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It may seem like things are moving fast but I'm trying to move the story along, I'm getting bored x

David Amir Brewster Brooklyn, New York

"Baby we're here," I put my hand on Naala's thigh. She flinched at my touch so I moved my hand quickly. "I'm sorry, but you gotta get up now,"

"That was quick," Naala yawned sitting up. She looked out of the window and then pouted at me.

"We have to make sure he didn't -" I trailed off because I didn't know how to even put it into words.

"Make sure he didn't give me anything?" Naala said taking her seatbelt off. "You got me out of bed for this?" She asked me.

"Love I want you to be okay, this is the first step," I spoke lowly.

I could see the pain in her eyes and that fucked with me. All Naala has ever known is pain and I don't want that for her anymore.

"I already feel low and nasty," Naala mumbled putting her head in her hands. "Now you want me to go in there and let them ask me all different kind of things,"

"I'm gonna be right there with La," I replied. Naala stayed quiet for a while till she lifted her head up.

"Ok whatever," Naala shrugged. "Hurry so I can back to bed," She opened her own door and got out. I followed behind her, catching up to her before she went through the door.

"You can hold my hand Amir," Naala said holding her hand out.

"I wanna make sure you're comfortable," I responded taking her hand.

"Are you going to hurt me?" Naala questioned looking up at me.

"Nah never again," I said quickly. That was one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made. Naala was genuinely the love of my life, why would I want to hurt her again.

"Then I trust you," Naala said leaning into me. When we got to the front desk, I did all the talking.

"Naala Brewster?" One of the nurses called out after about 10 minutes of me and Naala waiting.

"You're not slick," Naala tutted standing up with me. I took her hand and we walked to the back.

"Just take a seat up here," The nurse told Naala. I helped her up and sat down next to her on a chair.

The doctor entered the room and started the testing.

"Okay so now we wait," The doctor smiled at us. "You're a beautiful couple if I might add,"

"Thank you," Naala said politely. Her cheeks were all red so I guess she was blushing.

"She's shy," I chuckled nudging Naala,

"I was surprised to see your age, you look very young," The doctor spoke to her,

"Told you I look young," Naala smiled at me. They carried on talking till a nurse brought in a clipboard.

"Right so all tests came back negative except one." The doctor started. I raised a brow and sat forward, "Did you know you were pregnant?"

"Pregnant?" Naala repeated letting my hand go. "How far along am I?"

"I would say roughly 4 weeks," The doctor explained to both of us. "You both look stunned, this is good news no?" The doctor said,

Naala shot up and ran to the trash can, vomiting up everything she ate this morning.

"Damn," I mumbled standing up to rub her back.

"There's no way, you have to check again," Naala said lifting her head up. I handed her a tissue and she wiped her mouth.

"My purse please?" She asked me. I got the purse and she pulled out a small bottle of mouthwash.

"It is a very accurate test," The doctor said. I didn't even know what to say or think, because me and Naala haven't had sex since Samar went missing.

"I don't want it," Naala replied sitting back down. "What's the process to get me booked in for a termination?"

"Are you sure that's what you want?" The doctor responded. "You have time to think about it with your husband,"

"I don't need time to think, book me in," Naala said sitting back down. I put my hand in her lap and stroked her thigh.

"You sure you don't want to think about it baby?" I asked to be sure.

"I'm sure Amir, I don't want this baby," Naala answered me. The look in her eyes were enough for me to know. I looked at the doctor and shrugged, I couldn't change her mind and quite frankly I didn't want to.

~~2 days later ...Omniscient

"Keep an eye on any heavy bleeding, the pain should be bearable but if it intensifies please contact us," The clinician explained to Naala.

"I know this isn't my first time," Naala said pulling her coat on. Dave helped her slip her sneakers on and tied them up.

"Naala," Dave sighed, she was being flippant about the whole situation and he didn't like it.

"What? He doesn't have to explain something I already know," Naala huffed shifting from the uncomfortable pain shooting through her.

"Alright but you ain't gotta be rude," Dave answered helping her up.

"Get off of me," Naala swatted his hands off, "I'm not handicapped,"

"Are we done?" Dave asked the clinician, he didn't want to go off on Naala because he knew this wasn't the ideal situation.

"I can't think of anymore I need to tell you," He smiled,

"Thanks," Naala said sarcastically walking out of the door.

"I'm sorry for her," Dave apologised before following her out. Naala walked to the car as fast as she could and waited for him to catch up.

No words were spoken between the two as they got into the car. Naala reclined her seat, and got ready to sleep.

