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p.s. Dejounte and Jilly actually broke up 😢
Dejounte Murray

I let out a long yawn as I flipped through the channels on the TV before me. It was the only thing keeping my company since I obviously, wanted nothing to do with the actual company that came by. My mother was dead to me at this point, alongside my sorry excuse of a wife.

"Dejounte, you need to eat." Renee whined, holding the bowl of soup in her hands. "The doctor stopped by earlier and he isn't pleased by your results whatsoever, he said your rapid weight loss is concerning and there's no way that he will be able to refer you to rehab without you first being able to past his physical stability test and in order to do that, you need to at least try to eat. Not only because I'm asking you, but because you want to get back on that court fast, so please just eat a little bit."

"As I said earlier, I'll pass."

My doctor had been by earlier, ran a couple tests that he wasn't happy about but I wasn't really surprised, whenever I was stressed; I tend to stop taking care of myself. Normally I would replace that stress with some kind of drug but being as I couldn't mix them with my prescription, I had to endure it.

On the Brightside however, I was able to take a real shower today as opposed to a sponge bath. It was my first time being out of the bed since the incident and knowing that kind of gave me a bit more motivation to work towards getting out of it more often. Although, I wasn't ready to use the crutches yet, I wanted to start sitting up, using the wheel-chair, maybe even getting outside. But, just as Renee said; my doctor claimed I wouldn't be able to do so until I took care of my health.

"It's been three days, you need some form of substance."

"I had water. I'm good."

"That's not good enough." She groaned, then placed the soup down onto my side table. "Look, I can't help you if you don't want to help yourself DJ."

"Renee, I didn't ask you to help me. Matter of fact, I asked you to leave but it's clear that you're having problems interpreting my requests."

"I understand what you asked but the doctor came to me as your spouse with his concern, so I'm being the responsible adult here. I'm taking this situation into my hands and sticking by your side until you get better, we need to help you recover."

"Like I said before... you can show yourself the door. When I'm ready to eat, I will eat on my own terms."

"How? You fired all your household staff, you won't even acknowledge your mother's presence. I'm here because you need to eat so if you could please just work with me." I shot her a glare before returning my attention back to the TV. "Dejounte, honestly." She rubbed her temples.

"You know what?" I shook my head and grabbed the soup bowl; throwing it across the room, causing it to crash against the wall. "You can leave."

"Another temper tantrum, Dejounte? Really?"

"Get out, Renee."

Renee rolled her eyes then began to grab the rest of her stuff. "I'll leave, but trust me. Sooner or later, we are going to have to talk about what happened. You can't run from it forever because as you heard from Nadia's big announcement. You're about to be a father, again. So, when you're ready to be an actual adult and talk to me, let me know."

"Don't hold your breath on that one, I'd rather meet you in court than speak to your dumb ass willingly."

"I'm just going to ignore your irrationality."

"Irrationality? I'm being irrational? Renee, you're a lying, conniving, gold-digging, sneaky hoe. How the hell am I being irrational?"

"Once again, I am going to ignore you. You haven't even taken the time to hear out my side of the story, so reacting to your reaction is unnecessary."

"For the love of God Renee, what side is there to hear?! Pardon me, if I'm not interested in the details of your little sickening plot that you cooked up with your sister and my mom. You got me, that's all that matters. Right?"

"No!" she exclaimed, raising her voice to match mine. "That's not all that matters to me, you know my heart is far too big to even be apart of that scheme. I've been trying to explain that to you for the last three days but all you've been doing is shutting me out. If it wasn't for that doctor calling me about his concerns, you wouldn't even be talking to me right now."

"Damn right. I wouldn't be."

"And that's your problem right there."

"Stop tryna play victim." I chuckled, "just go."

"Nah, you know what. I'm not going no where." She placed her things back into the chair she was sitting in and turned to face me, folding her arms across her chest. "Your ass can't even move even if you wanted to, so you're going to sit here and listen to what the hell I have to say. I'm tired of having you throw shade and treat me like shit when all I ever tried to do was help your ungrateful ass."

