Page 124 of Serenity
“It’s a long story, but I thought your crazy in love ass should know.”
“So what hospital are—”
My thoughts were racing a mile a minute. Sincere and I hadn’t been speaking, but I wanted to be there for my brother. The spa construction and the drama with the tape may have taken precedence over the last few weeks, but I was TT Reni. I was always there when someone in our family gave birth to a rugrat. It was well past time to extend the olive branch to Sincere.
“They’re in Atlanta. The baby is in the NICU. Whatever amends you intend to make, it’s best you wait until they return.”
“I’m not making amends with that nigga,” I huffed. If anything, I was owed a damn apology. I didn’t do anything to need to amend my behavior. “I just want to see my niece, or is it a nephew?”
“He had a son,” Pre revealed, stifling a laugh. He took a seat nearby as our dad entered the room.
“Marriage might curtail this. A marriage could curtail all of this.”
Cigar smoke wafted through the air. The smoke I’d grown accustomed to Duke exhaling was heavily cumbersome as my father freed it from his lungs. Or maybe it was the nonsensical garbage floating from his mouth. Maybe that was what caused my face to crinkle like used and abused aluminum foil.
“I don’t want to get married.” My response was flat and lifeless, just as I imagined my facial expression.
Ignoring me, my father took another toke of his cigar.
“Pops, nothing will stop the fire. This one has to be permitted to die out on its own.” Supreme came to my rescue.
“We have to do something! My daughter is being discussed like some smut—
“Ramsay!” My mother shouted.
My mother never elevated her voice, but my mother didn’t play about me. I was the baby. Her baby. Even when I was wrong, she was always in my corner. My daddy, too. But his response to the tape was… unprecedented.
Flinching, my eyes welled with the evidence of my hurt. For an hour, I’d been locked away in his study with Supreme and my mother in an attempt for them to Iyanla Vanzant my life.
I wanted to tell them to leave it alone. Wanted to tell them it wasn’t their business. Wanted to try to fix the mess alone with Duke, but my family meant well. It was in my best interest to accept their help, but after sixty minutes, we’d gotten nowhere.
“You’re discussing plans for my life as if I’m not old enough to make decisions for myself. Marriage won’t make this go away. I’m not marrying Duke.”
“So, what are you doing making sex tapes with him? A marriage would help your reputation and make your salacity less repulsive to the public.”
“Now I’m repulsive?”
Through pursed lips and a nodding head, I fought my tears. I didn’t need this. Refusing to stand for my own father berating me, I rose and stepped toward the door.
“Serenity Grace Miller!”
Ramsay’s voice boomed like thunder and rain. I refused to pause or wait for him to utter another word. Smut, repulsive, disgusting. From his lips, a host of words had been freed, inflicting further damage.
Tell me how you really feel, Daddy.
“You know that’s not what I said or meant. Sit down.”
I was doing no such thing. A daddy’s girl, it wasn’t often he and I clashed heads as we currently were. The room went still as everyone waited for me to do as I was told. Instead of returning to my seat, I continued for the door, turning the handle and exiting the study.
“Serenity!”
Like an echo ringing in my ears, I heard them calling my name. The air had become suffocating as I fought to navigate through my feelings, their feelings, and the pungent smoke overhead. It made it difficult to breathe. One foot ahead of another, I stayed the course and headed out of my parent’s house. I’d gotten myself into the mess I was currently in. I had no issue getting myself out.
“So, yeah, I left.”
Recalling the string of events that led me to Tori’s office at Demure, I chewed my gum and waited for her response. It was a welcome reprieve from the persistent cameras snapping photos or recording me every chance they got.
“You not wrong.”