"You want me to drop you off before I get the kids?" Dave asked pulling out of the parking lot.

"What sense would that make?" Naala opened one eye to look at him.

Dave didn't reply to her rudeness and decided to change the topic. "You hungry? You want me to stop off anywhere?"

Naala started to feel bad, once again she was taking her frustrations out on him.

"I feel for fries," Naala said softly changing her tone with him. "Can you get me some fries?" She turned to look at him.

"That's all you want?" He asked going in the direction of the closest Wendy's.

"And some nuggets, and maybe a shake." Naala added to her order.

"You're not gonna finish all that," Dave shook his head,

"I will, you're gonna eat half of it anyway," Naala replied closing her eyes again. She fidgeted in her seat and winced a few times alerting Dave.

"You good?" He asked putting his hand on her stomach and rubbing it.

"It hurts that's all," Naala answered putting her hand over his. "Do you think I made a mistake?" She didn't look over at him but could feel his eyes on her.

"You made a choice," Dave responded. "It's your body and I can't stop you from making that decision,"

Dave wasn't against the idea but he did think she came to her decision entirely too fast. She didn't really think about it for longer than a second.

"I can't have a baby with a rapist," Naala spoke. "I wouldn't be able to carry that child and love and care for it knowing they were made on the back of my pain,"

"All my children were made out of love, not that," Naala whispered softly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"I get it," Dave carried on rubbing her stomach. "I wanted you to do what you felt was right," He couldn't tell her what to do but he prayed she didn't live to regret it.

"It was right," Naala nodded, she was happy in her decision.

"Then that's all that matters," Dave ended the conversation there. He picked up something for Naala to eat and then routed to the school to pick up the girls.

"Why's mama sleeping like that?" Sinai frowned getting into the car.

"She's not feeling well," Dave answered, "Phat you had a good day,"

"Malia had a bad day," Malia said with an angry face.

Dave turned around and looked at her, "What happened?" He asked her.

"Everyone was mean to Malia, even bubba," Malia spoke leaning against the window. Dave sighed and looked out, seeing Saint sat on the steps.

"Baby," Dave woke Naala up,

"What?" Naala grumbled opening her eyes,

"Hassan was meant to get Saint today?" He asked pointing to Saint sitting down waiting.

"I swear to God," Naala mumbled taking off her seatbelt. "Hey girls," She said quickly before getting out of the car as she could.

"Saint get up," Naala told him. "You see your dad here and you let your sisters get in the car, and you didn't think to get up and go with them?" She started to go off on him.

"I was waiting for my daddy," He pouted,

"I'm gonna shove my foot up your daddy's ass, get in the car," Naala snapped opening the door for him.

She closed the door and got back in the passenger seat, grabbing her purse at the same time.

"Calm down," Dave said quietly,

"What do you mean calm down?" Naala replied quickly. "He had my son sitting outside waiting for him, what if you didn't spot him? He would have been there on his own,"

"Maybe he forgot," Dave defended. He wanted to keep Naala as calm as possible.

"Stop taking up for him," Naala replied huffing. "He's not even answering my calls," She started to fear the worse especially because he had Samar.

Naala decided to call Dess, that was her last resort.

"Hello?" Desiree picked up confused as to why Naala was phoning her.

"Can you put Hassan on the phone?" Naala said softly,

"Yeah hang on," Desiree responded sitting up in bed. She tapped Hassan who was knocked out. "It's Naala," She added when he got up looking angry.

"What?" Hassan answered, the sleep evident in his voice.

"You're asleep when you're meant to be picking up your son?" Naala chuckled. "This is why I don't let you get them. How could you be so stupid?"

"I overslept," Hassan said sitting up, "Why you ain't tell me the time?" He asked Dess who shrugged.

"So she's an alarm clock now too?" Naala said into the phone. "Where is Samar because y'all are napping at 3 in the damn afternoon?"

"Patty has him," Hassan said uninterestedly. He was still tired and Naala's bitching was making it worse.

"Oh my God," Naala sighed rubbing her forehead. "What part of don't let him out of your sight don't you understand Hassan?" Naala shouted.

"Chill," Dave put his hand on her thigh,

"Don't call me and start shouting Naala, she wanted to see him so I dropped him off there," Hassan said rudely.

"You are the dumbest nigga I've met," Naala shook her head. "That's the last time you're taking him, you can't ask to keep your son and then drop him off somewhere,"

"You can't stop me from seeing him," Hassan responded angrily.

