Chapter 8

Sally

I went home to meet a tense atmosphere, I don't know how, but I had those icy feelings crawling up my skin as I climbed up the stairs.

I entered my room after leaving Pamela in the living room to meet my girls, all sleeping on the bed.

It warmed my heart and, at the same time, made me feel like the worst woman on earth. Most people won't tolerate their husbands cheating or even choose to remain in the same house as him and his whore but look at me.

I sighed, tossing my bag on the side of the bed and then scrutinizing my children.

I furrowed my brows.

Iris was looking fine, but Mia's neck was kind of red and swollen, while Nora looked like she had been crying. I should wait till they wake up before asking them what happened and why Mia's neck was bruised.

"Mummy, you're back. Did you get ice cream for me?"Mora spoke, rubbing her eyes.

I patted her head ."I'm sorry, Pookie. I totally forgot, but I brought something even better."

She pouted ."There's nothing better than strawberry ice cream."

I picked her up and cuddled her." I'll get you one tomorrow, I promise."

She pouted but nodded anyway.

I put her down and began undoing my dress." What happened while I was away? Did you guys fight?"

She shook her head. I heard Mia scream, and when I got to your room, they were both crying; the sweet little girl that I am couldn't let them cry alone, so I joined them."

I should have laughed but it only made me frown."Why were they crying?"I ignored her sassy gesture.

"I don't know ...maybe they fought."

"They fought ?...and Mia ended up with a swollen neck?"

I creased my brows. A child's fight shouldn't lead to getting a bruise around Mia's neck.

I couldn't hold my curiosity anymore so I decided to wake them up.

" Iris, are you awake? Mia Wake up."I gently tapped her arm.

Iris yawned, pushing herself up from the bed."I am now."

I tapped Mia again till she finally opened her eyes.

" You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady?" I crooked out.

"Nora told you right?"Iris asked lazily.

"Yep, and you are going to explain in detail all that happened between you two," I said, pointing a finger at her and Mia.

Both girls exchanged knowing looks, their faces turning pale.

" So Mia, why is your neck red, were you doing your gymnastics stuff and fell, almost breaking your neck?" I questioned.

"It was Dad."

Silence followed as I bit back my words.

I opened my mouth to say something but closed it right back.

"What?"I had a feeling that I was not going to like what I was going to hear.

They nodded, looking over at each other again.

"Mia and I went to Dad's room to ask for help with Mia's homework, but on getting there, I heard him talking to someone on the phone. Accidentally, her books fell to the floor, which made a loud noise that Dad heard; we ran here hoping he didn't hear a thing."

Tears slipped down Iris's cheek as she spoke, her fingers shaking slightly." He followed us here and started banging on the door. He..." And she started crying.

My heart squeezed in my chest as I rubbed her back. I don't like where this was heading.

"He grabbed Mia by the neck and started strangling her. I tried to stop him, but he didn't until I started screaming. I was scared, Mum. Dad had never hurt us before but he..."

I pulled her into my chest along with Mia." It's okay sweetie."

My hands were trembling as I held my daughters. I won't let this slide, his abusing our children was uncalled for.

It would be even more unbelievable if I didn't know any better. I'd think my daughters were lying, but I raised honest children.

Anger surged through my veins as I stood to my feet. What kind of mother would I be if I sat back and let him raise his fingers at my children?

Iris clutched onto my dress." Mummy please, don't go."

I patted her head." it's okay sweetie, mummy is just going to have a word with dad."

She clutched my dress harder." No mummy, it's only going to make things worse. I don't want you two to fight."

I clenched my fists as I forced a smile. It's my fault for not getting a divorce and putting my girls through this." Iris, I can't sit and watch anyone hurt you even if it's your father. No one lays a finger on my girls."

" But mum..." Mia cried.

I already left the room before she could finish talking. I made my resolve as I walked to Cisco's room.

I'm never letting my children out of my sight or letting them sleep in their rooms alone again. That's if I'm going to spend another day here.

My chest heaved up and down as I stepped closer to his room. I scrunched up my nose as a strong smell filled my nostrils.

