Unfinished Business

Chapter 33: Que's POV - Balancing Love and Regret

Que had been in North Carolina for weeks now, and even though he'd moved in with Lena to be closer to her and Amina, things weren't as simple as he'd hoped. He was grateful for every moment he got to spend with his daughter, watchin' her sleep or makin' her smile with silly faces. Each time he held her, he felt a love that made everything else fade away.

But bein' close to Lena again came with its own weight. He knew she was still hurt, and he couldn't blame her. Every time he looked at her, he saw the pain he'd caused—a reminder of the trust he'd shattered. He was willin' to do whatever it took to prove he was there for both her and their daughter, even if it meant takin' things one careful step at a time.

Despite the peace he was tryin' to build with Lena and Amina, there was still one thorn in his side: Layla. Since she'd found out about Amina's birth, she'd been more aggressive than ever, callin', textin', and even leavin' voicemails that ranged from guilt trips to outright threats. Each time he heard her voice, he felt a surge of frustration, wonderin' how he'd let things get this complicated.

Layla's Latest Attempt

Just that morning, he'd gotten another text from Layla, accusin' him of neglect and makin' vague threats about takin' things to court. She'd even sent a photo of herself with her hand on her belly, her message hintin' that he'd better be ready to be a father again—though Que had his doubts about whether the baby was actually his.

Layla: I'm not goin' anywhere, Que. You can pretend I don't exist, but sooner or later, you'll have to face me. Maybe I should stop by and introduce myself to that new little family of yours, huh?

Que clenched his jaw, feelin' a wave of anger. He'd already told her once that he wanted a paternity test when the baby arrived, but she kept tryin' to use the pregnancy to manipulate him. He wasn't about to let her disrupt the life he was buildin' with Lena and Amina, and he knew he needed to put up some boundaries before things spiraled further.

A Quiet Resolve

That evening, as Lena sat with Amina in the living room, Que stepped outside, takin' a deep breath as he dialed Layla's number. She picked up after a few rings, her voice drippin' with attitude.

"Finally decided to call back, huh?" she sneered.

"Layla, I've told you before—if the baby's mine, I'll be there. But I'm not playin' these games. I'm not dealin' with threats, and you're not showin' up here unannounced," he said firmly, keepin' his tone steady.

She laughed, a cold, bitter sound. "Oh, you think you're in control now? We'll see, Que. But remember, I can make things real hard for you if I want to."

He shook his head, feelin' a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "I'm done with the drama, Layla. I'll handle my responsibilities, but don't push me. We'll get the test done when the baby's here, and that's that."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before she finally hung up. Que exhaled, feelin' the weight of her threats lift slightly. He was prepared to handle things legally if it came down to it, but he wasn't about to let her disrupt the family he was tryin' to build.

Back Inside

When Que returned to the living room, Lena looked up, noticin' the tension on his face. She didn't ask any questions, but there was a silent understanding between them. He took a seat beside her, reachin' over to gently rub Amina's tiny hand.

"Everything alright?" Lena asked quietly, her gaze soft but concerned.

Que nodded, takin' a deep breath as he looked at her and their daughter. "Yeah... everything's good. Just... clearin' up a few things," he replied, his voice calm.

He looked down at Amina, his heart swellin' with a renewed sense of purpose. No matter what challenges came their way, he was ready to stand by Lena and be the father their daughter deserved. And as he held Amina's tiny hand, he knew he'd do whatever it took to protect the family they were buildin', one step at a time.