Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 3

*** Trey***

Scrolling through my phone, I heard the unmistakable sound of keys jostling in the lock. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up, watching the door open. There she was, slipping in quietly, her face softened by a small smile as she noticed me. She placed her keys on the small table by the door, shrugged off her coat, and hung it up in the closet.

I set my phone down on the coffee table and stood, meeting her at the door. "You okay?" she asked softly as I approached.

Without a word, I leaned in, brushing a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. "I am now," I murmured, my forehead resting against hers, eyes closed. For a moment, we were wrapped in our own world, lost in each other's presence. Coming back to reality, I took her hand, leading her to the couch, where I sat down, pulling her gently onto my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I let my head rest on her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. We spent the afternoon like that, tangled in each other, talking about everything and nothing. This was my safe space—right here, in her arms.

India

"Mommy!" my little girl's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and grinned, scooping her up into my arms.

"Hey, Princess!" I said, holding her close.

"Grey and I made dinner!" she announced proudly, her eyes sparkling.

"Oh, you did? That's amazing, sweetheart," I replied, kissing her cheek. "Are you going to eat, Mommy?" she asked, hopeful.

"In a little bit, sweetie." I turned, feeling a set of eyes on me, and saw Grey leaning against the door frame, his gaze intense. Dressed in black dress pants and a burgundy button-down shirt, his shirt slightly untucked and his dark hair a bit tousled, he looked effortlessly handsome. "Hey," I said softly.

"Hey," he replied, pushing off the doorframe and walking over to us. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me in for a kiss, with Dri still nestled in my arms.

"Eww!" she whined, wrinkling her nose, and Grey chuckled, pulling back.

"Oh, what's so 'eww' about it, huh?" I teased, tickling her sides as she burst into giggles.

"It's nasty!" she laughed, squirming in my arms.

"Adrianna," Grey's voice cut through her laughter, calm but with an edge. We both turned to him. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes. "Go get your coat," he instructed, setting her gently on the floor.

"Okay!" she chirped, racing up the stairs. As soon as she was out of earshot, Grey's gaze fixed on me, and the atmosphere shifted.

"Why do you smell like that, India?" he asked, his voice low, each word deliberate.

"L-like what?" I stammered, already feeling the tension build.

"Like another man's cologne. Why, India?" His tone was icy, his eyes locked onto mine, searching, accusing.

"I... I don't know. I was at a meeting today," I replied, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I hugged a few people." It was a half-truth, but it was all I had in that moment.

Just then, Adrianna came bounding down the stairs, her coat in her hands. "I got it!" she said proudly, interrupting the tense silence.

Grey's eyes never left me as he nodded to her. "Good job, sweetheart." He raised his voice, calling out, "Gloria, get in here."

Our housekeeper appeared in the doorway. "Yes, sir?"

"Take Adrianna out for some ice cream," he said, handing her a crisp hundred-dollar bill. "Keep the change."

"Thank you, sir," Gloria replied, giving me a quick look of concern as she guided Adrianna towards the door.

"Why won't you come, Mommy?" Adrianna looked up at me, her big eyes hopeful.

"Next time, sweetie. Mommy and Daddy need to talk," Grey interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I bent down, kissing her cheek. "Have fun, baby."

As the door closed behind them, I watched Gloria give me a sympathetic glance, lingering for a moment before she disappeared outside. The room felt cold and silent. I turned back, and suddenly, Grey's hand struck across my face, the impact sending me reeling to the floor. My cheek throbbed as tears sprang to my eyes.

"I swear to God, India," he hissed, towering over me, his face contorted with fury, "if I find out you've been messing around, I will kill you."

He struck me again, harder this time, and my body crumpled beneath the blow. The pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the fear that churned inside me. I watched him, his face twisted with anger, as he grabbed his jacket, and without another word, stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Left alone in the silence, my whole body shook, and tears ran down my cheeks. This wasn't the man I had fallen in love with, the man who had once been so gentle. But here I was, trapped in this nightmare, hoping that somehow, the man I once knew would return.