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“And she won’t raise mine.”

“What I’m saying is, where does she have time to compete with you?”

Her words rubbed me the wrong way because, deep down, I couldn’t even answer her ass.

“I just don’t like the bitch, okay?”

“And that’s your right. But stop making everything about her.”

“I don’t make everything about her.”

“Yes, the fuck you do. Take your baby to that appointment and move on with your life. If all that money goes back to Kyenna, you can kiss your lifestyle and that house you’re trying to get goodbye.”

The next morning, I threw on the first decent outfit I could find and got Ryleigh dressed. I had overslept just a little and was doing the best I could. After the long talk and shots Kam and I had last night, I crashed on the sofa and forgot to set my alarm. Lloyd had already called when I was grabbing the keys to get out the door. We pulled up to the clinic forty minutes late. I found a parking spot and grabbed Ryleigh’s hand and headed inside.

“Hi, I’m here for a DNA appointment for Ryleigh Newsome.”

“Have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.”

I looked around for an empty chair. That’s when I noticed Shameek and Ms. Lorraine. Hell, Jaharee had even brought her ass with them.

“Damn,” I mumbled.

Shameek got up from his chair.

“Took you long enough,” he said.

“I said I would be here, and here I am.”

Ms. Lorraine got up and walked towards us.

“Hey, baby. Come here,” she said, opening her arms for Ryleigh.

Ryleigh was such a traitor. She wasted no time running into her grandma’s arms.

“Grandma miss you. You’ve gotten so big since I last saw you.”

“I miss you,” Ryleigh said, hugging her.

“Can we get this shit over with?” I asked, irritated.

“Ryleigh Newsome,” the nurse called out.

“Come on, Ryleigh.” I held my hand out.

They had already submitted Rah’s DNA, so this was going to be quick. We followed the nurse to a room where she explained the process. She swabbed both of us. When I saw her pull a needle out, I was confused.

“What are you doing?”

“We were told to do a blood sample as well. The Kings don’t want the swabs to get switched some way.”

“You’re kidding,” I laughed.

“Just doing my job.”

She cleaned Ryleigh’s arm as she talked sweet to her and told her it was going to be a little pinch. Watching my daughter’s blood go through the tube pissed me off. They had taken the shit too far.

“Results will be back in a couple of days. They will come to your email and Mr. King’s lawyer’s email.”