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Imani's POV:
I was in the kitchen, making tea, when I heard the front door slam. I knew instantly that Jadon was upset. He stormed into the room, his face a mixture of anger and concern.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded, his voice echoing off the walls.
I stared at him, confused and caught off guard. "Tell you what?"
"About Gio," he practically spat the name. "That he hit you."
I felt my heart drop. How did he find out? "Jadon, I—"
"Don't 'Jadon' me!" he interrupted, slamming his fist on the counter. "You're my little sister, Imani. I'm supposed to protect you. How could you keep something like this from me?"
Tears welled up in my eyes. "I didn't want to worry you. You have enough on your plate with everything."
"Enough on my plate?" he echoed incredulously. "You think that matters more than your safety? I can't believe you thought you had to deal with this alone."
"I love him, Jadon," I whispered, the words feeling both true and like a betrayal to myself.
Jadon ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Love doesn't look like this, Imani. Love shouldn't hurt you."
His words stung because deep down, I knew he was right. But admitting it felt like admitting I had failed, that I had made a terrible mistake. "It's not always like this," I defended weakly. "He can be so sweet, so loving."
"And then he hits you," Jadon said flatly. "That's not love, Imani. You deserve better."
I didn't know what to say. I felt torn, my loyalty and love for Gio at odds with the undeniable truth Jadon was laying out. The silence between us stretched, heavy and uncomfortable.
Later, when Jadon finally left to cool off, I found myself scrolling through my phone, my fingers hovering over Jobe's contact. I hesitated, then typed out a message:
IMESSAGES Jobe ⚽️
I trusted you jobe.
Jobe ⚽️ Call me.
With a deep breath, I pressed the call button. Jobe answered on the first ring. "Imani?"
"Jobe, did you tell Jadon?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
There was a pause. "He had a right to know," Jobe said finally. "You shouldn't have to go through this alone."
"You had no right," I snapped, my anger flaring. "This is my life, my choice."
"Your choice?" Jobe sounded hurt. "Your choice to stay with someone who hurts you? Imani, I care about you too much to just stand by and do nothing."
"I don't need you to protect me," I said, my voice breaking. "I can take care of myself."
"I know you're strong," Jobe said softly. "But everyone needs help sometimes. I love you, Imani. I always have and I always will. I can't just turn that off."
His confession took me by surprise, but I couldn't let myself be swayed. "Jobe, I'm with Gio. I love him."
"You deserve better," he repeated Jadon's words. "You deserve someone who treats you with respect."
I felt tears streaming down my face. "I can't do this, Jobe. I can't keep having this argument."
There was a long silence. "I just want you to be safe," he said finally, his voice filled with pain. "But if this is what you really want... I hope he makes you happy."
I couldn't bear to hear the hurt in his voice. "Goodbye, Jobe," I whispered, and before he could respond, I ended the call and blocked his number.
As I sat there, my phone still in my hand, I felt a mixture of relief and guilt. I love Gio, and I knew he didn't mean to hurt me. But Jobe's words echoed in my mind. For now, I was committed to my choice.
