Unfinished Business

Chapter 72: POV Lena

Lena sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing, her heart heavy. She could still hear Que's words echoing in her head, "Just one more time." She hated that phrase. "One more time" always had a way of turning into more, of draggin' people back into things they swore they'd left behind. She'd seen it before—how it pulled people back in, chewed 'em up, and left 'em with nothin' but regrets.

She leaned her head back, lettin' out a deep sigh. She knew Que wanted more for them, wanted that "big payout." But it was hard not to feel like it was her and Amina's happiness he was gambling.

Her thoughts drifted back to when they first got together. She'd always known the streets had a grip on him, a part of him drawn to that fast life, but she'd thought they'd moved past all that. Together, they'd built a real life, something solid—something she never had to question. And now, just when everything was finally good, he was takin' a step back into that world.

Worry Sets In

Lena looked over at Amina's crib, watchin' her little girl sleepin' so peaceful. She had her daddy's strong features, that quiet strength in her little face even as a baby. It hurt Lena to think that Que was riskin' their family, their peace, for somethin' he couldn't even fully explain to her.

She heard him on the phone downstairs, his voice low, serious. She knew that tone. It was his "business" tone—the one he used when he was deep into whatever hustle he was dealin' with. Part of her wanted to go down there and drag him away from that phone, but she knew it wouldn't change his mind. Once Que set his sights on somethin', it was near impossible to steer him another way.

A Conflicted Heart

Lena pulled her knees up to her chest, wrappin' her arms around them, tryin' to quiet the doubts and fears swirlin' inside her. She wanted to believe him, to trust that this really would be the last time, but trust was fragile. She'd spent years buildin' it with him, and now it felt like it was teeterin' on the edge.

She loved him with every piece of her, but sometimes love wasn't enough. Sometimes, people needed to show they were willin' to change, to let go of the past. And right now, Que was holdin' onto somethin' she couldn't fully understand. Somethin' she feared could break them.

Standing by Her Choice

Despite the ache in her chest, Lena knew she'd stand by him. She didn't know if it made her foolish or loyal, but she knew she wasn't ready to give up on what they had. She'd seen Que fight for them, for her, and she was gonna do the same. But she couldn't help but wonder if, by standin' by his side, she was lettin' him believe this was okay. She didn't want to be the reason he thought he could dip back into a life they'd both tried so hard to leave behind.

"Please, Que," she whispered to herself, her voice soft as she looked at Amina sleepin', "don't let this ruin us."

A Moment of Resolve

As Que's footsteps sounded on the stairs, Lena quickly wiped away the tear slippin' down her cheek, steelin' herself. She wasn't gonna let him see her doubt. She needed him to feel her support, needed him to know that she was there for him, even if this whole situation made her uneasy.

When he walked into the room, she gave him a small smile, hopin' he couldn't see through it. He leaned down, kissin' her forehead, and she wrapped her arms around him, pullin' him close, hopin' that somehow her love could be enough to keep him safe, to pull him back if things went too far.

But deep down, she couldn't shake the worry that this might be the beginning of somethin' neither of them were ready to face.