Page 48

SERENITY

S ix years ago, I held her in my arms for the first time.

Now, she was bouncing around my kitchen, cast and all, screaming about how this was the best birthday ever while still in her PJs covered in sprinkles from the birthday pancakes I made her.

She was excited about her birthday party, I knew she was.

She had been talking about it for two weeks.

All her friends from school were supposed to be there, we had even invited her teacher Ms. Bradley.

Creed had gone all out for her party. He always did. He wasn’t about to let a broken arm ruin her fun.

He’d purchased the house we’d toured a few weeks ago, and after much discussion, we decided to put the Phoenix house on the market.

With the way the market was moving, we were set to profit at least five million each when it sold.

And since this new house was big enough to host all of LA, we agreed that it was the perfect spot for Cree’s birthday party.

And of course, because we don’t do anything small, the theme was Cree’s Carnival.

The backyard was unrecognizable. Creed had rented out an entire carnival and brought it to the house.

There was a mini Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a giant inflatable funhouse. Booths were lined up along the grass, handing out cotton candy, funnel cakes, and snow cones in every flavor imaginable. There was even a little petting zoo with ponies, baby goats, and bunnies for the kids.

Cree was over the moon, running around with her kindergarten friends in her pink tutu dress and light-up sneakers, while Gio—being the overprotective big brother he was—followed her like a tiny bodyguard.

Family and friends were everywhere—Arielle, Brodie, Naseem, Egypt, Averi, Sevyn, my parents, Creed’s mother, even Joseph made the trip out.

It was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

I should’ve known Jailah wouldn’t let us have peace.

From the second I spotted her stepping through the French doors like she belonged here, I felt the heat rise to my face, my fists clenching on their own. Creed saw her too. His entire expression dropped, his jaw tightening, his body language shifting from relaxed to agitated in an instant.

Which meant one thing—He didn’t invite her. So why the fuck was she here?

I dropped the plate of cookies I had in my hand and was already making my way toward her, my pulse racing, my hands itching.

"Yo, yo, yo!" Sevyn grabbed my arm before I could take another step. "Nope. Not today, Tootie. We’re not doing this today."

"Sevyn, move."

"Fuck no," he said, voice low, firm. "This is Cree’s birthday party. You really gonna let this messy bitch ruin it?"

I was damn near shaking.

"I told Creed to check this bitch," I gritted out, my voice quivering with anger. "Now, look."

"I see," Sevyn nodded. "But she wants you mad. And you walking over there, giving her the fight she’s looking for, means she won."

I exhaled sharply through my nose, forcing myself to step back.

"Fine," I muttered. "But she better stay away from my kids and if she says anything slick?—"

"Then she gets dragged," Sevyn finished for me with a smirk.

My eyes stayed glued to Jailah, waiting for her to slip up. It was only a matter of time before she did.

We were just finishing up family pictures—me, Creed, Cree, and Gio standing together, looking picture-perfect—when I heard her.

"Why the fuck are y’all posing like a happy little family? I’m standing right here, Creed!"

The backyard went dead silent. All the guests turned to look. The DJ lowered the music. Even the kids stopped playing. And I—I saw red.

I turned so fucking fast, my feet already moving before my brain even processed the fact that I was about to fight at my daughter’s birthday party.

Creed looked pissed. He was rubbing his temples, muttering something under his breath as Jailah stood near the pool, arms folded, glaring at him. I didn’t care. I was already walking over.

"You need to go," I said calmly, but my voice was tight with rage.

Jailah laughed, rolling her eyes. "Girl please. This isn’t your house, sweetheart. You’re just a guest, just like me."

I laughed back, stepping forward. "Bitch, you real brave for showing up here today. But, you need to go before I drag yo ho ass around this backyard like I dragged you on social media.”

She scoffed, flipping her blonde curls over her shoulder. "Bitch, I want to see you try. You’re a fucking home wrecker and everybody knows it now.”

My eyes narrowed, a smirk appeared on my face. Not because I was entertained but because I was trying hard as hell not to put hands on her.

"Last I checked Jailah, you ain't got no home to wreck. You had to weasel your way here today. This nigga don’t even claim you in public. The only reason anybody know you’re fucking with him is because you stay putting that shit online.

I mean, when does he post you? Never. You’re a nobody Jailah and you’re not about to keep using my name for clout.

Like I told yo hoe ass before, find somebody safe to play with because it ain’t me. "

Jailah’s mouth hung open, clearly embarrassed, before she took a step toward me. "That’s real funny coming from a weak bitch like you."

