Page 59 of All's Fair In Love & War

So why was I so shocked? Because this wasn’t part of the plan—especially not now, when everything around me was already moving too fast. Life hadn’t given me a moment to breathe. It just kept dragging me along, whether I was ready or not, and I was so damn tired.

I clutched my stomach, shaking my head. “Fuck!” My voice cracked, hot tears slipping down my cheeks. “Everything just needed to slow down.”

“What does it say?” Riley burst into the stall, out of breath and wide-eyed amid my mental breakdown.

She was way too eager for me, like she didn’t realize carrying this child would land me on death row, and Naeem would be the one handing out the sentence.

Staring at her, I couldn’t speak, and couldn’t move, so I lifted the test with a weak, unsteady hand, letting my best friend see the truth for herself. “It says I’m doomed.”

Riley rolled her eyes. “Girl, stop being so theatrical.”

“Forget that. You know it’s true. Naeem won’t let me out of his sight when he finds out I’m pregnant.”

Her response was a slow, infuriating smile that spread across her face. “Your fast ass don’ made me an auntie. Ooooh, I can’t wait to meet the wittle baby!” She squealed and clapped her hands, literally bouncing on her toes.

I snapped, heat surging up my neck, and before I could stop myself, I shoved her hard, making her stumble back, crashing against the stall door. “Riley, I swear to God—”

“Damn, abusive much?” she yelped, rubbing the back of her head.

“Very much so.” I shook the test between us, my frustration rising by the second. “Do you not understand that my life is over?”

Riley scoffed, completely unbothered by my impending demise.

“Girl, you’re being dramatic.” She waved a dismissive hand, still grinning like this was good news. “He’ll only lock you up for nine months. That’s nothing. You can do that in your sleep.”

I gaped at her. “Nine months? Riley, are you dumb? This is a lifetime sentence.”

She arched a brow and crossed her arms. “Well, you should’ve thought about that before letting Naeem shoot up the club. What do you think happens when you don’t use protection?”

I groaned, shaking my head. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” She leaned against the stall, looking smug. “I’m the least of your worries. If anything, you should be mad at your uterus and Naeem. They’re the ones working against you.”

A snicker slipped from her lips, and I clenched my fists, torn between laughing, crying, or strangling her where she stood.

“Stop making jokes, Riley. This isn’t a game.” My voice wobbled, and suddenly, the stall felt too small, too suffocating.

I couldn’t do this. Not now. Not with everything else crashing down around me.

“Aww.” Riley’s expression softened, and the teasing went away. “I know you’re not feeling this, but you can’t just sit here spiraling. You need a plan of action.”

I scoffed. “What kind of plans can I make when I’m tied to a man like Naeem?” I exhaled, running a shaky hand through my hair. “He’ll notice, and he’ll want me at his side 24/7, breathingdown my neck and trying to control every aspect of my life. I’m supposed to be past that. I’m the Don, for Christ’s sake.”

Riley cupped my cheeks, making sure I looked her dead in the eyes. “Youarepast that. So. Fight. Him.”

My face twisted so hard, it looked like I’d just sucked a whole lemon.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Riley said, tightening her grip on my face to snap me out of it. “You’reTatum Muthafuckin’ Genovese-Bulgari. You hear me? You’re building an empire outta ashes. You’ve survived betrayal, heartbreak, blood, and wars.”

She leaned in closer, her eyes fierce. “You don’t fold, and you damn sure don’t let any man, not even Naeem, write your story. You’re the one holding the damn pen, so if he thinks he’s about to control your life? Nah. He’s got the wrong bitch, not my sister.”

Riley kissed my cheek and let go of my face before stepping back with a nod. “Now fix your crown, get up, and move like the boss you are.”

My best friend breathed life into me, so I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. She was right. I couldn’t let Naeem control my future. If I let him have his way, what would happen if I had a daughter? Would she grow up feeling trapped like I had? Like my mother had? Like all the women who have husbands, sons, brothers, fathers, and uncles who are made men?

I refused. No one, not my husband, our families, nor my businesses, would come before her. She had a mother who would go to hell and back for her.

I met Riley’s gaze, my voice firm. “You’re goddamn right. Naeem doesn’t own me.”

---