Chapter 4 Done Playing Nice
Krish pouted. “It’s not that bad anymore. The doctor said I can have some now and then. Mom just wants to control me.”
Hearing a five–year–old call that “control” felt weird.
Just as Zayden was about to say something, his phone rang.
He answered it.
Tamara’s voice came through. “Zayden, are you home?”
“Yeah.”
“Ms. Griffith is still not back, huh?”
Zayden paused and then asked, “Why?”
“I think I saw her.” After a beat, her voice faltered. “She’s… with some guy. They look close.”
She hesitated again before adding carefully, “Did we upset her earlier? Maybe you should talk to her and clear things up.”
Zayden’s eyes darkened.
“So that’s why she’s not home yet,” he thought.
His voice turned cold. “Where is she?”
Tamara gave him the address,
“Got it,” he said and hung up.
Chapter 4 Bone Playing Nice
***
At the restaurant, Jamir Buckley looked into Lailah’s eyes.
“Are you sure about this?”
Lailah nodded. “My mom had the violin custom–made for me, but I haven’t touched it in five years. I put my family first over my dreams…”
She let out a quiet sigh, looking sad.
“What’s your plan now?” His voice turned serious. “You know coming back means constant performances and travel. You’ll barely have time for family.”
“Krish is healthy now.” A flicker of self–mockery crossed her eyes. “He doesn’t need me anymore.”
“Would Zayden be okay with it?” he asked.
Lailah’s expression hardened at the mention of Zayden’s name.
“It’s my career. He doesn’t get a say.”
Jamir held her gaze. “But you know he won’t like you meeting me.”
“I don’t need his permission.”
As she spoke, a flicker of guilt crossed her face. She remembered pulling away from Jamir just because Zayden hadn’t liked it.
Jamir, I’m sorry.”
Jamir shook his head. “Lili, come on. There’s nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry.
“I told your mom I’d look out for you, but I let you go through all of it
Chapter & Bone Paying Nice
alone.”
Jamir was a little older than her. They had learned violin together under her mother’s guidance.
Now, he was a well–known violinist, respected in the industry.
His good looks and quiet melancholy made him a phenomenon, the man countless women dreamed about.
His fame even rivaled top celebrities.
But despite all that, he couldn’t go up against Zayden.
“Don’t say that. That was my-”
Before Lailah could finish, a soft voice cut in from behind.
“Ms. Griffith, why are you here?”
Lailah turned. Tamara stood there, dressed in an elegant white dress.
“Not again. Twice in one day? Just my luck,” Lailah thought.
“What does that have to do with you?” she replied coolly.
Tamara smiled. “Ms. Griffith, don’t be mad. I just found it strange.
Zayden actually got home early today, and here you are instead of making dinner for him.”
Tamara looked sweet and harmless, with a soft voice and a gentle expression.
Next to her, Lailah came off as cold and snarky.
But underneath it all, Lailah caught the mockery, the quiet challenge in
her words.
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Chapter 4 Done Playing Nice
She met Tamara’s eyes just in time to see the flicker of satisfaction there.
“Ha. You know exactly why Zayden always comes home late. You take up every free moment he has. Are you seriously playing dumb with me, Ms. Mosley?” she shot back.
Tamara’s smile faltered. She grabbed Lailah’s hand, her voice urgent.
“Ms. Griffith, please, listen to me. That’s not what I meant-
“Oh, I see. You’re not playing dumb; you just don’t know your place,” Lailah said, cutting her off.
She pulled her hand free and continued, “And people like you are really obnoxious.”
Suddenly, Tamara let out a sharp cry, jerking backward.
Before Lailah could even process it, a tall figure rushed forward, catching Tamara before she could fall.
“Mara, are you okay?” a voice asked.
Tamara turned, her face pale. The second she saw it was Zayden, tears welled up in her eyes. She looked like she had been deeply wronged,
“I’m fine, Zayden… She didn’t do it on purpose. Don’t be mad at her, please.”
Only then did he notice Lailah.
“Lailah, apologize to Mara,” he demanded, frowning.
Tamara had pulled this act before.
In the past, Lailah would have rushed to defend herself and begged Zayden to believe her.
Chapter Done Praying Nice
But he never had. Every time, he had made her apologize.
And when Lailah refused, he punished her with silence, ignoring her calls and messages.
He acted like she didn’t exist, refusing to speak to her or even look at her.
Even Krish started treating her the same way.
And in the end, Lailah had to give in.
Thinking back, she let out a sneer.
“Why should I listen to you? Who do you think you are?”
Zayden stiffened like he wasn’t sure he had heard her right.
“What did you just say?”
Lailah looked into his face and said coldly, “When I cared about you, I did whatever you wanted. But now, you mean nothing to me.”
Zayden finally got it.
Lailah had never spoken to him like this before.
And she had always been gentle and considerate.
She waited up for him on late nights, leaving a light on.
When he worked late in his study, she made him snacks.
If he came home drunk, she helped him sober up with something refreshing.
Lailah had changed after Tamara’s return, but she had never stood up to him like this.
Chipre a.
one. Playing Mice
Something about it unsettled him.
Then Krish’s voice broke the silence.
“Mom, you always say that if someone messes up, they should apologize. Well, you did something wrong. Shouldn’t you say sorry to Tamara?”
