Chapter 17
Teddy
Over the past month It’s become almost impossible to ignore Ariel. Every time she became triggered, my heart beat erratically until I fixed what had triggered her. Every time she thanked me, I had no words because this is her home now, and she deserves to feel safe when she’s home. Every time we hugged, the scent of citrus and coconuts surrounded me. This time was different though. At the doctor, I almost gave in. I stared into her forrest green eyes, and then got caught onto her plump lips. They just looked so damn kissable. Thankfully, I was able to hold back, and got us home.
When we returned home, I congratulated her again, and went to the stables to visit William. He was due for a bath anyway. I’m currently brushing him when a noise draws my attention. Looking toward the noise, I see Ariel.
“He’s beautiful. What’s his name.”
“William.” When she scrunches her noise, I chuckled under my breath. “He’s named after William Shakespeare. Gwen named him.”
“Who’s Gwen.”
“She was my wife.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I never talk about her because it hurts, but for some reason it didn’t hurt just then.” I try not to think of why that may be. “Anyway, she was a big fan of William Shakespeare. I used to find it strange. I mean the guy wrote tragedies. Gwen once told me ‘he writes love stories because there’s no bigger tragedy than love’. It took me a while to understand what she meant.”
“She sounds very smart.”
“She was.” At that we grow silent until she breaks the silence.
“My fiance. His name was Greg.” Clenching my jaw, I wait for her to continue. “He was kind at first. Met me right after my college graduation. He was so charming. Told me he saw me, and couldn’t not say hi. He asked me questions and listened intently. Then he told me he was a Lawyer, and told me a little about his mom and dad. By the end, we had a date for the next day set. He drew me in because he seemed so kind. After he proposed and I moved in with him things changed. It seemed more like he kept me around as an accessory. Would parade me around at work parties and charity events. Would criticize every little thing I did wrong. I talked too much, or I didn’t talk enough. The first time he hit me was because a guy he worked with kept checking out my ass. He called me a whore, and said my dress was too revealing. He apologized a couple days later. Told me that his mom cheated on his dad, and after that his dad became an abusive drunk. He promised he didn’t want to be like him, but that he had too much anger built up. I stayed because I loved him, and hearing his story made me able to understand him a bit more. He lasted three months before he hit me again. This time it was because I accidentally spilled some wine. He told me I embarrassed him in front of all his colleagues. That time I almost left but he begged on his knees for me not to leave. After that, he ruined my relationship with my dad.” She had tears streaming down her face, and I knew she just needed to get her story out like expelling a demon. “My dad was a NYPD Officer. He loved his job. Loved to help people, and keep the world a better place. Greg altered some images and files. Made it seem like my dad planted some evidence on a drug dealer he had arrested. Sent an anonymous tip to NYPD, and my dad got fired and disgraced. He was very lucky he wasn’t arrested. He fought like hell to clear his name but he never could. When I found out I confronted Greg. He told me it was my fault for threatening to leave him. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. I almost called my dad to tell him, but guilt was such a powerful thing. I felt responsible because I brought this monster into our lives. I pulled myself away from my dad. Stopped texting and calling. I didn’t eat anymore dinners with him. I made it so we had no relationship anymore. He died thinking I didn’t believe him. After that he got worse. Would lock me in the closet sometimes when I did something he didn’t like. He got more aggressive. His hits turned into punches and kicks. At dinnertime when he got angry, he would throw his wineglass at me. He would shove me into walls. Would pin me down sometimes and take me against my will. No matter how much times I said no. My life became a living nightmare until I found out I was pregnant. I knew then that my baby would not grow up in an abusive home. So I left.”