Page 21 of Love Always, Nova Black

“Yeah. Apparently, he had convinced her that he was in love with her and when the time was right, he was going to leave his wife.”

“Straight bullshit!”

“Pretty much,” Don replied. “He had her believing that mess for three years.”

“That’s a long ass time.”

“It is, and she went along with it until she found out that his wife was pregnant, and they were renewing their vows. That’s when all hell broke loose, and she realized that he’d been lying about leaving the entire time.”

“Damn, that’s fucked up.”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure if it was the pregnancy or the vow renewal that made her snap. All I knew was one day I couldn’t find her ass for two days, and the next I was getting a call from her mom telling me that she’d been arrested.”

My head dropped. “Wow!”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I said. Turns out, she went to the hotel room that they were staying in and shot them both. She only shot his wife once, but she shot him multiple times.”

I couldn’t even believe my ears, and as much as I hated what had been done to Kierra, I couldn’t help but ask, “What about the baby?”

Taking a deep breath, Don shook his head slowly. “Nah, the baby didn’t make it. The wife barely did.”

“Wow, that’s terrible. I bet that woman had no idea that her husband was out here doing stupid shit, and she damn near lost her life.”

“I know. But with all that being said, that’s where Kierra is, and she’s never getting out.”

“Are you saying—”

“Yep, for the rest of her life.”

“Oh my God! That’s horrible.”

“It is,” he replied. “But, yeah, that’s how I found myself in the position of being a single father and trying to figure out where to go from here. I’ve only been able to see Kierra once since she’s been in there. She refuses to let me return, and she doesn’t want me to bring Dakota anywhere near her. She even insisted that I return to Belbridge.”

“I agree with her. You need the support, Don. Raising a child on your own isn’t easy.”

“Yeah, I’m realizing that,” he said as he slid his hand down the back of his head. “I’m just trying to take it one day at a time.”

“As you should, but do that with people who love you,” I replied. “You know I’m always here for you, and I want to help you in any way that I can. I’d be able to do that if you came back home.”

“I know.”

“So just do it.”

He sighed. “I’m thinking about it. I just need a little more time.”

“Understood,” I replied with a nod.

“Damn…giving you the rundown made me tired. I need a nap. You ready to go?”

“Yeah, I’m feeling the same way.”

“Cool. Sounds like we have a date with the bed.”

Teasing, I said, “Hmm…sounds like you’re trying to get me in your bed again.”

He shrugged. “You might be right.”

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