I DON'T WANT HIM BACK

"You're Home"

I said to my husband who barely glanced at me as he took off his suit, he just headed for the stairs and of course I followed.

Like the fool I was.

"How was it Jason, was work stressful today?" I tried again but still no response. I shouldn't be surprised, this wasn't the first time, or even the second, or the third time he'd done this. We used to be a happy couple back when our parents had practically arranged our marriage.

Our marriage had started off slow and boring but soon we had come to love each other, we couldn't spend a day without calling, talking or touching each other. Jason suddenly became the love of my life, I had given myself to him. But things started to go sour when no child was coming, he didn't say anything at first but he grew distant but soon enough he let me know; with large outbursts and yelling, even going as far to beat the crap out of me once for yelling back.

I still loved him, maybe I would forever which was while I tried to make amends. I had made dinner in the diner room, wanting a fresh start and to apologize when logically I didn't need to.

I watched as he took off his shirt and licked my lips, he was still perfect; perfect tan body, rock hard abs and tall. Jason slipped into a simple loose shirt and pants then turned to plop on the bed.

"I made dinner......for you" I blurted out and he stared at me, I could see the anger in his eyes, as if he was ready to shun me then he nodded.

"Thank you" he said and stood, "Lead the way" came his deep voice. I smiled and happily got up and lead the way downstairs maybe tonight could be the night where we smooth things over, maybe tonight we could go back to what we used to be.

We sat down and he sat across staring at me and I blushed. Why was he staring at me like that? Was he still angry or maybe he was starting to let all the fighting go, maybe he was still in love with me. No one stared at someone like that without having feelings, I looked down avoiding his green gaze but smiled underneath tonight is that night.

We dug into the food and I watched as he ate, still nervous. He mostly did the eating while I just took small bites, still eager to see where this leads.

"This is good" he said, eyes roaming over my face and I smiled trying so hard not to blush.

What was wrong with me? He is my husband.

"You like it?" I asked and he nodded, I grinned wanting to push further.

"How was work today?" I asked and he stopped, for a moment I thought I had fumbled everything. My heart pounded harder then he smiled, though it looked forced but it was better than his rage the last few weeks.

"Good, more investors today. Stocks are rising and the market is blooming, couldn't be anymore better" he stopped and stared at me.

"What about you? You good?" He asked and my heart did a frog jump, did he just ask how I was? The corner of my lips lifted in a small smile.

"Yes I am" I answered and he dug into his food again without reply. I followed suit, still brimming with excitement, maybe this night wasn't going to be bad after all maybe I could get him to realize that he used to love me....and maybe we could make love. I smiled at the thought. It's been a long time since we did it for affection not breeding like rabbits.

Jason stood and pushed his chair back, I didn't realize that he had finished his food, he nodded to me suddenly looking cold.

"Thanks for the meal, I'll head upstairs now" he said and pivoted on his heels. I stood abruptly and blocked his path.

"Jason I.....I.....have ummm....ermmm....something to say to you" I said and his eyes lit up.

"You're......."

"I love you" I blurted out. That's when I knew everything was gonna fall apart. I watched as his blue eyes darkened, filling with rage. He stepped closer and I backed away, I have never seen him look so angry, like he wanted so bad to kill me.

"You love me?" He said dangerously then he laughed, a short one then without warning he backhanded me. I stood there in shock, not expecting.

"Jason what did I....."

"SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH!!!!!" He yelled so loud that I flinched. "You must be stupid, to even think you did all this to tell me you are pregnant. I don't care if you love me, give me a child, for fuck's sake one child is all I ask, you whore" he yanked my hair and started to drag me up the stairs.

"Jason stop what are you doing, Jason no" he kicked me right in the face and I closed my mouth, tears streamed down my cheeks as he dragged me up the stairs he stopped at the bedroom door and kicked it open. I watched in horror as his fist came for my face hard, not even one ounce of holding back.

I suddenly felt dizzy, and the room spun around me. Jason picked me up and toss me right at the far side of the tiled floor. I lay there weakly as he tore my clothes off my body and he started to take off his belt, he raised it high then his phone rang.

He stopped and pointed a finger at me then picked up the phone.

"Hello babe" I heard someone say across the phone and my heart stopped.

Babe? And why did that voice sound so familiar

Jason grinned and sat on the bed, "Yes baby, anything I can do for you"

"You said you were gonna marry me soon, can't stop thinking about it, you said you were gonna leave her" came the voice.

