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As I sat outside Shay's house, the cold night air wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. The streetlight flickered overhead, casting a dim glow that barely illuminated the memories haunting my mind.
I could see the silhouette of Shay's home, a place that had once felt like a sanctuary but now loomed like a prison, reminding me of everything I wanted to escape.
Gio's calls had been persistent, each ringing tone hammering into my chest like a drum of anxiety. I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with her name-my heart ached. Why couldn't I just let go? Why was Shay always lurking in the shadows, ready to ruin what happiness I had found with Gio?
I pressed my back against the cool leather of my car seat, my thoughts spiraling.
"Claudia, think," I whispered to myself. I knew I couldn't just have a civil conversation with Shay, the last time had ended in chaos, and I was still picking up the pieces.
I thought I was stronger, but as the emotional weight settled in my chest, I felt weak, defeated. The sound of Gio's name broke through my thoughts like a lifeline.
I reached for the car radio, my hand trembling, and accepted the call. The moment her voice spilled through the speakers, my heart raced.
"Mama, where'd you go? You can't just leave like that, especially after how we last talked."
The guilt washed over me like a tidal wave, crashing against my better judgement.
"I know, Gio... I just-" My voice broke, and I covered my mouth to stifle the gut-wrenching sob that escaped.
"Baby, what's wrong? Where the fuck are you at? I'm coming," she said, her voice laced with worry and anger.
"Hello?" she called again, urgency building in her tone. I finally managed to choke out, "Shay-" "What the fuck she do, bruh?" Gio's tone grew sharper, each word punctuated with tension.
"I went to go see her," I admitted, wiping tears that blurred my vision. "Claudia-baby, what was your need to go do that? Especially not saying shi- you got me about to crash out." I could hear her frustration mingling with concern, a cocktail of emotions that cut deeper than I wanted to admit.
"It was an impulse decision," I confessed, my voice trembling. "I was angry she was coming between us, and I wanted to stop her. But I didn't even have an idea of what I was doing." Another wave of tears flowed, each sob a reminder of how fragile I felt.
"I'm taking an Uber there; send me your location, baby," Gio said, her voice softening but still firm, like a lifeline pulling me back from the edge.
Before I could respond, the call ended, leaving the weight of silence in its wake. I slumped back in the seat, my heart pounding as I realized the mess I had created.
I knew deep down that with Gio, I had a chance to reclaim my happiness, even if it felt like I was battling an army of demons alone. I wiped my tears, sending a quick text with my location, and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.
