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Jadon had tried everything to convince me to never see Gio again. He was relentless, constantly calling, texting, and even showing up unannounced. "He's dangerous, Imani. You need to leave him," Jadon would say, his voice laced with desperation. But my love for Gio was too strong, and I couldn't bear the thought of being apart from him. I ignored Jadon's pleas, believing he simply didn't want me to be happy. Eventually, I moved in with Gio, hoping it would make everything better.
But now, sitting in our dimly lit apartment, I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my chest. I reflected on my conversations with Jadon and Jobe. Their words echoed in my mind, clashing with my own thoughts. Gio didn't mean to hurt me, I told myself over and over. He was just under a lot of stress.
There were moments of tenderness that I clung to, like when Gio would hold me close and whisper sweet nothings in my ear, making me feel safe and loved. But those moments were becoming rarer, overshadowed by the violence that seemed to be creeping into our lives more frequently. The bruises, the yelling, the apologies—each cycle chipped away at my confidence, leaving me more isolated and confused.
One evening, Gio came home in a foul mood. I could sense the tension the moment he walked through the door. "What's wrong?" I asked cautiously.
"Nothing," he snapped, slamming the door behind him. "Just leave me alone."
I tried to give him space, but it wasn't long before he started to pick a fight. "Why is the house such a mess?" he demanded, his voice rising. "Is this why I let you stay here, so you can just sit on your lazy ass all day? What do you even do?"
His accusations stung, and I felt my own anger bubbling up. "I clean every day, Gio. You know that," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Don't talk back to me," he shouted, advancing towards me. The argument escalated quickly, and before I knew it, Gio's aggression turned physical. He pushed me against the wall, and I felt a sharp pain as my head hit the surface.
Tears filled my eyes, not just from the physical pain but from the emotional betrayal. As I lay on the floor, clutching my head, I realized with terrifying clarity that the cycle of abuse was only getting worse.
In the aftermath of the incident, I felt more isolated than ever. Jadon's messages were a constant reminder that someone cared, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. I didn't want him to see me like this, broken and ashamed.
The next day, Gio came home with flowers. He knelt beside me, his eyes filled with regret. "Babe," he began, his voice soft and remorseful. "I'm so sorry for what happened. It will never happen again, I promise."
I wanted to believe him so badly. "You always say that, Gio," I whispered, my voice trembling. "But it keeps happening."
He took my hands in his. "I'll change. I swear. Just give me one more chance."
His apology felt like a lifeline, but I couldn't ignore the pattern. The emotional manipulation was becoming clearer. As much as I loved Gio, I knew I needed to protect myself.
That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing. I knew I couldn't continue living like this. For the sake of my safety and well-being, I had to make a change. With a deep breath, I reached for my phone and scrolled through my messages until I found Jadon's latest text.
IMESSAGES Jay 💕
friday 8:30am Jay 💕 Imani, please call me. I'm worried about you.
Jadon, I need help. Can we talk?
As I hit send, a weight lifted off my shoulders. I didn't have all the answers, but I was taking the first step towards reclaiming my life. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but with Jadon's help, I was ready to face whatever came next.
A/N: Thank you guys so much for the love I've been getting for this book. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
