Something New | Taraji x Fantasia

Therapy and Letters

Fantasia POV

I didn't speak the entire ride home.

Not to Dani. Not to Andre. Not even to myself.

I stared out the window, watching Atlanta blur into a mess of concrete and trees. The bags sat at my feet—expensive reminders of a day that was supposed to be soft, safe. The Capucines Mini. The clutch. The sneakers. And the bag for Taraji.

All suddenly felt... hollow.

When we pulled into the driveway, I stepped out like I was walking underwater. The house loomed tall and quiet—too quiet. The kind of quiet that presses into your chest and makes you remember all the things you're trying to forget.

Dani hugged me tight on the porch, her voice low. "Call me if you need me. Seriously. Even if it's 3 a.m."

"I will," I whispered. But I wasn't sure if I would.

Andre did a sweep of the house before I went in. He always did.

Sir had a way of making himself known, even when he wasn't physically present. A text. A whisper in the crowd. A headline. And now this—his face twisted in rage, his words echoing in my head like a scratched record.

I made you.

I pressed my back against the door once it closed behind me, the silence crashing over me like a wave.

The bags sat on the kitchen island untouched.

I didn't move. I didn't even cry. I just stood there... empty. Missing the best part of me.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I ignored it at first, but then it rang again. The screen lit up with a name I hadn't seen all day.

WIFE 💍✨

The moment her name appeared, something inside me cracked.

I slid to the floor against the cabinet, holding the phone like it was a lifeline and pressed "Accept."

Her face appeared, glowing and makeup-free, framed by a white scarf and golden morning light. She was outside—palm trees behind her, the ocean just a soft rush in the distance.

"Hey, baby," she said softly. "You okay? I felt like I needed to call."

That's all it took. The dam broke.

My eyes flooded before I could even speak. I covered my mouth, trying to hold it in, but the sob tore out anyway.

"Oh, Tasia," she murmured, her brows drawing together in concern. "What happened?"

I shook my head, wiping at my cheeks. "I saw him. Taraji—I saw Sir."

Her lips parted, but no words came at first. Then she said carefully, "Where?"

"Phipps. Outside of Louis. He—he came outta nowhere. Screaming. Tried to grab me." My voice cracked again. "He looked... so gone, Raji. Pale. Dirty. He smelled like alcohol even from across the space. Like he wasn't even himself anymore."

She sucked in a breath, eyes shining. "Baby, I'm so sorry. Are you safe?"

I nodded quickly, sniffling. "Andre stepped in. Security got him. Dani pulled me to the car. But... I couldn't move. I just froze."

"That's okay," she said gently. "You survived him. You don't owe anybody strength right now. Especially not yourself."

I closed my eyes, letting her words wrap around me. Even across the world, her voice had this way of cradling me. Of stitching me back together.