Back to Reality

Miyah’s POV

As the plane touched down back home, reality came rushing back like a slap to the face. The two weeks in Dubai had been a dream, but now it was time to face everything we left behind.

Zaire held my hand as we walked through the airport, our fingers laced together. The girls trailed behind us, laughing and reminiscing about the trip. I couldn’t help but smile at their carefree attitudes. They deserved to feel this good, to live this life without worrying about anything else.

But deep down, I knew better than to think it would last forever.

---

Zaire’s POV

From the moment we landed, I could feel the shift in energy. Back in the real world, there were responsibilities to handle, enemies to keep an eye on, and a mother to deal with.

Kate hadn’t called or texted while we were gone, and while that could’ve been a sign of peace, I wasn’t naïve enough to believe it. My mother was a strategist, always planning her next move.

As we stepped into the car, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced down to see a message from her.

“Dinner at the house tomorrow. Bring Miyah and everyone else.”

I sighed, already knowing what this was about. Kate wasn’t done, and if this dinner was anything like her usual schemes, it was going to be another test for Miyah.

“Everything alright?” Miyah asked, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah,” I replied, slipping my phone back into my pocket. “Just my mom. She wants us at the house tomorrow for dinner.”

Miyah’s lips tightened, and I could see the hesitation in her eyes. She knew what this meant too.

“I’m not afraid of her, Zaire,” she said firmly.

I couldn’t help but smile. That was one of the things I loved most about her—she never backed down.

“I know yuh not, baby. And you don’t have to prove anything to her or anyone else. Just be you.”

---

Ashley’s POV

It didn’t take long for the weight of reality to settle on us after we got back. I could see it in Miyah’s face when Zaire mentioned the dinner at his mom’s house. We all knew what it meant: another showdown.

“Miyah, don’t let her rattle you,” I said as we rode back to the house. “Kate only wins if you let her get to you.”

Miyah nodded, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. She wasn’t scared, but she was definitely preparing herself for whatever Kate might throw her way.

“Trust me, she won’t,” Miyah replied. “If she wants a fight, I’m ready.”

Zoey leaned forward, smirking. “Good, because I’m tired of seeing that woman try to play puppet master with Zaire’s life. She’s about to learn what happens when she messes with bad gyals.”

---

Kate’s POV

I stood in the dining room, inspecting the table one last time before the guests arrived. Everything was perfect—the food, the decor, the seating arrangements. But this dinner wasn’t just about appearances. It was about sending a message.

I wasn’t blind to what Zaire saw in Miyah. She was strong, independent, and determined—qualities I could respect in another context. But she wasn’t the kind of woman I had envisioned for my son.

Still, I couldn’t deny that my attempts to separate them had only pushed Zaire further away. If I wanted to salvage my relationship with him, I needed to tread carefully. But that didn’t mean I was ready to wave the white flag just yet.

---

Miyah’s POV

The tension was thick the moment we walked into Kate’s house. The dining room was immaculate, every detail carefully curated to perfection. But beneath the surface, I could feel the tension simmering.

Kate greeted us with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Welcome,” she said, her gaze lingering on me a moment too long.

“Thank you for having us,” I replied politely, matching her energy.

As we all took our seats, the conversation started off pleasant enough—small talk about Dubai, updates on Zaire’s business, and light jokes from Giovanni. But I could feel Kate’s eyes on me the entire time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

And she didn’t wait long.

“So, Miyah,” Kate began, her tone dripping with faux curiosity. “How does it feel to be thrust into this world? I imagine it’s a bit... overwhelming for someone from your background.”

The table fell silent, all eyes turning to me. I could feel the heat rising in my chest, but I refused to let her see me sweat.

“It’s different,” I admitted, my voice steady. “But I’ve always been a quick learner. And Zaire makes sure I’m prepared for anything.”

Her smile tightened. “Well, I suppose you’d have to be. This isn’t a life for the faint of heart.”

I leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze head-on. “Good thing I’m not faint of heart, then.”

The tension in the room was palpable, but I didn’t break eye contact. Kate was testing me, and I wasn’t about to back down.

Before she could respond, Zaire cleared his throat. “Mek mi tell yuh dis right now, Mom,” he said, his voice low and firm. “If yuh can’t respect Miyah, yuh nuh have to worry about me coming back here.”

Kate’s eyes widened slightly, and I could see the shock flicker across her face.

“Zaire, that’s not—”

“Nah, I’m serious,” he interrupted. “This foolishness ends now. Yuh either accept her, or yuh lose me. Simple.”

The room fell silent again, and I could feel everyone holding their breath.

Kate’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded slowly, the fight seeming to drain out of her.

---

Kate’s POV

Hearing those words from my son was like a punch to the gut. I had always prided myself on being in control, but now I was faced with the very real possibility of losing him if I didn’t change my ways.

As I sat there, watching him defend Miyah with such conviction, I realized that I had been wrong. My attempts to protect him had only pushed him further away.

If I didn’t stop, I was going to lose him for good.

---