Page 1 of The Cancer I Chose (BLP Signs of Love #4)

The melodic rhythm of Jill Scott’s “Blessed” vibrated from the speakers to the very blood vessels in our veins.

Waves of relaxing energy circled the air in the room, making love to the lavender notes drifting from the incense in the corner.

I dripped some rosehip oil into the palm of my hand.

It was warm like a fresh load of laundry.

Rubbing my hands together, I placed them on Marissa’s back before beginning to massage her tissue deeply.

She was rapidly heading toward the final weeks of her pregnancy.

I’d been working as her midwife and doula ever since she and her husband found out they were pregnant.

Hiring me for my services was a no-brainer after having heard her friends rave about my gifted hands and gentle spirit for years.

My clients all tended to run in the same elite circles.

Wives or women who happened to be pregnant by men who spared no expense when it came to the care the mother of their children received.

I loved caring for expectant mothers. There was something about helping guide new souls onto the earth that centered me, empowered me even. I might not have had the opportunity to have a child of my own yet and possibly never would, but I decided a long time ago that my work was enough for me.

I was twenty-six with nearly ten years in this field of work, and it came with its highs and lows.

I’d seen more than the average person could stand to bear, so I didn’t rush the process.

I found joy while patiently waiting on the day a wailing baby was pulled from my womb because women gave a lot to be mothers.

Therefore, they deserved gentleness, care, and love during their nine-month journey to childbirth.

When I gave birth to Nuri’s Lighthouse at the tender age of eighteen, I didn’t know what to expect.

I just knew I was drawn to babies and offering support to the young girls who got pregnant while we were in school.

To this day, my childhood friend, Samara, and I always joked that she was my first client.

When she got pregnant at fourteen, many people turned their backs on her.

I wasn’t one of them. If anything, I allowed her to climb on mine, and I carried her through as best I could.

During that time, my parents were still alive, and money was never an issue.

Once they saw how passionate I was about helping Samara, they funded everything she needed for her baby.

Because of their support, my godson Zuri was a healthy, thriving, and joyful twelve-year-old boy.

His mother busted her ass to make sure he didn’t want for a thing, and I was proud of her.

We’d both managed to turn our immovable odds into stepping stones.

I gently shook Marissa awake after finishing her massage. Her eyes fluttered open, and she laughed when her gaze landed on mine.

“Girl, your hands are a gift from God. I literally can never stay awake while you work your magic.”

I giggled because it was true. I expected Marissa to drift off to sleep every time I saw her name added to my calendar for a session.

“I’m happy to offer you some relief. It’s getting closer to baby Umi’s due date. How are you feeling?”

I helped her off the table, then slid her robe up her arms. She tied the belt in a knot, then placed her hands on her hips, out of breath.

“I feel good, but I am ready for the day when getting up off a couch doesn’t leave me so winded. I’m as big as a house.”

I waved her off while collecting my things. She was my last client of the day, so I was heading home once I left her plush and modern home in the hills.

“Girl, whatever. You are all belly. As active as you are, you’re going to drop your baby weight and be back snatched in no time at all. The bonus is you’re going to have a beautiful and healthy baby girl in your arms while you do it.”

Marissa smiled at me as her eyes took on a distant look.

I could tell she was able to picture what I’d said.

“Yeah, I wonder if she’s going to look like me or her daddy.

” She frowned. “I swear I’m going to fuck some shit up if she comes out looking like the man that put her in here.

After all the shit I’ve been through in the last eight months, that would be like a slap in the face. Her daddy ain’t do shit.”

“Who daddy ain’t do shit?” Her husband Clyde’s deep voice bellowed from behind us.

Marissa shrieked with her hand over her heart.

Neither of us had heard him come into the room.

He chuckled while circling the couch to stand beside his wife.

I damn near melted seeing the love in his eyes when he bent down to peck her lips.

Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes that I fought to keep at bay.

As a Cancer I felt everything deeply, including the love between couples or lack thereof on certain occasions.

