to be married to her. But on the inside? Ain’t nothing arranged about what we got going on.”
I pulled her close.
“I love you, Ari. Nothing you can do or say will stop how I feel. Just know that shit.”
“And I love you too, Proctor. I proved to myself time and time again that it’s the same with me. You have me locked in no matter how much I want to fight it.”
Her and I kissed on the lips before I slipped my tongue into her mouth and showed my baby how much I loved and missed her through physical touch. I was never much of a kisser, until I met a woman with lips so soft and so sweet, I could never eat fruit again and still feel like I have it every day.
“Now, let me go wake up MY daughter to let her know I'm back.”
“Yes, go get your baby, Proctor. It’s time for her to wake up anyway.” Ari smiled shyly as I placed one more kiss on her forehead and squeezed her tightly.
I will never let her beautiful ass go. Hell, or jail can’t deter me from that.
Chapter 19
Tania
Four days later
I stood at the altar across from Proctor, never in my life thinking this would be the way I got married. I could feel the throw-up creeping up my throat, and I was fighting like hell to hold it in. Morning sickness was killing me, and all I could think about was making it through this service without embarrassing myself.
If I had the choice, I would’ve gotten rid of this baby a long time ago. Back then, it was just a cash grab. Now? I was forced to have a child I didn’t even need anymore, especially since Proctor was paying me very well for my cooperation. I kept my mouth shut, did what I was told, and just like that, I was a millionaire without having to bring baggage along. Only now, I was too far along for a Plan B pill, and I will always remember what my grandma told me about abortions.
Sitting in the front row was Ari, and every time I glanced her way, I could see in her face that this was killing her. Watching me marry the man she loved.
Now I had to go through this trial as his wife and his only alibi, but it protected me. I didn’t have to commit perjury. Ididn’t have to get on that stand and lie about something that didn’t happen. I’d already told Hawk that if they ever forced me to testify, I would have no choice but to tell the truth. I wasn’t about to catch years in prison for holding down a man who didn’t belong to me.
“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health?”
I stared straight ahead into Proctor’s dark, cold eyes as he said, “I do,” and it was clear as day that he didn’t mean that shit, but he said yes because he wanted to be free.
