Morgan scoffed. Two years ago, that statement would have gutted her. It would have destroyed her, but today, she was different. He had changed her. He had already taken her through the absolute worst. He had beaten her down so low that she had surpassed bottom. Her feelings had been annihilated. He had mismanaged her heart so badly that she had boarded it up. She had already felt the greatest pain in life. His judgment of her didn’t even compare. She didn’t even really care.

“I never knew you had so much snake in you, Messiah. I would have kept my grass lower,” she shot back. She reached for the door handle and pushed it open. She had one foot to the pavement when he reached for her.

“I’m sorry, shorty. Just close the door,” he said, yielding. It was so hard for him to tuck his anger. Ever since seeing her with Ahmeek, he had wanted to kill someone. He had known he would get his girl back when he had seen her with Bash, but Ahmeek wasn’t the type to submit without a fight. He knew Morgan like the back of his hand, and Meek’s name on her tongue was said with too much affection. He could hear her adoration, and it sickened him. She had no idea the restraint he was showing.

“Maybe I am a ho, Messiah,” she said, void of emotion as she pulled her foot back inside and closed the door. Morgan was checked out. She was a shell. “Maybe after you left, I just broke. You broke me. Bash was there. Meek was…” She paused and swallowed down turmoil. Her voice trembled. “Ahmeek put me back together.” She barely said it. She was afraid to say it. Messiah was the last person who would ever understand.

“You can’t love a nigga from the grave,” Messiah answered.

“Exactly, Messiah,” she shot back. “You haven’t existed for two years. You were in a grave. You ran out on me for two whole years. I would have forgiven you for lying about being Mizan’s brother, but the shit you said to me at Bleu’s house that day. The way you handled me?” Morgan shook her head and closed her eyes. “Then you left, and when I thought you were dead, that was agony. It was unbearable, but now you’re here! You’ve been out there! Without me! You chose to be without me, Messiah. I would have never left you. You don’t exist at all to me anymore. I’ll never forgive you for the way you deserted me. You’re a cheater and a liar.” Morgan went to exit the car, and Messiah snatched her hand, pulling her back to him. He hit the locks, trapping her inside.

“I told some lies, Mo, so I’ma have to eat that, but I never cheated on you, shorty. Don’t burn my name,” Messiah said.