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"Okay that's clothes done," I said to myself taping up the last brown box. I was packing up the kids stuff first then I was gonna concentrate on my stuff.

"Hi Phat Phat," I cooed at Malia who was laying in her bassinet with her eyes wide open. She was only 4 weeks old but so advanced.

I lifted her up carefully and laid her head on my shoulder, "You're so chubby Phat," I said fixing her sock. Malia was hands down the biggest baby I've ever had. At only 4 weeks she was already gaining rolls in her thighs - hence the name Phat.

"Where should I put these?" Gray asked holding up a few hangers of baby clothes.

"Just put them in that box there," I pointed to an open box on the floor.

"What time are the movers meant to be here?" Gray questioned putting the clothes up.

"They said between 4 and 5 tomorrow, that gives enough time for Amir to drop the kids back home," I responded. As soon as I left the hospital I started house hunting and I finally found my perfect home, just downtown in a perfect area.

I wanted a fresh start, away from all the mess and drama. Malia started fidgeting and turning her head into my neck meaning she was hungry.

"I'm gonna feed her in the nursery, thanks so much for the help Gray I really appreciate it," I said with a soft smile. I misjudged Gray, he was actually a really great guy to talk to.

"Ain't nothing," He shrugged. "You the homie," He smirked.

"Exactly, I'm one of the guys," I added leaving the room. At first I thought it would be weird to be friends with someone I was involved with sexually but Gray made it easy and comfortable.

I walked into the nursery which was surrounded by boxes. I found my way to the rocking chair and sat down, pulling my vest top down to feed her.

Malia's been my saving grace over the last month. I refused to be depressed and stressed over a man that didn't deserve me. Just seeing her little face everyday reminded me why I needed to keep going.

Maniya had been amazing as well, she's really stepped up as a big sister. She made sure Sinai did her homework and had dinner, especially on the nights where I was too tired to do anything.

As for Amir, I hadn't held a proper conversation with him since the day Malia was born. He sent all his sorry ass gifts and flowers but they all went straight to where they belong - in the trash.

I heard the front door intercom sound, meaning that the kids were back from school.

"Mommy!" I heard Sinai's loud voice through the hallways. I looked down at Malia who was side eyeing the door, even she knew her sister was extra.

When Sinai finally found me, she came racing over.

"Hi Phat," She said stroking her hair. "Mama she's always eating,"

"She's a baby Nai, that's what they do," I laughed. "How was school?" I asked puckering my lips. She playfully kissed my lips then dramatically sighed.

"It was so hard mama, we had to count up to 100, twice" She exclaimed holding up three fingers.

"Twice is two fingers Nai," I said putting on of her fingers down.

"That's what I meant," Sinai said putting her hand on her hip.

"Girl," I laughed. "Did your daddy drop you off?"

"Mmhm," Sinai nodded. "He said he's coming up to talk to you about Niya's report card,"

"No he didn't," Maniya said coming into the room. "Hey mama, heyyyy phat phat," She said taking Malia out of my arms and kissing all over her face.

"You got your report card?" I asked fixing my top and wiping Malia's mouth.

"Yeah I did," Maniya sulked winding Malia.

"Better be nothing bad in it, I don't have time for your daddy's mouth," I said softly raising a brow at her. Amir had been on Maniya's ass about school and it made it worse that she was staying with me the majority of the time.

"Can I stay round at daddy's today?" Maniya asked me. Sinai gasped at the same time,

"Me too!" She exclaimed.

"It's a school night, why do you wanna stay with him?" I asked feeling a bit upset. I hated this idea of us living under different roofs but he did this - not me.

"It's closer to school," Maniya shrugged handing Malia back to me.

"I don't care, where's Saint?" I questioned leaving out of the nursery with them following behind me.

"He's with daddy," Sinai said before running off to her room.

Gray came out of my room, holding two boxes. When he spotted Maniya he smiled warmly,

"How you doing Killa?" He said as Maniya gave him a side hug.

"Ion like that nickname," I said scrunching up my face.

"I'm good, I didn't know you were here," Maniya said wriggling her eyebrows at me.

