Crystal: I’m not about to say no dumb shit like that when it’s your baby, stupid.
Devale: Whoa, language.
Crystal: Don’t "whoa whoa" me like you’re not the same man who just sat in therapy accusing me of being pregnant with someone else’s child. And now you want to move back in and play house?
Devale: I said what I said because I was hurt. I didn’t mean it like that.
Crystal: No, you meant every word. You’ve been waiting to throw that shit in my face. Just like you’ve been waiting to twist the narrative, like I’m the one who tore this marriage apart.
Devale stood up and started pacing the room. His jaw was tight, and his fists were buried deep in his hoodie pocket.
Devale: You think I’m just pulling this out of thin air? I’m not stupid, Crystal. You disappeared for four days whole no phone calls, no texts, not even to check on the kids. You needed a “mental break,” right? But you chose the exact week we conceived to take that break. And now I’m supposed to just take your word for it?
Crystal: Wow. So you’ve been holding that in, huh?
Devale: I didn’t want to go there, but yeah. I’ve been holding it. Because it doesn’t add up, Crystal. You bounce for days, no one knew where you were, and a few weeks later you’re pregnant. You can’t expect me not to question that.
Crystal: I told you then, and I’ll tell you again now. I left because I was drowning, Devale. Not because I was fucking somebody else. I went to a quiet Airbnb two hours away and turned my phone off. That was the first time in years I chose myself and my peace. I needed space from being a wife, a mom, a damn therapist for everybody else.
Devale: And you don’t think I deserved to know where the hell you were?
Crystal: At that time? No. You were part of the reason I couldn’t breathe. You were lying, manipulating, PROBABLY CHEATING, emotionally unavailable, and I was supposed to check in with you while trying not to lose my damn mind?
Devale: I understand that, I truly do but I'm still you're husband and it wasn't cool to disappear like that. You had my head spinning, for four whole days, I didn't know if you were safe. That was fucked up. Also, I haven't cheated on you so chill with that shit. Why didn't you communicate with me?
Crystal: Because I knew you’d use it against me just like you are right now.
Devale stood still, breathing heavily. The tension in the room was thicker than it had been all night. He didn't respond he just stared at her until she spoke again.
Crystal: You want me to say I cheated. Don't you? That’s what you want. Because if I did, that makes it easier for you to sit with the shit you’ve done.
Devale: No. I want the truth. Because I’m sitting here trying to put my heart back on the table. Honestly babe I don't think you cheated but I do think you almost did. You didn't just disappear for four whole days. I just want the truth. Who is he? Where did he come from, how did we get here?
Crystal: Fine. You want the truth. I wasn't committing adultery, I was committing murder.
Devale: Huh?
Crystal: Huh what? Look at it as a two-for-one, I was able to clear my mind and handle my unfinished business.
Devale: Say it again.
Crystal: I killed Harmony. She was a threat. I let her live after she played with Niya but she was plotting on Ace via Brittany. I found and killed her then laid low for a couple of days. It wasn’t all about you, and it damn sure wasn't about no nigga. Honestly killing her is what made me want to conceive this baby. This baby was supposed to be the fresh start.
