𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘 | 𝐋𝐀 𝐋𝐔𝐕 𝐏𝐓.𝟐

nineteen.

"..C'mon Khalil, let's get your shoes on baby." Samantha said with a exhale that showed how extremely tired she was. After putting Kobe out, she felt relieved but still, so heavy at the same time, like the entire weight of the world was sitting right on her shoulders.

She didn't get a wink of sleep last night either, considering the fact that her children, her finances, and a divorce from Kobe was all she could think about. At this point, Samantha just couldn't do it anymore. It was deeper than his gambling problem, it was deeper than him quitting his new job – she'd met Kobe as a teenager and has given him her last couple of teenage years and half of her twenties.

When she thought about her life, she realized that she hasn't been genuinely happy and at peace. She loved her children and doesn't regret a damn thing about them, but she'd become a mother young, giving birth to Chloé Dior at nineteen and Khalil years later. She's been totally committed to Kobe and his well being, making sure she served her duties as a wife to him and mother to their children but unfortunately none of that seemed to matter.

Look how easy it was for him to give up on building a great life for his family. As a man, he should have prided himself on doing what was right for the family he created but instead he was proud and broke. That wasn't going to get them anywhere.

So, Samantha has decided to take back control of her own life and leave Kobe right where he has her messed up at. She deserved better, and if that meant being a single, genuinely happy, and thriving mother of two then so be it.

"Khalil," She said to him in warning tone,"Put your feet on the floor so we can get these shoes on. Come on now, before we're late for school."

"Where's dad?" Chloé asked from the kitchen table as she finished up with her sausage and pancakes. Samantha sighed softly and kept quiet as she put Khalil's shoes on and began to tie his shoe strings,"Mom? Did you hear me? Where's da—"

"Dad is—" Samantha caught herself once she realized how harsh her tone was coming off,"Dad had to leave for a little while. Did you ask uncle Nip for help with your homework?"

"Mhm, he told me he was gonna' come and help me before school today."

"Well you better hope he's close by," Samantha finished tying Khalil's shoe strings and exhaled while standing to her feet,"it's almost time for us to go. Are you done eating? Did you have enough?"

"Yes ma'am," Chloé stood up from the kitchen table while balancing her plate in both hands, careful not to drop Sammy's fine china. "thank you for breakfast."

"Of course baby. Khalil go get your backpack sweetie." Once Khalil sprinted up their staircase, Chloé and Samantha were left alone in what felt like an awkward silence to Sammy.

She knew Chloé had questions and wasn't afraid to ask them; furthermore Chloé was young but she wasn't stupid and just like any other child when their parents are having issues, she can see and feel every bit of it.

"When is my dad coming back?"

"I'm not sure yet Chlo," Samantha responded lowly, distracting herself from looking Chloé in the eye by folding up the blankets she kept in their living room. "Why don't you call uncle Nip to see where he's at?"

Chloé was catching onto how everytime she asked about her father, Samantha changed the subject. Samantha obviously knew what she was doing and although divorce was the only resolution, she didn't want to speak on it so early especially to her soon to be eight year old.