Page 45 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Forty-Four

Rashad:

Apple Music played in the background as I moved about the kitchen, preparing salmon stuffed with crab meat, steamed broccoli, rice, and hot water cornbread.

I didn’t cook often, but when I did, I made sure it was worth it.

The twins were napping in their bassinets, and I was waiting for Shiloh to come home.

Today was verdict day for William and Arthur, and no matter the outcome, I knew Shiloh would have a range of emotions.

Just as I was putting the salmon into the oven, I heard the garage door slowly rising.

Grabbing the bottle of wine I’d picked up, I quickly poured a glass ready to hand it to her once she came inside.

“Babe?” her soft voice sounded moments after hearing the garage door closing, and the door to the house squeaked as it opened.

“In the kitchen!” I called out.

Shiloh’s heels tapped lightly on the floors as she headed my way. She wasn’t even in eyesight yet, and I knew she was gracefully walking my way.

“Hey.” She offered a slight smile when she rounded the corner.

She stood before me in a cream-colored dress that accentuated her body and stopped just above her knees.

A black blazer covered the sleeveless dress.

Open-toed, heeled sandals covered her beautiful, pedicured feet.

Her straight hair that normally hung over her shoulders was in a high bun, displaying her stunning beauty.

Shiloh had been fine since the first time I laid eyes on her, but it seemed like after she bore my children, her beauty and my love for her intensified.

I ambled her way without a word using my free hand to stroke the side of her face and thumb her cheek. Her eyes told a story that she had, had a day. Leaning down, I kissed her lips softly before pulling back. My forehead pressed against hers.

“Sup, baby?” I finally greeted her. My voice was low while I rocked a slight smile.

Shiloh giggled.

Standing to my full height, I extended the glass her way and I winked. “You look like you might need this.”

With a heavy sigh, Shiloh stepped from her heels, forcing me to drop my eyes further down.

“I do. Thank you.” She took the glass, taking a huge sip.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not right now.” She lifted her free hand, wiping it across her forehead. “Only thing I will say is I won’t have to deal with either of them for a long time.” Shiloh sounded relieved just saying those words.

“Good.” I nodded in understanding. Shiloh may not have wanted to talk right now, but I knew I would know all that took place when she felt up to it.

Shiloh looked around. “Twins?”

It was comical how we didn’t use their names; they were either twins or babies. I knew eventually that would change, but for now, it worked. “Sleeping. Kai went down first, and K’nai put up a fight but lost.” I chuckled.

“Of course.” She chuckled. “Something smells good. You cooked?” she asked the obvious.

“Nah. I’on even know what that smell is,” I joked.

Sucking her teeth, Shiloh playfully hit me in the arm.

“Whatever, Kyan.” She stuck her tongue out.

I howled a hearty laugh. “Ahhh… you got jokes.”

Since knowing my first name, Shiloh had only used it once or twice, so I knew she was being funny.

“Come on. I did cook. Plus. I have to show you something.” I took her free hand, leading her to the dining room table.

“What is it?” she asked just as I pulled her chair out.

“Shiloh.” I looked at her with a pointed expression.

“Fine.” She plopped down in the seat, finishing off her glass of wine before I could walk away.

“Gimmie that.”

“Rude.” She rolled her eyes but did as I said.

“I am going to check on the babies and wash my hands.” She stood.

“Cool. By the time you come back, plates will be made,” I said, watching her walk away.

I said early on that she was a force to be reckoned with, but that had been an understatement. After all the shit we’d been through, had it been anyone else, they wouldn’t have gotten another chance. For Shiloh, I just couldn’t shake her from me.

As I plated the food and poured Shiloh another glass of wine, I could hear her talking to the twins.

She was saying how much they meant to her, how we both loved them, how much she loved me, and that no matter how life went, she would always protect them.

In the midst of her speaking, I heard her voice crack, so I knew she was either fighting tears or was already crying.

Hearing the quick sounds of kissing, I grabbed a folded paper off the counter before grabbing the dinner plates and carrying them to the table. Just as I was coming back with the wine and glasses, Shiloh was coming back.

“Damn, that looks good.” Shiloh damn near drooled over the plate.

“Yeah, I know,” I said cockily.

“Oh, Kyan, shut up.” she went to sit, but I softly grasped her wrist.

“A’ight now, Shiloh.” I smacked her on her ass, her ass jiggled, and she lifted on her toes from the slight pain. “Don’t keep playing with me,” I stated playfully. I really didn’t care if she called me Kyan or Rashad in all honesty, but since she never did, I mentioned it.

“Fine, Ky—” she started with a giggle. “Kidding, babe.”

She continued giggling as she took her seat, and I followed suit. Placing my hand on top of the table, I waited for Shiloh to place her hand into mine. We simultaneously bowed our heads.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us this meal, and we’re grateful for the life we have here on earth. May this food be blessed along with the ones who prepared it and consume it. In Your precious Son’s name I pray. Amen.”

“Amen,” Shiloh spoke before lifting her fork and knife, cutting a piece of salmon and shoving it into her mouth. I watched her closely. She closed her eyes and chewed slowly. I could tell she was loving it.

“What?” She laughed nervously after opening her eyes. “Why you watching me eat instead of you eating?”

I chortled, taking the piece of paper I’d taken from the counter.

“What’s this?” she questioned with a raised brow before wiping her mouth with the cloth napkin and taking the paper.

I didn’t speak. Instead, I watched her closely as she unfolded the paper and began reading.

Shiloh’s eyes slid across each word on the paper, her breathing seemed to increase. Before I knew it, her mouth fell agape and she quickly raised her head to look my way. Her eyes doubled in size and glossed over.

“Rea-Really?” she asked with a shaky voice.

“You deserve it.” I winked.

“My own firm, though? How did you do it? I mean I am so grateful, but why? I don’t deserve this.” Her voice cracked, but she was fighting the tears hard.

Pushing my chair back, I stood and took the few steps to Shiloh. I grabbed her hands, encouraging her to stand.

“You’re more deserving than you know, baby.

I know when you were working at the firm, you were forced to do things you didn’t want to do.

I know most people would have turned their back on you if they were me.

They aren’t me. I was done with you after all the shit that happened, but truth be told, I feel as though you did what you felt was right… even if it wasn’t.”

Shiloh’s bottom lip trembled, her hands sweat in mine, and the tears she fought were now cascading down her beautiful face.

“Don’t worry about the how or even the why I did it. Just know that I love you for just existing, and you deserve your firm and so much more.”

“Thank you.” Her voice cracked. “Thank you,” she repeated before kissing me.

I didn’t need the opinion or approval from anyone on the outside. My love for Shiloh was much deeper than the things she’d done.