"Kayden…" Darren started, but Kayden cut him off, his voice breaking.
"I don't care if my father finds out anymore. I don't…"
"Kayden, stop." Darren's tone sharpened. "You know you're not acting mature right now. You've always been the one to tell me to trust the process. And I'm sure your man told you the same thing, so why are you panicking instead of trusting him?"
Kayden's voice trembled. "Darren, you don't get it. You don't understand…"
"I understand everything you're saying," Darren interrupted firmly. "But listen to me. If you're the one who lets your father find out about your relationship with Thaddeus, out of fear, out of jealousy, then you'll be the one destroying it. And when it breaks, there may not be a way back."
There was silence for a moment. Darren's voice softened. "So put your jealousy in your pocket and just… trust the process. Don't stress yourself over nothing. Don't get jealous over nothing."
