Page 29 of I see you Beauty

“I wouldn’t be so sassy if I were you, Cora!” he growls darkly.

“What do you want to do? Beat me in every single room again? Do you want to sink that low again? Do you want to behave so dishonorably again? That’s pathetic! You’re…” But I don’t get any further because Thomas has already swung his backhand.

The impact is so strong that it knocks me to the ground as Thomas releases me from his grip. I hit the floorboards hard. A gasp squeezes out of my lungs. Stunned, I clutch my burning cheek before turning to him and looking at him in horror.

“I warned you, Cora!” he hisses menacingly and looks down at me with a furious expression.

“You’ve done it again,” I gasp in horror and crawl away from him.

“It’s your fault! And now, don’t make me any angrier, Cora!” he growls and grabs my arm.

Another shocked gasp leaves my throat, and I try to push him off me. I just want to get out of here.

“Let go of me, Thomas!” I scream and struggle with my hands and feet to get him off me.

But when the next resounding slap hits me, I freeze.

“You’ll behave like my lovely wife again, or I’ll forget myself! That’s enough! You and June, you’re both out of your minds!” he continues to talk himself into a rage.

My heart is pounding fast, and I hold my breath in shock. You’d think that after all these years, I’d have gotten used to his outbursts and these situations. But I haven’t. I’m rigid with fear; I can’t stop the trembling that grips my body as it takes possession of me and literally shakes me to the core. My nails claw into his shirt as I continue to try to loosen his grip on me.

“Don’t look at me like that, Cora! Just get out of my sight.” He sighs the last one outright as if he’s tired of my behavior.

Thomas lets go of me and gives me a warning look. I don’t even know what to say or think. I thought he had meant his promise a few months ago. He was doing so well, but now he’s ruined everything again. I just want to get out of here!

I leave the room without saying a word, grabbing my car keys and handbag on the way out. Thomas runs after me, shouting my name, but his calls only make me move faster. I jump into my car, back out of the driveway quickly, tears streaming down my face.

In the rear-view mirror, I see him stop on the sidewalk in front of our house and look after me as I speed away down the street. My heart is racing, and the roaring in my ears drowns out everything around me. I sob, even though I don’t want to. I don’t want to shed another tear because of him. The disappointment and anger almost swallow me whole.

I wipe my eyes briefly with my sleeve, trying to clear my vision through the tears that have blurred everything. I’m driving way too fast and wipe my eyes repeatedly. Suddenly, I hear a honking horn, and then a loud crashing sound pulls me out of my emotional chaos.

I step on the brakes immediately and come to a halt. My hands are strangling the steering wheel, and I stare straight ahead like a person possessed. My body is shaking so badly that my head feels like a bobblehead.

Suddenly, my door is wrenched open, and I let out a scream of terror. But when I see the sharply defined face before me, everything inside me breaks, and I collapse completely.

Chapter Twenty

Fuck! What the hell was that, Beauty?

You almost ran me over because you carelessly crossed the intersection at a red light. What’s wrong with you? Why do I always have to stop you from doing something stupid? You make me angry, Beauty!

I was on my way home and wanted to check on you first, like I do every evening, to catch at least a small glimpse of you, even if it’s only through your window. The main thing is that I can see you and know you’re okay. But you don’t look good right now, Beauty.

You almost got me and put yourself in danger. You’re not looking after yourself. Nothing should happen to you! Don’t you understand that, Beauty? You are precious to me. And if I’m not around, no one will properly care for you, don’t you see?

I look at you. My nostrils quiver, and I want to grab and shake you until you come to your senses. But then I recognize something on your cheek. A shadow! He hit you?!

I quickly grab your chin, pull it up toward me, and inspect it further—the reddish glow on your cheek that makes my blood boil. You try to escape my grip, hide something from me he did to you! The rage inside me becomes uncontrollable and rushes through my body like a thunderstorm.

“What happened?” I ask with the last of my patience.

I can barely control myself. But when your eyes widen, and you pull away from me as if you’re afraid of me, I regain my composure. I come to my senses because only you are important right now.

I look firmly into your eyes, my hand finds your cheek again, and my thumb lightly strokes your redness. Then it happens; you burst into tears because of that swine. Your head tilts against my chest, you lean against me, looking for support and comfort, and you collapse entirely.

Everything inside me screams to go to him and give him what he deserves. But how could I leave you alone now when you need me so badly? Be angry with you for being careless again?

I can’t, if only because I won’t fail this time. This time, I will protect what is precious to me so that no more blood will be shed.

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