Page 25 of I See You

He hung up before she could get any mushier. Because that soft shit? Yeah, he didn’t like that.

Hassan stayed at the casino until it was time for dinner at Helen’s house. Business always came first, but this—family, home-cooked meals, the only real softness he allowed in his life—was just as important.

As he pulled up, he spotted Harper’s and Roman’s cars already parked outside. He killed the engine, stepping out into the cool evening air.

Walking up the porch steps, he unlocked the front door with his key, letting himself in. The smell hit him first.

Soul food. Smoked ribs, baked mac and cheese, collard greens, and hot water cornbread.

His stomach growled instantly. He followed the sound of voices, stepping into the dining room where his family was already gathered. Helen’s sharp gaze met his the second he walked in.

"You late."

Hassan sighed. He already knew she was about to get on his ass. "Mybad,Madea.Workgotbusy."Heapologizedquickly,getting ahead of the cussing out that was definitely coming. She narrowed her eyes, but didn’t press it further.

Hassan wasted no time making his plate, loading it with ribs, mac and cheese, greens, and cornbread. Just as he was about to dig in, Helen’s voice stopped him.

"Say grace, Hassan."

Her tone left no room for argument. He sighed, closing his eyes, muttering a quick prayer before finally digging in. Helen turned her attention to Harper, the warmth returning to her face.

"How’s the gym going, Hazel?"

Harper looked up from her plate with a smile.

It didn’t matter how old she got—Helen rarely called her by her real name. Hazel had stuck since childhood, a name she got because of her rare hazel eyes. She was the only one in the family with them. The rest either had blue like Hassan or dark brown.

"It’s going great, Madea. I might have to start thinking about expanding soon—my clientele is picking up."

Helen’s face lit up with pride.

"I’m so happy for you, baby girl. Keep going, even when I’m gone." She reached across the table, gently taking Harper’s hand.

Harper’s smile faltered, but she didn’t let it drop completely. She hated talking about Helen’s death. No one did. Helen was the only parentshehadevertrulyknown.Shenevermethermother—sinceshe died in a drug overdose a little after she were born. Never had a memory of her face. Her father? In and out of her life, never there long enough for it to matter.

Harper resented them both. Helen was her family. And when she is gone…

Harper didn’t know what she would have left.

Helen turned her attention to Roman next as Hassan continued eating, only half-listening.

"I heard you opened your dealership! That’s big." Roman’s lips curled into a proud smile. "Thanks, Madea."

He had always wanted to make Helen proud, knowing she had looked out for him even though he wasn’t blood.

"How’s baby Rylan doing?" she asked next, her voice warm.

Roman’s smile softened as he thought about his two-year-old daughter. "Still running things."

Helen chuckled, shaking her head before a deep cough erupted from her chest.

Harper, sitting closest to her, immediately reached out, patting her back gently until it subsided.

"You need to bring her by soon," Helen said once she caught her breath, her voice a little weaker now.

Roman nodded. "Yeah, of course."

Theconversationshifted,andHelenturnedherattentiontoward Hassan.

---