Page 62 of That Same Old Love

“I-I had an important meeting that extended until five thirty. I just got back half an hour ago—”

“Shut up. Just shut up and stop giving excuses for your sloppiness. What important meeting? You are not the CEO of your bloody company. There can be nothing more important than taking care of your family,” he spat. Then his eyes sparkled with a mean glint. “Oh wait. You are incapable of even having a bloody family,” he sneered.

She felt tears welling up in her eyes at his reminder of her third miscarriage, a month ago.

“Don’t cry! How many fucking times do I have to tell you not to cry. It’s bad enough you are useless as a woman, and now I can’t even get it up seeing your pathetic face.”

Shuddering, she tried to control herself. “Dinesh please. Let’s just have dinner—”

“Shut up! Don’t tell me what to do and not to do. I’m sick of your bloody excuses. Call up your work and quit that fucking job tomorrow. Maybe if you stayed home, you’ll be of some use and get at least something right.”

She felt panic at his suggestion.

“Dinesh, I really love my job. I don’t—”

“I already told you to quit your job. Don’t give me a headache by arguing with me.”

“But I’m about to get a promotion—”

“QUIT YOUR FUCKING JOB!” he roared, throwing his plate towards her on the ground.

The chicken curry, dal and rice spread all over the floor and also splattered on her work trousers.

She froze and squeezed her hands into fists, digging her nails into the palms from reacting in any way. But that didn’t calm him down.

He walked towards her in rage. When he got close enough she flinched and covered her head. But that didn’t help either.

Grabbing her upper arms, he shook her hard until she felt her brain would scramble inside her head, and finally kill her.

“You are a stupid bitch who just can’t listen when I ask you to do something once. Why do I have to repeat myself over and fucking OVER!”

She didn’t reply.

But Dinesh had continued berating her. “I know why you need to work so desperately even if it costs you a family. Because you are still the same slut who likes attention. Fortunately for you, I’m weak enough to still love you, and be with you, even though I knew you were a fucking slut right from the beginning. What’s the matter? Did you impress themen at your work with your whorish requests and displays to get a promotion?”

She kept her gaze on the ground and stared at the food on the floor, her mind wandering.

I’ll probably have to stay up an extra hour to get everything cleaned. I hope that rug doesn’t stain permanently.

She lost the track of time as he alternately continued shouting into her face and hitting her on top of her head to get her attention.

But thankfully she was zoning out, slowly disappearing into herself.

That night when she had finally gone to bed, all she could think of and crave… was freedom.

CHAPTER 19

Samrat was impatient inside the car while waiting for Mahi to come out of the Indian restaurant.

Finally, he saw her.

“What took you so long?” he asked. “And who was that woman you were talking to and hugged?”

“My former mother-in-law,” she said softly.

He was surprised, but didn’t ask her any other questions.

Later that night she was in a strange mood. Even before they could finish their dinner, she dragged him to the bedroom. She was aggressive and wanted their sex to be pretty rough. Samrat knew something was driving her and indulged her, feeling almost as desperate as her.

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