#Chapter 16: Dwindling Resistance

“What are you doing?” I demanded harshly as I dangled like a doll from his shoulder.

“Let go of me, you jerk!”

As he ascended the stairs, I drummed my fists along his spine and kicked my dangling legs against his stomach. He did not even flinch; my protests were no stronger than butterfly wings flapping against his barreled chest. I even bit him a couple times. Theo did not come to my aide; I was surprised Aldrich would do this in front of him to begin with. I suppose my son and his father’s bond ran deeper than I theorized. My protective boy did not utter a word in assistance or protest. I silently cursed Aldrich for influencing him so much; he definitely wanted to be just like him.

“You’re my wife,” he nonchalantly responded, pulling open my bedroom door. “How is a man hugging his wife considered a jerk?” The sunset was dimming to a dark, twilight sky outside my window, and the last shreds of today’s light kissed my bedsheets.

“This isn’t a hug, this is assault!’ I argued, batting a