Chapter 13- THE SLAP

I locked myself in the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as it would go. The water burned my skin, but I scrubbed harder, trying to wash away his words along with the sweat. My chest felt tight. I cried quietly under the spray. When I finally came out, I smelled like my favorite lavender soap. I put on a soft nightdress and hoped tonight would be different.

Ryan was already in bed, scrolling on his phone. I climbed in beside him, heart beating fast. My body felt restless. It had been so long since he touched me with any real desire. I moved closer and placed my hand on his chest.

“Ryan,” I whispered. “I'm sorry about earlier. Can we… be close tonight?”

He shifted away. “Not now, Bella. I’m tired.”

I tried again, sliding my hand down his arm. “We’re married. I miss you, I really miss us, Ryan.”

He pushed my hand off. “I said I’m tired. And honestly, after smelling you earlier, I’m not in the mood.”

The rejection hurt. I sat up. “Ryan, what’s happening to us? Anytime I want to share a good time with you, you push me away. Aren’t we married? Don’t you want me anymore?”

He sat up too, eyes flashing with anger. “You really want to do this now? Fine. Look at yourself, Bella. Were you this fat when I married you? You used to be curvy in a nice way. Now you’re just… big. Soft everywhere. I married a woman, not this version of you that lets herself go.”

His words cut deep. “I’ve always been plus-size, Ryan. You said you loved my body. You called me your goddess back then.”

“That was before you stopped trying!” he shouted. “You sit at home making videos telling fat girls it’s okay to stay fat. Meanwhile I have to come home to this. No wonder I don’t touch you. Who wants to make love with someone who jiggles with every step?”

Tears ran down my face. The argument grew hotter. We were both yelling now, faces close.

“I’m trying!” I cried. “I hired a trainer like you wanted. I’m working out. But nothing is ever good enough for you. Maybe the problem isn’t me. Maybe you’re sleeping with other women and that’s why you can’t even make love to your own wife!”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Ryan’s face changed. Pure rage. His hand flew up fast and landed hard across my cheek. The slap echoed in the room. My head snapped to the side. Pain bloomed across my face.

“How dare you accuse me of that?” he roared. “You’re the one sneaking around with your trainer, coming home smelling like sex, and you have the nerve to say that to me?”

I held my cheek, stunned. Tears poured down. I had never seen him like this. Never thought he would actually hit me.

I didn’t say another word. I got up, grabbed my pillow and a blanket, and stormed out of the room. My face throbbed. I went straight to the living room and curled up on the couch again. The same couch from the night before.

The house was quiet now, but my mind was loud. I touched my cheek gently. It felt hot and swollen. How did we get here? I thought about Marcus and how he made me feel desired. Then I thought about Ryan’s hand across my face. The man I married would never have done that. Or maybe I just never saw this side of him until now.

I cried into the pillow, trying to stay quiet. My body still ached with need, but now it mixed with fear and shame. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. All I knew was that something had broken tonight, and I wasn’t sure we could fix it.

Upstairs, I heard Ryan’s footsteps. He didn’t come down. The silence between us felt heavier than ever.

The next morning my face throbbed before I even opened my eyes. The pain on my cheek had spread to my head. I lay still on the couch, blanket pulled up to my chin, trying to breathe through it. My body felt heavy. Not just from the slap, but from everything, the constant fighting, the secrets, the way my marriage was falling apart piece by piece.

I heard footsteps. Ryan stopped in front of the couch. I didn’t look at him at first.

“Bella,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry about last night. I lost control. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

I stayed silent. My eyes stayed fixed on the cushion.

He knelt down beside the couch. “Hey… look at me. I was angry, but I never should have hit you. You’re my wife. I’m sorry.”

Still nothing from me. I shifted my face away from him. The movement made my cheek hurt more.

Ryan sighed. He reached out and gently touched my arm. “I have an important meeting this morning. I need to go. But we’ll talk when I get back, okay?”

I didn’t reply.

He stood up. “My younger sister’s wedding is tomorrow. We’re both expected to attend. If you have any plans, reschedule them. We’re going together.”

He waited a moment, hoping I would say something. When I didn’t, he grabbed his keys and left. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

I stayed on the couch for a long time after he left. The house felt empty. Eventually I forced myself up, took some painkillers, and got dressed. My cheek was still swollen, but makeup helped hide most of it. I needed to get out of the house, so I drove to the supermarket for more medicine and a few things.

When I got back, I changed into workout clothes. Marcus was coming for a session. This time Sophia didn’t follow him. The moment he stepped inside alone, something inside me broke open. I stepped forward and hugged him tight, burying my face in his chest.

Marcus was surprised but wrapped his strong arms around me. “Bella? What’s wrong?”

I didn’t answer. I just held him. After everything with Ryan, his warmth felt safe. We pulled back a little. Our eyes locked. The air between us changed. I leaned in first and kissed him.

The kiss started soft but quickly turned intense. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer. I kissed him harder, pouring all my hurt and need into it. His tongue met mine, deep and hungry.

Back at Ryan’s workplace, he couldn’t focus. All morning he kept replaying the slap from last night. The sound of his hand hitting her face. The look in her eyes. He decided to make it up to her. On his way home he would stop and buy her a nice camera for her content creation, something expensive to show he supported her and was sorry about the other night.

As he was packing up to leave, his secretary walked in. She wore a sharp short skirt and a blouse that showed a lot of cleavage. She closed the door behind her and smiled seductively.

“Boss, you’re leaving already?” she purred, stepping closer. “I thought maybe we could… stay a little late.”

She reached for his tie, pressing her body against him.

Ryan gently pushed her hands away. “Not today. I’m not in the mood. I need to get home.”

She pouted but didn’t push further. Ryan grabbed his things and left the office.

On the drive home, his car suddenly started making strange noises. Smoke came from under the hood. He pulled over quickly. The engine had overheated. He called for a tow but decided to walk the rest of the way since it wasn’t too far.

As he approached the house, he slowed down. Strange sounds were coming from inside. Moaning. Or something that looked like a moan.

Ryan stopped at the front door, hand on the knob, listening.