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I knew he carried guilt about what happened, even though I’d never blamed him for it. Sometimes I wondered if that was why he still worried so much about me. He owned Hayes Residences, along with other apartment buildings, hotels, and commercial properties. When I told him I wanted my own place, he offered me an apartment here before I’d even finished explaining what I was looking for. I appreciated having a beautiful home and security downstairs, but I’d made one thing clear… I wanted to live on my own and not have him checking on me every hour.

He’d agreed, well, mostly anyway. I smiled to myself and picked up my phone again. Ten o’clock meant I could sleep in a little, but not as long as I’d hoped. I went into my bedroom, changed into my pajamas, and wrapped my hair before washing my face. MJ texted while I was brushing my teeth.

MJ: Are you settled?

I sent him a quick message.

Yes. About to get in bed.

MJ: Call me tomorrow.

I will. Goodnight

I put my phone on the charger and turned off the bedroom light. Before I climbed into bed, I walked back through the apartment and checked the front door one last time. Deadbolt. Top lock. Chain. The alarm panel showed that the system was armed. I knew that some people would think all of that was excessive, especially in a building like this one. But I’d spent enough nights as a little girl wondering whether somebody was going to open a door and take me somewhere I didn’t want to go. I went back to my bedroom, set my alarm for the morning, and got beneath the covers. Daddy would be here at ten, and I was looking forward to seeing him. I just hoped he wasn’t planning to spend the whole visit asking me questions about MJ.

Chapter 19

Bleek

Iwoke up when Eternity shifted beside me and pushed the covers away from her body.

“Where are you going, baby?” I asked in a sleepy tone.

“To pee.”

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand before looking back at her. It was two in the morning. Around midnight she was out the bed doing the same shit.

“You just went,” I said.

“Tell your son that.”

I smiled and closed my eyes again.

“You be blaming my boy for everything.”

I could feel her pushing herself up from the bed.

“Ahh…”

My eyes opened immediately and I looked at her. She had stopped beside the bed with one hand pressed beneath her stomach, and the other was gripping the edge of the mattress. I sat up.

“What’s wrong?” I immediately asked.

“Nothing. Just…” She sucked in a breath. “Give me a second.”

“Eternity.”

“I’m okay, Malik.”

She didn’t look okay. Her eyes were closed, and she was breathing slowly through her mouth. I’d seen her have contractions over the last few weeks, and most of the time she barely reacted to them. This was different.

“Sit back down,” I said as I patted the spot beside me.

“I have to pee.”

“Baby…”

“I’m okay,” she cut me off.