Tough Love

Chapter 2

I woke up to Kaliyah shaking my body.

"Mommy wake up." She said quietly.

"Hey baby, what are you doing up?" I said, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"I'm hungry." She said.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Seven." She said.

"Alright honey. What do you want to eat?" I asked.

"Can we make blueberry pancakes?" She asked.

"Sure. You wanna help me?" I said.

"Yeah yeah!" She smiled brightly.

"Alright honey come on." I got up off the couch and grabbed her hand, leading her to the kitchen.

"Is your daddy awake?" I asked.

"No he's sleeping still." She shook her head.

"Alright well we better make him some food anyways." I pulled the pancake mix out of the cabinet and had Kaliyah get the blueberries from the fridge.

I slowly measured 1 cup of mix and poured it in the bowl. I was still half asleep, considering I wasn't able to go to sleep until three in the morning.

I measured 3/4 cup of water and poured it in the bowl.

"Wanna mix it?" I asked her.

"Yes!" I grabbed a whisk from the drawer and put them on the floor for her to mix. "Mix these in when you're done." I set a cup of blueberries down next to the bowl.

I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath. I left Kaliyah in the kitchen while I brushed my teeth. When I was done I walked back in the kitchen and saw Kaliyah had mixed the blueberries in and was eating the mix.

"Kaliyah! No! Don't eat that!" I took the bowl away and put it on the counter.

"Why not?" She asked.

"It's not brownie mix silly." I laughed.

"Oopsie." She grinned, pancake mix smeared all around her mouth and on her fingers.

I threw the whisk in the sink and grabbed a frying pan out, setting it on the stove and grabbing a spatula. "Go in the bathroom and clean yourself up." I laughed as I rinsed my hands.

"Hey daddy! You're finally up! We're making blueberry pancakes, wanna help?" She asked.

I turned around and saw Justin leaning on the doorframe, staring intently at me.

"Goodmorning." I smiled.

He walked over and wrapped his hands around my waist, and leaned down to my ear.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

I tensed but tried my best not to show it.

"I-it's okay." I said quietly.

"No it isn't." He gently wiped a thumb across the bruise that started to form on my face.

"Mommy, what happened to your face?" Kaliyah asked, just now noticing the light bruise.

"I-I fell last night. I'm okay don't worry." I forced a smile but she noticed it and frowned.

She saw too much, she saw things a six year old shouldn't see. I felt horrible for that, and I did my best to protect her. I don't know how much longer I will be able to do this, put up with this.

"Things will get better, I promise." He said.

'That's what you always say,' I thought.

"Do you have any meetings or concerts today?" I asked.

"I planned on going to the studio but that's it, why?" He asked.

"Well, it's supposed to be sunny today so I thought maybe we could have a picnic and go to the park." I suggested.

"Oooh yes yes! please daddy?" Kaliyah asked.

"Sure." He smiled. "I'll just call scooter and let him know I won't be coming in today." He pulled out his phone and walked away, towards the back door.

"Go clean up now Kaliyah." I said.

Curiosity got the best of me and I followed him, but stopped when I heard his voice on the patio.

"Yeah babe, maybe tomorrow. Yes, scooter will cover for me. I'm sure. If not him someone else will. No, nobody is going to find out I said that! I got to go before she comes out looking for me. Bye baby." He pulled his white iPhone away from his ear and slid his finger across the screen, ending the call.

I ran back to the kitchen before he could notice I was listening.

Who is this 'baby' girl? Why doesn't Justin want me to find out? Was he cheating on me?

"Okay we're all good, I let scooter know, he said to come in tomorrow." Justin smiled.

"O-okay great. Well let's finish breakfast." I forced a smile and turned towards the stove, so he couldn't notice the tears filling my eyes, threatening to spill over.

I can't deal with this anymore.

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