Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
She poured some pearly-colored liquid into the running water, then sprinkled in some bath salts before straightening and turning back to me.
“I don’t like you being hurt and upset. You’ve had enough of that in your short life. So, I am telling you now that I love my grandson, but he ain’t the kind of man you need. You need the steady kind, the patient and romantic type of man. One who can erase all the ugly you’ve survived and give you nothing but good.”
She walked over to me and wrapped her fingers around my arm gently. “The men in this family, they aren’t that. They can’t be. I was married to one. I raised two. It’s not a life meant for all of us. My Gabriel loved me just as fiercely as I loved him, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a hard marriage. We went through a lot. I wasn’t always happy. I’ve had to accept some hard things. And you …” She paused, then reached up to pat my cheek. “You’ve had all the dark you need to in this life. You need to find the happy. The light. The picket fence, children, husband who adores you. That’s what you deserve. Not more darkness.”
I managed a nod. I didn’t say anything because I was afraid I’d let out a sob. Hearing her tell me this and realizing I’d been so wrapped up in King and how I felt with him that I hadn’t thought of the big picture. The one where he wasn’t interested in marriage and family. He enjoyed beating women who wanted it. He’d loved the little spanking he gave me.
And not once had he even hinted that this was a long-term thing. There were no proclamations of love from him. He hadn’t lied about that. He’d made it clear that it was the sex he wanted from me. Never had he tried to bring me into his life more.
The small things I should have known about him that I didn’t were made very apparent tonight.
“I’m going to leave you with that bottle of my favorite wine and let you soak in the bath. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, things will be brighter. They always are.”
I didn’t believe that because I knew for a fact that it wasn’t true. The night couldn’t fix the reality of the next day.
“Good night,” I told her.
“Good night, Rumor,” she replied, then left me there.
I watched the water fill the tub as I drank from the glass in my hand.
Before King, I had sworn off men. I said I would never put myself in a situation for another one to hurt me. Yet I had fallen so easily. It had taken very little effort on his part.
No more. I was going to cry tonight, drink this wine, feel sorry for myself, but in the morning, I was done. With all men. I just needed me in this world. Relying on others was foolish. Even if they were as kind as Maeme. I had to learn to take care of me. No leaning on someone else.
My phone buzzed, and I froze, not wanting to look down at it. I was planning my survival steps. Reading a text from King was not going to help me. Without looking at the screen, I turned off the phone and went and put it away in the closet. Out of sight. I didn’t need the temptation to turn it on and read what he had said. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter.
The wine had helped me sleep. That was the one thing I could think of to be thankful for this morning. I hadn’t tossed and turned all night. Once I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and got dressed, I did feel somewhat better. Sure, if I allowed myself to dwell on things, I might burst into tears, but I was fighting it with all I had.
Focus on the positive. I hadn’t woken up married to Hill. I wasn’t going to be beaten today. No more cracked ribs and busted lips. There were books waiting on me to read. I could eat whatever I wanted for breakfast. I didn’t have to step on a scale this morning to have my weight checked.
That pep talk seemed to push back the ache enough for me to leave the bedroom and go face Maeme. I had thought about all she’d said while I soaked last night. The more I drank while in the hot water, the more my thoughts got foggy. The numbing started to take effect. That was when I had gotten out and gone directly to bed.
I could smell breakfast before I even got to the bottom step. I listened for voices as I made my way in that direction. I heard no one, and the relief that came from that was instant. I didn’t want to face King today or tomorrow. Perhaps a week maybe. A month. Would that be enough time?