Chapter 4 - Hurt

Noah

I just couldn’t accept it. I loved him so much. How could he cheat on me?

“Why, Owen? I thought we loved each other. I thought we would be together forever. Did I do something wrong?” I cried.

Owen didn’t respond. He drove us home in silence. His cruelty was too much for me to bear. I stared at the raindrops on the window. I felt more depressed than ever.

That afternoon, Owen left again. I tried having some food and a nap, hoping that would help me heal. But I just couldn't fall asleep until Owen came back home in the early evening.

I had to talk to him. I got out of bed and met him at the top of the stairs. “Owen, we need to talk about what happened. You can’t keep going out and avoiding me.”

He was obviously drunk again. All he said was, “I don’t have anything to say to you. I am moving out, Noah. I supposed our years of marriage is a mistake!”

I took his hands in mine and begged him to stay and try to work it out. But he shook off my hands and pushed me away.

I was standing right on the edge of the staircase. His push made me lose balance, and I tumbled down the stairs.

I managed to grab onto the railing so I didn’t fall all the way down. But my head hit the wall when I tried to break my fall. I felt my forehead was bleeding. 

It was so painful that I couldn’t get up. I thought Owen would help me, but only heard: “You lost your footing. It’s not my fault.”

There was a sudden knock on the door. Owen stumbled past me down the stairs.

“Raymond? What are you doing here? Now is not a good time.”

“I came to ask you what is going on. You need to give me an explanation. You haven’t … Noah?”

Raymond suddenly saw me sitting on the stairs behind Owen. He pushed Owen aside and ran over to me in alarm. Seeing my messy hair and injured forehead, he instantly knew what happened between us. He punched Owen in the face.

“This is how you treat your wife?! I don’t believe you. Don’t you see Noah is bleeding? Did you hurt her? What a disgusting thing you smelled! You drunk idiot!” Raymond raged at his nephew.

I didn’t even have time to explain. Raymond immediately wrapped me up in his suit jacket and took me to see the doctor.

“Twice in one day? That must be a record.” The doctor said wearily. I gave her a wry grin and answered, “Not by choice…”

The doctor took care of my wounds. I needed a couple of stitches and had some pretty bad bruises, but I would be okay. Thankfully, I didn't break any bones.

It was getting dark outside. The autumn breeze was busy blowing the leaves off the maple trees surrounding the hospital parking lot. Raymond and I made our way back to the car. Our feet rustled through the thick carpet of yellow, brown and scarlet red leaves. 

After my second - and hopefully last - doctor's visit of the day, we sat next to each other in silence. We were back in his beautiful Mercedes. I could get used to these comfortable, heated seats.

I felt a bit embarrassed. Raymond kept on having to save me. At least this time, I was wearing clothes and make-up, and my brown hair was neatly tied in a long, wavy ponytail.

“I don’t normally need so much help, you know.” I broke the ice. “I happen to be a strong, independent woman most of the time.” Raymond laughed heartily.

“Jokes aside, I'm really grateful for everything you've done for me.” I continued. “Why did you come over tonight, Raymond?”

“Owen hadn’t come to work at the company for days. And I wanted to speak to him about what happened this morning, with you. I tried to call him, but he never answered. I decided to come over. To see for myself what was wrong with him.” Raymond explained. 

“I just can’t believe what he did to you!” He continued. “If he ever does anything like that again, please tell me. I’ll teach him a lesson.” His stern face showed how much he meant it. 

I took a deep breath. He had a way of making me feel safe and secure. “Thank you, Raymond. I’m okay now. It was an accident. Owen didn’t push me off the stairs on purpose. He didn’t mean to hurt me.” I explained.

Raymond looked a little angry, but he still carefully drove me home.

“Goodbye, Raymond. Thank you again, for everything.” I said with feeling as he hugged me.

“Bye, Noah. It’s been my pleasure. Please be safe. Call me if you need anything.” He said. He gently patted me on my head as comfort as if I was a little girl and got back in his car. His simple actions made me feel warm. I thanked him and walked home.

I entered the house. It was quiet and dark downstairs. I walked up to our room.

When I opened our bedroom door, all I could see was Owen and Josie kissing on the bed.