"Behind Closed Doors"

New Strength

Kayla's POV:

Chapter 9:

Kayla sat in Lena's living room, her legs curled up under her as she stared at the TV, though she wasn't really watching it. It had been a few days since Devin barged into her apartment, and even though he hadn't shown up again, she could still feel the weight of his presence.

Lena had been a lifesaver, letting her crash at her place for as long as she needed. But deep down, Kayla knew she couldn't keep hiding. She needed to figure out her next move. She couldn't stay in this limbo forever, looking over her shoulder, waiting for Devin to show up.

Lena walked in, carrying two mugs of tea, and sat down next to her on the couch. "You doin' any better today?"

Kayla shrugged, sipping the hot tea even though she didn't feel like drinking it. "A little, I guess. I just... I don't know what's next. I feel like I'm stuck."

Lena sighed, leaning back and watching Kayla closely. "Look, I know it feels like that right now, but you're already halfway out, Kay. You told me what's goin' on, and you ain't gotta face this by yourself no more."

Kayla knew Lena was right, but it still felt like the world was closing in on her. Devin had a way of making her feel small, like every decision she made was wrong, and now she was questioning everything.

"I just don't know how to get out completely," Kayla said quietly, staring down at her mug. "What if he doesn't leave me alone? What if he gets worse?"

Lena didn't flinch. "Then we get the law involved, Kay. You ain't gotta do this alone. You got me, you got your brothers. Devin ain't as invincible as he thinks."

Kayla bit her lip, thinking about Isaiah and Jordan. She still hadn't told them. She knew once they found out, there was no going back. Isaiah, especially, wouldn't let this slide. He'd come after Devin, and Kayla didn't know if she could handle that kind of drama. But at the same time, she was tired of feeling like she was on her own.

"I'm scared, Lena," Kayla admitted, her voice small. "I'm scared of what'll happen if I leave him for good. I'm scared of what he'll do."

Lena leaned in closer, her voice gentle but firm. "I know. And it's okay to be scared. But fear ain't gon' keep you safe, Kay. You gotta take your power back, and that means not letting him control you anymore."

Kayla swallowed hard, the words sinking in. Take her power back. She hadn't felt powerful in months, maybe longer. But Lena was right—she couldn't let Devin keep running her life. Not anymore.

Just as Kayla was about to respond, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and immediately felt the familiar wave of anxiety wash over her. It was Devin.

Devin: We need to talk. I ain't playin'. You know where I'm at.

Kayla's hands started to shake as she stared at the message. She could feel the trap closing in on her again. The same trap she had been caught in for too long.

Lena noticed the look on her face and frowned. "It's him, ain't it?"

Kayla nodded, her throat tight. "He wants to talk."

Lena scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course he does. He's tryna drag you back in. But you ain't goin' back, Kay. You done with him, remember?"

Kayla nodded, but the fear was still there, lurking just beneath the surface. What if he showed up at her place again? What if this time, he didn't leave?

She opened her phone and read the message again, her heart racing. Devin's words were always the same—controlling, demanding. But this time, they didn't have the same hold on her as they once did. She wasn't the same girl she had been before. She wasn't trapped anymore.

Without a second thought, she deleted the message.

Lena watched her closely, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You good?"

Kayla let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "Yeah. I'm good."

For the first time in a long time, Kayla felt a sense of peace settle over her. She had made the choice. She wasn't going back to Devin, and she wasn't going to let him control her anymore. She had Lena, her brothers, and herself. That was enough.

"Let's go out tonight," Lena said suddenly, a playful grin on her face. "You need to get out the house, shake off all this mess. We'll hit up a spot, have some drinks, and remind you what freedom feels like."

Kayla hesitated for a second, then smiled. Maybe that's what she needed. A break. A reminder of who she used to be before Devin tried to strip her of it.

"Yeah," Kayla said, a small but real smile breaking across her face. "Let's do that."

Later that night, as Kayla got ready to head out with Lena, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She looked different. Lighter. Like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She hadn't felt this free in a long time, and even though the fear of Devin still lingered in the back of her mind, it wasn't as strong as before.

Her phone buzzed again, but this time, she didn't even look at it. She didn't need to.

Devin no longer had control over her.

She had taken her power back.