"Serenity, don’t.” I barely heard Averi’s voice before I lunged.

Egypt, Ari, and Averi rushed forward, grabbing my arms as Sevyn jumped in front of me. Jailah was screaming at Creed now, pointing her perfectly manicured finger in his face, trying to act like she had a place here.

"HOW THE FUCK YOU GONNA LET HER DISRESPECT ME?" she shouted. "LOOK AT Y’ALL! Y’ALL STILL ACTING LIKE Y’ALL TOGETHER! IF YOU WANT THAT BITCH THEN SAY SOMETHING NIGGA. YOU GOT ME OUT HERE LOOKING STUPID."

“NAH YOU TRIFLIN BITCH YOU’RE DOING THAT ALL ON YOUR OWN.” I screamed, struggling to get away from my friends.

Creed’s jaw was locked, his patience wearing thin.

"You’re making a scene," he told her, his voice low and threatening. "We are at my daughter’s birthday party. You gotta go Jai."

Jailah yanked her arm away. "You think I’m leaving because you said so? Fuck you, Creed! And fuck that dirty bitch too. I should beat yo ass on principle."

"Oh, bitch, please try me!" I bucked forward, but Ari and Egypt yanked me back.

"Girl, just go." Egypt shouted at Jailah. "Before we let her beat yo ass."

Jailah turned back to Creed, eyes glassy.

"You’re really gonna let this shit go down like this?" she asked, voice shaking. “I’m your fucking girlfriend, show some respect.”

“Respect? Earn that shit Jai. You came here on bullshit we both know you did and for what? So, you could ruin my baby’s birthday? You know I don’t play about my fuckin’ kids.”

“Are you serious right now?”

"Jailah. You gotta go, get the fuck out my crib."

I watched as her eyes widened and finally, she huffed, snatched her purse, and stormed toward the door. I watched Creed follow behind her. He had to see me about this shit. I wasn’t about to keep doing this shit; not with him, her or anybody else.

By the time the last guest left, I was still heated.

Ms. June had the kids upstairs getting them ready for bed.

I was thankful that as soon as Jailah had started her shit, she ushered the kids away from the conflict; they at least didn’t see the full extent of the showdown.

All the other guests on the hand, witnessed all of it.

I was embarrassed as fuck. And Creed? Was about to feel all of it.

"Why the fuck was she even here?" I demanded; my arms folded as I stood in the middle of his living room.

"I didn’t invite her," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Bullshit."

"I didn’t Serenity!"

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "And you just let her in, let her stay while we were celebrating our daughter? Knowing the disrespect she had been spewing towards me which you didn’t fuckin’ stop that shit either."

"Look, I handled it and made her leave. What the fuck else you want from me?"

I scoffed. "Yeah, made her leave after she ruined my daughter's birthday, Creed. After she stood there screaming at you like she had any place in our family."

His jaw clenched. "I can’t control what she does."

"You could if you actually gave a fuck," I snapped. “I don’t want her around my fuckin’ kids going forward, am I understood?”

“You think you talking to Cree or Giovanni? I ain’t no fuckin’ kid Serenity.”

“Oh, no? You were sure acting like it, letting that bitch parade around this mutha fucka like she owned it. If you had her in this mutha fucka, that’s your business, but my business is those kids. And I said what the fuck I said. I don’t want that bitch around my fuckin’ kids Creed.”

“Yo kids?” Creed exhaled sharply, stepping forward. "You sound just like Gianna." I froze and I knew he noticed. Then he delivered the final blow. "And last time I checked, we only got one kid together. So, you definitely not about to dictate who’s around MY son."

My mouth dropped open, wide enough that if a fly was in the room, he’d zoom right in my mouth. I saw red. The way he said my , like I didn’t love Giovanni, like he wasn’t a part of me. He didn’t come from me, but you couldn’t tell. I was Mama Ren, and I loved him just as much as I loved Cree.

Before I could stop myself, I slapped fire from his ass. His face whipped to the side, my palm stinging from the impact.

"Fuck you," I whispered, my chest tightening. "You know I love Gio. And for you to throw that shit in my face like I’m some random bitch?—"

Creed ran a hand down his face, looking immediately regretful.

"Serenity—"

I stepped back, shaking my head as tears burned my eyes.

"Nah. Kiss my ass, Creed."

Then, without another word, I turned on my heels and walked the fuck out of his house.