"Here we go." I used my remote to turn up the volume of the television, but in the midst of doing so, she grabbed the remote, hit mute then tossed it across the room.

"Like I said before, you're going to sit here and listen to what I have to say!"

"I can't even imagine the amount of bull that's about to escape your lips. How can you explain the betrayal you put me through?"

"It wasn't my idea, Dejounte. You know that I don't have it in my heart to do something like that."

"I don't know anything about you anymore Renee." I shook my head. "You've been my friend for years and it only took but a few hours for me to realize that you are nothing but a fake ass b-."

"Do not go there, don't call me out of my name." she said, pointing her finger in my face. "I understand that I am just as wrong as your mother and my sister for knowing about certain things and not telling you, but believe me when I say I wanted to for so long."

"Then why didn't you?!"

"Because I was swindled into thinking this was the only way. The same way that Nadia got you was the way that she got me, she told me that that girl was about to ruin your life and I could use me getting my papers as a way to save you. As much as I wanted my visa, I didn't want you to get hurt. My role wasn't to hurt you, I promise that it was to help."

"Here we go again." I ran my hand down my face then sighed. "When will the lies stop?"

"If I was lying why would I be here DJ? Ask yourself that. My sister is off enjoying a trip that your money paid for, your mother is downstairs, minding her business because you told her to. I'm standing right here, despite your wishes because unlike the rest, I've been here and I will continue to be here. I have loved you forever and you know this! Hurting you never was and never will be my intentions. Like I said before, I did what I thought was the best to do for not only you but for us." She reached over and grabbed my hand, placing it against her stomach. "For us. I will always be willing to do what I gotta do for us." As she spoke, she looked down into my eyes. "I'm sorry if I hurt you DJ."

"You love me?" I asked her, in a softer tone than I had been using before.

"Yes, I love you and I know it's hard to believe right now but deep down in your heart you know that it's true. No matter how bad this situation may make me look, it can never wipe away how long I stood here, through the hard times, through the good times, through your wins and your losses. No one had your back the way I have. We made a union, a promise." She held up her hand to show me her ring. "I meant every single vow."

I nodded and chewed on the inside of my lip as I listened to her speak. I looked down at my legs and the situation that I was in, then back up at the television that played the news; muted. They had been covering the story of Monet and I, all day. It must've been a slow news day because no matter how much I tried, it seemed as if I couldn't run from seeing it.

As it switched over to the news, I nodded again then looked up at Renee who just stood there, awaiting a response from me. "If you love me like you say you do, I know that you'd be willing to do anything to keep me happy." I asked, and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to the bed. "right?"

"Ri...right." She answered, hesitantly.

I placed my head against her stomach and kissed her. "I'm sorry about the things that I've said about you, you didn't deserve it."

Renee ran her hands through my hair and let out a sigh of relief, "it's okay baby. I understand that you're going though a lot right now. I don't blame you."

"No, honestly. No woman deserves to be disrespected or spoken down on..." I kissed her stomach again. "Every story has two sides and I'm glad that you were able to explain yours."

"I'm glad that you allowed me to." She took a seat on the edge of my bed, then placed her hand against my cheek. "I just wanted you to be able to understand that the kind of love I have in my heart for you, would never allow me to hurt you intentionally. I would trade this visa, trade the money, trade everything if it meant hurting you. That's how much you mean to me." As she spoke, her eyes began watering.

"I understand," I placed my hand against her cheek in return and used my thumb to wipe away that tear before it fell. I bit on my bottom lip and searched her eyes. "But just as much as you wanted to be heard, she..." I said, pointing towards the TV. "deserves to be heard as well." Renee removed her hand and turned around to see a picture of Monet on the screen, it played for a few moments then she turned to look at me again then time with disappointment across her face. "You judged her based on what you heard my mother say, not based on what you knew. Monet would never try to hurt me, just as you wouldn't. The world is looking at her differently now, due to the fact that my mother and my manager painted her to be something that she wasn't. Just like how being involved in this situation caused you to look, however, you were granted the chance to tell your side of the story."

