Dave sat at the kitchen island, staring at the envelope addressed to him. He knew exactly what was in the envelope but he wasn't sure if he was ready to hear it.

"Are you ready?" Naala asked coming behind him. She was holding Saint's hospital bag and his coat.

"I gotta go and see Dean, you might have to pick him up on your own," Dave lied. Naala frowned but didn't say anything, she wasn't trying to argue with him.

He stood to his feet and ushered around her, picking up his car keys not before stuffing the envelope in his pocket.

"What are you hiding?" Naala said softly shifting her weight onto the other foot.

"Not now Naala," Dave shut her up. "I'm not in the mood to fight with you, just go and get him,"

"Saint, your son, not him," Naala replied looking up at him.

The envelope in Dave's pocket was itching to be opened, he needed to know.

"Yeah whatever, go get him," Dave shrugged leaning against the counter.

"You're really showing your ass," Naala pointed at him. "If you didn't want to go then you should have said so,"

Dave was tired of her painting him out to be the bad guy. She never reassured him, all she ever did was cry.

"Naala look me in the eye and tell me that Saint is my son," Dave sighed looking at her. "Because I have the information I need but I want to give you a chance to tell me,"

"Please can you drop this," Naala sighed. "He looks exactly like you,"

"No he doesn't," Dave responded. "He has curly hair Naala, while Phat and Nai have straight hair,"

Naala blinked at him, unsure of what to say. Dave stared back at her,

"Tell me the fucking truth Naala," Dave grunted. He felt the anger building up inside him.

"Don't curse at me," Naala replied lowly. "He's yours, I feel really disrespected that you're still on this. It was two weeks ago, we know that there was a mixup at the hospital,"

"How convenient for you," Dave laughed pulling the envelope out of his pocket. "Open it,"

Naala bit her lip and stared at the counter, she knew what that was - it was obvious.

"You tested our son?" Naala whispered. Dave nodded and stepped forward,

"I tested your son," He corrected her. "Everything about the way you're behaving right now shows that he's not mine,"

"He's too young Amir, this will ruin him." Naala said with tears in her eyes. "Don't do this,"

"Open the envelope Naala," Dave said, this time a bit louder. Naala knew better than to get him angry so she reached forward and took the letter.

Naala took a shaky breath and tore the envelope open. Her eyes skimmed the page until she saw exactly what she prayed she wouldn't.

"I'm sorry," Naala cried putting the paper on the counter. "I'm so sorry,"

Dave didn't even have to look, her reaction was all he needed. "Who was it? And I don't want no bullshit ass story, I want the truth,"

"You'll hate me," Naala sobbed, "I want you to know it was a mistake,"

"Who the fuck was it?!" Dave shouted making her cry harder.

"Priest," Naala muttered, "It was Priest but please you have to understand—"

"My cousin?" Dave said in disbelief. "Your best friends husband?"

"Don't look at me like that, I don't even remember how it happened," Naala cried. "But I wanted him to be yours so bad, I prayed and prayed,"

"When did you know?" Dave asked leaning off the wall,

"When he turned one," Naala muttered. "After I had Phat, I realised that Saint didn't look like Nai or Phat - he didn't even have your features,"

"So you lied for 6 years," Dave chuckled dryly. "I'm gonna kill him,"

"No," Naala stopped him. "He wanted to tell you, I stopped him. For Saint, Amir please don't do this,"

"Are you stupid?" Dave shouted in her face,

"Stop shouting, don't ruin our son's life," Naala pleaded with him.

"Naala he's not mine!" Dave shouted at her. "I'll ruin your sons life not ours,"

"Amir please," Naala got on her knees in front of him. "I'll do anything but please don't make me ruin the relationship y'all have,"

"So he doesn't know I'm not his dad?" Dave mumbled,

"No I would never do that, you're his daddy," Naala replied quickly. Dave looked down at her,

"Phat's mine?" Dave asked simply.

"Me and Priest stopped after Saint was born, it wasn't fair on you and Bri," Naala explained. It was then that Dave snapped, he grabbed her by her neck and lifted her up, squeezing the life out of her.

All his anger and hurt tightening his grip around her and making it harder for her to breathe.

"Amir I can't—" Naala gasped for air holding onto his hands trying to loosen them.