"Who said so? You're not seeing either of them Hassan, until you get your life together," Naala hung up and threw her phone back into her purse.

"I guess we're not going home yet," Dave said switching lanes.

"No," Naala mumbled, "I'm getting so tired of him,"

Naala felt that as soon as she broke up with Hassan, he started to behave differently, not only towards her. He was reckless, unserious and down right rude.

Naala used to appreciate that he was a good father but recently she didn't see that side of him and it scared her.

"I'm meant to be home, resting but here I am," Naala commented laying back down.

"After this, I'll take you home," Dave said squeezing her thigh.

"Y'all are mighty quiet back there," He said looking back at the kids.

"Mama is in her angry mood, ion want to get in trouble," Saint mumbled loudly.

"I'm reading my book," Sinai mentioned holding up her novel.

"Malia is angry," Malia crossed her arms,

"Why are you angry baby?" Naala turned in her seat carefully.

"She's angry because she got sent to the principals office," Saint snitched. Sinai wouldn't know this because she was on the other side of the school.

"Malia Semaj Brewster!" Naala gasped. "The principal's office, for what?" Malia was not know to misbehave so this was shocking to her.

"Not saying," Malia said quietly facing the window.

"She called a teacher a bitch," Saint snitched once more.

"Shut up," Malia pouted hitting Saint's shoulder.

"Excuse me?" Dave's loud voice boomed. "Whatchu know about that word?"

"Nicki Minaj be saying that word all the time," Malia answered with a smile. Being autistic meant she didn't see the wrong in her behaviour and was quite proud of herself.

"What I told you about listening to Nicki when you with the kids?" Dave asked Naala who had gone quiet now.

"Oh shut up," Naala waved him off. "Phat we don't repeat those words, only when we're singing the song,"

"No you don't say the words at all," Dave interjected looking at Naala.

"Right, not at all," Naala laughed lightly. "Only my daughter would be a Barb,"

"Malia likes Nicki," Malia spoke with a big smile,

"I know you do baby but next time don't do that," Naala said seriously. "They want me and daddy to come in?"

"Mmm," Malia said passing her and letter that was addressed to Mr and Mrs Brewster.

"Now I know I've told them to change my name too many times," Naala said scanning over the later. "Uhn uhn, they described my baby as rude and unruly," She shoved the letter in Dave's face.

"I know they not talking about Phat," Dave coincided pulling up at a red light.

"Right, she is not rude or unruly," Naala said handing him the letter.

"Set up a meeting," Dave nodded, one thing about them is that when it came to their kids they were gonna ride. "Where am I going?" Dave asked because he didn't know the way to Patty's.

"I'll direct you," Naala said sitting back in her seat.

1 week later ...Omniscient

"Now what do I do?" Naleli huffed looking through Naala's cookbook.

"You put the onions in," Sinai said sipping her juice on the counter.

"No the carrots," Maniya argued leaning over,

"Do y'all even know how to make this stupid ass curry?" Naleli complained. "I don't know how I got hooked into this,"

"Alright Samar damn," Maniya said putting the bottle to his lips.

"Tete Leli, Niya cursed," Malia snitched not lifting her head up from her iPad.

"Stop cursing," Naleli said moving around the kitchen to get out the seasonings Naala used normally.

"Is mama leaving again?" Sinai asked quietly, her anxiety already rising.

"Leaving? Why would she be leaving?" Naleli asked looking back at her.

"This is what normally happens before she goes to that scary place," Sinai replied,

Naleli looked to Maniya for an explanation and Maniya mouthed 'the psychiatric ward' to her. Naala had an outburst the day before, which resulted in her smashing up the entire house.

The kids were terrified but she couldn't see the wrong in what she was doing.

"No, she's not going to that place," Naleli shook her head. "Mommy just isn't feeling well,"

"Not that one," Sinai pointed at the spoon in Naleli's hand. "This one," she handed it to her. Sinai had spent enough time watching her mom cook to know.

"Nai I told you, mama is gonna be fine," Maniya said looking up from Samar.

"That's what you say all the time," Sinai mumbled, "She's never fine,"

"Okay enough," Naleli said loudly. "Your mom isn't her best right now but I would think you would have more faith in her," She directed to Sinai.

"Mama is a crazy lady," Saint announced walking in. "That's what my daddy be saying," He added opening the refrigerator.

"Don't say that," Maniya scolded him. "Mama is fine," Maniya repeated.

