“Oh, so you're honorable all of a sudden?” He snorted. “That’s the least your lil’ cheating ass could’ve did.”
“No, I’m not honorable. I married you, so I couldn’t leave you at your worst. I chose you over him.” Cali pointed, feeling tears build inside her eyes but she blinked them away. Now wasn’t the time to be emotional. She had to get her point across. “It may have been too late, but I still chose you. But you triedto fucking hurt me by getting with Rozalin. A bitch that did my fucking hair for our wedding.”
Rio shook his head. “I wasn’t trying to get you back. That shit just happened.”
“Now, Rio”—Bria twisted her lips—“you know what you were doing.”
“That bitch did my hair for seven years. We attended each other’s birthday parties and met up for drinks on several occasions. She was my homegirl and you knew that.” Cali nodded, sniffing back tears. “Yeah, you fucking know exactly what you were doing, but guess what? I’m glad you did it, though. We even, mothafucka.”
“Even?” His brows hiked. “Nah, we ain't gon’ never be even. You wasn’t the person laid up in a hospital in a coma. Fuck outta here.”
“I’m not taking the full blame for that.” Cali shrugged. “Braye did that shit, not me.”
“Oh, so you think you don’t have a burden to carry for the shit I went through?” He bombarded her personal space, awaiting an answer.
“I said I’m not taking the full responsibility for it anymore,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “I played a part but you ain't hanging that shit over my head, especially after tonight. Fuck you, Rio. I wish I would shed another tear over your vindictive ass. Bria, let’s go.”
Cali walked away with no clear direction. She just needed to get away from Rio and process his betrayal. They had gone blow for blow, seeing who could hurt the other person worse. She felt like she had died on the inside. All the months of hanging in despair was all for nothing since Rio had gone out of his way to hurt her.
Suddenly, she was snatched back, coming face to face with the man she loathed and loved, simultaneously.
“You ain't got no leg to stand on, Calia. You did this to us. You don't get to dictate who I can and can’t fuck with. You forfeited that right when you chose to be a hoe.”
Cali once used to cower at the reality of her being a low-down bitch. One night, she once cried so much that she threw up. Regretting her decisions had been a way of life up until now. At this moment, she wouldn’t sob over her past actions; only accept them and move on. She was officially done mourning her marriage.
“You got it, Rio.” Her voice was low and drained from arguing and fighting. “Be safe.”
Rio’s head drew back as a bit of stun settled on his face. What had he been expecting? A fight? Another argument? Cali wouldn’t give it to him. He had exhausted her for the night. What he’d done was showcase that it was time to move on from him. She wouldn’t give him another minute of her time.
“Come on, Bria.”
Bria walked up to her and grabbed her hand. Thank God her sister was here because Cali was certain she would’ve broken down in the parking lot. They started walking in silence, allowing Cali to digest what had transpired. An ugly scene had produced closure she didn’t know she needed. It had ended a chapter that should've been finished.
“You okay?”
Cali nodded, knowing that she wasn’t particularly alright in the moment but she would be.
“I’m cool.”
“Cali!”
She heard Rio call her but she was done with him. No more would she go running to a man that got her back like he did.
“Cali!”
She continued walking as if she didn’t hear him yell her name.
“Cali, Jovanis got killed!”
That stopped her in her tracks. She spun around; face warped in concern as Rio jogged to her. His phone was in his hand when he approached.
“What happened?”
“He got killed… in front of Irish.”
Her eyes widened as she looked at Bria, who sported the same shocked expression.
“Wait, what? In front of her? Is she okay?” Cali fired off questions. “Who told you that?”
