𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁

Chapter 20

February 18th, 2022

3RD PERSON

"What happened?" Serenity asked Sasha when she saw the worry clear on Sasha's face.
"Rhianna got splashed again, but this time with Phoebe. It ruined their project and the water was dripping from them." A sigh left her mouth as she finished the sentence. She couldn't handle anymore her kids getting bullied fornevery day of their lives.

"Jesus Christ."
"Jaden took them to their home and is currently make sure to warm them up."

Sasha sighed as she continued to work. She couldn't believe that she can't even make her kids safe and happy somewhere. It hurt her so bad.

A small part deep inside her hoped Jaden wanted to talk about finding a way to help them get rid of Joseph.

——

Girls walked to the living room, finally in their dry clothes.

"Okay girls, come on here. I made you hot chocolate and here are some cookies. Are you feeling any better?" Jaden asked with a small smile on his face, trying to cover up his madness and worry.

"Yeah, a little."
"Okay. Before hot chocolate, just drink this. I really don't want neither of you to get sick."
"Thank you."
"Thanks dad." Jaden sat on chair, looking at two girls that were tucked with blankets.

"Do you wanna tell me what happened? I feel like I should know."
"Well, we, uh, we got to the class and we were preparing our project in front, like, where board is, and next second we just got splashed with so much cold ice water." Phoebe quickly explained, picturing the moment in her head. Both her and Rhianna were so embarrassed. It's just that Rhianna is more used to it.

"Did you see who did it?"
"Well, I don't really know their names."
"It's Reggie. And few of his friends." Rhianna added, making Jaden nod.
"Yeah, I heard it's not the first time they did something like that."
"It's not." Rhianna said as she looked down, making Phoebe move closer to her and lean her head on her shoulder.

"I'm going to talk to the school counselor. It can't happen again. You did nothing to deserve to get splashed with ice cold water. Even if you did, it's out of mind for someone to splash you with cold water in middle of February." Jaden's statement was right. All of them knew it. And so Jaden was gonna fight for his kids, and now Sasha's kids because they obviously don't have a father that will do that for them.

"Okay." Phoebe nodded her head, still resting it on Rhianna's shoulder.
"I'm gonna be honest, they won't do anything about it. They might even do because you are white and all that, but then kids will only get worse." Rhianna almost whispered, making Jaden let out a sigh.

"I understand you, Rhianna, but it's not a solution to sit with arms crossed and let kids bully you."

Jaden let girls watch TV while he went to take a call from his boss, and afterwards talk to Adam who called him few times.

"Jaden what happened? You got me all worried here, what happened?" Adam said as he answered the call.
"Phoebe and Rhianna, Sasha's daughter, had a little accident in school. Someone splashed them with cold water."
"Stupid kids. And then you ask me why I don't love children. For that reason. Imagine creating someone and that someone turns into an person like those kids are. Hell no."
"Okay, I don't need to hear hour long talk about not loving kids." Jaden stated, rolling his eyes. Even Adam knew that he rolled his eyes when he said that.
"So how are they?"
"They okay now, dry and warm." Jaden said as he looked out of the window.

"That's good. So you won't be coming to work today anymore?"
"No. But I'll be there tomorrow."
"Okay. I might stop by tonight to see what you have for dinner. I'll see." Adam's sentence made Jaden chuckle. Nothing knew coming from his best friend.
"I didn't even think you wouldn't. Okay, bye."
"Bye." Jaden hung up, setting his phone in the pocket.

——

February 19th, 2022

3RD PERSON

"Hey." Jaden smiled as he walked in the shop. Serenity greeted him with a smile and nice 'hi, how are you?'

"I'm good, what about you?"
"I'm good, I'm good." Serenity nodded her head with a smile.
"Oh, hey Jaden." Sasha smiled when she saw Jaden in the shop.
"Hi. Is it bad timing now?"
"Well, I'm just putting some stuff on shelves. Would you mind talking while I work?"
"No, no. Of course not. I got you both breakfast and coffee though, it's still warm."
"Oh, you shouldn't of. How much was it?"
"It doesn't matter, really. Let's go talk quickly so you can have your breakfast." Jaden said, making Sasha walk to the place she was placing stuff on shelves.

"So? Is it something serious?" Sasha asked as she continued to do her job.
"Well, kind of."
"Oh. Should I be worried?" She stopped for a moment to look at Jaden before continuing.
"Well, not really. My friend told me recently that in two weeks judge Gordon is retiring and moving to Michigan or somewhere." Sasha stopped what she was doing, looking at Jaden with wide eyes.

A part of her wanted to scream from excitement that someone would finally move away Jimmy and Jason and she can get divorced and put Joseph in jail.

But, part of her was so scared. Her whole life she was controlled by Joseph and she didn't know if she could actually live alone, without him. Not because she loves him. Because she is too manipulated that she doesn't know if she could do it.

"What?"
"Yes. Once he is gone, in two weeks, little less, Jimmy and Jason are going down from police and straight to the jail. And then you can finally get free life from him."
"Uh,"
"I made this whole plan what we are going to do. But we can't really talk about it here." Jaden sounded even a little excited about his plan. Not too excited, but proud for sure.

"Jaden-"
"Don't pretend, Sasha. We both know you want this." Jaden said as he held Sasha so she wouldn't turn around and he could look into her eyes.

He held her maybe even too close. Their faces were really close, they could feel each other's breath on their faces.

Sasha blinked few times trying to move all the thoughts in her head. She never felt like this. There was something in her tummy, this feeling that made her heart beat increase.

She never really necessarily felt this tension. Sure she felt butterflies, but a long long time ago.

And why would she have butterflies? She's thirty and she isn't in love with this man.

There's nothing that makes her thoughts about feeling his lips on her be valid.

"Sash-" Serenity said as she walked to the aisle to ask Sasha about the code she needed, but stopped as she saw how close two of them were to each other.

Jaden quickly stepped away while Sasha cleared her throat, turning around and looking at Serenity.

"Sorry, what did you say?"
"I wanted to ask about the code, but I think I actually just remembered it." Serenity quickly walked away, not even giving time for Sasha to respond.

Sasha looked down, before feeling Jaden's hand on her back.

"Look, we could-"
"I think it's time for you to leave. I really need to work." Sasha cut Jaden off. She couldn't have a conversation with him. No talking about his plan, but also this tension that just built up between them.

"Okay, but we are not done with this talk. I honestly just want the best for you and your kids. I want to help you out."
"You don't know anything Jaden. What I said that night- I was little tipsy and-"
"Don't lie to yourself. Because I know this is the reason why you told me. You want my help, you just can't admit it like that. But I'm not giving up. I'll see you soon so we can continue our conversation." Jaden said before he turned around, making his way to doors of the store.

"Bye Serenity."
"See ya." Serenity said as she watched man get in his Range Rover and drive off.

"What the fuck did my eyes just witness? Did you guys kiss?" Serenity smiled at Sasha, nudging her side.

"No. I don't want to talk about it, T. But it was definitely not what you think it was." Sasha said, not looking at her friend.

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