Jeremy grabs me by the arm and squeezes it.
“You’re hurting me.” I try to pull back, but he squeezes more.
“I’m damn serious, Hailey. Don’t play with fire.”
“Jeremy, let me go!” He does it immediately. “What’s wrong with you?”
“You know that once we have children, you’ll have to quit your job. Why do you insist on working? We aren’t lacking in money.”
“Is it my husband or the lawyer in you who is talking? Jeremy, I love my job. I can do it from home if that reassures you, but I don’t understand your jealousy.”
“Because you’re mine until death does we part? And I don’t want others to want what’s mine. Think about it: Stay at home, surrounded by your books, you have no stressful hours or deadlines. You’ll have time for me, and you can accompany me on my travels.”
“Oh sure, that sounds so much fun for me. You in a meeting all day, and me in the hotel waiting for you. I’ll think about it.”
“You wouldn’t have to stay in the hotel. But that’s okay.” He kisses me, still full of anger, and goes upstairs.
My lips are still sore as I finish my coffee.
Since we got back into the work routine, Jeremy has changed dramatically.
Yes, he’s loving, and he gives me lots of attention. But he’s also very possessive, to the point of becoming almost violent. This is a side that I would really like him to lose.
I go upstairs and prepare his clothes while I hear the water in the shower. Shortly after, he comes out with wet hair, a towel around his waist.
“Thanks, sweetheart. Shall we have lunch together today?” He hugs me from behind, kissing my neck.
“You’re welcome. I don’t think I’ll have time, but I’ll let you know.”
His hands grip my hips. “Find the time. I’ll be here for another week, and then I have to leave for Hong Kong. You’ll be coming with me. “
“Jeremy, I can’t leave the office now.”
“Let’s talk about the trip at lunch.” He starts getting dressed. “And it wasn’t a request. You’ll be coming with me. “
“No, I’m not. I don’t have time. I promise I’ll come next time,” I reply while starting to dress.
“You’ll be there. End of discussion.” He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Remember that if I say something, you have to do it. We’ll be away for a week.”
“Okay, but I don’t like these impositions.”
“No imposition. It’s just what a wife does.”
“Submission isn’t in my vocabulary, and neither is violence.”
“I like to be in control of everything. What’s wrong?”
“An obsessive control, I would say. You’ve seemed obsessed for weeks, and you control me as if I were a child.”
He laughs.
I’m being serious, and he’s laughing.
His devilish laugh scares me, especially when he approaches me and throws me against the wall. I catch my breath for a moment.
“You have no idea how much you’re obsessing me. You’re mine, and the sooner you understand it, the better it will be for both of us. “
I start to shake. “You scare me.”