I sucked my teeth and continued patting Malia's back, "He's helping me pack up some boxes, not that it's any of your business,"

Gray put the boxes down and pulled his phone out, "I have to leave now Lil baby, duty calls," He said referring to a tattoo booking that he told me about earlier.

"Thanks for everything," I said leaning in for a hug.

"Have y'all got your bags ready?" Dave said standing on the steps holding Saint.

Gray looked at me then him before kissing my head and walking past him.

"Maaaa," Saint said kicking his feet. I pouted and used one hand to tickle his stomach.

"Hi Papa bear, I missed you today," I said to him, completely ignoring Amir's presence.

Sinai and Maniya wandered off to their rooms to pack their overnight bags so I took Malia down the steps with me to start dinner.

"You're not gonna say nothing Naala?" Amir said following behind me.

"I don't have anything to say," I said laying Malia in her bouncer that was in the kitchen and setting in to gently rock her to sleep.

"Why was he here?" He said putting Saint down on the floor.

"Are you gonna feed them or should I pack them some food?" I said dismissing his question. He had no right to question me.

"Naala this shits getting old," He huffed. "And why is Sinai telling me that y'all are moving out?"

"Because we're moving out," I said looking at him. "Anything else master?"

"You're mad immature, I thought you would never let our problems get in the way of our kids," Amir scoffed mugging me.

"Have I stopped you from seeing them? No," I said truthfully. "You're lucky I even let you come in here,"

"I pay for this house so I'll come wherever I like,"

"And that's exactly why I'm moving," I responded. Malia started to fuss,

"I got her," He said when I put down the bowl in my hands. "What's up Princess?" He said softly rocking her.

Rolling my eyes, I carried on bringing out the things I needed to make some Alfredo.

"Maniya," Amir called out loudly, his voice booming through the house.

"Coming," Maniya shouted back.

"You've seen her report card?" He asked me fixing Malia's bib.

"No I haven't seen it yet," I answered, I didn't understand why he was still talking to me.

"Hmm," He mumbled under his breath. I looked over at him and sighed.

"Hold her head up, look she's slipping," I pointed out,

"This ain't my first kid Naala," Amir responded rudely fixing her position.

Was that child support I heard?

"I'm not even gonna play with you," I said to him. Saint was pulling at my leg.

"Papa I can't carry you everywhere," I said looking down at him. Saint was about to be 1 and that was so scary to me.

"You figured out what you want to do for his birthday?" Amir asked,

"Stop trynna talk to me, when I plan it I'll let you know," I said back to him. He was about to say something before Maniya came back into the kitchen.

"Bring out the report card," Amir said giving me Malia because she was fussing.

Nigga didn't even know how to stop his own baby from crying but he wanted more kids?

"I know Phat, he's so ugly and stinky," I whispered to her, rubbing her back. Amir side eyed me before sitting down at the island.

"It's not that serious," Maniya said putting the envelope on the counter.

"Ion like how you be messing up in math," Amir said after scanning across the report. "If you need help ask me or your mama,"

"Mama's been busy," Maniya mumbled playing with her fingers.

"Girl don't do that, I sit down with y'all every night and make sure that work is done. You are not about to sit up here and lie on me," I snapped at her.

"That's why you coming to live with me," Amir said standing up. "I don't trust you with your mom cuz she's too easy on you,"

"I want some," I frowned.

"Some what?"

"Whatever your smoking Amir, because I'll be damned if my daughter lives with you," I said looking at him like he was crazy.

"I don't want my children living under different roofs," I added rocking Malia to sleep.

"Ion care what you want Naala. When was the last time you even checked in on her? She's getting away with shit because you're distracted," He shouted at me.

"First of all lower your tone, and secondly I'm sorry that I just gave birth to your baby if you've forgotten and I have other things on my mind," I replied with attitude.

"Stop fighting, I'll go with him mommy," Maniya spoke up,

"You asked him for this?" I questioned her. She was being too quiet.

"Yeah she did," Amir nodded. "She don't feel like she's getting enough attention,"

"Maniya is that true?" I asked with a hurt expression, that fucked with me.

"I didn't say all that, I just feel like I need a change of scenery," Maniya said looking at me sympathetically.

"Well tough, you're not leaving me," I laughed going back to cooking my food.

