Begin Again

Chapter Eighteen

*TW: Physical Abuse*

"I wish that this night would never end. I need to know. Could I have this night to share this night together? Para siempre."

Salomé's P.O.V.

"Get your fucking ass up here, bitch!"

Startled, the plate I was washing dropped into the sink as I heard my husband call me from upstairs. My eyes began fluttering, as I felt my heart thud against my chest, knowing what was about to happen to me. What had I done now? His laundry was fresh, the house was clean. I even did the daily prayers he forced me to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm devout. But I do occasionally have other priorities. Each step I took, up the staircase, alarmed me more than the previous one, until I reached the top, where I lingered for a moment. Should I run? I could've turned around and sprinted anywhere.

What stopped me? My previous hope of being there to help him with his anger issue was in vain. He didn't want his wife, his inferior, to be his saviour. 'Only God could save him,' he thought. He was in the wrong, however, as I know that God only helps those who help themselves. And right now, he was leading himself along a road straight to hell.

"Don't make me repeat myself!"

Hurrying to the bedroom, I watched him stood over my toiletries bag, with my packet of morning after pills in his tight grip. My eyes widened as I realised he finally discovered why I haven't conceived ever since we got married. We've had plenty of discussions or arguments about raising a child, and, honestly, I don't feel ready for that responsibility. In addition to that reason, I can't raise a child in this household. But Richard didn't seem to understand that. He assumed that a baby would salvage this marriage, and the pair of us would be blessed by God if we were to do as He instructed "Be fruitful and multiply".

"Why did I find these evil substances in your possession, Salomé?" He murmered, his eyes piercing into mine. His whole demeanour switched to calmness, but I know underneath that composed exterior was a ticking time bomb.

"I..." How could I answer that? He already knew my answer.

"Answer me!" He snapped, revealing the heartless husband I knew so well yet grew to accept, nonetheless.

"I-I'm the one who will be carrying the baby..." I mumbled, internally marvelling at this new found courage.

"Speak up!" He barked, causing me to whip my head up to face his stern glare.

"I'm the one who has to carry an unwanted child for nine months, then I have to go through labour! You've banged on about how contraceptive pills are the works of the devil, but frankly, I couldn't care less. My body is my priority, no matter what is in the scriptures, Richard!" I ranted, sick and tired of the arguments, but also fed up with his stubbornness.

"So that's how you feel, huh?"

"You know how I feel, Richard! We've talked about this so many times and you can beat me so many fucking times, you can't change what's in here!" I jabbed my side of my head with force, trying to stress my point.

For a moment, time stood still.

He returned to his calm exterior, however I noticed his grip around the pills tighten. His constant switch from a monster to calmness always frightened me, and today was no different. Spinning around, so his back was towards me, he began to approach the bathroom and ran the tap. Hurrying behind him, I followed him and watched him open up the bottle before attempting to pour the contents down the sink.

Using all the energy I had, I tried to collect the falling pills, and push his burly hands from my way, but they were not budging. Desperately, I began clawing against his skin, and using my body weight to move him to the side.