Renee held her head down and tugged on a loose string that hung from one of my comforters. "You must really love this girl."

"I care for her, that's for sure."

"Do you love her more than me?"

"Do you love him more than me?" I raised my brow and she glanced up at me, "Yes, I know about and I don't blame you for it. The same way that I went off and met Monet was probably the same way you went off and found him. Renee, I know you enough to know that you do deserve the love I have to give and I deserve the love that you have for me. We're selfish because we love each other and that's how it'll always be. We aint new to this love thing, but over time we let certain people get in the middle of us and ruin it. I'm willing to work on us, willing to get back to where we were. At the end of the day, you're my wife. Black mailed or not." I chuckled. "I want us this marriage to work but before I fix this, I must fix that." I said pointing towards the tv again. "Do you want to save what we got Renee?"

"Yes, of course I do."

"Okay then understand that ... I still care for Monet enough to know that she deserves to run that race." I tapped on her thigh and caused her to nod. "You and I both know, that she deserves to run that race. No matter how what my mother or your sister told you, like you said before; your hearts big and I know it's big enough to understand how much that girl worked to run, how much effort she put in. Just because I'm in this situation now, doesn't mean that someone else has to feel my pain, especially her. Trust me, she's been through enough already."

"But it's too late." She said, running her fingers through her here. "There's nothing we can do about. Your mom, Nadia... they ruined for her. The story is all over the blogs, every social media platform that you can think of. Getting me to believe you is one thing, but getting the world to change their opinion on her is another. Especially since, there's no way for you change it. You can't walk over to the association, you can't even have your manager speak on your behalf. It's gone bad already."

"We can change this."

"We?" she chuckled. "Do you not see what your mother's capable of? What can we really do with her downstairs. She has access to all your social media accounts, we can't even make a post or even a statement without going through her first."

"Renee." I squeezed on her thigh softly. "Do you really want to help me Renee?"

"Yes, I told you this before."

"Then trust me."

"Okay."

"Now lock the bedroom door and get your phone."

Without any hesitation, she walked over to the bedroom door and locked then. Then I watched as she reached into her bag, grabbing her phone then returned back to her seat this time right next to me, so her back was against the backboard as well. I watched her unlock it then look over at me. "What next?" she asked.

"Make sure you look good cause we're about to go live baby,"

"Are you sure this is smart DJ? Nadia is going to kill me... your mother is going to bury you."

"I don't care," I smirked. "I honestly, know what's right and regardless of what any one else has to say, I'm going to always do the right thing."

Renee smiled then opened up the Instagram app, we both let out a long and deep sigh before she hit the button, causing the camera to roll. "Hey guys!" she said, in the most ecstatic voice ever. We watched as the views began to roll in, I hadn't even taken in that her fan base was so strong before. I wasn't surprised though, people loved basketball wives nowadays. "It's the Murray's first live! How you guys doing." She nudged me, "babe say hi."

"What's up guys." I gave the camera a nod.

"As you can see, we're laid up here, tryna nurse Dejounte back to 100%. With your hopes, prayers and resilience, I am sure he will be back on the court for next years play offs! So please don't stop sending him love."

"Please don't," I ran my hand against the side of my face. "I know I'm a long way from it but I won't stop until I get my ring. I owe it to my team, my family, myself but most importantly for you; my supporters."

"Yes." Renee nodded in agreeance and leaned in close to me. "Like Dejounte said, our supporters mean a lot to us and you all are the reason why we are going live today. I can already see in the comments that a few of you have some questions for us regarding the same situation that we are here to talk about." She looked over at me, "you ready?" she asked.

