Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 22 - The Ugly Side of Love

Driving home Colin loosened his tie and followed the moonlight in the dark this time parking in the garage. Anna still wasn't home as it was only eleven o'clock at night and the staff was gone to their families or parties to say goodbye to their friends. With everyone leaving Monday, there was only a short time to rush and get as much done as they could.

A heavy storm was getting ready to roll in as Colin could see the puffs of cold air that was met from the warm breaths that spilled from his mouth. He was glad the front of the house and inside foyer lights were on so he could see where the dangerous slippery spots were that glistened on the steps. He turned to lock the door knowing Anna could use her key for he wasn't sure how long after ringing in the New Year she was going to stay at Bryce's party.

The heated house welcomed him. Colin slowly made his way to the second level all the way down the hallway to his bedroom door which he unlocked. Only Christine had the key and that was used only when she was preparing for his arrival. Colin entered the room and turned to lock, then bolted the door so not even anyone with a key could enter.

He made his way through his closet and unlocked the door to his secret room where his lady leaned in a sitting position against the wall. The look of her almost made him drop to his knees as he stared at her vulnerability. His earlier anger had evaporated. Sadness took its place as it crept over him like a blanket of ash over his tired bones. He felt like everything he loved about life was coming to an end.

Colin wished she could have been different. He wished she had Dana's soul. Nate would have been proud of his mother, but this piece of trash sitting on the mattress neither of them could have figured out or understand. If his wife would have been like Dana, she would have been perfect. She would have been the ideal mother to Nate and Anna. If only. Anger flashed through him again, bringing sweat to his forehead. She just stared back at him, mocking his weakness. He hated how strong she suddenly looked, especially since he felt so frail.

He shook his head and drew some comfort that she was afraid to move. As Colin locked the door behind him, and out of the corner of his eye he saw her body move a fraction of an inch. Instantly he felt a surge of energy through his soul. Colin loved when she fought back and was excited that this could be one of those nights, even though he was exhausted from his long day. This is what pushed him to live aggressively.

Colin went up to the beauty on her bed and took her face gently into his hands. The smell of her perfume rushed to his nostrils. His blood rushed faster, and he immediately felt stronger. There was a mix of her sweat with her scent as if she were trying to get loose before he showed up, which intoxicated him more. She leaned into him but he wasn't tricked. He knew she wasn't giving in even though he was able to get her to do whatever he wanted not by force, but by touch.

Colin removed the chains around her wrists and with her arms around his neck, he carried her across the room. He then lifted her onto the dresser against the wall and spread her legs, so he could get closer to her. He set the high heels of her shoes in the brass locks he made for them in this position. Tonight, she was wearing one of her favorite pairs of white shoes with diamonds along the side. Black pearls wrapped around her ankles. He pushed up her dress to remind her she was naked underneath it.

Her hair was as soft as the sprinkle of rain. Colin kissed her forehead, then touched his warm lips to her cold still set. He ran his hands down her arms. Her wrists were red from the cuffs that had secured her. Colin's hands touched her face, then her neck and down over the front of her. He never forced her, but was only rougher with her permission. She hated that he coerced her by touching her where he knew too. Colin made her suffer by teasing her, some nights not even claiming her at all while she was chained up, so she couldn't touch herself to find relief.

A cold chill brushed up behind him and his hearty laugh broke the silence. Colin knew she would come. The lady that walked their house stood behind him. This was how he called to her, his Tessa. She was still his lovely beautiful wife, and only his. Even though it had been many years it still felt like yesterday they had been together in public adored by all.

He pulled back and slapped the woman he had on the dresser. She had almost fallen off the dresser, but Colin grabbed and repositioned her, so she wouldn't lose balance again.

The ghostly woman with the ratty long blond hair watched him in horror. He turned to her and laughed.

"Oh, my dear, what is wrong? Why do you look horrified!" Colin said before he turned back to the lady on the dresser. He didn't stop talking to his ghost for he was happy he could show her what she had done to him. That he was the monster she made him to be.

"You knew this was going to happen. I warned you over and over what the consequences were. My life is ruined because of you. You who strayed, and led me down this horrible path, created my need to hate you." Colin said as he gently touched the mark he put on the woman's face. He didn't apologize because he needed her to fear him. He still spoke over his shoulder.

"I think I loved you so much that I hated you. Don't you see I destroyed lives because of you?"

No longer as tired as he was when he got him, Colin felt invigorated and healthy. Though some nights he didn't touch her, this night he was going to. There was too much pent-up emotion, and with the frustration of his body breaking down, he needed the workout. He wanted to punish Tessa for the results of these changes but the woman on his dresser was the next best thing. He wanted a live-in mistress version to disgrace the memory of his wife, which wasn't just a memory at all but a full haunting. Colin relished in showing Tessa he could take what he wanted whenever he wanted it and not deal with her rejection anymore.

Colin looked at the woman he was using to torture a ghost, but he had kept her hidden for so long he was still surprised she wanted to fight back. He heard a whimper, but it was one of need. Colin knew that, but he wasn't sure if the noise had come from his wife or him. His soul needed this.

After Colin was finished his body was covered in sweat. The ghostly woman who had watched him was gone. And the one that sustained the bruises of his aggression looked blankly as him as if her soul has left as well. He took a towel off the shelves in the small personal bathroom and grabbed a bowl he filled with warm water.

The bowl was set on the next to her and Colin took his time washing her up from head to toe, not missing an inch, intimately and lovingly. He looked at every spot he inflicted pain and thought by sanitizing her the damage would somehow disappear. Doing this took away the rest of his anger and was also his way of begging her forgiveness. Once every inch of her was rinsed off, Colin blew dried her hair, and dressed her in a pretty blue nightgown. After carrying her to her bed he adjusted her cuffs to her wrists and feet. The metal of the chain clinked as she got comfortable. Colin kissed her on the lips and wished her blissful dreams.

With a flick of his finger the lights clicked off and he locked the doors behind him as he headed to his bedroom. Colin took a shower and his pills before stumbling to bed for another night of nightmares ignored. A quick glance at the clock he wasn't yet midnight.

He didn't care to be awake to witness other's happiness on television when he still had a difficult week ahead of him.

Colin had a feeling Anna wasn't on board with his plans just yet.