Page 60

CREED

I t had been days since Serenity got the news about her parents, and I could see how much it was weighing on her. The thing between us—the tension, the lingering fight, the stubbornness on both sides—felt small in comparison to what she was dealing with. So, I did what I knew how to do best.

I took care of her and I made reservations at seven, knowing she hadn’t been eating much, and called in making sure they knew we were coming in so we could have a private area.

Tonight wasn’t about arguing, about who was right or wrong—it was about us, talking, and me getting my wife back.

Serenity looked stunning as always, dressed in a blue dress that looked delicious against her skin, but she had this energy about her—this lingering sadness that I hated seeing on her face. She was picking at her food, barely eating, and I finally had enough of the silence between us.

I set my fork down, leaning forward. "How are you really doing, Baby?"

She let out a small scoff, taking a sip of her drink. "I’m fine."

"Cap." She rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. "Serenity, I know you. I know you’re not okay. Talk to your man."

She sighed, setting her fork down. "What do you want me to say, Creed?"

"I want you to stop shutting me out," I said, my voice softer now. "I know I fucked up with this shit with Gi. I’m sorry, Serenity, I really am." She didn’t say anything, just sat back and crossed her arms, looking off to the side. "Truce?" I asked, reaching my hand across the table.

She cut her eyes at me but slowly slid her hand into mine. "Truce."

I squeezed her hand before letting go, leaning back in my seat. "I just—I didn’t think it would be a big deal. I was spending my own money on it."

Her brows shot up. "See? That’s the problem, Creed. It’s not about the money. It’s not about Gianna. It’s the fact that you didn’t even talk to me first." I opened my mouth to argue but quickly shut it. "You’re my husband, right?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Of course."

"And I’m your wife?"

"Of course."

"Then I need you to treat me like your partner."

I exhaled. "You’re right."

"Duh, I’m right." That made me chuckle and she sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "I don’t wanna be the kind of wife that dictates your life or tells you what you can and can’t do.

But I do wanna be the kind of wife you include in the big decisions. Because that’s what partners do Creed."

I nodded. "And that’s what you are. My partner. I won’t let anything come between us, Baby. I promise. From now on, I’ll talk to you first before making any big decisions."

She stared at me for a long time before nodding. "Okay."

I felt like a weight had been lifted from both of us. "Good," I murmured, reaching for my drink. "Now, talk to me about your parents."

She let out a humorless laugh. "What is there to say?"

"Everything."

She took a deep breath, her fingers gripping her glass a little tighter.

"I don’t know," she admitted. "I just don’t know. My whole life, they were this… solid unit. This perfect, untouchable love. And now? It doesn’t sit right with me.

" I stayed quiet, letting her talk. "But at the same time, my daddy had a baby on my mother.

A baby, Creed." She shook her head. "That’s something I can’t ever get behind. "

"Have you talked to him?"

She shook her head immediately. "No. I’ve been ignoring his calls. I’m just not ready to talk to him. I don’t even know what to say. What is there to say?"

I sighed, nodding slowly. "But you’ve talked to your mom?"

"A few times. She’s in New York doing press for her movie."

I could see the conflict in her eyes, the unspoken thoughts running through her head. I knew what she was thinking, she was thinking about us. So, I said the words for her.

"You’ll never be able to fully understand why he did what he did.

Hell, he probably doesn’t even know.” She looked up at me, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Mistakes really do happen, beautiful. Believe me, I know from experience." I exhaled, rubbing a hand down my face. "That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love your mom. That doesn’t mean his love for her was a lie. "

Her jaw clenched, her eyes burning into mine.

I leaned forward. "Your dad is human. I’m not telling you to forgive him, but…

maybe try to remember that, before anything else, he’s a man who made a mistake.

A man who deserves grace." She looked away, silent.

"Your whole life, you put your father on a pedestal," I continued, my voice softer. "And I get it. He’s a great man. But he’s not perfect.

" She let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping.

"I see the way your parents love each other. I’ve always seen it.

I think they can overcome this. But either way, I just want you to be okay. "

“Why?”

I reached across the table, taking her hand again. "I miss my wife," I said honestly. "I just wanna be up under you again."

She bit her lip, staring down at our joined hands.

"You gonna be good to me?" she asked softly.

I grinned. "I’m always good to you."

She snorted. "That’s a damn lie."

I chuckled. "I swear, from here on out, no more dumb shit. Just me and you, the way it should be."

She sighed, rubbing her thumb along my palm. "Okay."

"Okay?"

She nodded.

"Good." I grinned. "Now, hurry up and finish eating so I can take you home."

She arched a brow. "And do what?"

I gave her a slow, knowing smirk.

"Shit, I’m about to fuck my wife, fuck you mean?"