Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 21

*** TREY ***

As I was pulling on my belt, I heard Sharon's sharp voice cut through the upstairs hallway. "Trey! Get down here now!" I tightened my belt, rolling my eyes. Her tone was biting; whatever happened, I was sure I'd end up being the one to deal with it.

I found her standing in the living room, arms crossed, a furious scowl etched into her face. She gestured dramatically at our white sofa, where a small, bright orange stain spread across the cushion. "Look at what that little girl did," she snapped, not bothering to lower her voice.

I called out, "Dri! Come here." Slowly, Adrianna walked into the room, her head down, glancing up at me with those wide, innocent eyes.

"What did I tell you about eating on the sofa, baby?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You told me not to," she murmured, looking at the floor.

"So... what is this, Dri?" I asked, pointing at the stain, trying not to let my voice waver. I could feel Sharon's sharp gaze on me, pushing me to be firmer.

"It was an accident," Dri said, her voice barely a whisper. "I was in the kitchen, but then I heard your phone ringing on the couch, and I thought maybe it was important... I just wanted to bring it to you. The cup slipped. I didn't mean for it to happen."

Before I could say anything, Sharon cut in. "Oh, sure, it was an accident," she sneered. "She's a little brat and needs to be disciplined, Trey. If you don't step up and handle her, I will. She's not my kid, so I'm not going to pretend to like her."

I could see Adrianna shrinking under Sharon's glare, her small hands clutching the fabric of my shirt. Something inside me snapped. "Hey," I said firmly, my voice a bit louder now. "She's just a kid. And she's trying, okay? Don't talk about her like that."

Sharon scoffed, looking at me with that twisted smirk of hers. "Kids are a nuisance, Trey. That's why I don't want any of my own. Don't expect me to be some kind of stepmom to your little brat."

"Watch your mouth, Sharon," I warned her, gritting my teeth. "Dri is standing right here."

Her mouth twisted, her eyes flashing defiantly. "She's your child, not mine. So don't tell me how to speak in my own house!" She turned and stormed out, leaving Adrianna clutching onto me, a worried look on her face.

I scooped her up, brushing the curls away from her forehead and kissing it softly. "It's okay, baby. Don't worry about her. You're not a problem, okay? You're my girl."

She nodded, but I could see the sadness in her eyes, a sadness no six-year-old should ever have to feel. Just as we were starting to relax, Sharon came strutting back, my credit card in hand. "I'm going shopping," she announced, as if she was daring me to object.

I set Adrianna down. "Dri, sweetheart, go grab your things for later, alright?" She nodded and scurried off.

Turning to Sharon, I held out my hand. "Where do you think you're going with that?"

She gave me a blank look. "I just told you. Shopping."

I shook my head, grabbing the card back from her. "No, you're not."

She stared at me, bewildered, then indignant. "What are you doing?"

"Taking back what's mine," I said firmly. "You want to shop? Go earn your own money for once."

Her face contorted in anger. "Excuse me? Where is this coming from?"

I sighed, running a hand over my face, feeling exhaustion settle in. "It's coming from reality, Sharon. We've been together six years, and I've never seen you work a day. Not once. You spend my money like it's water. I'm the one out there, working, paying for this house, for everything you do."

"Oh, so what? You're tired of me now?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I'm tired of this, Sharon. I come home after a long day, hoping for some peace, maybe a home-cooked meal. Instead, I walk into an empty house or one filled with your friends. And when I do see you, it's not to find you cooking or even just relaxing here with me. You're either out at a spa, shopping, or throwing a party. When's the last time you thought about us?"

She rolled her eyes, waving a dismissive hand. "Please. I'm not your maid, Trey, and I'm not here to play housewife either. You want me to cook and clean? Find somebody else, because it's not going to happen."

"Funny you mention that," I said coldly, feeling something click in me. "Get out."

She blinked, looking at me as if I'd slapped her. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me, Sharon. I'm done. This house? It's in my name. And if you can't be part of this family, then leave."

She gave a brittle laugh, her hand reaching up to my chest in some attempt at softening me. "Come on, Trey, don't be ridiculous. You know you can't throw me out."

I took a step back, her hand dropping to her side. "Watch me."

Her face twisted as she saw I wasn't going to back down, and she turned on her heel, stomping away. I watched her go, a mixture of relief and sorrow filling me. There was a time when I'd thought she was everything I wanted, but seeing her now, how she treated my daughter, there was nothing left.

When I turned, I saw Adrianna standing quietly by the doorway, clutching her little backpack, her eyes big and round. She'd seen more than I wanted her to.

She looked up at me, her voice small. "Daddy... did I do something wrong?"

I knelt down in front of her, my hands resting gently on her shoulders. "No, baby. You didn't do anything wrong. Sharon... she just doesn't understand, okay?"

Adrianna nodded, but I could tell she didn't fully believe me. I pulled her into a hug, holding her tight, and as we stayed there, the weight of everything started to hit me. This little girl depended on me—she was my responsibility, my family. I couldn't let anyone treat her like she was a burden. Not even someone I once loved.