Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
I realized early on that I should never assume it’s the husband’s money. Over sixty percent of the women who come into the shop are independent and not married. One lady said today, “I buy things because it makes me feel good. Money comes and goes, but that feeling of knowing I earned and deserve what I buy is wonderful.” And I smiled at her as I handed her the twenty-thousand-dollar bag and thought how crazy that sounded.
I guess coming from someone who struggles, it would be out of the norm. But for all I know, she may have come from nothing and worked her way up. And why wouldn’t you celebrate that? No one will love you as much as you do or celebrate your wins as well as you can.
At least, that’s been my experience.
I married Tony when I was eighteen, and from then on, I lived with him and did everything he wanted to do. That included turning away from my family because I believed what he said.
They didn’t want us together. And I have since realized, what person, who loves you wouldn’t want your happiness?
I even let him steal from them.
Now that was an all-time low.
Even I know that.
It’s why I’ve never gone back.
Because they know it was me who let him in.
They had locks and passcodes, and the only person who knew them and had access was me.
But Tony said we needed the money.
We didn’t, he did.
That should have been the first major red flag, but I let it go.
I let a lot of things go.
And I vowed never to do that again.
I want to be in control.
Granted, in this situation right now, I may not be fully in control. But Kyson did save my life and has also rocked my world in the bedroom, so right now, I feel comfortable.
I am not at his house by force. Kyson lets me leave whenever I want without a word.
The day I decided to leave Tony, I knew I was done and that the love we had was fabricated. And all kinds of wrong. He was older than me. My parents told me to wait it out, not marry him straight away, but I was impatient, and as a young girl, you dream about your wedding.
He was offering me the things I dreamed about.
And I jumped.
With both damn feet.
It was okay, not amazing, at the beginning.
But then, when he hit me the first time, a year into our marriage, I tried to leave him, but he got down on both knees and begged me to stay and told me he would change.
It was exactly six weeks after that when he hit me again.
And then again.
And I could see no escape.
Tony was all I had left in this world.
The asshole had told me early on that my friends were shit and that I shouldn’t be around such vile people.
He was the vile person.
I was just too late to see that.
And when I finally did, I’d already lost everyone.
So, without him even noticing, I took and sold small things. And if he did notice, I said I broke it. Eventually, I had enough saved to leave, but not before he got one final round in.
The last time we had sex, I would say I was a starfish—still and stiff—but he had the time of his life even though he knew I didn’t want to be there. Tony never seemed to mind, though, and I hate him a little more for that.
So, I decided to put away that girl who kept her mouth shut and listened. Now I kick men in the balls and back-talk them. And I like the new me more than the timid girl who was married to Tony, the damn asshole.
She didn’t know any better, and it took some learning.
But now, I’m happier. Even though I’m in a state of I-don’t-know-what-the-fuck-is-happening.
I’m still happier.
“Kalilah.” I pause at that voice.
“Kalilah.” And that voice.
I know to whom those voices belong.
With quick steps, I reach to turn on the light in the hallway as I hang up the key. Everything is dark, and I can’t hear anyone else. Usually, Nancy is done by this time, but for all I know, she could still be around.
“Leave it. And drop your things.” I hear Kyson speak, but I don’t listen. Instead, I flick on the light, and when I do, they are sitting in the living room shirtless.
“Um…” I look at them, fumbling a little in confusion before my gaze is drawn to Kyson. “What’s going on?”
“Remove your uniform,” Kenzo demands.
My eyes go wide as I stare at Kyson, but he says nothing and simply watches. Kenzo starts tapping something in his hand, and it’s then I realize he’s holding a knife.
Fuck me.
“I wouldn’t be afraid of me…yet,” he says.
For some unknown reason, I don’t think he is out to hurt me. I flick my eyes off the knife and look back to Kyson, who sits there, hands in fists on his legs.