Do Not Disturb

by Freida McFadden

The second I entered the living room, his face contorted in anger. What are you doing here? he demanded to know. Nothing, I stammered. I got out of work early, that’s all. Are you sure that’s all you’re here for? Or are you meeting some guy? I tried to explain about the conference. The unexpected half day. I plastered a smile on my face and tried to suggest we do something together, as a couple. Maybe go to the movies or go shopping. Or up to the bedroom, even. But Derek couldn’t let it go. He kept insisting I came home to meet another man. And the jealousy was ironic, given I was certain he had cheated on me many times. He even kept an apartment in Boston, which he claimed was for business purposes since his company is based in the city, but I’m pretty sure it was his little bachelor pad. I tried to talk him down, but it became obvious he was working himself into a rage. I had never seen him quite like this. But even when his hands balled into fists, I didn’t really think he was going to hurt me until I felt his hands around my neck. And that was the last straw. He pushed me around long enough. I would not let him take my life.