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“I didn’t know you were bringing a guest, Atlas,” Vanessa said, returning her attention to her marinara sauce.

“She’s not a guest. She’s my woman.”

“Still...The family is in the backyard, and I don’t know how comfortable she’ll be. She can sit in the dining room, I guess.”

Chuckling, Sade lifted her hands in surrender. “I’m just gonna go, baby.”

“Nah, stay.”

“If she wants to leave, let her leave,” Vanessa said.

“Vanessa, be nice,” Clay ordered.

“No, really, I’ll go. I’ll take the car. If you want, I’ll just come and get you later.”

“His family is here. Someone will bring him to you later,” Vanessa replied before Atlas could.

“Fine,” Sade agreed.

As she tried to walk away, Atlas grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “You want me to bring you and the baby back something to eat?”

“The baby!” Vanessa yelled. “Don’t tell me you got her pregnant!”

Sucking his teeth, Atlas led Sade out of the kitchen.

“That woman would probably poison or spit in my food. Don’t bring me anything out of her kitchen.”

Atlas couldn’t tell by Sade’s expression if she was playing. “I’m sorry about that. I thought with more time passing, she’d ease up.”

Sighing, Sade stroked his hand with her thumb. “I just don’t get why she hates me so much. Her nephew tried to rape me.It’s not my fault he died. His death was declared suicide by cop because he didn’t want to go back to prison and reached for his gun. How amIbeing blamed for that?”

When her chin trembled and her eyes watered, it broke Atlas’s heart. He remained silent until they were outside by the car, where he pulled her into his arms.

“Look, my cousin was wrong. Imani was like gasoline to his greed and bad habits. When he got out and started up with her again, he became a version of himself even I didn’t recognize. I don’t blame you for that, and that’s all that should matter.”

“But it’s not,” Sade chuckled as she wiped away a tear. “I know how much your family means to you. Eventually, them not liking me is going to become an issue. And on the off chance it doesn’t, I’m not dealing with this every time I come around.”

With a frown, Atlas crossed his arms over his chest as she leaned against the driver’s side of his car. “What you saying?”

“I’m saying unless she starts treating me better, I’m not coming around.”

“Come on, Day. You know I’ll never let things get out of hand...”

“Out of hand? You shouldn’t want me to be in a position where I’m uncomfortable or being disrespected. I don’t care who it is.”

Atlas rubbed his hands down his face, releasing a defeated sigh. “Just...Go back to the hotel and rest. I’ll Zelle you some money for food.” Not bothering to respond, Sade turned and allowed him to open the door for her. “Text me when you get there. I love you.”

Atlas had grown used to Sade not returning the sentiment. He tried to convince himself his love for her wasn’t dependent upon her love for him. While a part of him admired how cautious she was with his feelings and not wanting to lie to him or move too fast, the other part of him questioned how she couldfake love for Dante for months. What about him made Atlas unworthy of the lie of love? At least it would have made him happy.

He watched until she drove away, then made his way back into his parents’ home. Before going outside to see the rest of his family, Atlas stopped to tell his mother, “You gotta ease up on Sade.”

“Did you get that woman pregnant?”

“No, it’s not my baby, but I’m raising it.”

Vanessa chuckled as she leaned against the counter. Her eyes stared outside toward his father.

“Seeing as she’s not showing yet, I assume she’s still in her first trimester.” Vanessa pushed herself off the counter and walked over to him. “So that means whatever she had with that other man is still fresh.” Her head tilted as she thought about it. “It’s Dante...isn’t it?”