I prayed the woman called the police on Shane, just like I had, even though he hadn’t physically touched Rhema. When the police finally showed up that night, I told them what happened, and they questioned both Rhema and me. To my knowledge, it didn’t go anywhere, because I had no location on Shane’s whereabouts, and neither did the law. The officers said they would get back to me, but I knew that wasn’t happening. Maybe they had a heavy workload of other cases to solve, or maybe the safety of little Black children was the least of their worries.
I took a few minutes to get myself together before checking on Rhema. For some reason, my parents crossed my mind, and I wished I had a mom and dad I could run to during a time like this. I didn’t feel safe in my apartment anymore. What if Shane showed up again? I didn’t have enough money to change the lock or get a room for us to escape to for the night.
I leaned on the doorframe and watched my daughter sleep so peacefully. My mother’s words replayed in my head.“You weregrown enough to spread your legs. I hope you keep that same energy when it’s time to take care of that baby you and that boy made.”Years later, her words still struck my heart, maybe even harder now, because even as a grown woman, I was struggling to take care of my child.
After covering Rhema with a thin bed sheet, I went back to my bedroom and lay on the bed. I intertwined my fingers and rested them beneath my head as I stared at the dark ceiling. I’d been stagnant for too long. Something had to give. If I wanted more and wanted better, it was time to take action.
I reached for my phone and swallowed my pride.
Once I found the name I was looking for in my contacts, I pressed call and waited for an answer.
Four rings later, she picked up.
“Hey, Cassie, sorry to call you so late. But um…” I closed my eyes and gently bit into my bottom lip. “Can you please give me the information for the surrogacy center again?”
With all that had transpired, it became my priority to chase after a better life for Rhema and me. I brought her into this world, and it was my responsibility to determine how the next chapter of our lives would turn out.
Cassie lightly chuckled. “I sure can. Give me a second. I’ll send it right now.”
“Thank you,” I told her, and we ended the call.
Doing the same thing every day hadn’t gotten me anywhere.
Nothing was going to change for me if I didn’t either step out of my comfort zone or make a sacrifice.
CHAPTER 10
REASON
Iwent out and bought every ovulation tracker I could find and anything else we needed pertaining to pregnancy. When I came home with multiple bags of items, Saje looked at me crazy. It was my way of showing her how serious and supportive I was going to be during this journey. I was determined to have a baby, which was why every chance I got, I dropped dick in her pussy.
I couldn’t get enough of my wife. My member bricked up thinking about her.
I sat behind my desk in my home office with Saje and our situation on my mind, but it didn’t take long for a distraction to steal my attention. My burner phone buzzed. and I quickly lifted it off the desk to read the message I’d just received. Some weeks had gone by since my little problem got handled with Ann and Tianna, and surprisingly, they returned all my money. I thought I would have to see them again, but they took heed to my threats.
The message I received was from a watchman I hired to keep an eye on them just in case they tried some funny shit. He was letting me know they were officially out of Miami with plans to never return. They should’ve known better than to fuck with my money. Why they thought this wouldn’t catch up with them, Ididn’t know. But something told me I would never have to worry about them again.
I locked the burner phone in my safe and then picked up a contract my lawyer sent me. Just as I was preparing to read it, my office door flew open. Saje stood in the doorway dramatically with one hand on her sweaty forehead and the other on her hip. Her always perfect hair and clothes were disheveled. I looked at her suspiciously, trying to figure out what was up. I was ready to run back to my safe and grab my heat if she told me somebody did something to her.
“Reason.” She sniffled.
I rushed over and scooped her into my arms. “What’s wrong, baby? What happened?”
My wife wasn’t acting like herself, and that had me alarmed as fuck.
Saje rested her head on my chest as I attempted to smooth down her untamed hair while impatiently waiting for her to tell me what was wrong.
“Please don’t be mad at me.”
Hearing her say that instantly had me on edge, but I calmly waited to hear what else she had to say.
“After ourtalka few weeks ago, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor.” She lifted her head and looked up at me. “I had her run a few tests to see if I could get pregnant.”
My heart raced.
“A-And… Reason.” Saje blinked back tears. “The doctor said… Uh, baby, she said I’m unable to carry a pregnancy, and I have no viable egg production.”
I didn’t know how to accept what Saje was saying. My dream of creating life with my lady shattered, but I had to remain strong for her.
