Page 87 of Nate

“You did, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for this,” Nate replied with a smirk.

“No, I don’t think I’m right. In fact, I’d go as far to say that Markieisgetting action in that department. You two have enough chemistry between you to set the whole house on fire,” Lola said with a wink.

Markie groaned while Nate just laughed at her embarrassed reaction.

“So, how are things going? I thought I heard some shouting,” Markie asked her aunt in a hushed tone.

“Ahh, that was just me and the dickhead. He’s not too thrilled about me being here, but I told him to fuck off. If I want to see my sister, he sure as hell wasn’t going to stop me.”

Nate couldn’t help but laugh at Lola’s blunt honesty. “I knew I was going to like her, and wait until he sees that I’m here,” Nate said with a grin.

“Oh, I definitely know why he doesn’t like you. Pure jealousy,” Lola said with a sly grin.

“Markie, honey!” Stella exclaimed as she pulled her daughter into a hug before turning to greet Nate. “And Nate! Thank you so much for coming.”

“What’s going on?” Jarrett’s voice boomed from the opposite end of the room as he entered the foyer.

“They’re just here for support,” Stella replied calmly.

“Support for what?” Jarrett asked with an annoyed tone.

The air in the room was tense as Stella stood firm, her arms crossed over her chest. Jarrett’s face contorted with anger as he faced Nate and his sister-in-law Lola, who both seemed unfazed by his presence. Markie watched the scene unfold, silently worrying about what would happen next.

“Support for me tossing your ass out. You’ve been stealing my medication, and I will not stand for it,” Stella’s voice was strong and unwavering. “And I also know how you like trying to touch my daughter.” Her expression turned to one of disgust, her eyes blazing with anger. “You will go upstairs and pack, then get the hell out of my house.”

“And if I don’t?” Jarrett challenged, his tone dripping with arrogance.

“Then I’ll make you,” Nate spoke up quietly but with conviction as he stepped forward.

Markie couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Nate as she watched him stand up to Jarrett. Her mother’s strength was evident in her stance, but when she glanced at her aunt, she couldn’t hold back a small laugh at the sight of her beaming with satisfaction at seeing Jarrett intimidated.

“You think you’ve got the balls, Jefferson?” Jarrett sneered.

Nate grinned confidently. “I’d bet they’re bigger than yours, Knowles.”

Jarrett suddenly turned to Stella pleadingly. “Stella, baby, we can talk about this. I’ll get help. I know I have a problem—”

He was cut off when Nate snorted derisively. The look on his face made it clear that he didn’t believe a word coming out of Jarrett’s mouth.

“With taking your pills,” Jarrett confessed, desperation creeping into his voice. “There, I admit it. Doesn’t that mean I’m willing to get help? We can get through this.”

Stella’s expression remained stoic as she shook her head. “No. I’m done. You should still get help, but it won’t make a difference to our marriage. I want you out. Today.”

Jarrett’s eyes darted between each person in the room before he huffed and stormed up the staircase. The slam of a door echoed through the house, causing everyone to flinch.

“You know you’re going to have to replace every lock in this house, Stella,” Lola stated matter-of-factly.

“Oh, my. I never thought of that,” Stella replied, looking slightly panicked.

“We can take care of that for you,” Nate offered. “We’ll see how many locks you need and Markie and I will go get them. And don’t worry, I can install them for you.”

Markie felt tears welling up in her eyes as she watched her mother embrace Nate in a grateful hug, his arms wrapping around her protectively.

“Thank you, Nate,” Stella said, her voice filled with emotion. “Markie, why don’t you both go through the house and see how many locks we need? Don’t forget the doors to the upstairs bedrooms that lead out to the patios. I’ll give you my credit card before you go.”

“Will you be alright here?” Markie asked her mother with concern.

“We’ll wait until he leaves, Markie,” Nate reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her neck. “And we won’t be long.”

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