Prologue — Deja

"I can't do this, Malik. I just can't." Deja clutches her hands, playing with the gold band and twirling her engagement ring. "It doesn't feel right. I thought I could. I tried, honey. I really did."

Malik bites his lower lip not sure what to say. Deja and Malik's relationship has been on the rocks ever before she had their first child.

"I know it's been hard, but—" Malik looks around the bedroom and then back.

"I know, Malik. Trust me, I know. But this ain't for—" Deja shallows and tears began to appear. "I never really got a chance to love you." Deja slides her engagement ring off then the gold band and places them on the coffee table. "I'm sorry."

Jasmine, their four-month-old baby, is in her crib sleeping peacefully, unaware of what is happening steps away in the next room.

"Baby, don't do this. I love you. And Jasmine does also. We need you." Malik reaches for Deja's hand and she pulls away.

"Deja—"

"Malik, this thing of ours happened too quickly. I know it ain't right but I need some space."

A thousand thoughts are bouncing around in Deja's head and she knows this will hurt. If she stays, it won't get better and she won't either. Long days and as long as Malik's away from home, she'll be depressed. Deja thought it would change once Jasmine was born, the depression would be replaced with unconditional love, but it didn't. Instead, she slipped further and further away. She loves her baby more than she ever thought she could love a human being. but underneath love is a fear and a sinking feeling that just won't leave. Countless nights dealing with Jasmine's crying were chipping away at the last strings of Deja's soul.

"I have to go, Malik—"

And just like that, Deja gives in, hunching her shoulders.

"No, baby," Malik says, reaching for Deja. Malik's lost, and the only thing he can do is try to fix the situation. "We have a baby to care for—"

"Malik, you just don't get. I don't want to be with you anymore. You can't make me." Deja glances at the pictures on the wall as her tears run down her cheeks. "I'm sorry if I led you on." Deja then gets up, heads off to the bedroom, and closes the door. Malik holds his head to stop his world from spinning out of control.

Minutes later, Deja drags out her suitcase and stops to see Malik hunched over. "The Uber's outside. Make sure you give Jasmine her bottle when she wakes up and use the crème on her rash." Her brown eyes meet Malik's for one last time.

"I'll call when I get settled in. Well—kiss Jasmine for me and tell Mommy I love her."

"Dej—"

Malik watches as she walks out and cries silently when the door closes.