CH

d shoved me forward. I stumbled, my f

n? Have you lost all respect for me?"

on my hips. I had nothing left

zenness, and I wouldn't tone it dow

done that if you had an iota of respect for me...

ook only a second before his

fun?" he flared, throwing his hands in the air. "Ma

face as I laughed-sharp, broken laughter that hurt my chest. De

was still justif

include disrespecting our vows? Our love? Our marriage?" My voice croaked.

arital vows-but not anymore. I'm exhausted. I just want to breathe w

as they seem, Rachel. You're the one making everything look like a problem when it isn't," he deadpanned. "It's

ght he was. Maybe I was the one who placed too many expectati

shaking. I moved out of his grip and shook my hea

just call me dumb? Huh, Rach

as no use speaking with him when he was drunk. I bet

. I knew I had promised myself not to cry over him anymore, but I just couldn't

ed to be faithful, to give me the kind of marriage I had always prayed for. So how did

breakfast, hoping we could fix whatever

nd of his approaching footsteps,

hubby," I mutte

ie, and carrying a black bag. I couldn't help falli

auntered to the shelf, picked up his

ed in surprise

already? Without breakfast

other cooking for a 'du

ed last night. I thought he was drunk and

door handle, I grabbed his arm and looked up at him pleadingly. "If I truly meant what I said, I wou

ownstairs. "You take simple things too seriously, Rachel. Th

them. I do not, Rachel. My heart is with you. I've got eyes for

t do something like that, but I was wrong. After every argument about h

ted, and I almost erupted like a bomb. Hissing,

u also don't need to justify your multiple sex escapades. J

he st

my," I cut him off.

d. Instead, he opened the

y the tears gathering in my eyes. When would Jeremy change? When w

breakfast, and then got ready for work. We worked at the same compa

y phone rang. Glancing at the scree

to a smile as I a

arling,

r eyes when she said "married." Lena hated that I was married-or rather, she hated the person

u, darling?

," I brea

n't sound fine to me," she sa

ement wouldn't fool Lena. She alw

to come over?" she blurted. "I'm not busy

serious," I said, shaking my

serted. "Now start talking. What'

dn't see me. "Hmm... There's.

d silence

ew would have shouted and raine

was wrong, but before I coul

oice low and sharp. "You can't keep living like this, Rachel. What if he gets infected out there and p

bridge of my nose before open

lk away. Or does your life mean nothing to you?

rse him and then make me laugh, but today was different. Something a

verything. My virginity... he was the

n't mean he should be your last. This guy

, yet I couldn't leave because I felt no one else would want me since I had already lost

listeni

ut through

ing for words. "You know what? I'll think about everything you said. I know you're just trying to

yet, idiot. I want to see your

show you how serious I am,"

e late for work," I added, picking u

h you for being late," she teased. "It's

The company's rules apply to everyone

w. Talk to you later," she sai

e call ended. Lena is troublesome, and she's also