This is the sequel to Heart Ain't a Brain. If you haven't, read that first!
They say don't fall in love, it's a mistake.
The trajectory of one's life can change in the blink of an eye. So what happens when a series of tragic events changes the cour...
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Raelle
I been hearing things And seeing things And so it seems you're moving on from me
Caught you on the scene With little miss thing And trust me, she really don't want beef
I stood in my bathroom mirror, my hands gliding over my arms and legs as I massaged in the shimmering glow of my Fenty Body Lava. Each stroke of the luminous oil enhanced the richness of my skin, leaving behind a radiant sheen that caught the light just right.
I had just finished carefully blending foundation over the healing scars on my thighs, making sure they were concealed as much as possible. The outfit I had chosen exposed more of my skin than I had been accustomed to since I started cutting, leaving me feeling both vulnerable and uncertain.
But tonight, I needed to look flawless. The dress I had chosen demanded it. A sleeveless, teal mini dress that hugged every dip and curve of my body, stopping mid-thigh in a way that made my legs appear endless. The color itself was a statement, a striking contrast against my complexion that made me feel like a walking masterpiece.
The delicate spaghetti straps tied at my shoulders, small yet intentional details that accentuated the soft, cascading drape of the cowl neckline. The ruched detailing along the sides sculpted my waist, pulling me in and giving the illusion of an hourglass figure—an effect that made me feel both powerful and dangerously enticing. Paired with my staple white lace-up heels, which wrapped around my ankles like an intricate piece of art, the outfit was the perfect blend of sultry and sophisticated. The heels elevated more than just my height—they amplified my confidence, even if it was just a façade for the night.
This dress was one of the gems from my boutique's upcoming collection, a piece that would soon be live on the website once everything was finalized. The photoshoot had been a success, though I was still waiting on the final images. They were supposed to arrive sometime next week, and with every passing day, my excitement grew. Everything seemed to be coming together, and if things stayed on track, I could make the mid-January opening I had been aiming for. That thought alone should have filled me with a sense of accomplishment. It should have been enough.
But no matter how much my professional life was falling into place, no matter how good I looked on the outside, inside, I felt hollow.
Dominic's words had been playing in my head on a vicious loop, cutting deeper each time they echoed in my mind.
"I'm not askin' you to fuck me, Raelle. You the one beggin' for us to link."
The sting of his voice still lingered, laced with indifference and cruelty. It had slapped me into reality in a way I hadn't been prepared for. I had spent so long fooling myself, clinging to a threadbare hope that maybe—just maybe—there was something salvageable between us. But that moment had shattered the illusion. Dominic wasn't waiting for a resolution, wasn't secretly hoping for a happy ending like I was. He was content to keep me as an afterthought, to take whatever I was willing to give until I finally had the strength to walk away for good. And now I saw it for what it was—this endless, toxic cycle that would only end when I chose to break it.