Dave opened his eyes and realised what was happening. Naala jumped out of the bed and stared at him in horror.

"Baby I'm sorry," Dave said reaching out to her,

"Don't touch me," Naala cried rubbing her neck. "What is wrong with you?"

"It was a dream, come on get back in bed," Dave said to her calmly.

"You tried killed me over a dream?" Naala replied. "What was it about?"

"That doesn't matter, I'm sorry Love, stop backing away from me." Dave said apologetically.

"I don't want you to hurt me again," Naala sniffed lightly. Her fear was present, she didn't even try to hide it.

"I'm not gonna hurt you baby, I promise," Dave said quickly. He was disappointed in himself, he vowed to never make her feel low like that again.

"Okay," Naala whispered moving back over to the bed. "Should I stay in the guest room tonight?"

"Naala lie down, I'm sorry." Dave repeated. He waited for her to get back into the bed and he got in. Naala tensed up and moved away from him, practically falling off the bed.

"I don't mean to hurt you," Dave spoke putting his hand on her thigh.

"You were talking out loud and then you started choking me," Naala replied quietly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it was a bad dream but you didn't do anything," Dave assured her, "Stop crying," He said wiping her face.

Dave was feeling bad for upsetting her. Since Saint's accident, she had been on edge and more emotional than normal. She had taken the kids out of school and they were now home-schooled. Maniya had even moved back into the family home - Naala wasn't taking any chances.

Naala also made it a point to fire all her in house staff, the only people she had were her men who weren't allowed in the house anymore. Her new personal security guard was a woman, which Naala preferred.

"I know you're tired go back to sleep," He said lifting her head up,

"Don't let me go," Naala replied. Dave leaned down and pecked her lips twice.

"I would never," Dave mumbled, his dream still heavy on his mind.

They both fell asleep within moments of each other. Naala was the first to get up as usual. She went down stairs straight away and began making breakfast for her family.

Dave rolled over and realised the bed was empty, causing him to get up fully. Knowing that Naala would have already gotten dressed, he got up and started his morning hygiene.

He reached to pick up his phone but picked up Naala's instead. Dave furrowed his brows at the two missed calls from Ace.

He went to unlock the phone but realised Naala had put a password on it - she never had a password.

Dave chuckled and shoved her phone onto his pocket going down to the kitchen.

"All I'm saying is that maybe you should let me stay with Damon for a while," Maniya reasoned with her mom.

"No," Naala said bluntly. "You're not old enough to be shacked up with a man,"

"I'm 21," Maniya defended. "How old were you when you lived in with daddy?"

"She was old enough," Dave answered entering the kitchen. Naala jumped when his voice boomed through the house, Maniya raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Y'all treat me like a kid," Maniya complained.

"Maniya all I want is for you to be safe," Naala sighed as she cut up Malia's toast. "Please listen to us,"

"Whatever," Maniya mumbled. "Daddy can we go shopping today?"

"I'm taking your brother out," Dave said in response. Naala perked up,

"You are? For what?" Naala quizzed,

"Some man to man time. Damn I can't take my son out or something?" Dave said staring at her.

"Mama is jealous pops," Saint said joining everyone in the kitchen.

"Where are you taking him?" Naala asked again only to be ignored. Instead of pushing the issue, Naala turned her attention back to Malia.

"Baby?" Malia asked putting her hand on Naala's stomach.

"No baby," Naala replied with a small smile. She didn't want to look upset in front of them.

"Saint stop touching me!" Sinai shouted. Saint had chosen to sit next to her and kept trying to annoy her.

"Hey cut it out, both of you," Naala warned. Saint and Sinai ignored her, and carried on bickering.

"Y'all didn't hear what your mama said?" Dave asked loudly standing from his seat.

"Amir it's okay," Naala said putting her hand on his arm.

"Nah they don't listen," Dave huffed. "Y'all don't deserve half the shit that's in this house,"

"I do," Maniya chirped scrolling through her phone. "Mama you like this purse?" She asked showing Naala the purse.

"Mmm it's pretty, your daddy got me one just like it." Naala said wiping Malia's mouth. "You can borrow it,"

"No I want my own," Maniya said adding it to her basket.

Dave had gotten up and started making his own plate. Naala shot up,

"I can do it," Naala offered taking the plate from his hands.

