Chapter 7 Chapter Six

I don't want to leave the kids.I want to gather them all in one room and lay myself on the floor by the door so no one can get near them. I took one last reluctant look at my two sons, pressed a gentle kiss on each of their warm foreheads, marveled at their innocent beauty when they were sleeping, and then tiptoed towards Jasmine's room.She knew something was wrong, because despite my best efforts to restrain myself, I couldn't hold back the tears as I ran towards the car and hugged the children's little bodies tightly.To my relief, she was falling asleep with Lottie pressed against her cheek.

I knelt beside Jasmin's bed and gently brushed back the hair that fell on her face. "Sleep well, baby." I said softly. Not a sound was heard, but I knew I was being watched.I turned my head to see Robert silhouetted from behind by the floor lamp.His face was in shadow, but I knew he was smiling.He turned and I heard him go downstairs, where Philippa was still waiting.I didn't want to go, but knew I had to go with him. Filippa was kind but asked some pointed questions, most of which seemed aimed at me. "Olivia, your husband said you knew he took the kids for the weekend. Did you forget?"

Robert looked anxious, as if he was worried about my physical condition.He tried to sit next to me on the couch but I got up and walked away.I don't even want to look at him. He gave Philippa what could only be described as an apologetic look, as if he needed to apologize for my shocking behavior. "I haven't forgotten. He said he took the kids out for pizza." I gritted my teeth and articulated each syllable. "Honey." Robert came and sat on the arm of my chair, stroking my hair.I wanted to push away, but worried it would make me appear even more unhinged. "You helped them pack their stuff. Don't you remember? How would I know what a two-year-old needs?"

I couldn't push Robert away, so I jumped up again and walked over to the fake stove which we never used.Fear and panic turned to rage, and I turned sharply, staring at him angrily, shaking my hands in his face, and pointing at him with my index finger to emphasize every word I said. "I thought you were all dead." My voice was hoarse, far from what I wanted. "How could you do that, Robert? How could you?" Robert turned to Philippa, gave her a sharp shrug, and held out his hands, palms up, as if to say: "Do you see what I'm forced to endure?" Shortly after my emotional performance, Philippa decided to leave.When Robert walked away to help her with her coat, she shook my hand and said softly, "If anything worries you, Olivia, I can be reached on this number. Call me if you need anything." .” He handed me a business card.I stuffed the card into my pocket quickly before Robert came back.If he sees it, he will take it.

Robert saw Philippa out, and returned to the living room smiling, looking very pleased with himself. I always thought I was smart, but apparently not enough.Robert is the head of the house.The brief burst of anger slowly fades, replaced by fear.I was afraid of my husband, afraid of not knowing what he would do. "Why did you do that, Robert?" I had guessed the answer, but asked anyway.I could hear my voice quivering, and Robert would know my panic was over—and with it my burning rage.I was terrified, I could see contentment in his eyes. "What? I just took the kids away for a few days, I don't know how you forgot." He tried to look puzzled, but he knew he couldn't fool me.

I turned away from him, and the sight of him was unbearable.When I spoke, the sound was barely audible. "You know I haven't forgotten. You're not going for the weekend at all, you're going to eat bloody pizza." I watched him through the mirror and saw the corners of his mouth slightly raised.Violence isn't in my nature, but if I had a weapon right now, I swear I'd finish him right now. He reached for my shoulders with both hands, and I had a hard time keeping myself from flinching from his touch.He turned me around and looked into my eyes, as if that would make me believe his bullshit. "I didn't just go for the pizza at all. You know that." Robert tilted his head to the side, just looking at me. "I wonder if this is what it's like to be a divorced woman. Every time the kids go out with their dad, She had no idea what they were doing or where they were going. They could be anywhere, she could only imagine."

I covered my ears with my hands like a child, not wanting to hear what he said.I want to get out of this room but he's between me and the door and he's still talking and telling me I'm the only thing that matters in his life. He grabbed my arms and pulled them to my hips, I didn't try to resist.He stood so close that I could see every pore on his skin. He leaned over and whispered in my ear.I felt his breath hot on my face: "If you leave me, Olivia..."