Chapter Four
I t felt like the top of her head would explode, and her heart would burst from her chest. She’d never felt these types of intense adverse emotions, and what made it worse was that she didn’t know how to deal with them.
Riley just wanted to be left alone. She needed time to gain the strength to do what needed to be done.
God, the thought of leaving him made her want to die. The only thing that would make her feel better was her husband, and that would never happen for the rest of her life. She would never feel whole again.
She knew eventually she’d have to face him, listen to his anger and disgust, and then start to pack, but she couldn’t get her legs and arms to work. Her whole body was shaking so hard, her teeth were chattering.
For the next hour, Rick came to the door, trying to get her to open it. She thought he sounded okay, but that was probably wishful thinking. What husband would put up with what she did to him and be okay with it?
She couldn’t get the tears to stop, and she felt her body getting more lethargic as the minutes passed. She needed to suck it up and pack a quick bag. He wouldn’t want her to be in the house, so she needed to leave.
Riley stood and crept to the bathroom door. Her body felt like it was eighty years old. She was glad the bedroom was empty. She didn’t want to see the look of disgust on his face. She wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Riley quickly dressed in the first outfit she found, pulled a bag from the closet, and started packing some things she would need for a couple of days. She planned on staying at a hotel until she figured out what to do next.
“What are you doing, Wife?” Rick said behind her.
She jumped but didn’t turn to see him. “I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can. I won’t bother you.”
She heard him sigh. She flinched when his hands grasped her arms and tried to turn her.
She shook her head violently. “No ... please. I can’t see you right now.”
“Why?”
“I can’t see the look of disgust or hatred on your face.”
She tried to get away from him, but he was so much stronger than her. He pulled her over to the large chair, sat, and lifted her on his lap. It didn’t take him long to subdue her.
Rick cupped her face and turned it toward him. “Look at me.”
She shook her head and tried to push his hand away.
“Wife, I want you to look at me right now.”
He called her wife, and it confused her. Riley blinked a few times and then slowly raised her head. She braced herself to see an angry expression, but all she saw was love and concern. That made her start crying again. How could he still love her?
He hugged her tightly against his chest. “Everything’s going to be okay, Wife.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because this is not your fault at all.”
“But the man...”
“Came here because of Gloria, but you wouldn’t let him near you.”
She thought about that for a moment. “I get sick at the thought of another man touching me.”
She felt his lips press against her forehead. Her eyes were so swollen from crying, she could barely see anything. But she felt his warmth and strength ease her enough that she could breathe without it hurting, and her shaking lessened a bit.
They sat in silence for a bit with his hand running up and down her back.
“Are you sure you’re not mad at me?” she asked.
“Not at all.”
She was so confused. She never expected Rick not to blame her or be angry, and she was at a loss on what to do.
“Why would she do something so horrible?” Riley asked finally.
“She’s a shellfish, horrid, entitled bitch. She always has been, but you saw some good in her. You try to do that with everyone.”
“I’m pathetic,” she whispered.
“No, Wife, you are wonderful. I love everything about you.”
Her chest felt like it would burst, but instead of the pain, it was from the love and support of her husband. The two extreme opposite emotions she’d felt in the last fifteen minutes left her numb.
“W-what are we going to do?” she asked.
“We’re not going to talk about her any more tonight. We’re going to eat a takeout meal I ordered—one of your favorites—watch a movie, and then go to bed. There, I’ll make love to you in every way there is to cement our bond.”
“I’m not hungry. Can’t we go to bed?”
Rick shook his head. “You’ll try to eat. You’ve lost weight these last few weeks. I need you healthy, Wife.”
“I’ll try.”
He tipped her head back farther so he could see her whole face, lowered his own, and kissed her with all the love he felt for her. He lifted his head and used his thumb to wipe the tears from her face.
“I love you,” he said.
It made more tears fill her eyes. “I love you so much, I can’t express it. It’s like you’ve invaded every cell in my body. I couldn’t live without you.”
The smile he gave her eased her stomach even more.
“I feel the same way. There is no way in hell we’re going to let anyone, especially that person, hurt us.”
Riley agreed with him.
He stood and set her on her feet, keeping an arm around her waist. She was thankful when he supported her down the steps and took her into the family room.
“Here, Baby, sit here and relax. Maybe find a movie you want to watch. I’ll be right back.”
“I can help, Rick.”
“No, you rest. It won’t take me long,” he said and walked out.
She couldn’t believe how bad it felt not to be near him, even knowing he was only feet away from her. Thinking about what Gloria had tried to do to her made anger, unlike any she’d ever known, build inside her.
Riley heard his footsteps and quickly turned on the TV. There was plenty of time later to think about the situation. She was going to enjoy every minute she had with him.