“What should I do?” He approaches the Model S, which lights up. “Holy cow! You have a model, S.”
I smile, taking back the phone. “I worked my whole life to get it.”
“She’s a marvel, just like the owner.”
I whirl around, and we stare at each other, saying nothing. A smile escapes me, and Danny smiles, too.
“Have a good trip back. Let me know you got home okay.”
“I will. Thanks, Danny,” I say as I go down to greet Zoë. As soon as I get up, she jumps on me.
“Zoë, down,” Danny says.
“No, don’t worry. I love dogs, and Zoë’s so lovely.”Just like the owner, but I keep that part to myself.
I close the door and start the engine. I greet Danny one last time and then leave.
Who expected that the day could improve?
As I arrive in Long Beach, I turn on the phone. I’m assailed by messages and notifications, and I open Danny’s messages and smile. Then I delete them and go home.
After parking the car, I enter the house. It appears to be empty.
I go up and take a shower. Then I hear the front door open.
“I’m home,” says Jeremy.
“Welcome back.”
“Where were you? I called you all day.” He approaches menacingly, but I don’t look up.
“I went to clear my mind. You can have some salad in the fridge or order something. I’m not hungry, I’m going to sleep.” I walk away, but he blocks me.
“Leave me alone.” I struggle.
“Why if I don’t?” He challenges me because he knows I’m unable to do anything to him. “Do you really believe I’ll ever let you go, Hailey? You’re mine, and you always will be.”
I push him away. “Yours? Hah! Her smell is still on you. I’m nauseous. Go away!”
“That’s enough. It’s only you, don’t you get it?”
“Let me go, you’re hurting me.” I try to push him away. Instead, he puts me on the table and kisses me with all the anger he feels. I instinctively bite him. He forces me onto my stomach. I try to free myself in vain. He crushes me against the table as I hear him fumbling with his pants.
“Jeremy, stop, please don’t do this,” I beg him, but it’s useless. He lowers my pants and enters without giving me time to say more. It’s hard, brutal, and violent. It’s like a punishment. He grabs me by the hair and pulls me toward him as he sinks in harder and harder, hearing my screams. I feel my tears fall. Each lunge is excruciating, and I know he won’t stop. Not until he has achieved his purpose.
There’s no way back after this episode. My marriage is a nightmare from which I don’t know how to wake up.
I hear him grunt, and the pain begins to subside. My body starts defending itself from this brutal violence. When I feel it stiffen, I start crying. He’s not using a condom, and I’m not on the pill.
“You’re mine now, tomorrow, and forever,” he whispers as he pulls up his pants. “I’m going to take a shower. Order some Chinese for dinner.” He heads upstairs.
My legs can’t hold me anymore. I collapse to the ground, shaking, as I burst into tears.
I don’t know how long I’m like this. It’s like my body is rebelling. I get up and go to the bathroom to rinse my face. Then I place an order with a Chinese restaurant near us.
Jeremy comes down in a bit. We have dinner and watch a movie.
Actually, my head is elsewhere. I won’t be able to have the life I wanted, and surely nothing will be the same as it was before. So, either I try to live with it by pretending that nothing has happened and accept it, or it will worsen.
