Unconventional

Beauty

After what felt like an eternity, Emilio finally decided it was time to move Jennifer and the kids back to their home. The drive was silent, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words. The children chatted excitedly in the backseat, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing between their parents.

When they arrived, Emilio unloaded the car, his movements brisk and purposeful. Jennifer followed him inside, the familiar surroundings bringing a mix of comfort and dread. As they settled in, Emilio turned to her, arms crossed.

"Look, Jennifer," he began, his tone almost casual. "I want to make sure you understand how fortunate you are that I brought you back here."

She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "Fortunate?"

"Yes. Fortunate," he repeated, emphasizing the word. "You should be thanking me for taking you and the kids in. I could have left you out there to fend for yourself."

Jennifer's frustration bubbled to the surface. "I didn't ask to be brought back. I didn't want to be treated like this."

Emilio stepped closer, invading her space. "You need to remember your place. You're heavily pregnant now, and that comes with responsibilities. I'm doing what's best for our family."

She looked at him, her heart pounding. "Is that what you think? That you're doing what's best for me? Because it feels like you're just doing what's best for you."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "You really don't get it. I provide for you and the kids. You should be grateful. This is a family, and I'm the one keeping it together. You should focus on being a good wife and mother."

Jennifer clenched her fists, feeling the weight of his words suffocating her. "I can't keep living like this, Emilio. I need to feel like I matter."

"Your worth comes from this family," he shot back. "And right now, your job is to carry this baby and take care of the kids. Everything else is secondary."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I know my responsibilities, but that doesn't mean I have to lose myself in the process."

He shrugged, his expression unfazed. "You'll find your way back to what's important. But first, you need to acknowledge what I've done for you. You need to thank me for bringing you back."

Reluctantly, she met his gaze, feeling the anger and sadness swirling within her. "Thank you for bringing us home," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"See? That wasn't so hard," he replied, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face. "Now we can focus on getting ready for the new baby."

As he turned away, she felt a mixture of relief and despair. This wasn't the homecoming she had hoped for, and the reality of their life weighed heavily on her shoulders. She needed to find a way to reclaim her voice, but for now, she was caught in the cycle of his control, praying for a chance to break free.

—————-

After days of feeling trapped, Jennifer decided to take a small step toward reclaiming her identity. She purchased a box of hair dye, hoping that a change in appearance might help her feel more like herself again. She carefully applied the dye to her light brown curly hair, watching as the raven black color transformed in the mirror. It was a liberating act, a flicker of rebellion amidst the constraints of her life.

But when Emilio returned home and saw her new look, his reaction was explosive. His eyes widened in shock and anger. "What did you do?" he thundered, stepping closer, his voice low and dangerous.

"I just wanted a change," Jennifer replied, trying to sound casual, but fear twisted in her stomach.

"A change?" He glared at her, his fists clenching. "You think you can just change your appearance without consulting me? Who do you think you are?"