Jordan

I wake up slowly, blinking against the morning light that’s creeping through the curtains. The bed beside me is empty. Mya’s side, cool to the touch. My heart sinks for a moment, a dull ache filling my chest as I replay the events of last night in my head. Everything had felt so perfect her smile, the way she looked at me, how we held each other close but now, she’s not here. What if something went wrong? What if she’s pulled away again?

I sit up, rubbing my face with my hands, trying to shake off the heaviness. Then, I hear the faint sound of running water, and it hits me. She’s in the shower.

I don’t hesitate. I throw the covers off and slide out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cool wooden floor. I make my way to the bathroom, my mind racing with thoughts I can’t seem to calm. I reach for the door, pushing it open just enough to slip inside. She’s standing there, the steam swirling around her as she rinses her hair, eyes closed.

“Mya?” My voice is low, hesitant.

Her eyes snap open, and she smiles, that warm, knowing smile. She reaches out, and I feel the tension in my chest ease just a little. I step in behind her, closing the door gently. Without saying a word, she moves closer, and I follow her lead, pressing my lips to her neck, the feel of her skin warm beneath my touch.

Everything from last night floods back the softness of her, the way she made me feel, like I was the only person who mattered in the world. But today, I need more than that. I need to feel connected to her, in a way that’s slow, tender, and real.

Our bodies press together, and the world outside the steam of the shower doesn’t matter. There’s no rush this time. Our movements are gentle, the rhythm almost like a dance. The water runs over us, washing away the weight of everything. I’m lost in the way she feels against me, the way her breath hitches with every touch, the way she holds me as if she needs me, too.

When it's over, we stand there for a moment, just breathing, letting the water fall over us. The silence between us is comforting, like we don’t need words right now.

I take the soap from her, washing her back slowly, the intimate act speaking volumes without a single word. She does the same for me, her hands gentle, careful, as if she’s memorizing the feel of me.

Once we’re both clean, we get out, drying off quickly, our eyes never leaving each other. There’s something so simple, so real in these moments something I can’t imagine losing.

We slip into our workout clothes, the day moving forward, but in a way that feels perfect. I lead her out for a jog, a pace that allows us to talk, to laugh, to just be. I watch her face light up when I show her my gym, her eyes scanning the equipment, clearly impressed. My chest swells with pride, and we dive into the workout, pushing each other to go a little harder, a little longer.

The sweat pours down, but it’s not just from the workout. It’s from the energy between us so raw, so real. We spend an hour together, the time flying by in a haze of endorphins and shared laughter.

When we jog back home, we shower again, the warm water washing away the tension of the workout and the rush of the day. It feels like a fresh start, every time.

As Mya moves through the kitchen, making breakfast, I sit down at the table, watching her. There’s a quiet sense of peace in the air, and I don’t want to ruin it. But then, my phone rings, breaking the calm. It’s my parents.

“Hey, son,” my dad’s voice booms over the line. “How’s everything going with Emily?”

I wince at the mention of her name. Emily…

“Yeah, everything’s great,” I say, forcing the words out. “We’re doing well. Every day’s a new adventure.”

I can hear my dad’s approving tone, and it makes me feel sick. I don’t want to lie to them, but what choice do I have? I can’t tell them the truth. I can’t tell them about Mya the truth about her not yet. The guilt weighs on me as I end the call, the fake smile still plastered on my face.

Mya comes over with two plates of breakfast, her eyes soft, her smile knowing. I try to hide the knot in my stomach, but she sees it. She always does.

“You okay?” she asks, her voice calm, gentle.

I nod, but I’m not okay. “I just... hate lying to them.”

Her hand rests on mine, her touch grounding me. “It’s okay, Jordan. You’ll figure it out. I’m here for you.”

The warmth of her hand is the reassurance I need, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. She’s here. She’s with me. And that’s all that matters right now.

As we talk, her phone pings, and she checks it quickly. Her face shifts, and I can tell there’s something there. “It’s from Aunt Layla. She’s invited me to lunch later.”

I glance up, a slight frown crossing my face. “She invited me, too.”

Mya smiles, a little brighter. “Then we’ll both go, and make it an adventure.”

She finishes her breakfast, and I watch her, my mind racing. I can’t help but think about how lucky I am. I know I am.

After she leaves for work, kissing me goodbye with a soft, lingering touch, I’m left in the quiet of the house. My mind drifts back to her again. How did I get so lucky?

I head to the restaurant, needing to check on things. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but when I walk in, everything’s exactly as it should be. The kitchen is buzzing, the staff moving like a well-oiled machine. The sight of it eases something inside me. I’ve built this. I’ve built everything. And somehow, I still get to have her.

I smile, feeling like I’m exactly where I need to be.

Mya

The car ride home felt like an eternity. The weight of the day meetings, emails, calculations, decisions had drained every ounce of energy from me. I didn’t even have the strength to remove my heels when I walked through the door. But there was one thing, one crucial thing, that I couldn’t forget tonight. Tonight, I would see them. I would finally face them all.