"Yes, I do" Jason said, chuckling. "I have the divorce papers ready"

I don't know how long I lay there sobbing last night, even long after Jason had left the room and I heard his car driving off into the night. I had thought last night with the dinner and all that he was starting to see reason and know not even knowing that he was cheating on me

Cheating on me

I choked down a sob as I applied mascara to my face to cover all the bruises that Jason had inflicted with his whole hands, while I was disappointed I still couldn't help but feel like this was my fault why could I not give him children? Was it that hard?

I couldn't even call my parents and tell them what was going on because they are going to do anything to keep me married to Jason. After all, his family paid mine in millions who the hell was going to stop wanting to be benefiting like that. Well that left me with one person I could trust.......Rhea.

Rhea was my best friend back in grade 4, and we have been best buddies ever since. We were practically inseparable, even now she was the one I trusted with my problems. Maybe if I go to her she would have a good advice for me, Rhea was a therapist and relationship expert, I haven't told her about Jason and I. I liked to keep what happened in our marriage private, between the two of us but after what happened yesterday I couldn't hold it down anymore.

I picked up my expensive hand bag and headed to the garage. My driver Roberts was already waiting for me, I lowered my head hoping he didn't see the bruises on my face or that the mascara covered it up.

"Good morning Ma'am" he said.

"Good morning Roberts" I said raising my face and his brows furrowed. He opened his mouth to say something but he just nodded and opened the door for me. I sighed in relief, I didn't want to many questions and I didn't want to explain how Jason had beaten the shit outta me then publicly announce that he wanted a divorce.

Gods, could the week get any worse.

Roberts drove in silence, with one or two glances at the rearview mirror. It looked like he had one or two to say .

"I heard you and Boss arguing yesterday" he started and I laughed boss? Funny

"There was nothing Roberts" I said and he raised a brow, as if that was an obvious lie, as if my mascara covered bruised face didn't hide it well enough.

"If you say so, I heard something about a divorce" he countered softly and I scowled, angry at him for reminding me, angry at Jason, angry at life at fate.

"Just drive Roberts, thanks for letting me know that you were eavesdropping" I shot out and he nodded solemnly. I felt guilty talking to him like that Roberts was nice and always wanted to k ow if I was doing okay but for now I was in a mess and I needed to talk to my best friend, she was the only one who could get me out of my mood or give me an advise something I needed so much right now.

The car stopped in front of the familiar house and I stepped down and turned to go in.

"Should I wait outside for you ma'am" he asked and I shook my head.

"No need Roberts, I will be fine thank you" I said and he nodded and drove off. When I knocked on the door it opened instantly and I grinned when I saw her, her eyes lit up.

"Jesus Vee, long time. What are you doing here?" She asked and I smiled at her.

"Just in trouble and I need your help, like old times huh" I smile at her and jiggled her boobs, "Besides you owe me you vixen" I added and she shook her head.

"Girl you don't let go eh? Come on in, bacon is on the gas" she said and we walked in. She stared at me and she suddenly frowned.

"Vee?"

"Umm yeah?" I answered and she cocked her head to the side.

"What happened to your face?" She asked and I looked down. Suddenly the urge not to tell anyone what was going on in my marriage nagged at me again.

"Nothing Ree, nothing" I said and Rhea eyes narrowed and she frowned.

"You have a black eye, I know makeup well enough to know that, and you suck at mascara" she retorted and glared at me.

"I said it's nothing" I snapped and he chuckled.

"Since when did you defend a black eye?"

"It's not a black eye" I ground out and she nodded I sighed in relief, then;

"Did your husband give you that?" Sha asked and I froze, why was she always damn right.

"No, why would you say that, and I don't have a black eye" I insisted. Rhea stared at me like she wasn't convinced then she nodded, she stood up and pulled open a fridge and poured me a glass on wine.

"Here drink up, you look like hell" she said and I nodded my thanks. She got up to answer a phone call while I stared around. She wasn't with anyone and she looked to be doing okay, I suddenly wondered if I really even needed a marriage but I kept thinking of Jason, I couldn't leave him. I still loved him even after all he did last night.

Something caught the corner of my eye and I raised a book on a shelf and slipped out the photo underneath and my blood ran cold.

In the picture was a recent photo of Jason and........

Oh my God

Rhea

Rhea was the one Jason was cheating on me with.

My hands trembled as I stared at the photo, my vision blurring with tears. Jason's arm was wrapped around Rhea's waist, their lips pressed together in a kiss. The date scribbled in the corner was from just last week.

She knew.

Rhea knew everything. She knew how Jason treated me, how he hit me, how he blamed me for not giving him a child. and yet, she was with him. Laughing with him, loving him, fucking him

The glass of wine slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor.

