Randomly dedicated to ,,,

Grace's P.O.V

... It wasn't like Jeremy hadn't done it before. Hit me I mean. He's done it tons of times. This was the only time though where I thought I'd die...

It was nine p.m when he arrived home. I was in the kitchen when I heard the front door unlock. He'd usually call when he was returning home late from the office. It was routine, especially on a Friday night. Being an attorney meant long hours. I understood that. I was still a little ticked that he hadn't called me though. He knows how much I worry. I turned to the stove and lit a burner. Carefully, I placed some food in a pot to reheat. I knew how hungry Jeremy would be. I usually had his dinner ready and waiting for him, but tonight, the baby had kept me busy. He was only four months old and wasn't taking any of the formula I had bought. He only wanted breast milk - a lot of it - which is why I hadn't gotten time to make dinner. I thought Jeremy wouldn't mind leftovers from last night since after all it was his son who had demanded my attention all day. I'd finally gotten baby asleep when I slipped downstairs to get the leftovers ready. It smelled good. I hope Jeremy would approve.
I heard his foot steps in the hallway. The click click of his leather shoes on the tiles. I turned around so that I could take in his frame. Even though we had been married for two years I still haven't gotten over the butterflies in my stomach whenever my eyes landed on him. Jeremy was handsome and that was still an understatement. He had this beautiful head of curly dark hair that he let me braid on the weekends. Dark eyes that always held you captive and a smile that showcased his gleaming white teeth. He was smart, thoughtful and sometimes even a little scary when he didn't get his way. But he was gentle especially with Levi whom he loved dearly. Jeremy could be a bit rough even in bed. He doesn't like it when I turn away from him when he's speaking even if it's to tend to Levi. Whenever I do, he'd slap my arm a little or grab my elbow. He'd always turn me back to him and with a gruffness in his voice he'd ask,

"What have I told you about turning your back on me?"

Sometimes his grip would sting my skin and I'd try loosening it, but he'd hold me even tighter.

"Babe, you're hurting me," I'd respond and then, "I know I shouldn't have turned away from you. I'm sorry babe. I know better. Please let me go, please?"

He'd always tell me that he didn't like hurting me.

"You make me do it," he'd say.

And I always believed him. Which is why I try my best to not upset him. I don't want him getting mad at me. I don't like it when we fight. I always end up crying.

"Hey," he said when he saw me. He placed his briefcase on the countertop and loosened his tie. He started undoing his shirt with the other hand and I scurried to assist.

"Hi Baby," I whispered. He smelled like Old Spice cologne and something else. Whiskey?
I undid the last button and watched as the shirt slid from his body. I waited for him to sit down before leaning in to kiss him. Instead of returning my kiss he pulled me onto his lap. I giggled and almost burst with glee when his lips found mine.

"I've missed you. How was your day?" he asked as he lifted me off of him. My heart dropped a little in disappointment. I wanted us to stay like that for a while longer.

"Good. It was fine. Levi was a little fussy today when I tried feeding him from his bottle -"

"I thought we agreed that the bottle wasn't working? Jeremy interrupted.

"Yeah I know it's just I tried just in case. Just giving my breasts a break. It's exhausting you know, " came my reply. I went round to the stove and placed his dinner in a plate.

"Babe I hope you don't mind leftovers from last night. I was a bit tied up today with baby. I couldn't get -"

"You're feeding me leftovers? You do know that I just came home from work right? I want something that's been prepared fresh not rotting in the fridge," Jeremy huffed. He pulled out his cellphone that had just chimed.

"Jeremy it's not rotten. We ate this just last night. It's casserole come on you love casserole." I placed the plate in front of him and slid into the chair next to him. Stroking his face, I leaned over his shoulder and peaked at his cellphone.

"Hey no cellphones at dinner," I commented as I kissed his cheek. He liked it when I did that. Gently I pulled at his arm in an effort to turn him to me.

"Jeremy come on. Try some casserole please. I know it's not what you wanted -"
"Please let me go," he responded quietly, "I'll just go out for dinner, okay?"

"Babe, please. You don't have to do that. It's late and you just got home. Stay with me. I've missed you all day," I said pulling at him again. His arm slipped and I watched as his phone fell with a thud to the floor.

I leaped up in surprise and quickly reached for the phone. The screen was partially cracked, but I could see a text on the screen.

See you at 10- Cecil.

"Who's-" I stopped. Jeremy was standing over me. His dark eyes set on my petite frame.

"So you've managed to destroy my cellphone. Do you know how much this cost? Of course not. You're not the one working and supplying this house's needs," he spat. He grabbed the phone from my hand hard.

"Why do I even bother with you Grace? You're an accident waiting to happen,"

"I'm sorry Jer. I just wanted you to look at me. I just wanted you to be happy, but apparently you'd be more happy with Cecil," now it was my turn to spit.

Jeremy face flushed with rage. In a quick swipe his hand met my face. I whimpered and crawled away from him.

"You have no right to look through my phone. That's my business," he said coming after me. I tried to stand up, but he pulled me to him. He slapped me again and I swear my jaw rattled from the impact. I was too stunned to cry out this time. My chest heaved and I whispered something inaudibly.

"What?" Jeremy asked angrily lifting my head to him.

"You promised you'd stop," I mumbled.
"Why do you keep hurting me? I just want you to be happy..."

"Well obviously I'm not happy Grace. I work hard every day to provide for this family. I don't want any leftovers-"

"But Levi needed me Jer. Things aren't like before when it was just us. I -"

"I don't care Grace. Get a sitter, bring him with you. I don't care what you do. You shouldn't be too busy to meet my needs. You spend all day home -"

"I spend all day taking care of our son ad this house Jeremy. Don't act like it's nothing. I don't sit on my butt all day!" I screamed.

I pulled away from him and ran upstairs.