Prologue part one
PROLOGUE
I place my hands in the dish water and hiss at the stinging that spreads across my knuckles.
I should have known better than to provoke him.
I tried to hold back my tears as the stinging only became more intense the longer I held my hands in the hot soapy water. I only wanted him to participate in Hanna’s birthday party. I never meant to make him so angry with me.
My husband Eric arrived home from a business trip last night. He told me he would make it in time for Hanna our daughters third birthday party.
So naturally I assumed he would want to partake in the festivities. I hate throwing parties that he isn’t able to attend. I am always forced to entertain the rich L.A. crunchy moms. You know the mom’s who’s children have no manners and are allergic to everything under the sun. But today for the first time in a very long time Eric is finally home for one of our event’s!
I feel a slight twinge of anxiety in my chest when I think about it. Part of me is happy that little Hanna will finally have her daddy home for her birthday. Then there was the side of me that dreads every interaction he and I would have for the duration of his stay. I try to insure that he has little to be upset about for the day. I let him sleep in this morning and brought him breakfast in bed after I cleaned the house and prepped for the party. I was sure to set everything up myself so he could rest and be in a good mood when the party starts.
I waited for over two hours after all our guests arrived before I finally decided to go upstairs and get him.
I know I knocked before entering, but as soon as I walked into his office, he hissed a cuss at me under his breath as he quickly slammed his laptop shut when he saw me peek into the room. His muddy brown hair had already been combed neatly atop his head as he sat at his desk casually dressed down from his usual garb of a suit and tie.
He rubbed the five o’clock shadow on his face as though there was something unwanted on his skin. When I finally pick up on the obvious annoyance that was oozing from his body language.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to interrupt baby I’ll come back when you are finished.” I draw back a bit trying to timidly excuse myself before I could upset him any further.
He groaned in frustration, as he waved his hand at me to enter. I fiddled with my hands while I continued to linger in the doorway of his office. A feeling of dread weighing me down at the pit of my stomach.
“Truly darlin I can come back if your busy.” I tried once more to get out of the shit that I knew was about to hit the fan, but he just shook his head and gestured once again for me to enter. I inch into the room shutting the door behind me. The sound of the latch clicking into place makes me jump when the door closes all the way.
My nerves are a jittery mess when I see him look up at me with a hateful gleam in his eyes.
He stood abruptly slamming his hands on the desk as he stalked around the side in my direction. I flinched instinctively taking several steps back trying to gain enough distance to make myself feel safe.
“How many times have I told you about entering my office without knocking?” My voice trembled as I struggled to find the words to defend myself.
“I did knock.”
I said in a low mousy tone so quiet that it was hardly audible to my own ears.
Shit!
Nevaeh why would you say that out loud?
“Did I say you could fucking enter?” his voice raised to a booming level, and I immediately shrunk away from the volume of his anger.
“Eric please we have guest downstairs for Hanna’s birthday!”
I begged as I moved away trying to escape from his attack before he could strike. His muscles stiffened at my words as his jaw worked angrily beneath his skin.
Thwack!
Pain lacerated my cheek as an open hand slap landed forcefully across my face. The impact tossing me to the ground like a rag doll. I put my hands out in fist, trying at the last minute to brace my fall, but they only slid roughly across the short coarse carpet. I yelped helplessly as the impact created burns all along my knuckles and fingers.
I sat up slightly cradling my cheek in my shaking palm. I immediately swallowed the sob that crept up my throat from the pain.
Stop it now! Shut it down Nevaeh!
I scolded myself knowing full well that crying only ever made things worse when he is like this.
