The cold in-law

Debbie.

“If she needed your help, else she would have called you,”

River spat.

Rain turned his gaze to me, looking at me for a second longer.

“Baby, is that true?” he asked.

At that point, it was taking everything in me not to burst into laughter. Because how could these grown-ass men just start arguing like kids?

“Rain… River, that's not it,” I said in between small chuckles. “I just… I called the first contact I saw. But that doesn't matter. Please, you don't need to be on each other. What matters is that I am here, right?”

Rain smiled, leaning back on the couch. “Right. That's all that matters, brother. Our sister-in-law is safe.”

River stared at him for a moment longer, then,

“The next time I catch you eavesdropping on me, I swear I would kill you.”

“Save that energy, River. You need it for killing Black,” Rain shot back.

River didn't respond again this time. He turned to me.

Walking closer, he squatted in front of me.

“Jeez, Debbs. Oh my goodness.” He took my hand. “Damn. He did this to you?” he asked.

“He's been abusive before, and worse after marriage,” Rain announced again, like I paid him to tell the world my predicament.

“What? Before the marriage?” he asked.

I nodded. Yes.

“Debbs…” he drawled. “I told you, you don't deserve someone like that.”

His hand flew to my face. I didn't know what he wanted to do, but I instinctively flinched, and he paused.

“Don't worry. I'm just taking this off…” I felt him pushing off wet strands of hair from my face.

“You need to eat, bathe, get your wound dressed, and rest,” River said.

I blinked, trying to hold the tears in my eyes from falling. I never thought these people, or even anyone, would be concerned about me.

Not after I had shut them off for a year.

“Thank you, River. Thank you, Rain. And you, Rex,” I said, turning to Rex, who had been standing quietly by the couch, staring at me like he had a lot he didn't want to say.

“Thank you.”

“I will take you to your room,” Rex said, taking my hand.

“I will make dinner,” Rain said, smiling. “When you finish refreshing, food will be ready.”

I stood up from the seat, following Rex in slow, careful steps as he led me up the stairs.

We walked down the hallway until we got to a room.

He opened the door, stepping inside, and I followed.

It was a very large, spacious room. Nothing extra, just a well-furnished room.

He turned to me, pointing at the door. “I prepared your bath. Also, there are a few clothes in the closet. I will be back.”

Then he moved, walking out of the room, but not before—

“Rex,” I called.

“Yes, Debs?” he turned.

“Thank you.”

He smiled small, said nothing, and walked out.

---

I didn't waste any more time. I walked over to the bathroom, stripping myself of all the shirts I was wearing.

I stepped into the tub. It was hot, although not hot enough to burn, but enough to have my aching muscles relax.

I winced as the water covered the bruised parts of my body.

Fuck!

I soaked myself in the bath. I closed my eyes.

A lot was going through my mind.

Was Black… was he looking for me?

Why hadn't he called?

Wait. My eyes snapped open. My phone.

Where did I keep it?

Oh… I must have left it in the car.

I closed my eyes again, and this time, I tried to relax. Like really relax. But could I?

So many questions kept racing through my mind.

How long until Black discovers I was here? And what if he comes for me?

I sure knew I would have to face the repercussions for fleeing our home.

Or should I go back? Make the punishment less?

Fuck.

My eyes watered, streams of warm liquid trailing down my cheeks.

I fucking loved Black so… and… I don't know. I don't fucking know why he had taken such a bad turn. Hated me overnight.

I leaned my head back, letting my misery take over me.

…

Then, I heard a knock on the door.

“Debs, are you there?”

“Debs,”

“Debs, open the door.”

My eyes fluttered open. Heavy and almost sore.

Shit.

I looked around. I was still inside the tub.

Did I just fall asleep here?

My hand flew to my hair, pushing the wet strands off my face.

I can't even tell how long I had been here.

“Debs, can you hear me?”

That was Rex.

“Yes, Rex… I… give me a minute!” I called back. My eyes roamed across the bathroom and there—a towel.

I quickly stepped out of the tub, took the towel, and wrapped it around myself.

Then, without thinking,

I threw the door open. And my eyes met him.

Rex. He was seated on the bed, with a first-aid box on his thigh.

His gaze went up from his phone to me. And then, it was like he just froze.

His eyes were burning into me like he was seeing… something.

My eyes went down to myself.

Shit…

The towel. It was too small for me. And I hadn't realized it until now. It was barely covering me.

“Sorry, I… there was nothing there… I… just…”

He stood up before I finished. His eyes calmly moved from my body to my face.

“I brought these,” he said, gesturing at the first aid.

“Oh… ok.” I moved to the bed. “I will just sit here,” I said, while sitting a little distance away from him.

I watched him open the box, setting a few things, then he turned back to me. “Let me see your hand.”

I stretched forth my hand towards him.

His eyes fixed on the wound. He started applying the spirit on the wound, cleaning the cut.

Then,

“How often does this happen?” he asked calmly while his gaze was still fixed on his work.

“At least six times a month,” I responded truthfully.

He paused for a while, then continued.

“Give me your other hand,” he ordered lowly.

I gave him my other hand, and he started cleaning the small cuts there too.

“Why didn't you call?” he asked.

True, I should have called them, but how would I?

“He refused me to call anyone.”

He nodded in agreement, like he already knew I was telling the truth.

He released my hand, his quiet gaze returning to my face.

“Where else are you bruised?” he asked.

“Here.” I pointed to my neck, where that glass had cut me.

He stood up, moved closer to me in a way that we were now awkwardly close. Then he leaned, his gaze fixed on my neck, the cotton wool, cold with spirit, touched my injury site.

“Ouch!” I winced.

“I'm sorry. Just a little more,” he mumbled.

Then, he leaned back, reaching for the box. He took a bandage, and then leaned back towards me. He placed the bandage on the site.

But he didn't lean back. I felt him watching me.

“Debs,” he called, so soft and calm.

His hand moved, pushing my wet hair to my side.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing, stupidly pounding hard against my chest.

I should say something. Maybe ask him why he called. But I didn't say anything. I just held his gaze.

“I'm sorry,” he muttered before his lips placed themselves on mine.

I froze. My brain running 350 miles a second.

What the fuck is going—

Bam!

The door jarred open.

I instantly pulled away. My eyes snapping to the door to see whomever had just burst in.

Rain.

My gaze met his, and he had this… unreadable look in his eyes. Then, his eyes shifted to Rex.

“Black is here,” he announced.

My heart dropped.