Chapter 45 #2
“And you want to talk about unstable ?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You really want to go there? Giselle, you emotionally abused me for years in the name of image. So don’t you dare project that shit onto my wife!”
He turned his glare to the doctor and nurse, eyes blazing.
“And y’all just showed up with a clipboard and a smile, ready to lock up a woman you don’t even know?
Show up again without a warrant, and I promise the only evaluation happening will be your careers— at a damn funeral home .
Y’all got ten seconds to get off my property before I ruin every license, every reputation , and drain every last penny connected to this little setup. ”
Dr. Freeman cleared his throat, gave Nurse Lee a silent nod, and they both turned to leave—visibly shaken and silently praying.
Once they were gone, Imanio diverted his attention back to the woman who gave him life—then spent the rest of it making him feel like a blemish on hers.
Giselle loved the image of him, not the man behind it.
And then had the audacity to stand in our house with strangers and fake concern and pretend it was ‘love’ that brought her there.
“I told you I was done with you the last time we talked,” he said, stepping in just enough to remind her exactly who the fuck she was dealing with. “Now I’m ready to have you evaluated… permanently.”
Giselle’s brows knitted. “Excuse me?”
Imanio leaned in just slightly, voice a whisper of war.
“By God or the devil in hell… whichever one gets to you first . ”
Her mouth opened, ready to retort, but he continued, relentless.
“Either way, judgment is coming.... and I won’t lose a moment of sleep over how it arrives.”
Giselle’s expression faltered—shocked and wounded—before she attempted to regain her composure behind her pearls.
“You’re really choosing her over your own mother?”
Imanio glanced back at me, never breaking eye contact.
“ A man’s first duty after marriage is to his wife.
Once I said, ‘I do,’ my loyalty shifted.
My job is to protect her, cover her, and choose her—over everybody, even you.
See, a wife ain’t supposed to compete with nobody’s mama; not for time, not for respect, not for protection.
That’s weakness, and any man who lets that shit happen ain’t a man…
he’s still a son. So yeah, every time , I’m choosing her. That’s not betrayal, that’s manhood .”
Giselle scoffed bitterly, her eyes narrowing with disdain.
“When she ruins you?—”
“Better ruined with me , than r-rich and rotting next to you,” I voiced boldly.
Giselle's lips parted in disbelief, caught off guard by my sudden defiance—like she hadn’t expected me to speak, let alone strike.
It was a moment I relished.
Imanio’s lips curled into a slow, wicked grin—equal parts sexy and savage. He tossed me a wink that said hell y e ah, baby , then turned back to his mom.
“What wifey said. Now get the fuck outta my crib… before I forget you birthed me . ”
Giselle’s lips pinched tight, her eyes glossing but refusing to spill.
“You’re making a mistake, Imanio. One day, you’ll see. And when you do…” She tilted her chin, posture stiff, pretending her pride wasn’t bleeding all over my floor. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She spun toward the door with all the false grace of a queen without a kingdom.
Imanio didn’t wait for the performance to end. The second her heels hit the threshold, he slammed the door behind her—hard enough to rattle the frame.
Imanio came over without a word and lowered himself onto the floor beside me. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest, breathing ragged. His arm curled around me, steady, protective, rocking me gently like I wasn’t a woman falling apart but something worth holding together.
My tics stuttered again—shoulder twitch, lip tremble—then an outburst slipped free. “Your mom’s a witch with a Chanel wand!”
Imanio huffed out a laugh, low and reluctant.
“Shit… at least you gave her the right brand. That’s luxury witchcraft.
” Then his voice sobered, chest rumbling beneath my cheek.
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that shit or even her.
But don’t trip; I’ma handle her. She won’t come at you like that ever again. Believe that.”
I shook my head quickly, my fingers tightening in his shirt.
“Don’t apologize for her; that’s not your weight to carry.
You c-c-can’t clean up every mess for her…
especially the ones she makes with her own mouth.
” I lifted my head enough to meet his eyes, watery but steady.
“ Respect is earned, not inherited. Family doesn’t give anyone a discount on basic d-decency . ”
He nodded in understanding, then said, “But don’t trip; I’ma handle her. She won’t come at you like that ever again. Believe that.”
Imanio held me tighter. But then—reality slapped me upside the head .
“Wait!” I pulled back, eyes wide. “ You’re sick! Throwing up-sick! F-flu-sick! Why are you all up in my face like this?!” I swatted at his shoulder. “What if I get sick?! My immune system isn’t built for th-this!”
My body twitched.
“Contamination! Cootie committee! Sorry! I’m serious!”
He chuckled low, which only irritated me more.
“Don’t laugh! You was j-just looking pale like a ghost with taxes due, and now you’re over here playing Knight in Savage Armor. Back to bed, biohazard!”
Imanio leaned in to kiss my forehead, smug as hell. “Too late. I already breathed on you, sweetheart.”
I gasped. “Oh my God!”
He laughed harder, dragging me back toward the couch.
“If you get sick, I’ll hold your hair and make you tea. Deal?”
“No! I need a h-hazmat suit and a Vitamin C IV drip!”
“Too late, baby; you mine… for better or for flu season.”
I groaned, collapsing beside him with a dramatic sigh.
“You’re lucky y-you fine and that I love you.”
He kissed my lips. “I love you too. Now let’s take a nap… together,” he suggested, pulling a blanket over us.
My tics settled into the rhythm of his heartbeat. And despite my petty, dramatic protest, I didn't move out of his embrace.