“Don’t get quiet now. Keep popping your shit.”

Marissa giggled before playfully pushing him. “I’m venting about how pissed I’ll be if our daughter comes out looking like you instead of me. I’m the one going through hell to get her here. The least she could do is look like me.”

Clyde chuckled before his massive hands went to her belly. By the way his face lit up, I knew baby girl was reacting to his presence. Knowing that even in the womb, babies could recognize their parents’ essence warmed me to the core.

I finished gathering my things and prepared to make my leave.

“Don’t be hating. I got good genes, so she’s gon’ be beautiful either way.”

Marissa sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. I think it would hurt me more if you were ugly as hell and she had the nerve to look like you. An ugly husband and daughter would be just too much.”

We all laughed as they followed me to the foyer, still fussing about who their baby would resemble, not just physically but in mannerisms too.

I always enjoyed hearing the banter between healthy couples.

Nothing ever replaced that look of excitement in their eyes as they prepared to embark on their greatest journey yet.

“Thank you for all you do, Nuri. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to call me. A miracle worker like you deserves miracles of her own.”

I gave her a genuine grin. “You’re welcome, Madam Mayor. I’m happy to help. Take care of yourself, and I’ll be in touch soon.”

I left the happy couple to their banter and headed to my white 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL with a vintage soft top in dusty rose. It was my favorite car from my parents’ pristine collection and the only one I was able to keep from being sold off by my brother over the years.

Almost on cue, my phone rang in my purse, and when I pulled it out, his name scrolled across the screen.

We hadn’t spoken in a few days. Not for a lack of effort on my part, either, so I decided to pick up.

Rylas was four years older than me, but we’d always been close.

He was someone I could depend on to provide and protect me, especially after we lost our parents. He became all I had left.

“Hey, Ry. Where have you been? I’ve been calling you,” I stated as I started my car and slowly pulled down the smooth gravel of the Pattersons’ paved driveway.

“I need you to come to the estate. It’s important.” His voice was raspy and had a bite to it.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and peered down at it to be sure I was speaking to my brother. He didn’t sound like himself in the slightest. My Cancerian senses were already tingling, and I started to get an uneasy feeling before I cleared my throat.

“Um, okay. When?”

“Obviously now, Nuri.”

I sighed, not even in the mood to argue with him. “Okay. I’m on the way.”

Instead of a response, I was met with a beeping sound indicating the call had ended.

I stared at my phone, debating whether to call him back, but decided against it.

I was close to the estate that’d been passed down in our family.

What started as an acre and a mule grew to become so much more thanks to my grandparents and parents.

I would be there faster than I’d likely get a response from my rude ass brother.

I felt a wave of emotion as I pulled up to the wrought-iron gates with the St. James emblem carved in the middle of both gates.

After punching in the security code, the gates cracked open and allowed me to ease my car down the long and winding gravel driveway.

Eventually, the estate came alive before my eyes.

The estate sat on nearly one hundred acres of land.

It had a beautiful colonial build with large pillars in the front and a huge wraparound porch.

This home was all I’d known in my lifetime.

Its roots pressed into the soles of my feet every time I walked the grounds barefoot, making me feel the history to come through this land.

I shut off my engine, then grabbed my things from the passenger seat and climbed out.

The warmth of the sun on my brown skin was comforting.

The walk from where I parked in front of the garage to the large mahogany doors was short.

Since I knew Ry was here, I pressed the handle down to let myself inside.

The house smelled fresh and clean just the way I loved it to.

I placed my things down and kicked off my sneakers before venturing deeper into the house.

My feet carried me to the room that was used as my father’s home office.

Of all the rooms in the house, I knew I’d find my brother there.

He fancied himself on believing he was the best businessman walking the earth, even though he’d yet to show and prove as much, but that was neither here nor there.

As expected, he was leaning back in the rickety chair with a glass of cognac in his hands.

His eyes were cast toward the lake in the distance.

