𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍

𝑬𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 16: "𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖"

୨୧
France, Paris
Carter home
Omniscient
──── ୨୧ ────

The room still smells like her. Hours had passed, yet the intoxicating mix of flowers and lavender lingered in the air. Beyoncé chuckled to herself as she bent down to pick up a delicate pink lace thong from the bedroom floor. Onika had definitely left it on purpose, like a reminder of their afternoon together, a part of her that Beyoncé couldn't quite shake. Holding the small fabric between her fingers, she marveled at how something so dainty could stretch over that full, irresistible body.

Smiling to herself, she walked to her dresser, opened the drawer, and gently tucked Onika's thong inside, right next to her own. She paused for a moment, staring into the drawer, her mind racing. There was no denying how deeply she'd gotten involved in this. It wasn’t just the physical—it was the emotions, the connection. God, she thought, how did I get here?

Her phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. The screen flashed with Blue’s name, her heart instantly softening. Beyoncé ran a hand through her long hair, took a deep breath, and answered the video call.

“Hi Blue baby, how are you?” she asked, her voice warm, putting on the most cheerful expression she could muster.

Blue’s face lit up on the screen, but her eyes were filled with concern. “I’m good, Mommy. I just wanted to check on you, make sure you’re not overworking with that wrist and knee of yours.”

Beyoncé sighed, leaning back against the bedframe. “Oh no, baby, don’t worry about me. I’m happy I get to be cranky for a bit and relax. No work for me,” she said with a soft laugh, trying to ease the tension she could see in her daughter’s expression.

Blue gave a little smile, but her eyes darted offscreen for a moment. “Okay, I love you, Mommy. We’re coming home in two days, okay?”

Beyoncé’s heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Blue, but also clenched at the reality that Shawn was coming back with her. “I love you too, baby. I can’t wait to see you.”

Blue’s face disappeared from the screen, and before Beyoncé could even exhale with relief, Shawn’s face appeared. His voice was low and casual, but there was always that edge to it that made her tense.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” she replied, her voice flatter now, her cheerful facade crumbling slightly.

“I already booked a doctor’s appointment for you tomorrow,” he said, his tone implying that it wasn’t really a suggestion.

Beyoncé rolled her eyes. “Shawn, I told you, I’m fine. You don’t need to baby me.”

“I’m not babying you, babe. You’re hurt. I don’t want you limping around the house or making it worse because you’re too stubborn to see a doctor,” he said, the frustration evident in his voice.

She felt her body stiffen, a familiar anger bubbling up inside her. “I’m not a child, Shawn. I know my own body. I can handle it.”

“You always say that,” he shot back, his eyes narrowing. “And every time, you end up pushing yourself too hard. I’m trying to help you, Beyoncé.”

Beyoncé bit back her immediate retort, trying to keep her voice level. “And I’m telling you, I don’t need that kind of help right now. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

There was silence on the other end of the line, the tension thickening. She could see Shawn’s jaw clench, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was holding something back.