Somniphobia

Chapter 82. Truths out

Aria POV
Another day at Lydia's house, and I've gotten very comfortable with everyone, especially Lydia. I even learned how to cook Caleb's favorite meal that she always makes for him.

She was so sweet and taught me like a normal mother would teach her daughter. It felt relieving, because when Elizabeth taught me how to cook, she would usually beat me if I did anything wrong.

I remember how she used to force me to put my hand on the burner while it was on, punishing me for making a mistake while cooking.

Caleb was with the boys hanging out while us girls finished cleaning up the kitchen as the food was cooking. Caleb didn't want me doing any chores or helping much because I was pregnant, but I felt bad.

I still helped here and there, while Layla and Sammy did most of it. Caleb told Layla to keep an eye on me so I wouldn't be on my feet too much, which was mostly why I couldn't do much.

She was keeping tabs on me for Caleb, and I didn't like it. I couldn't do what I wanted, but I knew that if I tried to do more, Caleb would punish me.

His exact words before we got out of the car were, "Don't go cleaning and moving things around for everyone like you're not pregnant with my baby, or I'm punishing you in front of everyone."

I knew he wasn't bluffing, and the last thing I wanted was to get into trouble. But I was tired of him telling me what I could and couldn't do. I also didn't like that he had Layla keeping tabs on me like I was a child.

I made my way to the living room where AJ was playing with his fire truck, and his sister Jayla played with her dolls. Suddenly, I heard Lydia yelling and then the front door slammed shut.

Then loud footsteps — like someone was running. "Get back over here!" Lydia yelled demandingly. Caleb came running from around the corner toward the living room, Lydia chasing after him with her wooden spoon in hand.

Her and that wooden spoon were really getting to me. I didn't like her hitting him with it. Even if Caleb didn't care, it was still abuse, and it didn't sit right with me at all.

Caleb stood behind the couch while Lydia stayed in front, trying to hit him but unable to reach because the couch separated them.

"Nonna, calm down. I didn't mean to piss you off," Caleb tried to reason, but it only seemed to anger her more.

"You make my blood pressure go up! Then you wonder why I constantly have to use my spoon on you," she snapped back.

She climbed onto the couch and hit him on the head with the wooden spoon. I turned around immediately and walked toward the kitchen to leave through the back door before I said something hurtful to Lydia.

I had to constantly remind myself not to argue with that woman, because she treated Caleb so weirdly. It almost seemed like she enjoyed harming him.

I headed down a pathway I had no idea about, not knowing where it led, but I kept walking anyway. I knew that if I stayed in that house any longer, I would go off on Lydia for hurting my man.

Caleb was irking my nerves too, because he allowed her to hurt him. But at the same time, maybe he was right — maybe she was just being playful, and I couldn't see it that way because of my past abuse.

I just needed to breathe and calm myself down because I was overthinking, and I didn't want to cause any issues. I felt embarrassed after breaking down simply for being locked in a cellar.

I noticed a bench, walked over to it, and sat down, my feet already hurting. I sighed softly and rubbed my belly, smiling to myself. My pregnancy was going by so fast. I never knew I would love being pregnant this much.