"I don't want you to do it," Dave replied taking the plate back.

"But I cooked it so let me help you," Naala responded with a smile. Dave smirked and handed her the plate. He put his hands around her and leaned down, kissing her hard.

"Ewwww," Saint and Sinai dragged out, they had finally stop arguing.

"I love you," Dave said kissing her again. Naala smiled and kissed him back.

"I love you too," Naala laughed at the kids disgusted faces.

"One day you're gonna be in love too," She pointed at all of them.

"Not me," Saint said biting into his turkey sausage. "We don't love these bitches, ain't that right dad?" He said with his mouth full.

Naala gasped and threw a tea cloth at him. "Don't curse in front of your sister,"

Malia smiled widely, "We don't love these bitches," She said proudly.

"Uhn uhn Phat that ain't for you," Dave said stifling his laughter. Naala looked mortified.

"Why are you teaching my babies that?" Naala fussed at Dave while handing him his plate.

"I didn't teach them shit," He said lowly, taking a seat. "Y'all go get ready, We're leaving in half an hour." The kids all got up rushing to their rooms.

"We? I thought you only wanted to go with Saint," Naala said sitting on his lap.

"Family day," Dave said kissing her cheek. Naala nodded and watched him eat. Dave lifted up his fork to feed her but she shook her head.

"What you ate today?" Dave asked looking at her,

"My green tea," Naala said pointing to her mug in front of them while playing with his fingers.

"What did I say about you eating proper meals?" Dave said with a sigh, "You're losing weight,"

"I do eat proper meals," Naala replied laying her head on his shoulder.

"Naala the food isn't scary," Dave said lifting her head up. "Eat this for me," He said holding up a piece of bacon.

"I can't," Naala said shaking her head. "It's the new medication," She added,

"Eat it," Dave said ignoring her. Naala bit her lip and opened her mouth slowly.

"There you go," Dave said as she chewed slowly, it took everything in her not to be sick.

"You left your phone on the bed," Dave said bringing it out of his pocket. Naala thanked him and reached for it but he drew his hand back. "Why's Ace calling you?"

Naala swallowed her saliva and put a confused look on her face, "I don't know maybe it was Mia,"

"Mia's got your number," Dave replied, "And you got a password now?"

"Do I?" Naala responded. "Maybe Malia put it on," Naala said picking her green tea up.

"Why you lying baby?" Dave said putting his fork down and sitting back.

"Why do I always have to be lying?" Naala said standing to her feet. "You ask me questions and then assume I'm lying,"

"Because you are," Dave answered calmly. "Naala I'm not trynna fight with you, I just want you to tell me the truth,"

"The truth about what Amir?" Naala laughed. "What is it now? You think I'm fucking Hassan?"

"Are you?" Dave said raising his hands up. "I'm going crazy trying to find out who it is,"

"And the first person you think of is my best friends husband? That how low you think of me?" Naala said angrily.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Dave shrugged. Naala huffed and stood back,

"I promise I'm not cheating on you," Naala said quietly. "I love you too much to do that,"

Dave nodded and sat back down, "I've been in my own head too much. I know you wouldn't cheat,"

"You need to start trusting me," Naala replied. "Is that why you've been hitting me?"

Dave shook his head, "No I told you I was wrong for that,"

"If you want to keep listening to yourself and accuse me of things I'm not doing then I can leave," Naala told him. "We don't have to be married anymore, if that's what you want,"

"Stop saying shit like that," Dave scrunched up his face.

"Then start loving me properly," Naala replied. She walked over to him and sat on his lap. "Stop putting your hands on me and start loving me,"

"I do love you," Dave retorted wrapping his arm around her waist,

"Show me," Naala said simply. They both sat in silence while the kids made noise in their rooms. Naala was lost in her thoughts, wondering if all this hurt was worth it.

~~

"So you mean to tell me no one knows anything?!" Naala shouted, her voice resonating through the empty basement. She had gotten a call that they had been robbed while she was out with her family - now she was angry.

"No boss," One girl peeped out, Naala squinted at her.

"How did they get in?" Naala asked the girl. She stood up straight as Naala walked over to her.

"I d-don't know," She stuttered. Naala smiled and put her hand on her shoulder.

"I think you guys forget who I am sometimes," Naala said with a smile. "Like I'm stupid," She added squeezing her shoulder.

