Act like my wife

32. Punching bag

Veronica's point of view

It's been a week since Patrizio left for Italy. I miss him so badly, but knowing the reason for his return, I had come to accept that he might be there for a longer time. Bella had not recovered fully yet, but she has been showing progress. And the baby in my womb grows bigger each day. I keep praying and hoping that we can all be together someday.

***

I had just finished doing some laundry, and was busy folding the newly washed clothes when my phone rang. I glanced at the clock and saw the time was 7 pm. Tessy's name flashed on my screen and I picked up the call. "Tess, how are-"

"Niks!" Her voice was shaky, and she sounded scared.

I froze in my spot, for a million things were running through my mind. "What's wrong?"

She sobbed. "Please, help me!"

I threw away the laundered shirt in my other hand and held only my phone. My heartbeat increased and became unstable as the knot in my stomach tightened. Oh, God. "Tess, what is the matter? Please tell me..."

She whimpered and choked back a few tears... "Jack...He came home drunk again and, and—"

My anger meter was rising at this point and my patience was wearing thin. "And what?" I hoped it wouldn't be what I was thinking.

"He hit me"

"What?!" My anger meter reached its peak just by hearing that word. I was silent about his drinking habits because she begged me to let it slide. She always claimed that he never hit her despite him being a drunkard, but tonight... hell no! "I'll be there"

Without hanging up the phone, I threw on a coat and ran outside. Three of Patrizio's men were on guard at the front door, I asked one of them, Martin, to take me to Tessy's house. We took the truck, and I waited for him to start the engine. Then, he sped us to her place.

After driving for thirty minutes, Martin parked in front of her house and I dashed inside with him behind me. I banged on the door but no one answered. I stood back as Martin hit the door with his side three times until it broke open.

We went in and I noticed the entire house was upside down. I searched for Tessy and her kids everywhere, but I couldn't find them. I was beginning to lose hope when I heard a sound coming from the attic. Martin went to check and we saw Tessy hiding there with her children. Her face was all bruised up, there was a small cut on the skin around her eyes. It was obvious that whatever Jack did to her was more than just one slap, he almost bashed her beautiful face in. Damn it!!

It broke my heart that once again when she needed me, I wasn't there to help her.

"Come on, come with me." I led them to the truck and Martin drove off us to the hospital.

***

The sound of the ECG echoed throughout the room, as I walked in to find Tessy asleep on the hospital bed. One side of her face was unrecognizable and covered with black and purple bruises. It annoyed me that he could have the effrontery to do such a thing to her. I had to deal with such nonsense from Geraldo, but I won't let Tessy suffer the same fate. As my footsteps drew nearer to her, she opened her one good eye and squinted at me.

I sat on the bed beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Ridiculous" she chuckled lightly, then flinched at the pain it caused her chin. She suddenly went quiet and looked into my eyes. "Did he come to see me?"

I furrowed my brows. "I'm sure he has heard about your recovery from the police cell."

"He is at the police station?" she raised her head slightly from the pillow.

"Yes, Tess. I don't care what you say but—"

"Thank you." She relaxed back her head.

I was dumbfounded and surprised, mostly because I was expecting her to go ballistic and angry at me. "What?"

She sighed. "I lied before when I told you he didn't hit me... the truth is; it has been subtle here and there, verbal abuse, a little bit of arm gripping... I just didn't want to leave my kids without a father."

"So, it is better to leave them without a mother?" I sighed, not wanting to make her sadder than she already was. "Just get better because I want to take you away from here."

She smiled with the better side of her face. "Really? Where?"

I beamed in excitement. "Come with me to Spain. We could stay in Patrizio's mansion in Córdoba and visit Madrid where I used to live". I kept my fingers crossed, hoping she wouldn't turn down the offer.

Slowly, the side of her lips curled into a smile. "I'd love that."

"Yay!" I embraced her.

Just then, her kids entered and surrounded their mother. I watched with a smile on my face as they interacted. I don't care how long Jack spends in jail, or if he will ever change, but no one treats my sister like a worthless punching bag...no one. I decided not to tell Patrizio about this cause I was scared he'd try to take the law into his own hands, and as much as I know that Jack deserves it, I don't want Patrizio to soil his hands with such a low life's blood.

I joined in the chatter between Tess and her children. "Guess what kids, we are all going to Spain!"

AUTHOR's NOTE:
Last week Sunday, I received news of my mom's passing. Now, I'm just a shadow of myself. I just can't believe that I'll never see her again. Please keep me in your prayers...

Sorry for the delayed updates.