"It wasn't an option Naala," Amir said making me spin around and look at him.

"Stop trying to turn my kids against me," I pointed at him. "After everything, I still let them see you I let them stay by your house. You want a bitter ass baby mama? I'm gon' give it to you,"

"How am I turning her against you? Naala you've been bitter,"

"Bitter? You haven't seen bitter. Matta fact, get out," I said laying a sleeping Malia down in her rocker. "Maniya go and put that bag up, you not staying with him no more,"

"That's not fair," Maniya said sucking her teeth,

"Aw really? Go put it up, and tell your sister to stop packing too" I said again making her leave the kitchen.

"How you mad that she wanna stay with me?" Amir said coming up behind me.

"Back up," He was way too close and if he thought he was gonna seduce me then he's crazy.

"You get so bitter when we're not fucking. You want me to fuck you?"

"Amir back up for real. You're so pathetic you know that? It's my fault because I've let you use sex to manipulate me but not anymore." I said shaking my head.

"Ain't nobody trynna manipulate you, I miss you," He said putting his head in my neck and kissing it.

"Move," I said biting my lip to suppress a moan.

"You'on want me to stop," He said holding my waist and sucking on my neck.

"I do," I moaned clutching the counter. He started to move downwards while pushing himself up against me. "Amir?" I said turning in his arms.

"Whats up baby?"

"I want a divorce," I said making eye contact with him. As soon as those words left my mouth he realised me out of his hold.

"No," He said backing up and picking Saint up. I scrunched up my face,

"What do you mean no?" I repeated, "I want a divorce, I'm gonna file,"

"You can file but I'm not signing that shit," He shrugged opening the refrigerator and pulling out MY smoothie.

"Then get out," I shouted, "You're in here eating and drinking shit I bought - get out,"

"Why you getting loud?"

"Because you're irritating me, I have things to do and you're taking up my time," I went over to the stove and turned the water down for the noodles.

"You really want a divorce?" He asked.

"Yeah," I nodded. "We weren't even married 6 months before you cheated on me. I don't trust you and I don't think I ever will."

"Whatever man," He huffed.

"You have nothing to say because you know I'm right. You are a dog Amir, a low down dirty ass dog. I hate you, I really do." I said letting my emotions take over, I hadn't cried over him but my hormones were crazy.

"You done?" He said with a bored look,

"Yeah give me my son and get out," I said walking around the island, wiping my eyes.

"I'm taking him with me," He replied putting Saint into his stroller and strapping him in.

"Why do you have to make everything so difficult huh?" I said huffing, letting my tears fall "I'm trying to make this work Amir, I'm really trying to do this. You think I like this?"

"Aight I'm sorry, stop crying," Amir said sighing and wrapping his arms around me.

"Why do you keep hurting me?" I cried, "Why aren't I good enough for you? I gave you all of me, everything I have I gave to you,"

"Shh," He said rubbing my back,

"No get off me," I sniffed pulling away, "You did this to me, you made me this way and now you're gonna feel my pain," I said turning around to turn the food off. I wasn't in the mood to cook anymore.

"You can take the kids," I said picking Malia up and leaving him in the kitchen. He didn't bother to follow me because he could tell I wasn't in the mood to argue.

I walked up the stairs carefully trying not wake Phat up. I passed Maniya's door and saw her laying across her bed on her laptop.

"You can go with your dad," I said to her through the door.

"Yay," She said getting up. "Are you okay Mom? I heard you crying," She added with a sad face,

"Just get your stuff ready," I said quietly. I pushed the nursery door open and laid Phat down in her crib, before turning on the baby monitor and taking it with me.

"Nai?" I said knocking on her door, when I didn't I hear anything I went in.

"You didn't hear me call you?" I asked her. She was at her desk colouring in something.

"I did," She spoke softly, still with her back to me.

"You don't want to go with your daddy anymore?" I said sitting beside her.

Sinai shook her head and carried on colouring in.

"Why baby?" I said tucking her hair out of her face.

"Why does daddy have to stay in that house?" She asked looking at me.

"I explained it to you before Sinai, that's daddy's home now,"

"But that's not fair. I want to see him everyday," Sinai frowned.

