Always & forever

Caught Between Worlds

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room as East stirred awake, his body buzzing with the lingering effects of his love session with Kierra. As he blinked away the remnants of sleep, he found himself greeted by a sight that made his heart swell with love - breakfast in bed and his precious baby girl rolling around on their king-size bed, her giggles filling the air. Kierra was beside him, a radiant smile on her face as she fed him fruit and played with their daughter. Despite the blissful moment, East knew he had to break the news to her about his upcoming trip to Chicago for business - business that was far from legal.

"Babe, please don't be mad," East began, his voice tinged with regret. "I have to go to Chicago for a few days. I'll be back before you know it." Kierra's expression darkened, her frustration evident as she reached for their daughter, pulling her close. "How long are you gonna be gone this time?" she asked, her voice trembling with anger. East shook his head, feeling the weight of his wife's disappointment like a heavy burden on his shoulders. Kierra's words cut deep, her accusations hitting painfully close to home. "You know what, I knew exactly what I was signing up for," Kierra continued, her voice rising in anger. "You and your lies, coming home in the middle of the night, while I'm a stay-at-home mom and now pregnant again, waiting on your ass hand and foot!" East felt a surge of frustration rising within him, his temper flaring at her accusations. "Enough!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the room, causing their baby girl to cry. Instantly regretting his outburst, East watched helplessly as Kierra wiped away her tears. Without another word, she gathered their daughter in her arms and left the room, leaving East alone with his thoughts.

As he sat in silence, the weight of his actions sinking in. Guilt gnawed at his conscience, knowing that he had hurt the two people he loved most in the world. But as he watched Kierra disappear into their daughter's nursery, her tears a painful reminder of his failures as a husband and father, East knew that he had to make things right.

As East and his crew gathered in Chicago, their focus was singular - tracking down Malik and handling business. Tonight, their target was set to make an appearance at a strip club, a prime opportunity to execute their plan and eliminate the threat he posed.

Despite the tension between him and Kierra, East remained determined to stay focused on the task at hand. He had arranged for a Chanel bag to be gifted to her, a gesture he hoped would serve as a peace offering amidst their recent argument. But deep down, he knew that material possessions meant little compared to the emotional distance that had grown between them.

"Bro, you listening?" Chris's voice broke through East's thoughts, pulling him back to the present moment.

East nodded, his mind refocusing on the plans laid out before him. He knew that now was not the time to dwell on his personal issues. Malik needed to be dealt with, and East was determined to see it through to the end.

Before diving into the details of their operation, East decided to check in on Kierra and their baby girl. Dialing her number, he waited anxiously for her to answer, his heart sinking at the sound of her voice.

"Yes?" Kierra's response was curt, her tone laced with frustration.

East swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their strained relationship bearing down on him. "You and baby girl alright?" he asked softly. "What are you eating for dinner?"

Kierra's response only served to fuel his frustration. "She's good. She's going to your mom's house while me and Brooke go out tonight."