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She sniffled softly before excusing herself from her classroom. Once she was alone in the hallway, Whitney released a shaky breath. “Saint, please tell me you didn’t do this for me.”
“I did it because all three of us deserved better, but I can’t lie, if I wouldn’t have hurt you, I’d still be with her. Hurting you is something I will always regret, but it was the motivation I needed to end our marriage. I hope you find peace in knowing your role in my life got me out of a toxic ass situation. I owe this to you.”
“Jesus, Saint. You’re really trying to make me cry and mess up my makeup like I don’t have a whole school day to get through.”
Saint chuckled and licked his lips. “That wasn’t my intention, beautiful. I’ll let you go. Thank you, Whitney.”
She sniffled again before muttering, “You’re welcome.” Whitney pulled in a deep breath. “I hate how things ended, but I’m honored to have known, experienced, and inspired you to finally do what was best for you.”
Licking the corner of his mouth, Saint blinked back tears he wouldn’t dare let fall. While he’d never told Whitney that he loved her, he had a lot of love and respect for her.
“Goodbye, Whitney.”
She released a heavy exhale. “Goodbye, Saint.”
Saint disconnected the call and ran his hand down the back of his head. He might not ever be in a relationship with Whitney, but she would always have a place in his life that no other woman wouldeverbe able to fill.
* * *
“I wishyou would have let me come,” Cartier whined.
“Why?”
“So I could beat her up.”
Saint chuckled, though he knew his sister was serious. After their divorce was finalized, it took Tristan three weeks to officially release Saint from the label… their label… the label that wouldn’t have even existed without him. It wasn’t a difficult decision to return to Memphis. Saint feared he’d get into a hell of a lot of trouble if he remained in California. Besides, there was nothing tying him to the beautiful city of Los Angeles anymore.
“I’m just ready to get this shit over with, sis, you feel me? The sooner I can get to Memphis, the better.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m glad you were able to maintain your composure during the meeting.”
“Yeah. The old me would have jumped across the table on her and her lawyer’s ass, but this is nothing to a titan. I’m so at peace; it ain’t shit Tristan can do to get a reaction out of me.”
“That’s my big brother. Well, I’m glad you’re coming home to Memphis. I’ve missed living in the same city as you!”
“Same, sis. And I’ll be back in time for Thanksgiving too. You baking me my own sweet potato pies, right?”
Cartier giggled. “You know it. I’ll have two waitingjustfor you.”
“That’s what I love to hear. I’m about to head to the house and make sure the movers have everything out before I head to the airport. I’ll call you when I land.”
“Okay, big brother. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After disconnecting the call, Saint turned back and looked at the building one last time—Saint Records. The company he’d put his blood, sweat, and tears into since the age of eighteen. Before there was a building or even a seed… just his dream… Saint had prayed for the day his talent would make him rich. If he would have known to pray for a partner who wouldn’t take advantage of him and his talent and wealth, Saint would have been a bit more specific. Coming into the music industry, Saint expected to be tried and tested, but not by his own manager and wife. Regardless of who the betrayal had come from, Saint was just glad to be done with it.
“Ayo, Saint,” Dontae called from the front door. He jogged over to him, waiting until he was directly in front of Saint to ask, “Is it true? You’re really leaving?”
“Yeah, it’s true.”
“Damn, man. How is there going to be a Saint Records with no Saint?”
Saint chuckled with a shake of his head as he squeezed the back of his neck. “Take that up with the CEO. To her, I’m just an artist.”
Dontae sucked his teeth and gave Saint a dismissive wave of his hand. “Come on now, I know what’s up. Tristan might have that mouth work, but none of this would have been possible without you. If you’re about to start your own label, let me know ASAP. I’m ridin’ with you.”
All Saint could do was bob his head and shake Dontae’s hand.
