Page 274 of Invisible Bars
“I told you I was done with you the last time we talked,” he said, stepping in just enough to remind her exactly who the fuck she was dealing with. “Now I’m ready to haveyouevaluated… permanently.”
Giselle’s brows knitted. “Excuse me?”
Imanio leaned in just slightly, voice a whisper of war.
“By God or the devil in hell… whichever one gets to you first.”
Her mouth opened, ready to retort, but he continued, relentless.
“Either way, judgment is coming.... and I won’t lose a moment of sleep over how it arrives.”
Giselle’s expression faltered—shocked and wounded—before she attempted to regain her composure behind her pearls.
“You’re really choosing her over your own mother?”
Imanio glanced back at me, never breaking eye contact.
“A man’s first duty after marriage is to his wife. Once I said, ‘I do,’ my loyalty shifted. My job is to protect her, cover her, and choose her—over everybody, evenyou.See, a wife ain’t supposed to compete with nobody’s mama; not for time, not for respect, not for protection. That’s weakness, and any man who lets that shit happen ain’t a man… he’s still a son. So yeah,every time, I’m choosing her. That’s not betrayal, that’s manhood.”
Giselle scoffed bitterly, her eyes narrowing with disdain.
“When she ruins you?—”
“Better ruined withme, than r-rich and rotting next to you,” I voiced boldly.
Giselle's lips parted in disbelief, caught off guard by my sudden defiance—like she hadn’t expected me to speak, let alone strike.
It was a moment I relished.
Imanio’s lips curled into a slow, wicked grin—equal parts sexy and savage. He tossed me a wink that saidhell yeah, baby, then turned back to his mom.
“Whatwifeysaid. Now get thefuckoutta my crib… before I forget you birthed me.”
Giselle’s lips pinched tight, her eyes glossing but refusing to spill.
“You’re making a mistake, Imanio. One day, you’ll see. And when you do…” She tilted her chin, posture stiff, pretending her pride wasn’t bleeding all over my floor. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She spun toward the door with all the false grace of a queen without a kingdom.
Imanio didn’t wait for the performance to end. The second her heels hit the threshold, he slammed the door behind her—hard enough to rattle the frame.
Imanio came over without a word and lowered himself onto the floor beside me. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest, breathing ragged. His arm curled around me, steady, protective, rocking me gently like I wasn’t a woman falling apart but something worth holding together.
My tics stuttered again—shoulder twitch, lip tremble—then an outburst slipped free. “Your mom’s a witch with a Chanel wand!”
Imanio huffed out a laugh, low and reluctant. “Shit… at least you gave her the right brand. That’s luxury witchcraft.” Then his voice sobered, chest rumbling beneath my cheek. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that shit or even her. But don’t trip; I’ma handle her. She won’t come at you like thateveragain. Believe that.”
I shook my head quickly, my fingers tightening in his shirt. “Don’t apologize for her; that’s not your weight to carry. You c-c-can’t clean up every mess for her… especially the ones she makes with her own mouth.” I lifted my head enough to meet his eyes, watery but steady. “Respect is earned, not inherited. Family doesn’t give anyone a discount on basic d-decency.”
He nodded in understanding, then said, “But don’t trip; I’ma handle her. She won’t come at you like thateveragain. Believe that.”
Imanio held me tighter. But then—reality slapped me upside the head.
“Wait!” I pulled back, eyes wide. “You’resick! Throwing up-sick! F-flu-sick! Why are you all up in my face like this?!” I swatted at his shoulder. “What if I get sick?! My immune system isn’t built for th-this!”
My body twitched.
“Contamination! Cootie committee! Sorry! I’m serious!”
