Problems Ongoing

Chapter 14 – Not Helping

Marcus didn’t hesitate when the call came.

“Sir… I think you should come.”

The maid’s voice was low. Careful.

“What is it?” Marcus asked, already reaching for his keys.

A pause.

Then—

“Ms. Carter… she’s… smoking something.”

That was enough.

The drive felt too long.

Too slow.

Every second dragging as his grip tightened on the wheel.

Something’s off.

That’s not her.

Now he knew.

Or at least—

He was about to.

By the time he got there, he didn’t wait.

Didn’t knock.

He walked straight in.

The smell hit first.

Faint.

But unmistakable.

Marcus’s jaw tightened instantly.

He followed it.

Down the hallway.

Past the living room.

To her.

Nia sat near the window, one leg tucked under her, the other resting lightly against the floor.

Calm.

Relaxed.

Too relaxed.

Smoke curled slowly in the air around her.

Marcus stopped in the doorway.

For a second—

He just stared.

Then—

“What the hell is that?”

Nia didn’t even flinch.

Didn’t rush.

Didn’t hide it.

She turned her head slightly, glancing at him.

“Oh,” she said casually. “You’re here.”

Marcus stepped forward, his voice sharper now.

“I asked you a question.”

Nia took a slow breath, then exhaled lightly.

“I’m smoking MJ,” she said.

Like it was nothing.

Like it was normal.

Marcus stared at her.

Disbelief.

Anger.

Something else beneath it.

“MJ?” he repeated.

She gave a small shrug.

“Marijuana.”

Silence.

Marcus ran a hand over his face, trying to steady himself.

“Are you serious right now?”

Nia turned her gaze back toward the window.

“Very.”

He stepped closer.

“You think this is a joke?”

“No,” she said calmly. “I think it’s helping.”

That made something snap.

“Helping?” Marcus repeated, his voice rising. “You call this helping?”

Nia finally looked at him again.

Her expression still steady.

Still composed.

“Yes.”

Marcus shook his head, pacing once like he needed to move or he’d lose it completely.

“That stuff is addictive, Nia.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“So are the pills they gave me.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“It feels the same,” she replied.

Silence.

Marcus stopped pacing, turning back to her.

“You’re replacing one problem with another.”

Nia let out a quiet breath.

“No,” she said. “I’m replacing something that doesn’t work with something that does.”

“It doesn’t work,” Marcus snapped. “It numbs you.”

She didn’t argue that.

Didn’t deny it.

“Exactly,” she said.

That hit harder than anything else.

Marcus stared at her.

“You think numbing everything is the solution?”

“I think it’s better than feeling everything all the time,” she replied.

Her voice wasn’t angry.

Wasn’t defensive.

Just… honest.

And that made it worse.

Marcus’s jaw tightened again.

“You’re losing yourself.”

Nia’s expression flickered—just slightly.

“No,” she said quietly. “I’m finally getting a break.”

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

Marcus stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“This isn’t a break. It’s a trap.”

Nia looked at him for a long moment.

Then—

She took another slow inhale.

“You don’t understand,” she said.

“Then make me understand.”

She exhaled softly, the smoke curling between them.

“I wake up,” she said, her voice quieter now, “and it’s already there. The noise. The pressure. The past. Everything.”

Marcus didn’t interrupt.

“This?” she lifted her hand slightly. “It quiets it. Even if it’s just for a little while.”

A pause.

“And right now…” she added, “that’s enough.”

Marcus’s expression didn’t soften.

Not fully.

But something in his eyes shifted.

Understanding.

Mixed with frustration.

“This isn’t the way,” he said.

Nia gave a faint, tired smile.

“It’s the only way that’s working.”

Silence.

And for the first time—

Marcus didn’t have a response ready.

Because the truth was—

She believed what she was saying.

And that made it harder to fight.

Outside the room, the house stayed quiet.

But inside—

Something had changed.

Because now—

There was no pretending anymore.

Marcus knew.

And Nia?

She wasn’t trying to hide it.