"Saint don't listen to your dad, he's bitter," Naleli warned him. "Maniya put the baby down and help me with this otherwise I'm ordering pizza,"

Cooking wasn't Naleli's strong suit and she didn't feel like burning their house down.

"Fine," Maniya agreed laying Samar down in his play pen.

"Malia stay with Samar?" Malia asked pointing to the pen,

"Yes please Phat," Naleli replied. Saint sat beside Sinai and started eating the cookies laid out on the counter.

"Tete what's sex?" He asked loudly.

"Oh my God," Sinai said with wide eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

"It's a valid question," Naleli said to them. "But that's something your mama and daddy have to explain to you,"

"Mama said it's when two people are in love and then they make babies," Sinai informed them.

"Yeah right," Maniya stifled a laugh. "Tete that's what you think too?"

"Of course not, sex is an enjoyable activity, one that I love," Naleli explained,

"So I can do sex?" Saint questioned tilting his head.

"What are y'all talking about in here?" Dave laughed making himself known.

"Sex," Maniya and Naleli said in unison.

"Daddy what's sex?" Saint asked, he wanted everyone's definition.

"Something your dad can't live without," Naleli laughed stirring the chicken in the pot.

"Haha very funny," Dave said sarcastically taking a cookie off the counter. "It's something you don't gotta worry about till you 16,"

"Aw," Saint frowned. "I'm gonna do sex when I want to,"

"You don't even know what it is," Sinai said in response.

"Neither do you," Saint snapped back at her. "I'm gonna ask mama," He said jumping down from the counter.

"Nah leave her to sleep," Dave stopped him. Naleli locked eyes with him and sighed.

Everyone started to do their own thing and Naleli continued cooking with Maniya's help.

"Is she going to eat something?" Naleli asked Dave, the food was finally done and the kids were in the dining room eating.

"Maybe," Dave shrugged. "She's still bad, I got her dressed but she got back in to bed right after."

"I can take some up for her," Maniya announced. "I haven't seen her all day,"

"Okay good idea," Naleli said dishing up a plate. "Get her to talk, she might feel a bit better," She instructed whilst handing Maniya the plate.

Maniya walked up the steps with the tray of food carefully. She had a bottle of apple juice, Naala's favorite.

"Mom?" Maniya called out knocking on the door. She didn't get a response so she pushed the door open and found Naala in her usual position.

"Mom I bought you something to eat," Maniya spoke entering the room properly. Naala heard the voice behind her and turned over, slowly lifting herself up.

"Thank you," Naala replied, her voice low and emotionless.

Maniya put the tray in her lap and studied her mom. "Can I stay in here with you? I won't talk if you don't want to?"

"Sit," Naala nodded moving over slightly. She picked up her cutlery and stared at the plate in front of her.

"Tete made it," Maniya spoke making Naala look up from the plate.

"Really?" She peeped out. "I'll taste some of it then," She said taking some of the rice up into her mouth.

"Do you like it?" Maniya quizzed, it was odd having to keep pulling answers out of her mom. Naala was usually always speaking, it was a whole new person.

"It's nice I guess," Naala said taking a sip of her drink. "I'm full now," She commented pushing the tray to the side.

Maniya stuttered over her words, "You had one bite Ma," She was officially worried about her mom.

"I'm full," Naala repeated. She had plans to make herself sick after this, food wasn't on her mind right now.

"Are you okay mommy?" Maniya asked a question that seemed void at this point.

"No," Naala shook her head. "I'm not okay. I feel a bit sleepy, could you take this with you?"

"Is it something we did? Are you unhappy with us?" Maniya asked her. Naala didn't respond, she slid the tray to Maniya and got out of the bed.

"Did you hear me?" Maniya spoke picking up the tray.

"Niya if they sent you up here to talk to me then tell them I said I don't need their help," Naala snapped. "I'm a grown woman, if I want to not take my pills and stay in bed, I can do that," Naala started to shout.

It wasn't really her talking, it was her lack of sanity at that given moment.

"Ok mom, stop shouting," Maniya answered.

"No because I'm not in the mood for you guys," Naala shouted once more. "You want me to eat the food?" She added snatching the food back.

"Alright Naala that's enough," Dave said walking into the room. He heard the shouting from down the stairs. "We've got it Niya," He spoke as Naleli joined him.

"Oh here they come," Naala chuckled, "Here to force pills down my throat?" She threw the plate at them, causing it to smash at the impact.

"All of you get out," Naala screamed at them,

"Mommy," Maniya said fearfully, she hated seeing her mom like this.

