If Your Wife Only Knew Read Free

handsome even though he walked a little slower since he turned seventy. But he trotted about like an old-school pimp.
    â€œGrand Pop, have I ever told you how much I love you?” Kiara choked up and gave him a hug.
    â€œAw, sugah, I love you, too.”
    â€œAnd I want you to know that I’m praying that my husband will be just like you—strong, stable, smart, and dedicated to his wife.” She shook her head. “It’s unbelievable that you two have been blessed to see this day.”
    Grand Pop averted his eyes. He gazed at the ceiling and cleared his throat.
    â€œWell, sugah, I hate to tell you this right now, but you would’ve found out about it anyway. I-I am filing for divorce before the end of the year. Sooner rather than later.”
    â€œW-w-hat did you just say?”
    â€œYou heard. We may have been together for forty, but I’m telling you now, ain’t gone be no forty-first anniversary.”
    â€œGrand Pop! Nooo!”
    â€œSugah, you young but you ought to know by now that shigitty happens. That you can have it good for a long time, but good don’t always stay good.”
    â€œI just can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Kiara stared into space and pondered the shocking revelation. “I mean, I’ve been to your house. I’ve seen all the beautiful photos that Mama Flora displays everywhere, in every room. She’s smiling. You’re smiling.”
    â€œThey’re photos, sugah. That’s what you do. You smile . . . for the camera.”
    â€œDoes that mean you weren’t sincere? That your love for Grandma wasn’t genuine?”
    â€œIt means I loved her the best way I could. In life, people try to stay happy, but things happen. Life gets changed around. Happiness turns upside down.”
    Kiara’s heart sank inside of her. She reached out and hugged Grand Pop. She leaned her head against his chest.
    â€œYou two are my inspiration. Now what am I going to do? Does Mama Flora know? Why is she acting like everything is okay when it’s not?”
    â€œBaby girl, she’s hurting. She just hides it. You may want to go find her. Talk to her. Give her your love. She’ll always be your family.”
    She kissed Grand Pop’s cheek as tears streamed from her eyes.
    â€œI wish the best for you,” she replied. “You will always be family, too. And thanks for letting me know what’s going on.”
    She gave him one last squeeze and said good-bye.
    The information was more than Kiara could bear. She decided to leave right away; she wasn’t in the mood to party any longer.
    Â 
    Kiara finally made it home. She and Rashad lived on a quiet tree-lined street in Fresno, a suburb located south of Houston. Their corner lot residence had supreme curb appeal with its brick and stone elevation and opulent landscaping. It boasted a two-story living room, island kitchen, a game room, a spiral staircase, four bedrooms, and a custom-made deck built with Rashad’s own hands. Kiara drove into the garage and turned off the ignition. Once she got inside the house, she hurried to their first-floor master suite and got undressed. The hot water from the whirlpool jets massaged her as she cleaned herself inside their glass-enclosed Jacuzzi shower; then Kiara crawled into their king-size bed. Rashad was spread out and snoring. She kicked him. He didn’t move. She kicked him harder. He sat up.
    â€œWhat? Damn. What?”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œYou’re not sorry. Why’d you kick me? What’d I do?”
    â€œOh, my God, everything isn’t about you, Rashad.”
    â€œIf you kicking me like a damned kangaroo, I’ve got to assume it’s about me!”
    â€œBabe, forgive me. I-I’m just so wired up.” She waited for him to ask what happened. When he lay back down and turned away from her and snatched the comforter back on top of himself, Kiara continued. “Rashad, I