"Vee?" Rhea's voice came from behind me. I turned slowly, the photo clutched in my shaking hand. Her eyes darted to it, and for a second just a second I saw the guilt. Then it was gone, and in its place, cold indifference.

"How long?" My voice was barely a whisper.

She sighed, rolling her eyes like I was some annoying child. "Does it matter?"

"YES, IT FUCKING MATTERS!" I screamed, throwing the photo at her. "You're my best friend! You were supposed to !"

"Supposed to what?" she cut in, crossing her arms. "Care? Please. You think I don't know how Jason treats you? How pathetic you are, begging for his love like some desperate dog?"

Each word was like she stabbed me a knife. I staggered back, my chest burning.

"You... you knew?"

She smirked. "Of course I knew. He tells me everything. How he hits the fuck out of you. How you cry, how you still crawl back to him like you deserve it." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a cruel whisper. "And guess what? I don't care. I never did."

The room spun. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the couch, gasping for air. This wasn't happening, this couldn't be real.

Rhea just watched, her expression bored. "You should leave. Jason's divorcing you anyway. No point in dragging this out."

I looked up at her, tears streaming down my face. "Why?"

She shrugged. "Because he wants a real woman. One who can give him what he wants and let's be honest, Vee... that was never you, he even said you were so stiff and boring in bed like a sex doll."

That was it, no more.

I lunged at her, nails raking across her face. She shrieked, stumbling back, but I didn't stop. I grabbed her hair, yanking hard. "YOU BITCH! YOU FUCKING TRAITOR!"

She slapped me hard and I reeled back, my bruised face throbbing.

"Get out of my house," she hissed, wiping blood from her cheek. "Before I call the cops."

I wanted to hit her again. I wanted to scream, to break everything. But what was the point?

She had already won. No use dragging this out like she said earlier, this was all for nothing

I turned and ran, slamming the door behind me. My hands shook as I fumbled for my phone, dialing Roberts.

"Pick me up. Now." I said immediately his line rang, and thank Goodness he didn't ask any questions

---

Jason's office building loomed ahead, huge and imposing meant to show the world it's worth. All sleek and cold........just like him. I stormed past the receptionist, ignoring her protests.

"Mrs. Calloway, you can't just !" She started and I whirled around, giving her my most deadliest stare and she backed up

"Watch me." I shoved open Jason's office door. He looked up from his desk, annoyance flashing across his face. He didn't even have the decency to even hide the fact he hated me so much.

"Veronica. What the hell are you doing here?" He said and I choked down a sob

"Rhea." My voice cracked. "She's the one you're cheating with, isn't she?" I shook my head about to cry, "Rhea, Jason. She's my fucking best friend you knave!"

For a second, he hesitated. Then he leaned back, smirking. "Yeah. So?"

The casualness of it broke me. "SO?! SHE WAS MY BEST FRIEND! AND YOU YOU'RE MY HUSBAND! HOW COULD YOU BOTH DO THIS TO ME?!"

Jason sighed, rubbing his temples like I was the one causing him pain. He gave me a warning glare and he looked like he was going to walk right over and punch me.

"Veronica, stop being dramatic. You knew this marriage was over. You can't even give me a child. What did you expect?" He said brutality and I stared at him, my heart scattering into tiny pieces

"I expected loyalty! Love! Not not *this*!" I yelled and he rolled his eyes and pressed a button on his desk.

"Alright" he cocked his head to side "Security." He said to the comm and two men appeared instantly, grabbing my arms.

"No! Jason, PLEASE! We can fix this !" I cried but his eyes were dead cold, devoid of even one atom of emotion.

"Throw her out," he said calmly, turning back to his computer.

They dragged me, kicking and screaming, through the office. Employees stared, some whispered and I heard others laughing.

I was nothing to them, nothing to him.

The last thing I saw before the doors closed was Jason's back, already moving on. Roberts found me curled up in the backseat of the car, sobbing. I tried to hold it back, honestly. I tried telling myself that it wasn't worth it but I couldn't hold it back anymore

"Ma'am...?"

I didn't answer.

What was left to say? My husband hated me. My best friend betrayed me, even going as far to be in his bed behind my back. I had no one left, no one to turn to, no shoulder to cry on. My parents would kill me if they found out that my marriage was in shambles.

As if it was my fault

My mom would berate me for being a goody two shoes and not able to please him in bed, Dad would have called me a disgrace, saying something like I wasn't worthy to be his daughter if I can't keep a marriage with Jason Calloway. Soon the media would be hot on my ass. I sighed and cleaned my eyes. I tapped Roberts on the shoulder.

"Take me to Frisk Bar and Lounge, Roberts"