It was three in the morning and I couldn’t sleep, I was off; more off than usual. I tossed and turned in bed for the first few hours and now I’m just laying here with all these thoughts going through my head. I looked over and to my surprise Mai was not lying next to me, shaking my head I got up and headed down stairs. There’s only one place she would be.
Slowly I tip toed down both steps, walking down to the basement where I hear light snores. Walking in a little further there was she, laying on her father’s chest sleeping so peacefully. I couldn’t help but smile at them, this was my family.
For a brief second all the drama washed away and I was happy again, but looking at Chris for a second too long shook all my happiness away. I didn’t know what or who to believe. One on hand, Chris was my husband, the love of my life, my life partner and soul mate; he could never betray me like that. But then again this women had screenshots, she had evidence and honestly; it made sense. I was confused and that pissed me off more than anything.
I looked at them again before turning on my heels to head back to my room. “There’s room for you too ArI” Chris spoke softly, as he rubbed Mai’s back. I just looked and shook my head no. I know shutting him out isn’t going to help anything but I couldn’t help it. Just the thought of Chris with someone else make me sick to my stomach.
I walked through our house, all of our pictures. How did we get here? All the love, all the fighting to be together. Him going away, his ex, the media; we fought through it all and for what? To get a divorce and Mai spend half her time with Mommy and the other half with Daddy? Us having to explain why we’re no long together when she ask and trying to date other people? I didn’t want that for my family, for myself or my daughter.
“Daddy Daddy!” Sa’mai yelled jumping on the bed, waking me up. I rubbed my sleepy eyes, before grabbing her smile body and attacking her with kisses. She giggled, “Daddy, you silly” I smiled and kissed her cheek.
“What’s that smile Mai Mai?” I questioned.
She giggled. “Mommy made breakfestttt!” she said excited.
I mushed my eyebrows together confused, she hasn’t cooked breakfast in weeks. I grabbed Mai and headed upstairs. Once reaching the kitchen, I saw Ari humming as she did her little dance while flipping pancakes. “Mommy!” Mai yelled getting her attention, she looked over and smiled.
“Good morning princess, look what mommy cooked for you and Daddy” she slightly smiled at me, before grabbing Mai and sitting her in the high chair. She passed her, her food before speaking to me.
She motioned for me to sit first. “I know I’ve been cold and I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shut you out, there’s no excuse for that. You are my husband and we exchanged vows, however you said no secrets and clearly there is a secret, so get to explaining Christopher”
Well damn, I looked at her surprised. I wasn’t expecting all this today, but I’m glad she’s finally talking to me and I’m glad she’s being understanding about the whole situation. She had every right to be mad and she is, there is a secret.
“The secret is that, yes I was texting her and meeting up with her but only to give her money. But not for sex or anything and we never did anything physical and she’s never met our daughter, I’d never do that to you”
“Who is she Chris? One of your old jump offs?” she rolled her eyes and I chuckled, white people should not say jump off.
“No she’s not, she’s more so an old family friend”
“But I’ve never seen her” she looked confused and this is where things get messy, but I can’t keep hiding a secret that’s not mine.
“I was giving her money because she does have a kid but it’s not mine; its Mijo’s and he still hasn’t taken a DNA test so she reached out to me and the little girl looks just like him, of course it’s his. He’s just being stupid because he’s afraid of losing Jaz-“
“He should be, he cheated on her Chris” Ari raised her voice.
“No he didn’t Ariana, that little girl was born 6 months before they got together, they were just sex buddies. They cut ties before she was leaving California and Mijo finally wanted to pursue Jaz, she came back right before her due date and she’s been trying to speak with him ever since. She told him everything in a text and he won’t respond to her. It’s fucked up and I shouldn’t help him, but I’m doing it because Sabrina is honestly a nice person and their daughter is my niece.”
Was I wrong for not telling Ari about this? Of course I was but I knew she’d tell Jaz and then everything would blow up, I honestly don’t understand why my idiot cousin won’t just come clean and finally take care of his responsibilities as a father. Alana is such a beautiful little girl, so happy and full of life. She reminds me of Sa’mai.
“Chris … this is a lot” she mumbled, I knew I was asking a lot of Ari to believe me but this was the truth. “Wait, not to sound rude or anything, but why does she need the money?”
I chuckled. “Honestly she doesn’t, she’s a nurse. Like I said she only came here to be honest with Mijo and so that he could be a father to their child, she lives in Texas and I’m just helping. I only pay for the hotel and sometimes when I go shopping for Mai, Ill grab something for Alana too”
I was turning soft but I couldn’t help it.
“Awe, Chris” Ari smiled as she walked over to me and kissed my cheek.
“Baby I know it looks bad, but honestly I’m just helping family” I spoke.
“So Sabrina isn’t the one threating us?” she questioned.
“No, it’s her ex. She was with him after Mijo but she cut ties with him once she found out she was pregnant. She thought he took it well, but clearly not. He’s the one that’s been following her and took those pictures”
“Ariana if I say yes, please don’t say a word to Jaz. I know she’s family but let me talk to Barry again” I pleaded and she understood. I nodded and patted her thigh.
“Chris … I love you” she whispered.
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