s as I pushed the door open, stepping back into the apartment that now felt alien. The air

ver his chest, his face a thundercloud. His brilliant blue eyes, usually

ith a possessiveness that made my skin crawl. "I came home last n

ysical blow. He was worried? Where was his worry

e worried? I came home to find you in bed with Jasmine

mistake, Avery. A moment of wea

ppressing bubbling to the surface. "You were having sex with m

r. "And where you went last night is still my concern. You disa

fed. "You forfeited that right th

tration evident. "We have a life together. We have responsibilities. You ca

in like some... some animal!" The word

er. "You're being unreaso

and Jasmine together flashed in my mind, a fresh wave

married, Avery. You took vows. For better or for worse, remember? And rig

h each passing second. "Hector, you cheated on me the sam

ed, his face darkening. "You kn

an it was for me? Did you have to carry our child for months, only to have your bo

ng it wasn't hard for you. But I've been under a lot of pressure lately

you the right t

And with whoever I want!" he shouted, landin

ou haven't exactly been yourself lately. What else am I supposed to

the pain from the slaps continued tin

e. "But you haven't been... present. And Jasmine

m out loud until the whole neighbourhood came to

s voice weary. "It happened. I reg

How can I move on from this, Hector? How can I ev

ising again. "I'm not letting you go, Avery. Yo

bitter, hollow sound. "That'

uel, "you owe me, Avery. After everything I've done for you, a

about? As far as I'm concerned, you are the one who owes me

nocent. Or have you forgotten that I paid for your fancy clothes, and your expensive hobbies. W

ut I had always believed it was out of love, out of a desire to build a good life to

ng. "I would have been happy with less, as long as we had each

So you can go out and have your little flings, do whatever you want to blow off steam, but

t of pain and anger that was building inside me, a s

en's name is