Page 43 of Mia

My hair was in the same curls from the funeral, but they were matted and all over my head at this point. I’d been in the same robe for the last two days and I hadn’t slept, but I wasn’t physically tired. I was just… numb.

Everyone had been trying their best to get me to leave the house, if for nothing else, for fresh air, and I refused. I sat here with the blinds and curtains closed, basking in the darkness that matched the way I felt inside.

The door opened and Titan walked in. For a moment, we just stared at each other. I hadn’t spoken to him in a week, and honestly, I expected it. He’d been distant and withdrawn since the funeral.

“How long have you been sitting here?” he asked, tossing his keys on the table.

I shrugged.

He grabbed the remote and turned off the TV, but I didn’t move.

“You ate?”

“No.”

“Have you showered?”

“Titan, please.”

I pulled the blanket up over my head, hoping he would take the hint and leave. He’d been away this long, he could stay away. I heard his footsteps moving around the living room. The next thing I heard was the sound of the curtains being opened and the blinds being lifted. He snatched the cover off me and tossed it on the table.

“Titan!”

My eyes were hurting from the brightness of the sun.

“Get up.”

“Go away.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled deeply. “Mia. Get up. I’m gonna run you a shower.”

“I really want to be left alone.”

“That’s too damn bad. If I have to pick you up and wash you myself, I will.”

I groaned as I sat up and placed my feet on the floor. I could feel the stiffness in my body from lying there so long. He reached out a hand to help me up and while I wanted to slap it away, I didn’t. I allowed him to lead me upstairs and help me undress. He gathered everything I needed to bathe and to wash my hair and placed it in the shower before turning on the water and leaving me alone.

Stepping in, I went directly under the waterfall, allowing it to drench me from head to toe. The heat was soothing to my muscles and joints. For the longest time, I just stood there until Titan came back into the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and watched me, not saying a word.

It was beginning to feel awkward, so I grabbed the shampoo and began lathering my hair. He remained quiet while I rinsed it out and applied the conditioner. While it set, I grabbed the body wash and gave myself a good lather.

“You can’t stay in this state, Mia,” Titan said. “I get it, I really do. But you have to take care of yourself too, mamas.”

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped, glaring at him.

“Mamas? I always call you that⁠—”

“Well, don’t. Not anymore. I’m nobody’s mama and I don’t need a constant reminder of that.”

He sighed heavily. “I’m trying, Mia.”

I snatched the shower door open. “Really? Because I haven’t seen you in a week. Some husband.”

“I needed some time to myself.”

“You mean time away from me.”

“What?”