Stone Cold Heart

♡ Chapter 7 ♡

When we got the reunion, we held hands. But it was all an illusion. I had to put on extra makeup on my face and had to wear a long-sleeved turtleneck dress so no one will see the marks anywhere. I am walking fine now. I had a legit smile; I knew by now he just manipulated me. He buttered me up all day, just to get me to smile for others. I don't know why it always works. I had a great time seeing everyone again. This was a yearly event that mom always had put together with all the family. While I was talking to other random people, I stumbled upon a familiar face. I said
"Okay, I'm starting to think that you are following me, Mister...?"
"Valentine, and no I am not I am a good friend of your father's"
"How?"
"We used to work for the homicide division."
"Really?"
"Yeah we used to be partners before he met Crystal and had Dev"
"That's so cool I wonder why he resigned"
"The chief never told us why he did but we still stayed in touch."
"That's crazy"
"Who are you here with?"
"My husband"
"Oh, that's good, you want to hear a joke?"
"Yeah I'd love to laugh"
But then I saw Scott's look on his face, he was not happy. He came up to me and gripped my wrist hard and I didn't get to say goodbye to him. Scott and I left early. I know what's next, he didn't say anything to me until we got into the door. When he shut it, he smacked me across my face and yelled "Why were you talking to him?"
"I was just talking to random people"
"I told you not to speak to no men!"
"I'm sorry"
"No, you're not, you want him to don't you!?"
"No, I don't I promise you I don't"
"Then why were you flirting with him, you!?"
"I wasn't he was just telling me a joke"
"You liar! You've seen Jim at the hospital and he was flirting with you that's how you know him right!?"
He gripped me by my neck against the wall and yelled "You listen and listen good! I am the only man in your life, your dad doesn't want you, and even that little baby boy you took away from me would have never loved you. I am the only man you will ever kiss, and cater to, do I make myself absolutely clear!?"
I couldn't breathe I was struggling to keep myself up, but I was about to blackout but he let go of my neck and I coughed trying to regain oxygen, I dropped to the floor, panting. Yelped in pain as my ankle began to hurt again. Then out of nowhere, he kicked me in my stomach. I screamed in pain. He just laughed and left. I was in tears now, balled up, and I just prayed "Lord, please if there is any way you can save me from all of this, I need an answer, because I don't think I can make it out alive, I need you to help me, amen." I struggled to get on the couch but I lied there in pain still but I finally fell asleep. The pain was still there. But I'm glad I can rest my eyes if that's the only thing that can keep me from him. When I woke up the next day, Scott said before leaving for work. "You are not to talk to anyone. You are not to leave this house unless I say so."
"Can I at least go get Mackenzie so I can take her to help me with the laundry?"
"Fine but you better be back before I step through that door," He said in a stern tone.
He gave me a senseless kiss before leaving the house. I would call Chassidy to come to pick me up, but Scott smashed my other one a couple of months ago because I was on it too much and not playing too much attention to him. So, I'm waiting till the government gives me my income tax somewhere at the beginning of February, to get a new one. When I arrived at Chassidy's house, she gasped at the sight of me. She let me in quick and shut the door. Even after almost 5 days of the healing of the bruises they still showed. Chassidy and I sat on the couch. I could barely walk correctly. I was still hurting.
She asked, "Marie, you look like shit, what did he do to you now?"
"I know...I feel like it too. But that doesn't matter, where is Mac?"
"Taking a nap, you didn't answer me"
I burst into tears. "hit me again."
"Oh my, I'm so sorry." He took me into her embrace.
"I couldn't do anything. He held me down against the wall and almost choked me"
"Let me see what he did"
I had to take off my leather jacket and scarf to show her the hand-printed bruise ring around my neck that was purple and yellowish.
"See"
"This has gotten out of hand"
"Don't tell anyone please?"
"I-"
"Please I'm begging you, you don't know what Scott is capable of doing"
"Okay, I won't. Where else?"
I lifted my shirt showing my stomach and chest in which also had hickeys.
"Did he do anything else?"
"He slapped me because I got smart with him when I was actually right. He doesn't tell me when he gets home so had to rush and do dinner and he yelled at me for not cooking the chicken right and I was sweeping"
"Wow that's messed up"
"Yeah."
"What did he do after...wait when did it happen?"
"The day of the accident, so that was four days ago. Yesterday he just went to sleep while I was in pain l and I think I sprained my ankle again."
"Aww, I wish I could help. How did you get here?"
"I lied and said I was going to get Mac so we can go wash the clothes. I said that just so I can get away from him... I should have known that this happiness wasn't going to last."
"What do you mean Marie"
"After the accident, we went home and snuggled in bed and just talked about our past. It was so peaceful."
"I really wish you were happy again"
"I know...but it's my fault that he is like this"
"No, it's nothing I mean nothing justifies his lash outs in you"
"Shut up! You don't understand! Anyways I need to get going these clothes needs to be done"
"He actually thinks you're in any condition to do clothes after what happened? I got it"
"No! I have to do it. He likes his laundry done a certain way"
"Ok then tell me and I'll do it. He'll know the difference"
"No"
'Marie, you have to rest you've been through enough "
"Fine. But he wants me home at five"
"Okay sweetie, just go to sleep you look like you need it."
"Okay"
She went to my car and got the clothes basket and went to the basement and did the clothes. I told her exactly what she should do it. And she followed it perfectly. I swear everything hurts internally and externally. I just rested for an hour which felt like two minutes. I still had to fold the clothes but Chassidy couldn't help because Scott knows how I fold, so she just gave me the clothes and I folded them in neat piles. Then she helped me but for them in the clothes bag. By the time we were finished, it was around three. I heard a little footstep come down the stairs, I turned and saw Mackenzie halfway down the stairs. Her face and smile lit when she saw it was me. I smiled and said "Hi baby girl!" She raced down the stairs yelling "Mami!" As up to me, she hugged my waist. I wrapped my arms around her too and kissed her cheek. She said "I missed you"
"I miss you too"
"You came here to get me?"
"Yeah"
"Is daddy in the car?"
"No, but he will be home soon, so go get dressed, do you mind going to go help her"
Chassidy did that with no questions asked. When Mac and I got home, I started up dinner while she was on the couch playing on her tablet. While I was cooking dinner for my family, I was singing to my favorite artist's songs.