Abused Love

Chapter 5

"You guys did what?!"
I shook my head at Paris as I was telling her about my night with Eric.
"He kissed me and I kissed back."
Paris high five'd me. "Yes girl! I told you he liked you. Now all you gotta do is get rid of that pussy bitch you call your husband."
I laughed at her. "Paris!"
"What? You know I'm right. It's time to kick his cheating, abusive ass to the curve."
I nodded. "Yeah. I know. Eric makes me so happy and I really can see a future with him."
"That's great, doll. When are you filing for divorce?"
"Defiantly soon. He comes back tonight so maybe I'll tell him tonight over dinner".
"Good. Can't wait for you and Eric to get married".
I raised my eyebrows. "How do you know if we're getting married? How do you even know if I want to marry him?"
Paris waved her hand at me. "Girl please. You know you want to marry that man. He's everything a woman can want in a man. He's successful, loving, smart, handsome and then some. Don't let him get away".
"Your right. I won't"
Paris patted my back and turned to help a customer.

Later That Night
     Charles and I were sitting at the dinner table eating our food. It was quiet between us. As he was eating, I was secretly watching him.
      I wanted to bring up the divorce but I was terrified to. What if he doesn't let me go?
      All these things popped into my head. But I have to take a stand now and get out while I can. I knew he wasn't gonna let me leave and I was gonna get hit or worse tonight. But if I can get the fuck out of here, then it's worth it.
      I cleared my throat. "Charles, we need to talk".
     He looked up from his plate. "Talk about what, honey?"
     I took a deep breath. He always does that. Be evil one day and the next be the sweetest person ever. But I won't let him trick me this time.
       "About us"
       "What about us?"
    I was so scared of what he was going to say or do to me. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as I gained up the courage to speak.
      "Charlie, I don't like the way you treat me. Like I'm a dog or something. I'm your wife, I should be respected and treated like a queen".
      "I know, baby and I'm sorry. I know I've been hard on you and it's just that I've been stressed and then I get irritated with you and I'm so sorry. It won't happen again, I swear this time".
       I shook my head slowly at him. "I would believe that but hats what you said last time and the time before that. You've been saying that for years and you never change".
       He grabbed my hands. "I know. I'm going to go get help-"
      "You've said that before as well but never go".
     "I mean it this time, Steffy. I'm gonna change for you, baby".
     I knew he was lying. He said that all the time before and nothing ever changed about him.
      "I'm tried of the, "I'll change" story. You're not gonna change, Charles. You're just gonna continue to hit and abuse me and this is not working out anymore".
     "So what are you saying?", he said with his eyebrows dented
     I took a deep breath and just said it. "I want a divorce, Charlie".
     It was quiet for awhile. He didn't say a word and I started to get scared. What is he thinking?
     I just looked at him and he was looking down at the table, not saying a word. "Charles?", I said
      He just stared down and occasionally ate from his plate. I was nervous and I started to sweat a little.
     After about ten minutes he looked up at me and said, "Ok".
     I was shocked. I had to hear it again. "What did you say?"
     "I said ok. If that's what you want then, I guess that's it".
     I let out a breath of relief that I didn't know I was holding. I was excited on the inside. I could finally be with Eric for real this time.
      "Thank you, Charlie"
      "Don't mention it"
    We went back to eating and he got up and decided to do the dishes tonight, which a was a first. I went upstairs so I could call Paris and tell her the great news.
       "So, he's just gonna let you go? Like that?", she questioned
       "Yeah. He said ok and asked if that's what I really wanted and I said yes so he said alright".
      "Wow, that's amazing, Stephanie. I thought he was gonna be upset about it".
      "Yeah me too. I'm not gonna questioned it anymore. I'm just glad I'm gonna be able to get away from him and maybe have a real relationship with Eric".
      "I know that's right. This is amazing. Now we can go on double dates together, have couples night and couples vacations. We are about to have a ball".
       I thought about all the things she was saying. It sounded like so much fun. This would be my first time doing a couples thing because I've never done any of his things with Charles seeing that my friends don't like him much.
       "I know. I can't wait to do all that stuff. I think I'm ready to finally embrace real love now".
     "That's great, Stephanie. You are gonna love it. I'm sure Eric can't wait to love and spoil you to death. By next year I bet you guys are gonna be married".
      I blushed. "I don't know. But maybe we will. He did say he wanted to marry me one day, if I left Charles".
      "We see there you go. You have a husband already waiting for you".
      The crazy thing about it is, she's right. Eric is everything you would want in a man. He's not perfect but he's perfect enough for me and I couldn't wait to love on him and receive love from him, the way I was suppose to be getting from my husband.
      "I'll call you tomorrow and see if we can make another double date sometime in the upcoming weeks".
      "Ok, doll. Make sure you call me"
      "I will. Love you"
      "Love you"
     I hung up the phone and just stood there. I thought about all the things I was go do and get from Eric that I've never gotten from my current husband. Eric wants to marry me and I would gladly accept his proposal.
      Not now of course but maybe in a year or two. The reason I wouldn't accept it now is because I already feel like we're moving fast.
      I like it, but I'm afraid if we get married now that it won't last. But maybe if change my mind.
      As I was daydreaming about my future with Eric, I heard the door open. I had my back turned but knew it was Charles.
       "Charles, I just wanted to thank you for being understanding."
      I turned to him talking. "I hope we can be civil and remain on friendly terms-"
       I felt a hard and powerful slap come across my face. I fell to the floor in shock.
      "Charles, what the hell?!"
      "You really think you're just gonna leave me for another nigga huh?!"
   He then started to kick and punch me in the stomach as I screamed for him to stop.
     He just did it over and over again, screaming at me saying that I wasn't gonna leave and he was never gonna let me go. I tasted blood in my mouth and felt it trickling down my face.
       He just hit me over and over again until I blacked out.

******************
      I woke up, dazed and confused. The room around me was blurry and I was in excruciating pain. I felt it all over my body.
      I slowly crawled to my bedside table and tried to reach for the phone when I heard some one coming up the stairs, calling my name out.
      I tried to tell back but all that came out was a faint whisper.
      I prayed that it wasn't Charles coming back to finish me off as I watched the bedroom door slowly open.
       I shut my eyes and waited for whoever it was to come in.
      "Oh my god!!!", they screamed and I felt them bend down beside me
     "Steffy?! Can you hear me?"
    I moaned a bit and moved my head side to side a little.
      "It's me, Paris. I came to check on you. You didn't answer my calls. Oh my god I'm calling an ambulance right now. Hang on ok".
      I nodded slowly as I heard her talking to 911 on the phone. "Do you know who did this to you?", she asked
       I opened my eyes and looked at her. If I was gonna die, I had to at least make sure she, Eric, the cops and everybody else knew who did this to me.
      "Charles"