The words hang there awkwardly, like karma clearing its throat. I stare at him feeling nothing. No vindication. No bitterness. Just the distance of a past I plan to never revisit.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say evenly. “I genuinely am. I hope you consider other methods of family planning.”
He looks confused, like he expected something else from me.
“But leave me alone,” I finish calmly.
Before he can respond, I feel it. I feel him. My man. His presence is always the shift in energy I adore. He walks up beside me with champagne flute in hand, eyes sharp and assessing in one glance. He reads the room instantly.
His arm slides around my waist.
“Everything good?” he asks softly — but there’s steel underneath.
I nod once. Calil extends his hand toward Damon without looking away from me.
“I’m Calil Black,” he says evenly. “Zaria’s boyfriend.”
He pauses just long enough.
“And future husband.”
Damon’s eyebrows lift.
“And you are?” Calil asks smoothly.
“Just my ex,” I answer before Damon can speak. “The one who got engaged at my favorite restaurant and then told me we’d never work because he wanted kids.”
Calil’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.
“Ah,” he says coolly.
Damon forces a tight smile. “We were just catching up.”
“No,” I correct calmly. “We weren’t.”
I turn to Damon fully now, composed and clear. “Your wife can’t have kids. That’s unfortunate. I truly hope you build thefamily you want. But whatever guilt you’re carrying? That’s not mine to hold anymore.”
Calil’s hand presses reassuringly at my back.
“And this,” I continue softly as I glance at Calil, “is the kind of love that doesn’t disappear when it gets inconvenient and hide in the shadows.”
Damon swallows.
“Congratulations,” he mutters stiffly.
“Thank you,” Calil replies politely before reaching out to shake his hand, “Damon, is it? I don’t play about three things: My woman, my family, and my money. Stay away from what’s mine. Especially if you trying to make it back to your wife to plan that family. Also, you might want to check your sperm count. Years of being a coward might’ve made those soldiers crawl instead of march,” his voice was menacing at this point. I was ready to get home so my man could fuck me until my voice was hoarse.
Damon walks away.
The air shifts back.
Calil looks down at me with probing eyes. “You okay?”
I nod. “Better than okay.”
He hands me my champagne.
“To growth,” he says quietly.
