Page 10 of River Wild

Once upon a time, there used to be remorse in his eyes.

Now, there’s nothing.

“I got carried away last night. Stay home today. I’ll pick dinner up on my way home tonight.”

“Okay,” I answer.

“Good girl.”

He presses a punishing kiss to my lips, the cut on my lip stinging painfully, but I don’t react to the pain, and I hide the revolt inside me. The sick feeling I get whenever he touches me.

I just respond to his kiss as I always do. It’s more important right now more than ever not to screw up. I don’t want him to get a scent of anything being different with me.

He steps back, releasing his hold on my chin.

I hate you.

“Have a good day.” I smile. Forced but practiced.

He opens the door to leave. “I mean it, Annie. Don’t go out today.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Just go.

He steps through the door. Anticipation lifts my heart rate.

Then, he stops and turns back to look at me over his shoulder.

My stomach tightens with fear.

Not for myself.

I stopped fearing for my own life a long time ago.

When you no longer fear death but wish for it, you have nothing to lose. But, now, I’m having a baby; it’s not just my life anymore. I owe it to my child to give him or her the best chance in life.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” he speaks in a harsh voice, brow raised.

Fudge. Fudge. Fudge.

“I love you,” I tell him, swallowing nervously.

He stares at me for what feels like forever, his expression questioning.

I hold my face and body as still as possible, wishing my heart to slow down its racing beats.

Then, finally, after what feels like forever, he speaks, “I love you, Annie. Till death do us part.”

“Till death do us part,” I echo the lie with ease.

Never, ever again.

The door closes behind him.

I let out a quiet breath. One that I’ve been holding all morning.

I stand here, listening. Waiting.