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I was so desperate for any sign of remorse that I had to create fake scenarios in my head where I was finally in a position of power.

Half the fantasy died when I pushed my father down the stairs. But now my mother has thrown her hat in the ring, and I don’t know what to do with that development.

“She might not even be sorry,” I add, staring at my palms.

The oven closes and Ms. Agnes’ hands are around mine in the next instant. “I’m not gonna tell you you’re wrong for wanting those things, sunshine. But what I will say is that people are disappointing. I been on this earth for fifty-seven years and I can promise you it doesn’t get better. The only thing you can change is how you deal with people. Adjust your expectations and save yourself some heartache.”

“Okay.”

“Look at me.” The earnestness in her voice coaxes my gaze up to meet hers. “You’re not wrong for how you feel, Delilah. If you wanna leave that door closed instead of walking through it, I support you. Whatever you decide, I’m on your side.”

My talkwith Ms. Agnes is still on my mind later when I close my laptop for the day and lean back on the couch. I exhale after finishing yet another round of practice questions for the math portion of my GED equivalency exam.

I might hate reading, but at least it’s something I do well enough to breeze through the test subject. The problem with all my knowledge until recently coming fromold encyclopedias is that I missed out on everything to do with math.

Now I understand why so many people hate it. And honestly, it doesn’t get enough hate if you ask me.

When I found out Adonis would be working late, I skipped dinner and told Ms. Agnes to keep my food in the oven with his so we could eat together later.

“What time is it?” I wonder aloud. I hadn’t checked it before closing my laptop and my eyes buck when I grab my phone and see the three numbers glaring back at me.

8:07.

I have a muddy memory of Ms. Agnes telling me bye on her way out a while ago. But I didn’t realize two hours had passed.

Getting up, I leave the living room and walk down the hall back toward the kitchen.

On his bed in the corner, Titus lifts an ear at my departure but doesn’t follow me.

Light pouring into the hall a few doors down reroutes my steps and I’m standing in the doorway of Adonis’ office before I can think about it.

“How long have you been home?” I ask his bowed head.And why didn’t you come find me?

Adonis straightens, an indulgent smile on his lips. “Stop pouting.”

He stands and walks around his desk to me.

“You were in your zone studying so I didn’t want to interrupt.”

My head tips back on its own in anticipation of the kiss he places on my lips. “Did you eat?”

“No,” he hums, kissing me again. “I was waiting for you.”

When his tongue pushes past my lips, I let it and smileat the weight of his arms engulfing me. I didn’t know Adonis had it in him to be affectionate but not a day has passed in the past two weeks where I wasn’t sheltered in his embrace from the moment he got home.

It’s turning into my favorite place. And that’s a problem because my first boyfriend is not supposed to be a man with plans to marry another woman.

Logically, my brain knows that. But my heart has an agenda of her own. “How’s your fiancée?” I mumble against his mouth, breaking the spell.

Instead of letting me go, Adonis tightens his hold on me and pins me against the wall. His semi-hard length presses into my stomach and magically, my words disappear on the tip of my tongue.

“Stop trying to piss me off, Delilah, because it’s gonna end with you crying for another orgasm like you have every night this week.”

Not another breath is wasted before he lifts me, and my legs wrap around him instinctively.

I drop my head and find solace in the crook of his neck when he grinds into me again. This time harder.

“You see how easy you just folded because I make you feel good?”