Page 83 of Set me Free

The excitement buzzingin my chest had been building all day. I was finally home. After a month in Atlanta, I was back where I belonged—back in Phoenix, back with Creed. Back to tell him about our baby.

Instead of calling him to pick me up and ruining the surprise, I had booked a car service. I wanted this to be a surprise, wanted to walk into our home and see the look on his face when I handed him the ultrasound.

I had played this moment out a thousand times in my head. But as I stepped through the front doors of our house, I knew— Something was off. Becauseshewas here, and so was her damn mama along with his.

Tasha. Gianna. Lynette. They were all sitting in my living room. Comfortable too comfortable like they belonged here, like this was their home.

I froze, my suitcase still in my grip. "The hell is this?" I asked, my voice sharp, eyes narrowed in their direction, confused.

Before anyone could answer, Creed walked in—Gio in his arms. For a brief second, my tension eased. Because Gio saw me, his little face lighting up as he squirmed in Creed’s arms, reaching for me.

"Mama Renity” I dropped my bag and scooped him up, pressing kisses to his chubby little cheeks. The looks exchanged between the three women not going unnoticed.

"Hey, baby boy! I missed you!"

"Miss you too," he babbled holding up two fingers at the word too before wrapping his tiny arms around my neck.

Creed pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around both me and Gio. I let myself melt into him for half a second, but, something felt off. The way he held me—hesitant. Not the way he usually did. And suddenly, the joy of coming home started to dim.

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Can we talk? In private?"

His jaw tensed, but he nodded. "Yeah, let’s go."

I put Gio down, ruffling his soft curls, before grabbing my suitcase and rolling it toward our bedroom. When we got in the room, a chill went down my spine, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I ignored it though, setting my suitcase near my dresser before turning to face him.

"Why are they here, Creed?"

His jaw tightened.

"They’ve been here for a week," he admitted. "My mama brought them when she came to visit and Gi missed Gio.”

I blinked, my stomach twisting.

"A week?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah." I stared at him, something ugly and painful creeping into my chest.

"We talked every day, Creed," I said, my voice shaky. "And you didn’t think to mention that your ex and her mama were staying in our house?"

His eyes flickered, like he knew there wasn’t a good answer to that.

"I didn’t want to stress you out while you were working," he said, shaking his head. "I didn’t think it was a big deal." Didn’t think it was a big deal? I clenched my jaw, feeling my chest tighten. "Why are you home early?" he asked, switching the subject.

My breath caught, my fingers gripping my purse tightly remembering what I had come home early to do.

"I wrapped early," I said slowly. "I wanted to surprise you." I reached into my bag, fingers brushing against the ultrasound photo. But before I could pull it out, there was a knock at the door.

Creed sighed. "Come in."

I expected it to be Tasha. Because surely, neither Lynette nor Gianna would feel bold enough to step into my space. But I was wrong. Because Gianna walked in, a smug-ass smirk on her face.

"I left something in here," she said smoothly.

She walked right past me, heading into our ensuite bathroom like she owned the place.

And when she came back out?

She was holding a pair of sweats and a hoodie. My breath left my body. I turned to Creed, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. Andin that moment, I knew. I knew what happened. I knew what he did. In our home and in our bed with her.

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