High school turned into college, college turned into real life, and somehow we never stopped choosing each other. Even when life got messy. Even when my health made things harder than they should’ve been.
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me.
The anxiety. The nights when my body feels heavier than my thoughts, and I start convincing myself that someone like Zay could easily find someone better than me.
But he never gives me a reason to believe that.
Not once.
Zay doesn’t cheat. He doesn’t flirt with women when I’m not looking. I thought that was discipline, especially having a best friend like Ares.
When he says he loves me, he means it.
Men like him don’t usually stay with a woman with a disability.
But Zay always does.
Which is why the tension sitting in my chest tonight didn’t make any sense.
Monaco felt like another planet compared to our life in California. The Delacroix estate looked like something out of a movie. Marble floors. Tall windows. Staff moving quietly through the halls.
Beautiful.
But something about tonight didn’t feel right.
I felt it the moment we stepped into the dining room.
The table looked like something prepared for royalty. Crystal glasses. Polished silverware. Candles flickering softly across the length of the table.
Yuna sat beside Ares, dressed in a Chanel cashmere sweater and leggings, trying to look relaxed even though I could see the tension in her eyes.
Zay sat next to me, quiet like he always did when something serious was coming.
Zay Jr. squirmed happily in my arms, completely unaware of whatever adult drama was about to unfold.
I heard heels clicking on the marble from the foyer.
Mr. and Mrs. Wells walked into the dining room.
I had only seen them a handful of times over the years, but every interaction left the same taste in my mouth.
Unsettled.
Zay and I stood to greet them. Mrs. Wells walked straight toward us as Mr. Wells greeted the men. Mrs. Wells was elegant as always. Her expression was unreadable, though.
Her eyes went immediately to the baby. She didn’t even bother to speak to me.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Her arms reached forward automatically.
My grip tightened around my son before I even thought about it.
Her smile faded slightly as she looked at Zay.
“Zacian, tell her to give me my grandson.”
Zay didn’t hesitate.
“He doesn’t like being held by strangers.”
