Ryan, a stunning woman, seems to have it all-a loving home, a fulfilling career, and a supportive family. Despite the perfect image of her marriage, recent struggles have left her feeling down. During a girls' night out, she reunites with Quincy, an...
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Everyone from my family was gathered in the room, including Kelly, Kelcy, and Kelly's son Kye, who was still attached to her hip. Before I began talking, my mom made everyone sign non-disclosure agreements, essentially warning that if they talked, we'd be pursuing legal action for everything they have.
I understood it was mostly for Kelly and Kelcy, newcomers to our family affairs. Kelly is genuinely good for my brother, and Kelcy, despite being a bit foolish in a funny way, has Quincy's trust.
"Miss Ryan, I'm Detective Eric, and this is my partner, Detective Cara. We're gonna get to the bottom of this, every detail."
My parents hugged me tight; my mother, reluctant to let me go, insisted that I tell the truth about everything.
"Ryan, honey, what happened? What could've happened for Keith to do this to you?" Jude asked me with tears in her eyes.
"It doesn't matter; that nigga is MINE!" DJ screamed, scaring Kye in the process.
"Son, calm down," my father demanded. "Let Ryan speak with no interruptions."
Scanning the room, my eyes locked with Quincy's, and he must've known I needed reassurance because he came to my bedside, grabbing my hand for support.
"Baby, just tell us. We gotchu, I gotchu."
"Mom, doesn't my lawyer need to be present?"
Kelcy stepped forward, "I'll be your lawyer, free of charge."
We all looked at her like she was crazy, including Quincy. As it turned out, Kelcy had moved here after passing the California Bar Exam and landing a job at Hastings & Wilshire Law Firm, practicing family law.
"Are you familiar with Laura Hastings?" I questioned.
"Yeah! She's my boss. Why? Do you know her?" Kelcy asked with a huge smile.
"This is too weird; she's my lawyer. So, no, I don't want you as my lawyer."
My mom chimed in and convinced me to let Kelcy represent me, at least in front of the detectives, and would fill Laura in later.
"Ok, this is what happened."...
Flashback...Earlier that morning
Keith and I had just returned home from the grocery store, and let me tell you, being seven months pregnant, exhausted wasn't the word! Keith only allowed me out to avoid arousing suspicions about his abusive behavior.
I sat on the sofa, laying my head back, trying to relax, but of course, here comes Keith's abusive ass. Over these past few weeks, I had grown immune to the abuse, not just the physical, but the emotional as well.
He sat beside me, rubbing and kissing my belly. "Ryan, I'm sorry for putting my hands on you again."
"Bullshit, because if you meant it the first time, it wouldn't have happened again," I replied, getting up to walk into the kitchen for some ice cream, the only thing I craved.
He followed me into the kitchen like a sad puppy. "Ryan, okay, I want our marriage to work. How about we tell each other about our affairs that we've had and we move on? Ryan, it's the lying that infuriates me."
"Keith, PLEASE! You lied to me for months about messing with that woman!"
"I know! I'm sorry."
"Ok, what you wanna know?" He asked sitting down at the kitchen island.
"I wanna know why you cheated on me and when did it really start?"
This light skin motherfucker proceeded to tell me that he cheated because I was working too much and never made time for him, which was bullshit because he would fuck me every night and I'd never get mine first by the way. Also, he did end it with this woman named, Ariel, the first time we somewhat reconciled, but the affair restarted 2 weeks after I told him I was pregnant.
I calmly asked, "Keith are you kidding me right now?" I scoffed putting my ice cream away.
"Baby, I'm sorry, I know you're pissed and it won't happen again. You're my angel." He said getting on his knees and kissing my stomach.
I was annoyed, but I couldn't find it in me to get mad because I was at the point where I couldn't care less. We hadn't had sex in months, he broke his promise to me by putting his hands on me again, our marriage was over. Also, my truth was about to hit him like a Mack truck.
"Keith, get up. I'm not angry, and I'm no angel, but are you sure you've told me everything? No more secrets?" I asked.
He looked puzzled. "I've been honest, that's everything. You're really not mad?"
"No, but now it's my turn to lay it all out," I said, taking a deep breath. "Quincy is the one I had the affair with. We slept together three times. First when you left for your pilot, second when I caught you cheating, and the last time was at Quincy's house after we all went to Roscoe's."
I saw him tense up, but I pressed on.
"I'm in love with him, Keith. I can't pretend anymore. When we got married, I suppressed those feelings because we were apart and in different phases of our lives, but when I saw him again for the first time in 3 years, the feelings instantly came back."
He stepped closer, his touch gentle against my face, and I felt a shiver inside as he remained surprisingly calm.
"Ryan, I can handle you being with him because you were honest with me. Let's forgive each other, and I believe you'll fall in love with me again." He kissed my forehead as tears streamed down.
"Keith, umm...I-"
"Shh, baby, it's okay. I'll wait as long as you need me to." He looked into my eyes, wiping away my tears, and I couldn't hold back any longer.
"Keith, ummm... the baby isn't yours, it's Quincy's." The next thing I knew, everything went black, and I slipped into unconsciousness.
