Someone To Love

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Space Between Two Hearts

Jahil's Background 

Jahil didn't grow up with much. Raised by a single mom in the heart of South Central, he learned how to hustle before he could even write his name in cursive. His mom did the best she could, but working two jobs meant he was out in the streets, figuring things out the hard way.

By 15, he was knee-deep in the game. Drugs. Money. Power.
The streets respected him. Feared him.
But when he met Heavenn, that fear turned into hope.
She was the one person who saw past his lifestyle. The only one who called him out on his BS and still loved him anyway.

When Passion was born, Jahil was shook. He never wanted kids—but he stayed, tried, and eventually began to love that little girl.
Then that night happened.
That one mistake.
That one reckless friend.

He lost everything.

He did time. Not for the murder—but for the drugs.
And during those years behind bars, all he saw in his dreams was Heavenn's face and the sound of Passion's giggle. 

Jahil's POV

"Order number 57." I heard the cashier say.

I turned my head and there she was.

Heavenn.

I hadn't seen her in years. But damn if she didn't look even more beautiful.

Her hair in that messy bun. That natural glow. The way her body moved—confident, but cautious. She looked like the woman I always knew she'd become... but she looked like she had forgotten me.

My heart dropped.

I wanted to run to her, say I was sorry, beg her to forgive me again.

But all I could do was stand there, like a ghost.

Watching the only girl who ever really knew me sprint away like I was the villain in her story.

Maybe I was.

But I swear, all I wanted to say was:

"I still love you, Heavenn."

A Few Weeks Later

It's been almost two weeks... and Jahil won't stop blowing up my phone.

I've ignored every call. Every message. Every late-night "just checking on you" text. Part of me wants to block him. The other part? It lingers on the edge of curiosity. Of memory. Of pain.

I'm not gonna lie — I kinda do still like him. But I don't know if I can ever love him again. Not after what happened. Not after everything he put me through.

Still, I miss the way his brown eyes used to lock onto mine like I was his entire world. The way his deep, husky voice would whisper my name like a secret. The way his strong arms wrapped around me like home.

And the way his 6-pack trailed all the way down to his di—
Wait, what the hell am I even saying?
I have someone now.

His name is Terance.

He's calm. Grounded. Real. He doesn't just look at me—he sees me. And he never judges me for what I've been through. He's got a two-year-old son, Terance Jr., but we all call him TJ for short.

TJ is so adorable. Smart, sweet, and always smiling. His mom lost custody a year ago due to heavy drug use... and honestly, she hasn't been seen since. I hate to say it, but part of me feels like she's probably gone for good.

Still, Terance lets TJ call me "Mommy." He says I've earned it.

And maybe... I have.

He knows about Passion. About what happened to her. And he's never once made me feel broken for it. If anything, he's treated me like I'm whole—like I still deserve a family, a future, and peace.

But there's one big difference between Jahil and Terance... and it's something I can't stop thinking about.

The way they love me.

Jahil loved me like fire—reckless, wild, and burning.
It was passion that felt dangerous... but addicting.
Rough around the edges, intense in every way.
He took from me—but somehow, I still wanted to give more.

But Terance?

Terance loves me with gentleness. With intention.
He touches me like I'm something rare. Speaks to me like I'm a melody.
When we're intimate, it's soft. Deep. Healing.
It's not just sex—it's love.
Real, raw, patient love.

I don't know what to do.
I know one day I'm going to have to choose.

And maybe... just maybe... that choice will be Terance.

Terance's Background & Feelings About Heavenn

Terance grew up in a two-parent household—but don't let that fool you, it wasn't all sunshine and smiles. His father was verbally abusive and cheated constantly. Watching his mom cry herself to sleep night after night is what taught him how not to treat a woman.

When he got older, he vowed to be better.
To love better.
To raise his son, Terance Jr., with all the care and attention he never got.

He met Heavenn at a small open mic event.
She was singing. He was in awe.
She didn't even know how powerful her voice was—how her presence made the whole room stop breathing.

Heavenn was quiet at first, guarded. But over time, she let him in.
And when she told him about Passion?
About her past?
He held her while she cried, and told her she'd never cry alone again.

He loves her. Genuinely.
And even though he can sense that she hasn't fully let go of her ex, he keeps trying. Terance doesn't give up on things he believes in.

And he believes in Heavenn.

**Will Heavenn finally let go of her past?

**Can Dequan be the man she really needs?

**Or is her heart still stuck in the shadows of what once was?