Page 28 of I see you Beauty

“A suggestion,” I begin cautiously because I don’t want to add fuel to the fire. “June has until next semester to think about what she wants to do instead, and then we can talk about it again. Because right now, you two probably won’t come to an agreement you’re both happy with.”

I look from one to the other, hoping my proposition will calm the waters.

“And then what? It sounds like she’s ready to squander all the money I’ve invested in her education and throw away her future. A change is out of the question! You’re studying law! End of discussion!”

Thomas is about to get up, signaling once and for all that this conversation is over.

“Ahh, that’s what it’s all about! About your precious money. Not about my future,” June sneers and stands up too.

When anger consumes her in moments like this, she is so like her father. Both are stubborn, insist on their rights, and think that shouting will get them further. Whoever is louder wins. I inwardly roll my eyes.

“Careful, June!” growls Thomas.

“Thomas!” I warn because he shouldn’t use that tone toward our daughter. I know where this undertone is going; it certainly won’t come to that in her presence.

“You know what, Dad? Then put your beloved money somewhere else! I don’t need it, and I don’t need you either!” June shouts and is about to leave the table.

“You stay here!” Thomas yells, grabs the wine bottle, and throws it against the wall next to June.

We both flinch and take a sharp breath before looking at him with a shocked expression. This has gone too far!

“June, go!” I say sharply and look at her firmly.

“Are you mad? She’s not leaving now!”

June looks uncertainly back and forth between the two of us. She’s never seen her father this upset; she’s completely overwhelmed by the situation.

“Go! Sleep at Linda’s this weekend!” I tell her again, only this time with an even harsher tone.

I completely ignore Thomas. It’s his turn in a minute!

After looking disappointedly toward her father, she hurries upstairs to pack her things. Thumping back down the stairs a moment later, she storms out of the house. Thomas and I have been having a devastating stare-down the whole time, and only when the front door slams shut do I break the silence.

“You’ve gone too far!” I shout at him angrily.

His entire body tenses at my words. He can’t handle it when things don’t go his way.

“I’ve gone too far?! And what about you? When were you going to tell me? And our daughter? Is it suddenly completely okay for her to talk to me like that? No, Cora! I won’t tolerate that in my house!” he complains loudly and stands menacingly, but above all, close—far too close—in front of me.

I blink for a moment, and I’m not sure whether he’s going to hurt me or he’s just trying to intimidate me to gain control over someone in this house. But not with me. Not anymore and never again!

“I will not argue with you anymore. You will apologize to your daughter for your behavior on Sunday before she goes back to campus. And you will tell her you will not stand in her way during her discovery phase. That’s how this weekend will end, and that’s all I have to say!” My voice is calm yet firm. I also look at him confidently because I mean what I say.

Nothing happens momentarily, as if Thomas has to digest my words first. But then everything happens very quickly. Unexpectedly, he grabs me by the back of my neck and pulls me up to within a few inches of his face. I barely manage to stand on my tiptoes and look at him breathlessly. You’ve done it again…

My eyes widen in bewilderment as the full extent of this thought hits me.

“That’s all you have to say to that? Who do you think you are talking to me like that?”

His grip on my neck tightens as his voice becomes more profound. Right now, this is no longer my husband who loves me but the monster who takes his frustration and stress out on me. And his answer to my disrespect has always been the same. He wants to silence me.

All kinds of emotions rush through my body, and I can’t even put my current emotional state into words. This is a poor joke, a nightmare I’m bound to wake up from any second because he promised. I promised myself never to let him treat me like this ever again. I will not return to be his silent and obedient wife he can treat like garbage.

“Get your hands off me, and then leave my house!” I spit angrily at him and push against his chest so that he releases me.

“Out of your house?” he snorts contemptuously. “Cora, unless you want to make me even angrier, keep your mouth shut now. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, what?” I interrupt him angrily and fight against his grip. At least I can get a bit of distance between us.

---