Page 53 of I see you Beauty

“I don’t want you spending your time with a guy like that. What does it look like? That’s not appropriate, Cora!” he scolds me.

I bite my tongue to stop myself from reminding him about his cheating, which everyone in the neighborhood has heard. But since I’m no better, I prefer to keep my mouth shut and say nothing. Besides, I don’t want to argue with him at all. Especially not when he’s so angry.

“I didn’t technically spend my time with him. I took a course he led, which I attended with my best friend,” I explain calmly, trying to salvage the situation and not make him even angrier.

His eyebrows rise dangerously and he doesn’t look happy. I don’t know what to do or how to turn things around now so that things don’t escalate.

“You won’t set foot in this club again, and I don’t want to see you with him. Have I made myself clear?” he growls darkly, grabbing my arms and pulling me close to his face.

I nod forcedly, as I always do when he lets this other side of himself out. I don’t want to back down again, but I know this can only backfire if I don’t keep my mouth shut.

“Then don’t piss me off. Just be my normal wife again!” he growls before letting go of me and getting back into bed as if nothing had happened.

Thomas turns off the light, plunging the room into darkness, and leaves me standing there, ignored. I struggle to hold back tears because I feel so small and defenseless that it shatters my heart. He’s my husband—he should love and desire me. Instead, he diminishes me, rejects me, and makes me feel worthless, like I’m not enough for him.

It stabs violently in my chest, and I barely hold back the sobs that want to fight their way up from my throat before I turn away and flee to the bathroom to shed silent tears.

Once in the bathroom, I lean against the closed door and let my tears free while I press my hand over my mouth.

Just an hour ago, I was happy and felt wanted, loved, comfortable, and safe in Ezra’s strong arms. I know Ezra would never raise his hand to me or hurt me. He wouldn’t intimidate me and keep me down. And yet, there’s nothing I can do to change the situation. I’m trapped, and it seems that’s how it will stay for now.

Chapter Forty

I won’t let you do that again, Beauty!

Idon’t know how long I stood by the window in my dark bedroom, staring at your drawn curtains. You were talking to your husband, who was probably still awake to confront you. But I can no longer see what is happening between you. That’s why I’m worried; the guy didn’t raise his hand to you once. I can’t stand by and watch him do it again, touching your flawless skin one more time because it makes him feel superior. That wimp. He doesn’t deserve you, Beauty. I hope you realize that soon.

Maybe I need to help a little. Make you realize that I’m not just a nice fling. I’m your future, Beauty, and you… you’re everything to me. I’ll lay the world at your feet if that’s what you want. But I know it will take time. You are a good person. A good wife, even if he doesn’t deserve you. You will stay with him if I don’t show you a way out, and that way out is me, Beauty. You’ll realize that. I hope sooner rather than later because I don’t want to hurt him. I don’t want to unleash that hidden side of me again to protect what’s mine like I had to once before.

But how dare he touch my everything! I don’t share, so it will be challenging to continue tolerating your husband around you. But you’re worth it, Beauty. For you, I will rise above myself and conquer the darkness within me. I will be patient and show you who the right man is by your side, and it certainly won’t be that wimp.

You will be mine, Beauty. Mine alone.

Chapter Forty-One

Ihardly slept a wink because the carousel of thoughts just wouldn’t let up. It kept spinning in my head and wouldn’t let me think straight.

I realized it couldn’t work out between us, even if my husband didn’t exist. Ezra enjoys being able to seduce an older woman. His interest will soon fade, and he’ll return to his young lovers. Maybe I should enjoy it while I can and work on my marriage simultaneously. Try to get Thomas to change his attitude toward me so I don’t end up with a pile of rubble.

My cell phone rings next to me, but I don’t want to talk to anyone right now, so I ignore it. But as it rings again and again, it occurs to me that June could be trying to reach me and that she might need me. So, I blindly fish it off my bedside table and answer the call.

Thomas has already left for work, but before he left the house, he invited me to dinner to apologize for his recent behavior. Two weeks ago, there was nothing more important than working on my marriage, and if Thomas had invited me to a romantic evening in a restaurant and not in our bed, I would have been thrilled. But now it makes my insides twist because I don’t know whether I should be happy. I don’t know anything anymore.

I have no intention of leaving my husband. However, I can’t stop thinking about Ezra either. I’m also finding it harder and harder to ignore my husband’s misbehavior or continue to make excuses. Not when I can see that it can be different.

After Thomas leaves, I crawl back into bed with no intention of coming out again until it’s time to get ready for my date with my husband. But the annoying troublemaker on the phone thwarts my plans…

“Finally!” Kelly snorts at me, and I immediately regret picking up the phone.

“What do you want?” I mumble, realizing just how damn exhausted I am.

Not just because of the thoughts circling in my head but also because of everything Ezra has done to me. I’m sore, and everything is throbbing. I’m also pretty sure that my ass has a few marks on it. So I should ensure that Thomas only sees me in the dark in a few days and maybe not from behind. Nevertheless, I have no regrets. What Ezra did to me yesterday was far too fantastic.

“Get your ass out of bed and open the door for me. I brought some pastries because I’m sure you could use a few extra calories right now,” Kelly jokes.

I only pull my covers over my head even higher because I know she won’t leave until I’ve let her in and told her everything, down to the last detail. But maybe it’s not such a bad thing to talk to someone about it because if I don’t, my head might burst.

“I hate you,” I mutter into the phone before getting up and hanging up at the same time as Kelly laughs.

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