Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 38

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It felt like I was trapped in a fog, like my body was waking up but my mind was still drifting somewhere far away. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt impossibly heavy. Last night played through my memory like a nightmare I couldn't shake, one I'd pay anything to forget.

After dropping Dri off at her friend's sleepover, I came home with Ivy asleep against my chest, her warm, small body breathing softly in sync with mine. I pushed open the door and stepped into the empty, silent house. But something in my gut told me that something wasn't right. I tried to shake off the feeling as I made my way to Ivy's nursery, carefully lowering her into her crib. She stirred slightly as I tucked her in, brushing a kiss over her forehead before I shut the door gently behind me walking out.

Downstairs, I poured myself a glass of water, draining it in one go. It had been a brutal couple of months. Trey was trying to take Adrianna away from me, and the thought of losing her gnawed at my insides. Miss April had intervened, calming him enough to agree to shared custody, but his condition was tough. He wanted more days with her, five out of the week, leaving me with just two. It felt like my heart was splitting in two, but I knew if I didn't agree, I'd lose her completely. The decision had cost me, and Grey had shown just how far he'd go to make me pay. His fury that night still throbbed like an old bruise.

But this wasn't over yet. I'd been planning. A way to get out. A plan careful and calculated, unlike my previous rushed attempts. I was giving it everything, hoping this one would work, just praying. I was counting down the days—two weeks left until I could finally take the girls and leave. Trey would miss some time with Adrianna, but I had no choice. I couldn't risk staying.

Then I heard it: a faint, muffled sound from upstairs. A giggle, soft voices. I froze, every nerve in my body tightening. Grey was supposed to be out of town. Everyone else had already left for the night.

With cautious steps, I climbed the stairs, my heart pounding louder with each one. The laughter grew clearer, then turned into whispers, then moans. The sounds coming from my bedroom twisted my stomach. I should've turned around, grabbed Ivy, and run, but something pulled me forward, a sick curiosity that wouldn't let me go. My hands trembled as I reached the door and pushed it open.

What I saw sent a cold wave of nausea through me. Grey was in bed, tangled with two women, one beneath him, legs wrapped around his waist, the other sitting beside them, watching as he took his time with the one under him. The room was trashed, the small table piled with lines of white powder that could only be cocaine. They were high, lost in their own haze. I felt the bile rise in my throat, choking me as I stumbled back, almost gagging.

My reaction caught their attention. Karen—one of Grey's usual playthings—was scrambling for her clothes, her sister doing the same. My mind reeled as I realized they were twins. Both of them, right there with him. The reality of it twisted something inside me.

"I thought you said she wouldn't be here," Karen spat, glaring at Grey.

"So what if she is?" he shrugged, as though I were just another face in the room. "She can join if she wants."

I stared at him, my horror turning to anger. "Did you really just say that?"

"She's too uptight for that," Karen mumbled, slipping her shirt over her head.

I clenched my fists. "You actually think I'd join your disgusting little scene? You need help, Grey. Real help."

Karen's sister nudged her toward the door. "Yeah, we're out," she said, grabbing her bag.

"Stay," Grey said, not bothering to move.

"No, no, don't let me ruin your fun," I sneered, fury bubbling just beneath the surface.

Karen rolled her eyes. "Mood's dead, Grey. We're leaving." They brushed past me without another glance.

When they were gone, Grey glared at me, his face twisted with fury. "Look what you did."

"What I did?" I snapped. "Sorry to ruin your little party, but this is my house, too. And our bedroom! You're disgusting!"

His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just call me?"

"You heard me. Bringing your trash into my home, disrespecting me like this—you'd be better off overdosing already."

His face hardened, and before I knew it, he had crossed the room, grabbing me by the hair. I struggled, but he was too strong, shoving me down onto the floor beside the table. He grabbed a small bag of powder, tearing it open with a crazed glint in his eye. I kicked and pushed, but he held me down, forcing the powder into my mouth as he clamped my nose shut. I struggled to breathe, my mouth and face caked with the bitter, acrid taste of the drug.

After what felt like an eternity, he let go. I choked, trying to spit out as much as I could, my head spinning as the room tilted around me. He swung at me, his fist connecting with my cheek, sending a burst of pain through my skull. Ivy's cries echoed faintly from down the hall, but I could barely move. I tried to get up, to get to her, but my body wouldn't respond. The last thing I saw was Grey's hollow, lifeless gaze before the world faded to black.

When I finally regained consciousness, my body felt heavy, almost paralyzed. My vision blurred, and when I could finally focus, I saw him standing over me, staring. Not Grey—at least not the Grey I once knew. This was just a shell, someone I didn't recognize, watching me with a vacant, twisted look.