He Gives Me Bruises.

Chapter Sixteen 🍀

Randomly dedicated to Niyhaa1

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Now let's get into Chapter 16.

If love so nice, tell me why it hurts so bad?
If love so nice, tell me why I'm sad?

- Junior Kelly.

Grace's P.O.V

Jeremy's grip would not waiver no matter how hard I slapped and kicked. No matter how hard I pulled at his arm. I was sure he could see the color draining from my face - he was, after all, staring straight at me. His lips were drawn in a line and his eyes were darker than I've ever seen them.
His fingernails had pierced the flesh on my neck and it was stinging badly. I felt like crying, but I couldn't. My airways were already contracting. I could feel an ache in my lungs as my oxygen intake turned into meager rasps. My heart hammered in my chest loudly.
Is this the payment I get for trying to do something right for myself? Was this my reward?

I stopped trying to fight off Jeremy. I was too exhausted. My eyelids were growing heavy and threatened to clamp shut at any moment.
I could hear Levi's cries from the living room. He'd woken up from his nap and was seeking the attention of his parents. I wanted to go to him. I wasn't sure if I would ever get to hold him again.
All of a sudden, Jeremy's hands weren't around my neck anymore. I crumpled to the floor in a gasping heap, sucking up air like a maniac. My throat burnt from the effort. The light headedness from the lack of oxygen quickly receded as I replenished myself hungrily.

I hadn't noticed Levi's crying had stopped until I looked up and saw Jeremy looking down at me. Baby was in his arms, his head resting on his shoulder. There were tears in Jeremy's eyes. I haven't seen him cry since our wedding day and even then they were tears of joy. The tears he wore now where far from those of happiness.

"Take him and go," he said softly.

I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. With much effort, I managed to get up off the floor.

"I want you to leave Grace. Just leave me. I deserve isolation not your unwaivering love. I've been so wrong for so long."

A tear slipped down his face. I resisted the urge to wipe it away.

Jeremy continued after taking a shaky breath,

"I have been many things to you Grace. Unfaithful, unfair, an all round monster. You're right. You didn't sign up for this when you said your vows. I don't know what I've become. You don't deserve this and I don't want our son living under these conditions,"

Jeremy handed Levi to me and I took him, muttering softly to him as he fussed.

"Please leave."

More tears spilled from his eyes, making trails as they sped down his face. I could feel a lump forming in my throat as I gazed upon my broken husband.

How could I leave him now? He was so weak. I need to be his rock.

Thoughts flew around my head. I could feel myself splitting in two. Confusion clouding my mind.

I can't stay.

A sharp knock came from the front door. Without uttering a single word, I made my way to it and swung it open. My eyes instantly locked with Nora's. Her gaze shifted to Jeremy and then back to me.

"Everything alright Grace?" The concern in her voice made my eyes water.

"I honestly don't know. Please let's just go," my response was cold. I made sure to speak loud enough for Jeremy to hear.

"Okay."

With that she and Robin, who was standing a little way off, began pilling my stuff into their minibus. I sat in the front seat, my fingers running up and down Levi's head. His soft breaths were my only comfort. I wanted to wait until I was in the privacy of Nora's home to cry, but my emotional self had other plans. I sobbed as quietly as I could manage right there in the bus. All I wanted was to place some distance between my husband and I. I needed to get him out of my head even if it was only for a short while.
I heard footsteps approaching the vehicle, and I franticly wiped my tears.
Nora's face came into view, a small smile on her lips in an effort to comfort me.

"We're all packed and ready to go," she said quietly.

I nodded in acknowledgement.

"I'll take Levi. You could use a break," she said and reached for my son.

"I'm fine. Let's just go," I croaked, my voice messed up from crying.

Nora held up her hands in surrender and went to get Robin.

In no time we were pulling out of the driveway and heading down the street. I had to resist the urge to look back at the house. I had to resist the urge to look for Jeremy. This was for our own good.