Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 10: Black and blue Part 1

"...Always go with the choice that scares you the most because it will be the one that will help you grow..."

I can hear the sound of chirping birds. At least I think it sounds like chirping birds if the ringing in my ears isn't getting in the way. I struggled to open my eyes cursing the large living room window that is casting bright light into the house. I gazed around trying to recall what happened to me. Everything is mess... either broken, bent or thrown across the room. It is like a tornado has just swept through my living room.

The shattered glass on the floor, the overturned furniture, the constant aches in my body, the blood stains on the white rug... my blood.

I slowly brought my hand to the spot right beneath my hairline. That was the very spot that had met the granite counter top when Jason slammed my head and I lost consciousness. It is the last thing I remembered.

The chirping is happening again and this time, I know it isn't the birds. It is the door bell.

Someone is at my door.

Staring at the cuts o my thighs, I cried quietly. The aftermath of Jason's violence is usually ugly.

"Stop crying. Stop crying." I told myself. "Get up and stop crying."

I struggled to get up limping towards the front door. I left blood stains on the cream walls as I used them for support.

I peeked in the peep hole and noticed Lorraine.

It is Wednesday and I usually baby sit Terrance. I don't think I can do that today.

I closed my eyes in anguish and opened the door slightly hiding behind it. "Lorraine I'm sorry but I can't watch him today."

She is looking at the nasty cut on my head and the dried up blood on my beige nightgown. Her electric blue eyes dropped to my feet. I looked too, to see blood on them. She is more horrified now than when I opened the door.

"It happened again, didn't it?" She asked.

"No... I... "

She shoved her way in almost pushing me down in the process.

"Where's the bastard?" She asked. "Keira it has to stop! Look at you!"

"It's my fault not his."

"Are you seriously defending that prick?" She asked furiously. "I've known you for a year now and I know you try so hard to make this joke of a marriage work and it's not working! Keira, it's never your fault."

This time it is.

Jason beat me home from Miami. He arrived earlier and he didn't find me home. He was in the house the entire time,hiding in the pantry. One of my neighbors told on me but he did see a black SUV last night. It's a good thing Nick didn't get out of the car.

"Let's go file a police report. Come on!" She took my hand but I pulled back. "I'll speak for you if you're scared. Keira let's go. I'll even lie if it means he goes to jail."

"No. I can't..." I sobbed. "I can't tell on him... I can't."

"Why? You don't owe him anything. You haven't done anything wrong!"

I owe him a lot.

After Keith squandered all our wealth, we were in a tight spot. Jason offered to help. Back then he was wealthy and his gambling wasn't out of control. I agreed to the marriage without telling my parents. They would not have approved. Ad part of our agreement, I'm supposed to give him an heir to offset the debt. Without me getting pregnant, I have to return the money. I don't have that much money. I save up but it's not enough to pay him back and get divorced.