Marsella emerged from the bedroom, Chanel from head to toe. The cream dress hugged her like a promise Shane never made, and her matching heels tapped softly on the hardwood as she made her entrance.
Downstairs, Shane sat reclined in a chair, legs open like he owned the whole world, and maybe he did. Across from him sat a Latina woman, fine enough to pass as J.Lo's twin. They were mid-conversation, laughter soft, until Marsella walked into the room.
"Hello," she said, forcing her voice calm and smooth.
The woman stood politely. Shane didn't.
"My name's Yesenia," the woman said, voice tinged with an accent, her smile charming. "I'm an old friend of Shane's."
"Marsella," she replied, eyes drifting to Shane for an explanation she never got.
Instead, Shane stood. "She's a doctor," he said plainly. "You on birth control?"
Marsella blinked. "No..."
"Well, starting today, you are."
Yesenia calmly reached into her designer medical bag, pulling out a pregnancy test and handing it to Marsella.
"Could you go pee on this for me, please?"
Marsella stood there frozen. Shane's face was blank. No expression, no warmth.
"I—I have reasons. I don't want to be on it," she stammered.
"Why not?" Shane asked without blinking.
"It's toxic. Not healthy."
"Pill or shot."
"We can use condoms. If you're that paranoid—"
"Pill or shot," he repeated, voice like concrete.
Marsella paused, her pride clashing with the truth. There was only one way out of this room, and it wasn't her way.
She took the test. Did what she was told.
Negative, of course. It always was. Shane never came in her. Not once. Drunk, high, or half-asleep. He stayed in control. That alone told her everything she needed to know.
"Which will it be?" Yesenia asked.
"Pill," Marsella muttered.
"She'll take the shot," Shane said, already finalizing the decision.
Yesenia didn't flinch. She was clearly used to these moments. Paid to be quiet, paid to obey.
"I don't want the shot," Marsella said again, firmer this time.
"Too bad," Shane replied, shutting the door on the conversation.
She could've walked out right then.
But she didn't. She never did.
"Lift your dress," Yesenia said gently. "I need your thigh."
Marsella stared out the window as she raised the hem of her dress. The needle slid in. She didn't flinch. She was too numb to feel anything now.
Not good enough to carry your child either, she thought. Only good enough to keep the seat warm.
Yesenia disposed of the needle, packed her things, and left without another word.
Marsella sat on the couch, rubbing the tiny bandaid like it might stitch together the parts of her she just gave away.
She looked flawless. Iced out, Chanel'd up, thighs glistening. But inside? She felt like a high-dollar escort.
Beautiful. Controlled. Unchosen.
No matter how well she dressed, how perfectly she played her role, Shane never let her forget she was not her.
She was not Paris Carter.
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This would be the first event that Paris and Shane would attend together.. but separately .. and with dates. One of their mutual friends were throwing a sweet 16 for their daughters birthday. Dominique "Dom" Jones worked for Shane. He was one of the few real ones left and Shane approved of him. Shane was the God-Father to all 3 of his kids. They had taken plenty of family vacations with the Carters, they were considered family.
However, Mia, Dom's wife had invited Paris without Shane nor Dom knowing the full extinct of the invitation. Her plus 1 was Xavier, Paris figured if he was bringing his rebound she would bring hers.
The cameras started flashing the second the all-white Maybach pulled up.
Marsella stepped out first, satin flowing around her like melted sugar. The Gucci wrap dress Shane picked clung to her curves like it had been stitched directly onto her body. Her leg slipped effortlessly from the thigh-high slit as she adjusted the diamonds around her neck. Wrist iced, collarbone dripping, her entire look whispered money.
And tonight, she wasn't just a pretty face on the arm of a king. She was his. In public, in pictures, in front of everyone who mattered.
Shane followed behind her, black Tom Ford tux sharp against his white shirt. His chain sparkled under the overhead lights, and his diamond cufflinks gleamed like quiet threats. He had that walk—the kind that turned men silent and made women stare. Fresh cut, fresh cologne, fresh everything.
Marsella smiled for the cameras like her life depended on it.
And in a way, it did.
Inside, the party was already lit. Pink LED lights painted the room like a cotton-candy dream, music thumping low. The upstairs was strictly for adults, the kids' section below roped off but glowing with laughter and glitter.
He waved, and greeted everyone as they made sure to greet him .. finally making it inside he saw Dom making his way over to him ..
"You made it !!" Dana, Doms daughter came flying past her dad and into the arms of Shane ..
He smiled, embracing his god daughter .. "I wouldn't have missed it .. Happy Birthday gorgeous .." He said, handing her a black square box .. engraved was "Cartier" which Dana knew was diamonds ..
"Thank youuuu .." She said with excitement, giving him a kiss on the cheek .. she rushed off to show her friends ..
"Man, you've done enough .. we appreciate it .." Dom said to Shane as they greeted each other ..
Shane had paid for the majority of the party and not to mention all the years he had blessed Dom for his years of loyalty in cash and property.
His family was set because of Shane, and Shamar and in return he was loyal to the cause.
"Don't sweat it .." Shane said as he took in the fancy party around him ..
"Who's this ?" Dom asked, referring to Marsella ..
Looking back at her, Shane cleared his throat .. "This is Marsella, Marsella this is Dom .." He said..
"Nice to meet you .." She said with a smile
"Same.." He replied
"Y'all can follow me, your section over here .." Dom said, leading the way through the party ..
They followed him to a velvet-roped booth, alcohol already flowing. Shane gave a subtle nod to his shooters posted outside the venue, always on guard. Child's party or not, he wasn't dying on nobody else's negligence.
"Bet .." Dom responded over the music
They sat down in their section and the alcohol instantly began flowing .. the upper level was for the adults and the area below was for the kids ..
Just like black folks to turn a sweet 16 into an adult party ..
But soon enough the kids would go home and the adults would really turn up ..
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