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“I’m sorry about Mama and Daddy,” she interrupted. “I didn’t want to believe you. That meant I married the man who killed them.”

I looked at her daughter while Aria apologized. Hearing those words now couldn’t give me back my family. Not my parents nor my sweet baby Golden.

“I forgive you.”

She reached for my hand, but I stood up.

“But this is the last time you’ll see me. The money and the papers will come through my attorney. Don’t call me or come looking for Keenan.”

“Melody, we’re sisters.”

I looked at my niece one last time. Her tiny hand had escaped the blanket.

“Take care of her.”

Aria was still sobbing when I walked out. I was done with her. Forgiving her meant I gave myself space to move on. That didn’t mean that she got to take up space in my life.

When I got home, Keenan was in his room sitting at his gaming desk. He had his headphones on, but he was able to sense that I entered the room.

“Hey, Ma,” he called out as he muted his headset.

“Did you do your homework before you started playing?” I asked.

“Yes,” he breathed in annoyance, but all I could do was smile.

These were simple moments I’d missed out on the last few years. I’d missed the eye-rolls. The contempt for my parenting. Watching him play video games. Watching him grow into a teenager. And they meant everything to me.

With Aria signing those papers, soon he would officially be mine again.

“Why are you smiling so hard?” he laughed.

“No reason. Have fun but game is off at 9 p.m.,” I said as I walked away.

“Oh come on! Let me stay on until 11,” he begged.

“No,” I laughed.

“10?” he negotiated.

“9:30 and not a second later,” I countered.

“Aight. I can work with that.”

“Baby boy, you ain’t got no choice.” I smiled before heading out of his room.

I’d take a million of those moments with Golden if I had the chance. But I’d be grateful for what I had now.

As soon as I settled into my bedroom, Justice called me.

“We got a problem,” he said.

“What?”

“You didn’t let me know you got home with my baby. That’s unacceptable. If I ain’t have to keep an eye on Rosemary’s Baby, I would come over there to punish you,” he teased.

“You have my location.”

“That could be anybody with your phone,” he responded.