Shady's obsession

29.

I was stunned when Marshall made the comment about having a baby with me. He didn't know I was already months into my pregnancy. I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to hold back tears.

"What?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Marshall looked at me, realizing he had said something wrong. "Hold up, I didn't mean it like that-"

"I know you didn't just say that!" I interrupted, my voice rising. "You think having a baby with me would be a joke?"

"No, of course not," Marshall said, trying to apologize again. "I just didn't think-"

"I don't want to hear it," I said, cutting him off. "You have no idea what it's like to carry a child. And for you to make a joke out of it, just because of some dumb ass comments on social media? That's fucked up , Marshall."

"I know, I'm sorry," Marshall said, looking contrite. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"I don't want you to make it up to me," I said firmly. "Boy I already told you I don't wanna hear it."I huffed before he could say anything else.

.....

I couldn't believe it. Marshall, the man I loved and trusted, seemed to be mirroring my past. He had been in a bad mood all day, and I had tried my best to cheer him up, but nothing seemed to work.

We were sitting on the couch, and I was trying to have a grown conversation with him,until he snapped at me, he started yelling and threw a glass across the room. My heart started racing as memories of Justin's violent outbursts flooded back.

"Stop it!" I yelled, trying to make him calm down.

But Marshall didn't listen. He kept throwing things, his anger escalating with each passing second. And then, just like Justin used to do, he started to get physical. He grabbed my arm and twisted it, making me cry out in pain.

I was so disgusted and angry that I couldn't take it anymore. I slapped him across the face, hard.

Marshall looked shocked, as if he couldn't believe I had done it. But I didn't care. I refused to let him treat me like Justin used to.

"How could you?" I shouted at him. "How could you act like that? Don't fucking run your mouth like that, and grab me and throw shit. You fought so hard to make sure I didn't go back to Justin, why if you're gonna do the same thing?"

"I don't know what the fuck I was thinking," Marshall said, looking remorseful, he stepped towards me. "I'm so sorry, Hazel. I didn't mean to-"

"I don't want you to touch me, and I don't wanna hear it, you can say sorry today and do it again tomorrow." I said, cutting him off. "I thought you were different, but you're just like him. I can't be with you, when you act like that."

Marshall looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Please, Hazel. I love you. I'll do anything to make it right."

But I had made up my mind. I couldn't be with someone who reminded me of my abusive past. I had to leave.
.......

As I walked out of the door, a mere five minutes later, My heart ached at the sound of Marshall pleading.  I knew I couldn't stay., I couldn't subject myself or my child to that kind of behavior.

As I walked down the street, tears streaming down my face, I thought about what had just happened. I had left Marshall, I loved him so much, but his behaviour had triggered every awful memory I had of Justin. I felt as if I was alone, and I didn't know what to do next.

As I looked down at my stomach, feeling the baby kick inside of me, I knew that I had to be strong. I couldn't let my past define me or my future child. I had to be the best mother I could be, and that meant leaving behind anyone who would hurt me or my child.

Taking a deep breath, I wiped away my tears and started to make a plan. I would find a safe place to stay, a job to support us, and a new beginning for me and my baby, of course it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to make it work.

And as I walked down the street, I knew that I had made the right decision.