"I am." I took the phone from her, holding it at a better angle since my arms were longer. "We wanted to get on here and quickly clear the air about a few things. First and foremost, I would like to apologize for a few things that I had said recently at the premiere of Nappily Ever After. No one deserves to be downgraded and disrespected in the way that I have been disrespecting others, especially females lately; including my very wife unfortunately. It pains me to admit this but it also pains me to know that I was able to ruin someone career as well." I felt Renee's body tense up next to me. "I know a few of you saw a video that I had posted a few days ago. I am here to let you know that I was hacked by my now ex-management team, who recorded a private conversation and actually ended up editing and trimming it to their likings after being fired. I believe they did so to ruin my image and continue to make me look like a bitter ex, to Monet. I am however, the opposite, despite what you have heard. I am here live and direct to let you know that all accusations against Monet and her current boyfriend are false. Just as I claimed in the first police statement, I will do so on here; the incident was a crazy fan attack, the trauma caused me to not remember anything apart from the fall and waking up in a hospital room. The venue has zero video evidence and any evidence that may surface is 100% edited. Just think, how could a venue that is the only one who would have access to the original footage not have it, but some random, anonymous individual does? It doesn't seem right because it isn't. if it was true, I wouldn't hesitate pressing charges where charges are due."

"Not to mention the fact that I'm sure Dejounte could've taken him in a one on one."

"Pretty much." I smirked, "but... I really just wanted to get on this live to let you know that Monet does not deserve the backlash or hate, she doesn't deserve to be stripped of her rights to run in that race next week especially with all the work that I witnessed her put in. I believe that all the sponsors that revoked their offers should be ashamed of themselves. I am confident that she is going to take the gold in every single race that she was scheduled to run and I know that you guys can back me up in that belief. Which is why I need you guys to go to the International Olympic Committee's page and comment under every single picture."

"Comment #LetMonetRun."

"Yes, comment #LetMonetRun. When you're done doing so, I want you to go onto Nike's page and do the same."

"She deserves this guys, so please. As soon as this live is done. Do what you can do!"

"Please, please, please." I said, pouting at the camera. Renee laughed then leaned over and pecked my pouted lips. "Thank you, baby."

"Any time." She said as she wiped away the lip gloss from my lips.

"I'm about to get off this live but before I do... I need to say one last thing, uh..." I scratched the back of my head. "I, want to come clean with you guys and let you know that for the last few years I have been struggling with substance abuse. I am not proud of this, nor am I promoting the use of drugs by saying this. I'm saying this because my management team may use this as blackmail but it isn't blackmail if I say it myself. I'm on my road to recovering and that includes letting that addiction go. So, as you guys pray for me to get back on that court, pray that I get back on it, sober. I love you all and I thank you in advance for all your support and love."

"I love you guys too!" Renee waved, into the camera.

"We both love y'all! Now, I'm about to get off this so I can make love to my lovely wife."

"Is that right?"

"How about you end this live and find out?"

Just as I said that, Renee leaned over and hit end, saving the live. She placed the phone onto my night table while still looking at me. "That was good and very strong of you."

"Your support was necessary." I pulled away the comforter and patted my lap, "now come, I wasn't lying about what I said about that live."

"...you sure?" she looked at me with widened eyes. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Renee, just because I injured my legs doesn't mean my di-." Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. I watched the knob wiggle followed by some more knocking.

"Oh, my goodness." Renee covered her face, "we are so dead.

I grabbed her hand and she looked over at me. "Come here." I pulled her body over and she straddled me. I placed my hand against her waist and played with the band of her pants. "That's outside. There's no key for this room. Alright?" she nodded. "Now, let's get started on working on us."

"Are you sure?" Renee asked again.

"Through sickness..." I began to unbutton her jeans. "And in health. Remember?"

"Oh, I remember." She leaned down and kissed my lips shyly before I took control, kissing her with the pent up, sexual energy. As