As I stood in front of my closet, I chose carefully. No, not just carefully deliberately. I picked an outfit that spoke of sophistication and power, the kind of power that wasn’t granted by birth but earned through grit and determination. My hands brushed over the smooth fabric of my dress, the elegant cut that complimented my figure just enough, without being too much. The silver necklace, the delicate bracelet, the perfect shade of lipstick. I wanted to look flawless, but not to impress them. No, I wanted them to see me the real me beyond the rumors and the whispers.

I couldn’t shake the knot in my stomach. It had been a while since I’d seen them since I’d left, since I’d cut ties. But tonight, I had to be there. For Jordan, for everything that had happened.

After picking up thoughtful gifts for Emily, Sophia, and even Sophia’s children because despite everything, I wasn’t the type to withhold kindness I stepped out into the crisp evening air and made my way to their house.

I took a deep breath as I approached the door. It felt like walking into the lion’s den, the weight of their judgment hanging thick in the air.

As the door swung open, I was greeted by the faces I had not missed. Sophia’s children ran past me, giggling and tugging on each other’s sleeves, but I barely noticed them. My eyes found Emily first her expression tight, her lips curled in a way that made her look more like a stranger than a sister. And then, there was Aunt Layla, looking as unimpressed as ever, and Sophia with her unmistakable scowl. But what made my heart flutter with unease were Jordan’s parents. They stood across the room, silent, but their eyes were on me. I could feel their judgment already, their unspoken thoughts swirling like a storm.

I greeted them all, my voice even but layered with the sharp edge of nerves I refused to show. "Good evening, everyone."

Jordan’s parents exchanged glances. They were quiet, but their eyes softened just slightly as they took in my outfit. I could feel their surprise, maybe even a hint of approval. I didn’t let it comfort me. Tonight wasn’t about me proving myself to them it was about surviving the storm.

“Ah, Mya, you look…” Mrs. Graham started, but her words trailed off, the smile on her face polite but guarded. Mr. Graham simply nodded, but I could tell he was sizing me up.

“So, Mya,” Aunt Layla chimed in with her usual condescending tone. “I see you’re doing well for yourself.” Her words were laced with something venomous, a small jab to remind me of all the ways I had "betrayed" them. But I didn’t flinch. Not outwardly.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice smooth but colder than ice. I set the gifts down on the table and shifted my gaze to Emily, who was standing nearby, her arms crossed and her face painted with disdain.

And just as I expected, Emily couldn’t keep her thoughts to herself.

“Did you really think we wouldn’t find out?” she sneered, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. “You think you can waltz in here, pretending you’re some high-class woman now? We all know how you really got your money, Mya. Don’t we, everyone?” Her gaze flicked around, daring anyone to disagree.

Sophia snickered from beside her, joining in the attack. “She’s right. Mya didn’t climb to the top with a brain she sold her body for it.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. My stomach churned, my fists clenched, but I refused to let the anger flood out of me. This was their game always had been. They wanted to hurt me, to break me, but they didn’t realize how much stronger I was now. I was not the girl who had been manipulated, controlled by their cruelty. No. Not anymore.

I held my head high, my eyes flashing with a fire I hadn’t allowed myself to show in years. “I am not the person you think I am, Emily. You can say whatever you want, but I won’t let you define me.” My voice trembled with the raw emotion I was holding back, but I refused to back down. “I didn’t ‘sell myself.’ I worked harder than you’ll ever understand.”

Jordan shifted uncomfortably by the door, and I could see his parents exchange knowing glances. He’d been quiet all evening, but I could see the guilt written all over his face, the way he avoided my gaze.

But Emily wasn’t done.

“Don’t pretend like you’ve changed. You’re still the same, Mya. Arrogant. You think you’re better than all of us, don’t you?” She spat the words out like venom. “Leaving your kids behind. Disrespecting us. You think you’re too good for us.”

And then it hit me the true depths of their hate. This wasn’t about me. This was about their own insecurities, their own failures. They couldn’t stand seeing me rise, couldn’t stand the fact that I was no longer their pawn.

I faced them all, my voice firm, unwavering. “I didn’t abandone anyone and who said I have children last time I check I don't have children.” My words were ice, each one falling sharp, calculated. “And if you're trying to impress The Grahams by me than try again because I haven't in my entire life got pregnant so just tell the truth who's the mother of those children.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. I could feel their judgment like a weight on my shoulders, but I stood tall, unbroken.

Jordan’s parents exchanged another glance, and I saw Mrs. Graham’s lips tighten. She was starting to see through the act.

“I would be careful about who you trust, Mr. and Mrs. Graham,” I warned, my eyes cold and sharp. “Emily and her family they’re not good people. They’ll tear you down if they think it’ll make them feel better.” I didn’t look at Emily when I spoke. Instead, I kept my gaze on Jordan’s parents, trying to make them understand. I wasn’t the enemy here.

Emily opened her mouth to retort, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction. I turned and walked to the door, my head held high, my heart pounding in my chest.

I had come to face them. I had come to fight for myself. But tonight, it wasn’t my battle to win. It was theirs to lose.

Please forgive me if I made mistakes. Please vote and comment and tell me what you think about this chapter.