TMUW 1 - Broken Glass

"I'm sorry," I muttered to myself as I spilled hot coffee on my hand.

I let out a sigh and rinsed it off with tap water. Too early for mishaps like this.

"Idiot," I heard a voice from behind.

"And so you are" I retorted, turning off the tap.

I couldn't figure out why he was here in the house at this hour. The sun was already up, yet he is still here.

He teased, glancing at my hand and then chuckling.

"Is that funny?" I sarcastically asked. "No wonder your life is always dull," I added, a hint of sarcasm in my tone.

"You are getting bolder with your words. Where did you learn that?"

"Maybe from you," I replied.

"Does it hurt?" he inquired, still peering at my burnt hand.

It was turning red due to the heat of the water.

I turned away from him. "The bruises I get from you hurt more, don't worry," I said.

"Why are you like that? I'm asking properly!"

I rolled my eyes and was about to leave when he pulled me back. "You have no rights to turn your back on me," he angrily stated.

I met his sharp gaze. "You also have no right to control me and dictate what I do," I declared.

I've been letting him mistreated me for years and I can't afford to be in the same situation until now.

I looked up as he tugged at my hair. "I'm getting out of patience, Aurora. It's better if you fix your attitude and your choice of words when talking to me," he said.

Instead of showing hurt from his actions, I grinned. "You talk to me the same way. I don't complain either. What are you so worked up about?" I asked.

He tightened his grip on my hair. "We are not the same," he emphasized.

"What? You have rights again, and I don't?" I asked, there was a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Yes! Good to know that it's finally stamped in your little fucking head."

"Neither of us has the right to strip someone of their rights. Yes, we're married, but always remember it's only on paper. I have my own rights to do what I want, and so do you."

I forcefully removed his hand from my hair and walked away.

"I am not done talking, Aurora!" his voice thundered.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm done," I shouted back, already some distance away.

"Aurora!"

"Yes, I know. My name is beautiful," I said.

I halted on my way up the stairs when I heard something shatter. I turned to witness him hurling another flower vase, this time toward a large picture of the two of us from our wedding, causing the frame to shatter.

"Are you angry?" he asked, glaring at me.

I controlled myself and looked at the shattered glass below.

"I told you I'm not done talking, but you pushed me to create this mess!"

I rolled my eyes and turned away again. I didn't want to engage in an argument now. I wasn't in the mood anymore, but just as I took a step upstairs, his slides were thrown in front of me.

"What's your problem?!" I snapped at him.

"You couldn't just turn your back on me!" he shouted.

I licked my lower lip and then picked up his slides that he had thrown earlier. I descended the stairs and stood there on the last step.

Without a word, I hurled them back at him. "What? Does it hurt? I've never experienced this with my parents in my whole life, and now you? A fucking Pontius Pilate, treating me like his slave. Why? Who do you think you are?" I questioned. "Are you my employer? Are you paying me? Just a reminder, I've been supporting myself since I came under your roof!"

I pointed at him. "I've been putting up with you for years! Just because you're the man doesn't mean you have more power between us! If I didn't love my parents, I would have left you a long time ago!"

"Then go! I don't need you here! You were giving nothing but a headache, after all!" he shouted back.

"Seven years and your attitude remains the same. What kind of person are you? I don't even know why Daddy agreed to marry me off to you. You're becoming more disgusting and worse than ever! Worthless and disrespectful to people. If your parents saw what you're doing now, they might disown you as their child!"

I took a step back as he approached me. His eyes darkened, but what caught my attention more was the broken glass and the blood stains left in his feet. There was no sign of pain on his face.

"Lucas..." I whispered his name as he strangled me.

"You don't know anything. Did you hear me? You don't fucking know anything about them, so you better keep your mouth shut or I'll kill you to death."

I slapped his arm, struggling to breathe. I coughed when he finally released me. I felt weak and sat down, gasping for breath.

"I dare you, Aurora. That's not the only thing I'm capable of," he sternly said before leaving me downstairs.

I clung to the floor, unable to find my voice. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't speak as I followed him with my gaze as he walked upstairs.

I struggled to catch my breath as I reached my room. I left the shattered glass below.

I grabbed my bag and left the house. I drove aimlessly.

"File a divorce, Aurora. You have a reason, and that should be enough to guarantee your request," Noah suggested.

I shook my head. "It's not that simple, Noah. If you only knew how many times I've thought about it," I said, exhaling deeply.

"What's holding you back? Your love for your parents? Do they really love you? If they do, why did they marry you off to such a person? He done nothing but hurt you repeatedly," he stated.

I lay on the sofa and closed my eyes slowly. I needed a break now, but I couldn't do that as long as Lucas was around.

"Or if you don't want to... you could consider moving out. You have a condo, right? Stay there instead of enduring Lucas rudeness towards you," he suggested.

"What if my parents might visit me at Lucas's house and find out I'm not there," I replied.

He chuckled. "Tell them your husband is hurting you, and that's why you left," he said. "As simple as that."

"And then what?" I asked. "Lucas might twist the story around? I've told you what he's capable of doing to me."

"Your dad would probably understand if you told him you're being hurt. Just try," he persisted.

"I'm going to bed," I answered, trying to end the conversation there.

I turned my back on him, hugging the pillow. Although I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep, I still tried. My headache even more intensified when I thought about what had happened earlier.