Stained ~ Book Three Of The "Meant To Be" Series

Chapter 6

Tobias and I haven't talked much all week. There's been this distance between us. In a way, I like it because I don't have to worry about what lie I'm gonna say next, but it also makes me uncomfortable, knowing how close we usually are, how much we talk, joke . . .
We've never been the couple that argues a lot, or that have a lot of misunderstandings, so this is kind of weird for us. Not for us two only, but for the kids too. We've always been this loving, happy and perfect family. Of course we try to act normal in front of the kids, but they can sense something's wrong. Actually, Cassie does. Mason is still to young to understand, I think.
Cassie tries not to talk much about it, but I can notice the worry in her face as she stares from me to Tobias, from Tobias to me, in horror of the tension between us. "Are you guys gonna split like Molly's parents?" I heard her ask Tobias one night as he tucked her in. He let out a tired sigh.
"Oh, honey, no. Why would you think that?" He asked. I watched them from the gap of the open door to Cassie's room.
"You guys are very upset. I even heard mommy crying in the bathroom today, and you both are not speaking to each other," she whispered sadly, staring at her hands as she played with her bedsheets. There was silence.
"You heard mom crying?" He repeated weakly. She nodded, swiping her hair from her face with her palms.
"I heard her crying at night a couple other times. I don't like it when she cries. I want her to be happy, and smile, and laugh, and . . . and be happy. I don't want her to be sad," she said as I noticed her voice getting hoarse and that she felt like crying. "It makes me cry when she's sad . . ." She let out a sob. I was bitting the inside of my cheek for so long, I felt blood in my mouth.
"Cassie . . ." Tobias said quietly, getting her out of bed and sitting her on his lap, hugging her. "Don't cry . . ." He tried comforting her. "Your mom and I are all right. I still love her very, very much. You shouldn't worry about us, okay? We're fine."
"Promise?" She sniffled, wiping her tears with her palm as he held out her pinkie from the other hand. Tobias smiled.
"Promise," he repeated and did the same as she. I left afterwards. I couldn't help but hear my own daughter crying because of my behavior. It broke my heart seeing her sad.

"Stop it," demands Tobias angrily. I glance at him, shooting him a dirty look.
     "Stop what?" I ask, continuing to fold the laundry I'm folding.
     "Stop looking at me like that. I did nothing wrong," He states in a dangerous voice, cutting vegetables. I let the blouse in my hands down.
     "Oh, I'm sorry, misbehaving. Why don't you call the police in your department?" I say full of skepticism, mocking the way of his thinking.
     "What was I supposed to do, huh?!" His voice echoes in the whole house, making me jump slightly, since I wasn't expecting it at all. "Tell me, Tris. What the hell was I supposed to do!"
      "Oh, I don't know; maybe leave me alone?!" I yell back. "STOP TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD, TOBIAS."
      "Taking care of someone doesn't mean I'm treating you like a child, Tris!" He yells from across the room, letting down the knife and vegetables in his hand, facing me and staring at me dead in the eyes.
      "I can take care of myself!" I shout. "I don't need you to be in bed with me every time I sleep or wake up! I don't need you to walk or drive me to work! I don't fucking need you to worry about me, and call my phone uncountable times, every single time I go out!"
      "I just want to make sure you're all right, Tris! I know, I know, there is something going on again, and you're not telling me about it, but you can't hide it from me."
      "Oh, because you've been offered a job in the CIA now you think you know everything? You don't!" What am I even saying. I'm being so childish and pathetic. He furrows his eyebrows.
      "What is wrong with you?" He yells louder every time, making me step back in horror. My eyes fill with tears. We've been together for a long time, and he's never, ever yelled at me like this. So many things, is my answer but I don't speak. I purse my lips. I see Cassie standing at the staircase. She looks at Tobias in disbelief and horror. Her hand over her mouth ("Go back. Go to your room," she says to Mason). "I have never been able to live freely or normally, always trying to make sure that you and the kids are happy. There is nothing else I can give to make you happy! I have always been there for you, I was never unfaithful. I was by your side in every step you made in life! Supporting you, making sure you're okay, caring for you! And the way you take it all for granted—!" He doesn't finish his sentence, probably at the loss of words, as I am right now.
     My wet eyes stare at his, so dry and full of anger. His jaw clenches. A tears slides down my cheek. It takes everything in me to not break down right now.
     I think he realizes how he lost control, because the expression in his face changes. He releases his tightened muscles. I don't reply to that. He's totally right. I am not okay. I am not well.
    I cover my mouth with my sleeve and run upstairs. "Tris–" his voice is low and soft now. I lock the door to our room. I throw myself on the bed and cry. Tobias followed me upstairs, but it's too late. He knocks on the door, panicking. "Tris, please. I'm sorry. Open the door, please." His words make me cry even more. What he said earlier was true. Everything he said, and now he feels bad for saying it all, making it clear to me that he's been keeping it all inside for so long.
    Tobias stops talking and knocking when Mason start crying, and doesn't disturb me all day, until I finally fall asleep.

A/N: PLEASE READ
  So, I'm a very confused person. First, I regretted that I ended "Destiny" (the book before this one), so that is why I continued the story with "Stained". But now, I regret that I continued it, because I think that "Destiny"'s ending was beautiful on its own, and now that beauty turned into this(^). So please, if you aren't enjoying this story, and if you think that I should end or un publish it, please let me know. It is very stressful to have so many things going on in my life, and having to find the time in my tight schedule, to write this story I'm not very proud of. So if you think the series was better off without the third book (this one) let me know, because I hate having to write something people don't like reading.
Comment or PM me your thoughts please.