5

I dropped my bag by the door and kept my eyes on the floor because I knew his mood. Shane sat on the couch and didn't look up from his phone.

"You're late," he said and swiped the screen while I kicked off my shoes.

"Gala prep ran over," I said and tried to walk past him.

He finally looked up and stood, and his boots made loud noises on the cheap linoleum as he walked over to me.

He stopped right in my space and reached out to touch the navy scarf at my neck. I flinched but kept my feet planted because I didn't want to give him a reason.

"You look messy," he said and rubbed the fabric between his fingers.

"I've been on my feet all day," I said and tried to step back, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward.

"Take it off," he said and let go of my arm. I pulled the scarf over my head and handed it to him because he was staring at it.

He dropped it on the couch and grabbed a handful of my braid, and my scalp stung as he pulled the hair tie.

"It's too loose," he said and yanked it harder. I reached up and pulled the tie out myself so he wouldn't rip it.

My hair fell over my shoulders and he stared at it like it offended him. "Who were you talking to?" he asked and crossed his arms.

"No one," I said and rubbed my stinging scalp.

"Your phone was buzzing when you walked in," he said and pointed at my bag.

I walked over and pulled out the phone, and I handed it to him after I unlocked it. He scrolled through the messages and his jaw tightened.

He stopped at a picture Marcus sent of a paperclip chain. "What is this?" he asked and turned the screen to me.

"It's a joke," I said and tried to keep my breathing steady.

He laughed without any humor and threw the phone on the couch. "Tie your hair back," he said and pointed at the counter.

I picked up the hair tie and gathered my hair because arguing would only make it worse. I wrapped the elastic around the base and pulled it tight until my eyes watered.

"Better," he said and finally stepped back. I nodded and walked past him toward the kitchen because I needed a glass of water.

He sat back down on the couch and picked up his phone. "Did you get the groceries?" he asked without looking at me.

"I'm going now," I said and grabbed my empty purse.

"Get the beer too," he said and turned up the volume on the TV.

I walked out the door and closed it softly behind me. The hallway was empty and the air smelled like old carpet.

I leaned against the wood and pressed my hand to my stinging scalp. My hair was pulled so tight it felt like a headache starting behind my eyes.

I took a deep breath and pushed off the door because I couldn't stand out here all night. I walked down the stairs and stepped out into the cold air.

The streetlights flickered and cast long shadows on the pavement. I passed a couple holding hands and looked away because it made my chest hurt.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.

'Get the beer on the way home.' – Shane

I typed back with one hand while I walked.

'I will not forget.' – Adeline

'Good girl.' – Shane

I stared at the screen and felt something cold settle in my stomach. I locked the phone and put it back in my pocket because I didn't want to look at it anymore.

The grocery store was bright and crowded with people rushing home. I grabbed a basket and moved through the aisles without looking at the prices.

I picked up the beer and the items on the list, and I went to the register. The cashier scanned the items and I paid with the small bills I kept hidden.

I carried the bags out to the street and adjusted my grip on the plastic handles. The wind blew past me and made the streetlights flicker above the sidewalk.

I kept my head down and walked faster because the cold was biting through my coat. I just wanted to get home and sit down before my feet started cramping.

My phone buzzed again and I pulled it out with my free hand.

'Hurry up.' – Shane

I put the phone away without replying because I was already walking as fast as I could.

I walked back to the apartment and tried not to think about the certificate hidden under the sink. Shane told me to throw it away because he said it was useless, but I kept it because it was the only thing I had before him.

I remembered the day I got it and how proud I was, but that felt like a lifetime ago. Now I just kept it hidden in the dark while he controlled everything else.

The wind picked up while I walked home and made my eyes water. I pulled my coat tighter and kept my head down because I just wanted to get inside.

I thought about the gala next week and the advance team that came in today. Blackstone was arriving on Thursday and everyone was nervous about making mistakes.

I just wanted to do my job and stay invisible, but Shane always found a way to ruin everything. He made me feel small and stupid just by looking at me.

I passed a bakery on the corner and smelled something sweet in the air. It reminded me of the cookies Marcus gave me in the breakroom earlier that day.

He always tried to make me smile when I looked tired, and I appreciated him more than I could say. But I couldn't let Shane find out about the cookies or he would make a big deal out of nothing.

I reached my building and climbed the stairs because the elevator was broken again. My arms ached from the weight of the bags and my scalp still throbbed.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Shane was still on the couch and the TV was loud.

"Took you long enough," he said and didn't look away from the screen.

"The line was long," I said and carried the bags to the kitchen.

I put the beer in the fridge and closed the door. I stood there for a moment with my palms against the cool metal. My scalp throbbed and my jaw ached from where he squeezed it. I thought about the certificate hidden under the sink and wondered if he would ever find it. I reached up and touched my tight hair because I couldn't take it down yet. The TV clicked off and his footsteps started down the hall.