Sighing I tucked my lips, "That's just the way it has to be Nai,"

"I want to stay with daddy then." Sinai said standing up.

"Okay," I replied quietly. This was what made it so hard to stand my ground with Amir, I hated that we were raising children this way.

"Are you gonna come mommy?" Sinai said sitting in my lap.

"I can't Bug," I responded, my voice cracking silently. "I have to stay home with Phat,"

"Come on Nai," Amir said standing by the door. I wiped my eyes quickly and lifted her up.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I kissed her forehead making her giggle.

"Naala are you good on your own?" Amir said as I walked past him.

"Why do you care? You're taking them from me anyway,"

~~

Dave left Naala to enter what used to be the room their shared. When he heard the door close he started his search.

He knew Naala was at her most vulnerable and this could bring up her past addiction. Dave searched every corner of the house, making sure there wasn't any hidden pill bottles.

After he was certain he checked everywhere he went back up to her room.

"Aren't you guys going yet?" Naala asked from under her covers.

"Ion know if I feel comfortable leaving you on your own." Dave said walking into the room.

"Get out of here," Naala muttered, "I'm not having sex with you,"

"I don't want sex Naala, I wanna make sure you're good," Dave spoke honestly.

"Stop doing that," Naala shouted. "Stop pretending like you care about me. You constantly belittle and abuse me,"

"Abuse?" Dave said staring at her.

"Mentally not physically. You make me feel like I'm not good enough, that I'll never be good enough. I feel weak around you, like I have no strength of my own. I've let you treat me like this our entire relationship, what does that teach our daughters?"

"I-" Dave started to defend but was cut of by Naala.

"Let me finish," She cried. "You've broken me down so bad Amir, I don't know how I'll ever be the same. Words cannot even begin to describe how much I hate myself for letting you back into my life after Millie. I'm thankful for Malia but I wish you just left me alone." Naala weeped putting her head in her hands.

Dave didn't know what to do. He'd never heard Naala go into so much depth about their relationship. Normally they fight, then fuck and make up - but this time it didn't look like that was happening.

"I'm sorry," Dave mumbled.

"Stop saying that!" Naala snapped. "You're not sorry, you're so manipulative. Every time I apologise, you do me wrong, I say sorry but not this time. I'm done with you Amir, I mean it."

"So you're really done?" Dave said sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Out of everything I said, that's all you heard?" Naala sniffed lifting her head up.

"I hear you but ion know what you want me to say, you think I'm a manipulator then I am," He shrugged not in the mood to go back and forth with her.

"I don't know who you are anymore," Naala said looking directly at him. "I look at you and see my husband but he's not there. The only thing left is an empty shell of a man I used to love,"

"Alright Naala, I'm gonna leave," Dave said clearing his throat. That last statement hit him hard, especially because he knew she meant it.

"Feed my babies," Naala said before lying back down and turning away from the doors. She was defeated, he couldn't see her pain but he was damn sure gonna feel it.

~~

Maniya laid back on the couch, flipping through different channels. She was now at her dad's house and Sinai had just gone to bed leaving only her and Saint awake. Saint was lying on her chest, playing with her earlobe trying to fall asleep.

Hearing a knock on the door, she turned her head towards it. Dave's new home was really a townhouse and she didn't expect anyone to know he stayed here.

"I'll get it," Dave said jogging down the steps. "Why you ain't sleep yet?"

"Because I'm not," Maniya said keeping her eyes on the TV. Dave ignored the attitude and pulled the door open.

"Hey bae," Kodi greeted him stepping inside the house.

"What's up, you never said you were coming over," Dave replied closing the door behind her. Maniya sat up and looked at the door at the sound of a female voice.

"Who's white Benz is that outside?" Kodi asked ignoring his comment.

"My daughter's" Dave responded. He was letting Maniya use that car to get to school and back.

"Oh," Kodi said awkwardly. She was ready to pop off on whatever bitch Dave had at his house.

Maniya rolled her eyes and stood up holding Saint carefully. She wasn't gonna sit around and see her dad all booed up with someone that wasn't her mom.

"Hey," Kodi smiled at Maniya. "You're so pretty like your mom," She said to be petty. Kodi was feeling herself, she finally had the man she wanted as she took him right from under his wife.