I thought maybe his tone on the phone was a fluke because he looked so at peace.

That is until he spun around so I could see him, and it took me controlling every muscle in my body for my mouth not to pop open in shock.

Rylas looked bad. His clothes were unkempt and dirty.

He hadn’t gotten a cut in a while, which was unlike him to have his hair so untamed.

My brother loved to look clean and fresh.

He operated best when women were fawning all over him.

However, the man sitting in front of me was a far cry from the man I knew and loved.

“Ry,” I called out his name shakily as I lifted a hand to my mouth. It hurt to see my brother in this condition. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

He stood up slowly and swiped at his runny nose. “No. I’m not alright. I need money, and the only way I’m going to get it is to sell the estate.”

I felt like that SpongeBob Meme with Mr. Krabs when it was like the world was spinning.

Huh? How was selling our legacy even up for debate?

Our grandparents and parents had set us up so well that the next five generations of St. James children should eat without the need to pinch a penny from here or there.

“Wh-what? I don’t understand.”

He pressed his fists into the desk. I noticed the way his shirt fell forward off his thinning frame.

My brother had lost an alarming amount of weight since the last time I’d seen him.

Not only that, but the look in his eyes was so unsettling.

He looked like he was willing to do anything to get that money.

“Ain’t shit to understand except what I need.” He slid some papers across the desk. “I already have a buyer lined up, but I need all the profit to clear my debt.”

My mouth grew dry. So, he wanted to sell the estate and keep all the money to himself? “This is a joke, right?”

“Does it sound like I’m fucking joking, Nuri?” There was that bite in his voice again that stiffened my spine. My heart began to race in anticipation.

He moved to walk around the front of his desk.

I noticed there weren’t any shoes on his feet, and they were caked heavily in dirt.

How long had he been walking barefoot? Where the fuck had he been to cause a mess like that on the floors?

When he made it to the front of the desk, he motioned to the papers.

“Come sign, Nuri. I need to get the ball rolling on this sooner rather than later.”

I pulled at the collar of my cotton t-shirt. His intense stare increased the temperature in the room.

“No, I’m not signing shit, Rylas.” I folded my arms over my chest, standing up for myself. This was no simple thing. “Not until you explain to me how it’s come to this. There is no way you could’ve blown through all your inheritance.”

He scoffed. “Don’t worry about my shit, Nuri.”

I tossed my hands in the air, then allowed them to slam to my sides.

“How can I not when you’re trying to take our namesake away from me?

I’ve allowed you to sell so many things I’ve wanted to keep over the years, but getting rid of the estate is where I draw the line.

This is my home, and the only way I’m leaving it is in a body bag. ”

Nothing could’ve prepared me for the wicked smile that appeared on his face. He lunged at me with lightning speed, grabbing a handful of my hair and pushing me back against the wall. His breath was foul as he spat in my face while talking.

“I’ve done nothing but look out for you all our lives, and you can’t do this one thing for me? I know you still have money left, so you will be fine if we sell. You can find a new place to stay.”

“I can’t find shit!”

A deafening slap echoed off the walls. I looked at Ry in horror. I could taste blood from the force of his hit. He pointed to the papers on the desk. “Next time, I won’t be so gentle. Sign the fucking papers, Nuri.”

He looked like a lunatic, and I knew two things to be true—I wasn’t signing those papers, and I needed to get far away from him. When he turned to walk back to the desk, confident that he had me in line, I used all my strength to push him down and take off running out of the office.

I could hear him cursing and losing his mind behind me. I refused to slow down. Thankfully, I hadn’t parked in the garage. I grabbed my purse from the table up front. I pulled my keys out as I scurried down the steps. Ry was on the porch by the time I got to my car.

“You can run and try to hide all you want, Nuri, but you are going to sign that paperwork, even if it’s the last thing you do.”

The sinister suggestion in his voice made me gulp. That sounded like a threat, and I had no one to protect me or my assets. I feared Rylas would get his way and leave me with absolutely nothing.