e I am strong enough to bear the pain does not mean I deserve it, the same heartache and hurt that Cardi B had in her voice is running through every inch of my soul. And honestly no woman should have to go through that. But maybe, just maybe. That cheating energy is what makes us strong." she often reminds herself, a mantra echoing the trials of her toxic relationship with Jabo.

Jabo, a man whose charm is as captivating as his promises are weak as some knockoff perfume, has left Courtney's heart in tatters time and again. His pockets, as empty as the sweet nothings he whispers, symbolize the unfulfilled dreams and broken promises that have come to define their love.

Yet, despite the heartache, Courtney finds herself anchored to Jabo, her soul entangled in the hope of him changing his ways. His words, though often empty, resonate with a melody of change that drowns out the cautious warnings of friends and family. Even as shadows of his past liaisons, particularly with the mother of his child, loom over their present, Courtney clings to a flickering hope for a future where love triumphs over adversity.

The cost of this love, however, is steep. Jabo's narcissistic nature, marked by violent outbursts, costs Courtney her job at the call center, further unraveling the threads of her already precarious life. Each day, she finds herself questioning: Is the love of Jabo worth the cascade of pain and chaos it brings?

Yet, in this journey, Courtney's spirit is not broken. Her story is not just one of heartache but also of resilience, a relentless quest for a love that honors and uplifts her. It's a narrative of second chances-not just with Jabo but, more importantly, with herself. Her journey is a mirror to the soul-searching quest of many, a poignant exploration of the lengths we go to for love, and the courage it takes to envision a life beyond the familiar confines of pain.

In "Alexa, Play 'I Need a Rich Thug Husband'," Jatoria C. weaves a tale that transcends the gritty realities of life in the hood. It's a story that resonates with the heartbeat of African American romance, a narrative rich with themes of love, loss, and the audacious hope of a second chance. Through Courtney's eyes, readers are invited to experience the raw, unfiltered essence of love in its many shades, a journey that promises to leave an indelible mark on the heart.