"Naala stop that," Naleli said moving closer towards her. "We're not here to hurt you,"

"So what's that?" Naala pointed to Dave who was holding a syringe full of sedation medication. "You're taking me back there?"

"No, you're not going back," Naleli said holding her hands out so Naala knew she wasn't trying to harm her.

"We just want you to calm down baby," Dave mumbled moving closer.

"No, I won't calm down," Naala answered with tears streaming down her face. "I'm not crazy! Stop talking to me like I'm crazy,"

"La, please, if you don't stop he'll use it," Naleli said,

"I'm not crazy," Naala stepped back crying. "I just want it all to stop Leli,"

"Mom!" Maniya said loudly making Naala snap out of her hallucination. "I've been calling your name,"

"Mmm I'm sorry, I zoned out," Naala shook her head. "What we're we talking about?" She turned to Maniya.

"I asked you if you were okay," Maniya said once more.

"Oh yeah, I am. I'm getting there," Naala smiled lightly. "You said my sister made this?" She changed the subject,

"Yeah, I helped her too," Maniya smiled watching her mom continue eating. This was the first meal Naala had actually enjoyed.

"It's your birthday soon," Naala mentioned, "Do you need anything? I can help,"

"I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with," Maniya answered.

"When I'm done with this we can go and check on the venue?" Naala suggested,

"I can go with daddy," Maniya protested. Naala sighed and put her fork down.

"You don't want me there?" She asked with a hurt expression.

"No mommy, I do want you there. But you're —"

"I'm crazy?" Naala finished her sentence,

"No mama that's not what it is. You're depressed mom and I don't want to make it worse," Maniya admitted.

"I'm not depressed," Naala defended. "I am trying to get better but it's hard when no one believes in you,"

"I believe in you!" Maniya exclaimed, "But mommy, you need to stay on your meds. The girls were very scared and so was I."

Naala stared back at her, she never thought about how much her children suffered from her bad mental health.

"We were scared and I hate seeing you like that," Maniya sniffed.

"Don't cry," Naala closed her eyes, "I don't do it on purpose, my brain is damaged. I want to better for you guys and I need to be but I can't," Naala vented.

"You can," Maniya replied. "Mama you can, if you do what the doctor suggests,"

Maniya truly felt like she was getting through to Naala, more than anybody had.

"You can be better," Maniya repeated. Naala nodded and set the food down,

"Can you help me with something?" Naala asked looking at Maniya.

"Anything," Maniya sat up happily,

"Can you tell your dad to call Dr Black," Naala said confidently, she was going to get better even if it took long, she wanted to be on that road of recovery.

~~

"I'm so proud of you baby," Dave kissed Naala's cheek as she washed her pill down with water. "So proud," He said squeezing her waist.

"It's been 2 weeks," Naala smiled leaning back on him.

"2 weeks of you staying on your meds. That's more than I could have asked for," Dave mentioned wrapping his arms around her.

"Yeah, what's the time?" Naala asked turning around in his arms.

"She'll be here," Dave assured her, "And then we can go and celebrate Niya,"

Today was finally Maniya's birthday party and all the plans were in motion for her. Dave made sure not spare any expense for his baby girl, with Naala's encouragement also.

Samar's cries sounded through the baby monitor making Naala groan.

"He's been so fussy today," Naala said moving off of Dave.

"You look beautiful," Dave said kissing her neck, "I want to eat your ass," He whispered in her ear.

"Really?" Naala smiled taking his hand from her butt. "I would let you but he's crying," Dave huffed and leaned down to kiss her.

"I love you," He said kissing her repeatedly.

"I love you too," Naala held his face. "Mwah," She gave him a big kiss and let go.

"Let me get the monster," Naala said walking away from him.

Dave watched her leave the room before he sat down on their bed, getting his phone out. He answered a few messages and scrolled through his feed before he heard a scream from down the hall.

He rushed out of their room and straight to the nursery where Naala was clutching Samar and staring out of the window.

"He was there!" Naala squealed pouting outside. "I saw him watching us,"

"Who?" Dave said standing by the curtain. He couldn't see anyone apart from their neighbor putting the trash out.

"Blaze, he was watching me," Naala said again, fear written all over her face.

"Alright, he's gone now," Dave assured her, "Why don't I finish with Mar and you get ready for your session?"

"Be careful because I could of sworn I saw him," Naala said handing him over.

"I've got him," Dave replied, "I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you Love, I mean it," He said pulling her close.

Naala wrapped her arms around him and breathed him in.

"Talk to Cilla about it," Dave said rubbing her back.