"It wasn't me," The girl, Leila said. She was scared and Naala's smile was making it worse.

"I didn't say it was you," Naala defended. "Who was it?"

"Naala there's no point," Naleli said standing up. "You're all going to die anyway," She shrugged. All their faces dropped at that news.

"I forgot about that," Naala pouted. "Oh well," She patted the girl on the shoulder and walked away. All the workers started to talk amongst themselves, some were crying, some were thinking of ways to get out.

Naala and Naleli sauntered out of the basement, the men locking the door behind them.

"Make it quick," Naala said to one of them who nodded quickly.

"What's your plans for the day?" Naleli asked Naala as they entered her office.

"Amir said something about a date, I'm not sure," Naala shrugged.

"He's been keeping his hands to himself?" Naleli questioned. She didn't play when it came to her sister, especially because of how fragile she knew Naala was.

"Yeah," Naala lied. "That was because I kept pushing him, he doesn't normally do that,"

"You sound dumb as hell," Naleli said blankly. "Naala no man she hit you, no matter what,"

"But I hit him sometimes," Naala quickly responded. Her dad always taught her, you can't hit a man without expecting to get hit back.

"You're 5'2, he's 6'5" Naleli answered. "He has no business hitting on you,"

"Okay Naleli I get it," Naala mumbled. Naleli looked at her closely,

"What happened to your neck?" Naleli sighed. "I really don't want to have kill him Naala, but he's making it so hard," Naleli walked over to Naala and moved her head, looking at the bruise around her neck.

"Stop," Naala smacked her hand. "I'm a big girl, I'll handle him,"

"When? When he tries to kill you?" Naleli replied.

Naala ignored her, walking over to the safe and unlocking it. Naleli watched her every move,

"So you're gonna stay with him?" Naleli spoke,

"What would you suggest I do Leli?" Naala replied softly. "He's the father of my kids,"

"So?" Naleli said raising her hands up. "Naala that's ridiculous,"

"Then I guess I'm ridiculous," Naala muttered closing the safe again. Before Naleli could counteract, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," Naala called out taking a seat back at her desk. Naleli shook her head and walked towards the door.

"Mr Kingston is here to see you," The guard said to Naala. Naleli took that as her time to leave without saying a word to Naala.

"Send him up," Naala replied clearing her throat. Within moments, he was in her office.

"Hey," Naala said standing to her feet. He walked over to her, bringing her into a big hug and kissing her cheek.

"What's the matter?" Naala asked after they separated.

"Have you told him?" He said getting straight to the point.

"Hassan," Naala sighed. "Why would I tell him?"

"He's been asking me questions, I thought he knew," Ace said taking a seat across from her.

"You told him?" Naala fretted, Ace shook his head straight away.

"I didn't tell him but he saw you calling me, then he got suspicious," Ace explained. That explains Dave's insecurities in the morning, Naala thought to herself.

"Change my name on your phone dummy," Naala responded. "I don't want him finding out about this,"

"Maybe if you just told him the truth .." Ace trailed off,

"And then what 'San?" Naala asked him, "Then what do we do?"

"We face the consequences," Ace shrugged, "He's a grown man, he'll deal with it,"

"This is my marriage Hassan, this is both of our marriages. We can't just 'face the consequences'" Naala mocked.

"Alright but don't say I didn't warn you," Ace spoke in a normal tone. "But how's is Saint? After the hospital and stuff?"

"He's been okay," Naala sighed, "He handled it well, better than I thought he would,"

Ace nodded and reached into his pocket. "For the hospital bills." He said throwing a stack onto the table infront of both of them.

"You don't have to do that," Naala said softly pushing the money back towards him.

"I take care of my family," Ace said pushing the money back over to her, Naala looked at the stern look in his face and accepted the money. "You look stressed." He said taking in her appearance,

"Don't worry about me," Naala waved him off.

"But I do," Ace answered, "You're always stressing over the small things, come here,"

Naala reluctantly stood to her feet and walked into his open arms. He hugged her tightly and rocked her side to side.

"He's been treating you well?" Ace asked quietly. "And don't lie either Lala,"

"Amir loves me, he just has a funny way of showing it," Naala replied still holding onto him.

"I don't like seeing you hurt." Ace said rubbing her back.