Chapter 64

Chapter Sixty-Four

“ C an you get me some ice from downstairs, please?” I ask Ezra, still looking at him through the mirror.

He nods and then leaves me alone. I immediately burst into tears again and looked at my bruised face in horror. Blue and green marks, swelling, redness, and my bloody, thick lip. I look terrible, and I don’t know how I will explain this to June tomorrow when she comes home from college.

Her world is about to fall apart when I tell her I’ve broken up with her father. Because I meant it. This is the end. Thomas has gone too far. I know it wasn’t right of me to cheat on my husband, and I don’t want to absolve myself of any guilt. Nevertheless, he shouldn’t have beaten me up like that again.

I should have made this choice much sooner. For the first time, I feel truly free, able to breathe without a weight pressing down on my chest. Is it wrong to feel this way? Everything is out of alignment, but I’m accepting it as it is. Leaving my husband feels like the right decision.

However, I will still tell June tomorrow that I’ve fallen down the stairs and her father is away on business. I need some distance and don’t want to bump into Thomas again soon. I need time and space, and I will take it for the first time in over twenty years, and he has to accept it.

I glance at the rest of my body and realize it hasn’t been spared. One bruise follows the next across my ribs and back. I look terrible and feel at least as bad as I look. At least my story about the stairs will sound credible.

“Fuck!” a dark curse snaps me out of my appraisal; I quickly lower my dress again and turn to Ezra. “Let me see. Is something broken? A rib?” he demands to know and is next to me in three quick strides.

Ezra puts the bag of ice in the sink and gently turns me around so he can examine my upper body again.

“It’s nothing. It… looks worse than it is. You probably always have marks like this, especially how you guys fight in the ring.” I play it off because I don’t want Ezra to worry.

“It's different in the ring because you're facing an evenly matched opponent, and both participants are willingly entering the fight, fully aware of the risks. It's a controlled environment for sport or anger management, not intended to cause serious harm or injury.”

Ezra gives me a stern, sideways glance before scrutinizing my ribs. He runs his fingers lightly over the bruises to see if there is more damage than meets the eye. I draw in my breath sharply, but nothing else seems to be injured apart from the fact that it hurts like hell. So I pull away and turn to face him. As I straighten my dress again, I gently put my arms around his neck and look up at him.

“Please don’t worry. I’m fine… You saved me, and I’m glad and grateful that you’re here with me now. Thank you,” I whisper and kiss his lips softly, as they are too bruised for more.

Ezra gently wraps his arms around me, careful not to press on any of the marks on my body, and holds me close, offering the support I so desperately need right now. I press him a little tighter against me. His closeness, familiar smell, and simply the fact that he is there and holding me and protecting me.

“I’m sorry that this evening, which was supposed to be so special, has become such a disaster. I would love to take all of your burdens away, Beauty.”

Completely moved by his words, I tightly wrap my arms around him. I want to be close to him and give back something he has given me through his words and actions.

“Come on. You should rest. It’s been a tiring day,” Ezra suggests after a moment and pulls away from me.

I nod.

“Yes. But first, I must text Kelly, telling her I’m fine and I’ll get back to her tomorrow. I don’t want her to worry.”

“If you want, I can text her, and you can get some rest?” Ezra suggests.

I nod again gratefully and let him lead me into the bedroom. Ezra carefully peels me out of my dress and shoes, which I’m still wearing. Just as he undoes my bra for me, he briefly gives both of my breasts a sweet kiss before he stands up again with a rakish grin. He chooses a nightgown from my closet and carefully puts it on me.

“What’s your phone passcode?” he asks as I slip under the thin blanket.

“I don’t have one. Thomas didn’t want me to hide anything,” I reply meekly, avoiding his gaze because I’m only now realizing how ridiculous that sounds.

Ezra doesn’t comment, gently kissing me on the forehead before he leaves the bedroom to get my bag downstairs with my cell phone. I sink into my pillow and look around.

The room feels so much bigger now. Even though Thomas’s belongings are still here, his imposing presence that kept me feeling small and subdued for years is gone.

It’s as if someone has opened my eyes. It feels like I had been blind and deaf all these years, and only now am I truly seeing the bright and vibrant colors of the world. Despite standing amidst the wreckage of my marriage, I’m finally witnessing the beauty of life that had been obscured for so long. I can do anything. I can be whoever I want and go wherever I choose without needing to explain myself or ask for permission. I am… free .

I can’t help but smile when I realize what it all means, even though I have no idea how it will go or how I’m supposed to explain it to June. How do I make my point to Thomas so that he accepts that it’s over? These are all things I have no control over or answers to. But I’m still happy about the step I’ve taken today.

“Done. I’ve texted her, and said you’ll be in touch tomorrow. I’m assuming you don’t want to leave the house anytime soon.”

Ezra comes close and gives me a painkiller with a glass of water. I gratefully take the medicine as my whole body aches unspeakably. He nods contentedly before taking the glass from me again and then removes his shoes, trousers, and shirt so that he can join me under the covers in just his shorts. He takes me gently in his arms.

“I don’t know how I will make it up to you. Thank you, Ezra,” I whisper against his chest and gently kiss his lips.

“You don’t have to make up for anything, baby! I just want to hold you in my arms and finally fall asleep. It’s exactly what I’ve wanted from the beginning, and it’s finally coming true. I just wish the circumstances were different. But I’ll take what I get and try to make the best of it… Go to sleep, Beauty,” he murmurs against the crown of my head and presses another kiss to my lips.

I nod and snuggle closer to him, hoping the pill will take effect soon so I can get some rest. Though I’m already feeling sleepy, it’s likely due to the exhausting day and Ezra’s comforting presence. His closeness makes me feel safe and protected.