I’d hire a bodyguard,” I explain with a soft voice. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.”
“I’ll make sure that this farce ends soon, and you won’t see a cent from the Aldridge or the Bryant fortunes.”
I’m tempted to tell her that it is totally fine because the Gibbs fortune is plenty for me. This isn’t a standoff to show who can scream louder, lash better, or destroy the other one. I don’t plan on doing anything to her. Unless she tries to hurt me. I hope that with time she changes her attitude because the only one who loses is Pierce.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask her curiously.
“My son deserves better,” she states.
“Better than what?” I am confused by her vagueness. “A woman who loves him, gets along with him, and wants to be with him for the rest of his life.”
I clutch my hands against my chest and gasp. “Such a tragedy. Call the elders to condemn me for this crime.”
She gives me a stern look and threatens me, “I have plans for my son, and they don’t involve you. The sooner you leave him, the easier I’ll go on you.”
I rub my temples before I speak, “Listen, I don’t know you, but what you’re doing is irrational. A parent should only want the best for their children and guide them through life. Is he making a mistake by marrying me?” I shrug. “Maybe I’m the one making the mistake. So far, I’m not amused by you and your family.”
She pulls out her checkbook and insists, “How much?”
“My love is invaluable, so…you figure out the amount. Then, multiply it times ten and send it to a women’s shelter,” I propose. “The next time you approach me, I hope it’s because you regret the unnecessary drama. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to continue packing.”
She huffs and leaves without saying another word.
“You handled yourself well,” my therapist says after I finish telling her the latest standoff with the Bryants.
Yesterday, Edward Bryant came to threaten me if I didn't leave his cousin. I hurt his favorite aunt with my poisonous words. I told Pierce about his mother’s visit last Friday, and then his annoying cousin, and his response was, “I’m not surprised.”
He wasn’t upset about the fact that his family came to insult me.
“I’m still upset at Pierce. I was expecting him to do…more,” I confess. “He didn’t show anger or call his family to put a stop to this insanity.”
“What are you planning to do if this happens again?” she asks.
I huff, exasperated. “There’s nothing I can do. He doesn’t believe what’s happening matters enough to do anything. It shouldn’t matter. We are married, living together far enough from them, and happy.”
I sigh, “But…why can’t he defend me and say, ‘Respect my wife?’”
“Some battles aren’t worth fighting,” she states.
I look up at her and nod. “Maybe that’s why he’s not bothering with them.”
“Discuss your feelings with him so you don’t keep everything inside,” she suggests. “The key to every successful relationship is communication.”
Well, he should communicate with his family and tell them to fuck off, shouldn’t he? How are they going to treat our kids when we have them?
Chapter Eleven
Leyla
A few months after we moved to the new place, Pierce became distant. His job became demanding. By January, he became a junior partner. Our life changed a lot as his responsibilities and caseload increased.
After two years of marriage, our constant is sex. He might come home late or leave early, but we never skip the daily love-making sessions. Sex with Pierce is always hot, passionate, and sometimes adventurous.
I don’t complain much, but being in charge of the kids all the time is exhausting. He suggests I hire someone to help me. I want to tell him that I might rent a husband to keep me company too. I hate to accept that our relationship is now strained. I want to work on our issues, but how can I do that when he’s absent?
It’s Sunday night, our second anniversary, when I begin to wonder if we are just roommates with benefits who happened to sign a marriage contract. Tonight, we’re supposed to be celebrating. Instead, I am by myself, staring at the melted candles, the cold dinner, and the beautiful table centerpiece I made for tonight.
Daisy and Buster lay side by side next to the table. Not even the dogs are in the mood to celebrate with me.
There are days when not being able to