A Reflection of You

01: fed up

The walls of Crystal's stylish Atlanta home seemed to shake as her voice filled the space, thick with rage and betrayal.

"You got me fucked up, Devale!" she shouted, pacing the living room with her arms crossed, her long nails tapping against her skin. "I already had to sit there and smile when y'all had Kota, pretending to be his godmother like I wasn't dying inside. And now, what? You expect me to sit through another one? Another happy family moment while I sit on the sidelines like some damn groupie?"

Devale stood in the middle of the room, his face twisted with regret. His hands were outstretched, pleading with her, but she wasn't trying to hear it.

"Crystal, please. It's not like that—"

"The fuck it ain't!" she cut him off, stepping closer, her brown eyes blazing. "What the hell do you think this is? A game? A joke? You run home to your wife, kiss your babies goodnight, then slide over here when you need a little excitement? I was dumb enough to let this shit go on, but I'm done. Done being your dirty little secret, done lying to myself, done pretending this don't hurt every time you walk out that damn door."

Devale rubbed his head, his breathing heavy. "You are not a side piece, Crys. I love you. You mean everything to me. I don't even know how to fix this, but I swear to God, I'll do whatever it takes—"

"Then go be with your family," she snapped, pointing to the door. "That's what you do, Devale. You fix your family. You made your choice, now live with it."

His chest rose and fell rapidly, emotions crashing over him like waves. "Crys, don't do this. Please—"

"Get out!"

Silence stretched between them for half a second before Devale exhaled sharply, shoulders slumping in defeat. He stared at her, searching for something—some softness, some sign that she'd change her mind. But all he saw was steel.

Without another word, he turned and walked out. The second the door slammed shut behind him, he stopped, gripping the doorframe as his whole body shook.

Sliding into his car, he dropped his head against the steering wheel. His vision blurred as his chest caved under the weight of everything he'd just lost. He hadn't meant for it to go this far. He hadn't meant to hurt her like this. But now? It was too late.

Inside, Crystal stood frozen for a moment, heart hammering in her chest. Her fingers curled into fists before she let out a sharp breath and reached for her phone.

She scrolled quickly, finding the name she wanted.

The phone barely rang before it picked up.

"What's good, Ma?" Chido's smooth voice filled her ear.

"You busy?" she asked, her voice a little softer now, but still laced with something dangerous.

"For you? Never. What's up?"

She glanced toward the door where Devale had just left, her lips pressing together.

"Come through."

A slow pause. Then, "Say less."

She ended the call and tossed her phone onto the couch. If Devale thought she was about to sit around and cry over him, he had another thing coming.