Memory

Chapter 39

Jennifer P.O.V

Later that day, after convincing myself that I could do this for the hundredth time, I finally gathered every ounce of courage I had in my body and decided to tell David about the darker side of my and Nicolas's relationship.

"Now, are you positive you don't want me in the room when you tell him? If his anger is still anything like it was when we were in college, it won't be easy to stop him from going over there," Emilia asks as I rest my head on her shoulders.

We were trying to find a private place to talk, one where David wouldn't just pop up and overhear, so we decided to discuss the matter in her bedroom.

"I'm sure, you said if he does try to leave, your men will be on standby, ready to stop him at any moment."

Letting out a scoff, she rolls her eyes, "Those idiots could barely hold their own when they went out to kidnap the two of you, so what would make you think they could do anything when he rages out?".

She has a point.

"Well, I'll try to convince him not to leave and pray it works."

"And if it doesn't, I'll just sedate him," she smiles.

"You will do no such thing to him," I protest, smacking her on the arm.

"Ah, I was just joking. I wouldn't actually sedate him. I'll just do this one move my mother taught me years ago in case things get out of hand," she mumbles.

"What was that?".

"Nothing, nothing. I'm going to go order some food for dinner tonight," she says in a rush, quickly exiting the room.

Sighing, I facepalm myself, hoping this doesn't all go wrong.

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Later at night.

After putting Isabella to sleep, David returns to the room, slipping into our shared bed.

Getting into a comfortable position, he pulls me closer, holding me tight in his arms as I snuggle deeper into his touch.

We've only slept together a few times, but each time always felt like heaven. I felt relaxed and safe because I knew waking up next to him wouldn't result in a black eye or a bruise.

"Comfortable," David asked, kissing my forehead.

"Always," I answer, swirling my finger in a circle on his chest.

We fell into silence, which is usually ok, but I had an anxious feeling growing inside this time.

Yesterday, I told Emilia I would tell David the truth, but I backed out each time I tried.

I love the thought of David wanting to hurt Nicolas because he harmed me, but with the type of connections Nicolas has, he can do way more than inflict a little pain back on David.

Trust me, the last thing I want is for something to happen to him.

But I can't continue to keep secrets from him either, not when our relationship is going so well.

So, as Emelia said, I have to grab my so-called lady balls, whatever those are, and tell him the truth.

"David," I say gaining his attention.

"Hm?".

Pushing away from him, I sit up, tucking a loose hair behind my ear.

"You remember when you asked me about Nicolas and me's relationship; you know the whole thing. It sounds way deeper than verbal abuse," I say, my voice cracking at the end.

No, I'm not wasting any more tears on that man. He doesn't deserve it.

Sitting up, he leans against the headboard, "Yeah, I remember, what about it?".

"Well," I paused, forcing the tears to stay inside, "You were right. It's more than verbal abuse, it's way,way,way more".

At first, he looks at me confused, but then a realization grows in his eyes, along with fury and sadness.

"Babe, don't tell me he-"

" Yeah, he beats me," I finish, looking down at the mattress in shame. "He punches, slaps, throws, throws things at me and all of the above, and it doesn't just stop there. He felt the need to add rape in there as well," I say, no longer able to hold back the tears.

I may have grown used to how he treats me, but it will never change the fact that it still hurts.

"So he did all these things to you, and you still stayed! Why the fuck didn't you leave or tell me this sooner? I would've tried to help you".

Taken aback, my eyes widen in shock. This is the first time I've ever seen David get this mad or hell mad in general.

He's usually so calm and center-minded that seeing him lose his temper is a first for me.

"David I-".

"No, I don't want to hear any excuse you're about to make up for why you couldn't tell me this sooner. Jennifer, this man has done so many horrible things to you, and you stayed with him for what?" he spat out, shooting up from the bed.

Pacing back and forth, he's mumbling about something, probably contemplating all the way he's going to kill him.

"Because," I mumbled, scared to finish the rest.

"Because what!"

"Because I thought I didn't have anybody else, okay!" I yelled, getting up from the bed as well.

My burst of anger didn't come from David yelling at me. He has a right to be mad. Hell, I'm mad at myself for staying this long, too.

But it's not like I wanted to stay with him. I haven't enjoyed that for years, but severe consequences will come with leaving him, especially when he finds out people are involved.

"Jeni, what-".

"It was only Nicolas and me for years. There was no you, Manolo, or Emilia. It was only him and me, and I thought that was all I had until yall came into the picture. But, even with that, I was still scared to leave, not cause of what could happen to me but to yall. I care about you all so much, and I know how crazy he can get, especially when people stick their noses where it doesn't belong so that I couldn't risk you or anybody else getting hurt!".

Slowly walking around the bed, he stops before me, looking at a complete loss for words.

Like a magnet, I feel this pull inching me closer to him as if my body already knows what it needs.

Falling into his chest, he wraps his arms around my body, hugging me so tight I feel I could break any moment now.

But right now, it's exactly what I need.

"I'm sorry I-" he pauses, clearing his throat.

Is he crying?

"I didn't think about how hard it was to tell a person that, much less the consequences behind it." he says, running his thumb up and down my neck.

"It was harder keeping the secret from all of you, but between you, Emilia, and Manolo, y'all will find out the truth no matter what." I half cry, half laugh into his shirt.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Baby," he sternly says, "I'm more concerned about you than some shirt. If you need to let it all out, go ahead because I will be here for as long as you need me to be."

Weakly nodding my head in agreement, we both sit back on the bed as I fully let out all the trauma he's caused me for all these years.

"That's it, baby, let it all out."