"Mmm, thank you," Naala said in response. "I appreciate you,"

"I appreciate you," Dave repeated squeezing her butt, "And I love you so much," He added kissing her lips.

~~

"So Naala, how are you?" Dr Black smiled taking off her glasses.

"I'm better," Naala breathed out, "I feel healthier too,"

"That makes me happy to hear, can I ask why you feel that way?" She said bringing out her notepad.

"I've been journaling and doing some yoga, I think it helps put my mind at rest." Naala explained,

"Good and the dreams?" Dr Black questioned looking up,

"The dreams are still bad," Naala sighed, "Everytime I close my eyes I'm back there."

"Have you been trying the exercises?" The doctor asked,

"I do them all the time," Naala nodded. "Amir makes me feel better, he makes me feel safe too."

"So he's your crutch," Dr Black stated. "You're using him as your wellness crutch,"

Naala shook her head, "No he's been there for me but I'm not using him,"

"When was the last time you had a conversation with him that didn't involve your children or your mental health?" Dr Black shot back. Naala bit her lip because she couldn't recall.

"But I love him," She answered after some time.

"I don't doubt that one bit but you have to make sure you are catering to your relationship," Dr Black advised.

"We haven't had sex in almost 3 months," Naala confessed,

"Is there a reason?" Dr Black retorted,

"I don't want him to see me as broken and bruised, he'll be too delicate, that's not how we have sex," Naala said truthfully,

"Then explain that to him," The doctor responded. "Do you want to have sex?"

"Yes," Naala huffed, she had been wanting to have sex for ages, but Dave didn't want to overstep.

"I enjoy sex and I enjoy it a lot with him but he won't do it anymore. It makes me feel worse about myself, like I'm damaged goods he doesn't want to touch," Naala vented.

"Do you think maybe he is respecting your boundaries?" Dr Black countered,

"I know he is but he's my husband," Naala muttered,

"Not anymore," Dr Black reminded her. "You need to get out of the habit of expecting things from people. Tell him you want to have sex, communicate Naala,"

"You're right," Naala nodded, "Is it weird that I want to have sex after what happened to me?"

"Not at all," Dr Black shook her head. "You like being in control, what that man did to you took that control away,"

"It's okay to want to do the things you like, he didn't take you away, he only took something personal," Dr Black continued.

"I feel like he took me too," Naala mumbled. "I don't feel myself, ever. It's like I was a different person and now he stripped away my identity,"

Naala was struggling with finding her true self again. Her pain and trauma have clouded what she knows to be her actual self.

"What makes you feel yourself?" The doctor questioned.

"I don't know anymore," Naala shrugged,

"What do you enjoy doing?" Dr Black pushed,

"Spending time with my husband," Naala said quietly. "Vacations with our kids,"

"These are all things you do for others, what about what you like doing on your own?" Dr Black said looking up from her notepad.

"I don't do anything on my own," Naala replied. She didn't work anymore because Hassan didn't like when she worked. She barely spent time outside of looking after her kids.

Naala was starting to realise she had no identity apart from being a mom.

"You've made your children your life, not saying that's a bad thing but you don't know who you are without them," Dr Black concluded.

"I live for them," Naala argued, "If I work, I won't spend enough time with them. I don't want them growing up thinking I wasn't there,"

"That isn't healthy," Dr Black disagreed, "You grew up with your dad?"

"I did, and he was never there. He cared more about the children he coached than about me and I don't want that for my babies," Naala expressed.

"So you would rather stay at home? What about your job? Your career that you worked hard for?" Dr Black pestered,

"That doesn't matter to me anymore," Naala answered.

"It doesn't matter or someone made you feel like it shouldn't matter?" Dr Black counteracted.

"Hassan may have mentioned that he wanted me to stay home with our sons and I agreed. My job isn't that important for me to leave them," Naala spoke sluggishly,

"So he made you feel like your job didn't matter?" Dr Black tilted her head.

Naala pondered for a moment before she nodded, "I guess, he wanted me home with the boys and I understand why,"

"Why?" Dr Black asked,

"I'm a woman," Naala shrugged, "In his religion, women stay at home,"

"You aren't married to him, you're not together anymore. All you share is children so why have you lost yourself to please him?" Dr Black spoke. One thing about her was she was straightforward with her patients.

"I haven't lost myself," Naala argued with a frown.

"Then who are you?" Dr Black repeated causing Naala to close her mouth, she didn't know that anymore.

~~a/n - I'm trying to split up chapters to give y'all more 🤍