Alcohol.

Anger was boiling inside me, Cisco would possibly use the excuse that he was drunk for hurting his own child. Looking for something to inflict pain on him, I grabbed the rolling pin on my way.

"Open this freaking door now!"I banged on the door roughly.

No answer.

"I said to open this door before I tear it down," I yelled, my face turning red from anger.

Still no answer

From inside the room, there were muffled noises or rather voices, then there was a thud and a bang.

I placed my ear closer to the door to hear whatever was going on in there. Suddenly, the door opened, and I had to struggle to keep myself from falling.

"What do you want," came a haggard voice from the door.

From what I saw, it seemed he had been busy before a certain someone came banging at his door. He was holding a halved bottle of alcohol, his shirt was buttoned unusually and his hair needed proper care.

Standing on my toes, I peeked inside his room. The door leading to the bathroom was open and dangling; I thought I saw a hand or was it something moving.

I swallowed painfully, I'm a fool for still being with this trash of a man. I don't think I can do this anymore.

"I asked you a question don't just..."I sent the rolling pin down on his head.

He released a groan and nearly staggered to the floor." What the fuck!"

I didn't stop there and sent the rolling pin smacking down in his face, droplets of blood slipping down his mouth.

I hope he loses all his teeth.

" You fucking bastard!" I yelled, letting all the pent-up anger and frustration pour out of my soul."How dare you lay a finger on my child."

I half expected him to fight back or probably hit me because that was the kind of man he was. But for some reason, he didn't. I saw how he clenched his fist and how he gazed at me in rage, but still, he didn't.

"This is just a warning; if you ever hurt my children again, I swear I'll poison you."I snapped, pointing a finger at him as I tried to calm my breathing.

He chuckled, and I could only stare at him in utter disbelief. The next moment, my fist tightened around the wooden pin, and I crashed it on his face, but this time, he caught it before it could reach his face.

We remained in the position for a few seconds with him glaring at me, blood slipping down his mouth." Don't push me any further Sally. I don't want to hurt you."

My lips quivered as I fought hard to fight back my tears. I bite down on my lips hard, not caring if I hurt myself.

For a moment, his eyes slipped down to my lips and goosebumps crawled all over my lips.

That was disgusting.

I let go of the rolling pin and took a step back.

" I'm going to sue you for child abuse. You are going to pay for hurting Mia."

He dropped the rolling pin to the floor and wiped the blood off his mouth." I apologise for hurting her; I was drunk, so you don't have to involve the cops."

My jaw dropped as I shook my head from side to side.

He just apologised like what he did was irrelevant. This is too much, I can't take this anymore. I can't continue to live like this and let myself be treated like some trash.

I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat as my chest squeezed painfully." You know what, I'm done!"

I threw my hands in the air, as a tiny drop of tears escaped my eyelids." I'm going to sue you and I'm getting a divorce."

Francisco stared down at me and then he chuckled like what I just said was amusing.

" I'm getting a divorce!" I yelled louder just in case he didn't hear me." And I'm going to take custody of the children, I'm done with you so you can fuck yourself and your whore."

My voice cracked at the last statement; I didn't want him to see me weak; he would think he had won.

Francisco just stood there with one hand in his pocket, a smirk on his face.

Was there anything funny in what I just said?

He took a step closer to me, and I backed out." you can't, Sally." His voice echoed.

I kept moving backwards till my back hit a wall. He towered over me, and my whole body shook in tremors. This wasn't the man I married. A feeling so dark and frightening engulfed me, it was like my whole body was paralyzed with fear. The aura that emanated from him made my legs wobbly.

He leaned in and whispered in my ears." You're stuck with me, Sally. It's till death does us part. If you want a divorce then you'll have to kill me first."

My heart raced as I processed his words. The fear and despair I felt were suffocating, but a spark of determination ignited within me. I couldn't let myself be trapped in this toxic relationship any longer. Taking a deep breath, I mustered up all the strength I had left and pushed him away from me.

" I might not have the power to kill you but don't underestimate me." With that, I forced my legs to walk out of his presence or he might noticed how my body trembled.