Page 88 of One Quick Obsession

I rolled my shoulders back and headed to the small shower area that I’d had added to the office space above my dance studio.

I did not like traveling covered in sweat, and Cale hated when I came home looking like I had drenched myself in a pool. So it was best all around if I did my hair and makeup and got ready for the evening while still at the office. I checked my watch and winced. I had danced on my own a little bit too long, and the sixteen-year-old girl I was privately tutoring had been on such a roll, that we had gone over time. Her parents had been thrilled, but now I was a little behind.

I showered as quickly as I could, and thanked the Lord that Kyler had gotten me this fancy blow-dryer for Christmas. My thick hair could sometimes take nearly an hour to dry, even with the best blow dryers out there, but I was grateful that now it wouldn’t take as long.

Minutes later, I was as ready as I was going to be, but I still put my hair back in a low ponytail.

I dabbed some concealer over the bruise on my jaw and ignored the ache there.

I had hit my face on the floor when I had fallen, but it was a hazard of the job.

I met my gaze once more, the shadows there no longer surprising me. No, I was fine. Everything was fine.

I grabbed my things and headed out to my car after locking up. If I hurried, I would make it home to relieve the nanny before Cale got there. Neither one of us liked having a nanny, even part-time, but the girls were too big for me to wear them both while at the dance studio. And it wasn’t like Cale could bring them into a business meeting. He was a very important person in his job.

A small part of me wondered exactly where those voices had come from. Or why I was even saying them. It didn’t sound like me.

But I pushed those away because the more I dug into them, the harder it would be for everyone. If I just gave in a little bit, it would be easier. And soon we would both be home more, and it wouldn’t be like this.

Everything was just fine and working how it should. My hands fisted on the steering wheel as I turned into my driveway and pulled into the garage.

Everything had to be fine.

I turned off the engine and grabbed my bag.

When I walked in, the sound of little girls screaming hit my ear, and I paused, realizing that Cale’s luggage was in the front foyer, and I had failed to realize that the nanny’s car hadn’t been parked in front of the house.

It was late.

This wasn’t going to be good.

No, it was going to be just fine. Cale would understand. He always did.

I set my bag down next to his and walked into the living room. Cale stood in the kitchen, facing the window, a glass of whiskey in his hands. Both Violet and Hazel were in their playtime pen, their heads thrown back as they screamed. Their little faces were red, their hands fisted at their sides, and I moved quickly towards them, heart thudding.

“What’s wrong, little girls? Your daddy’s home. You should be happy.”

Hazel launched herself at me, and I caught her before reaching down and pulling Violet into my arms. I kissed the tops of both of their heads and swayed back and forth.

“They’re crying because their mother wasn’t here like she promised.”

I swallowed hard, rocking my baby girls as they quieted down.

“I must have lost track of time. But it’s so good to see you home.”

I turned, so focused on the babies I had missed him moving closer.

The blow caught me off guard, the back of his hand slamming into my cheek. I staggered back, one step, two, until I was falling. Horror rocked through me as I tried to maneuver so I would fall on my back, or even on my side, doing anything to protect my babies.

Hazel and Violet had both quieted down, but were now screaming in my ears, and yet everything moved so slow.

My butt hit the ground first, and the momentum pushed me back, the back of my head slamming into our hardwood floor.

Stars shot from beneath my eyelids, and I realized that blood coated my mouth. I had bitten my tongue, and tears stung my eyes.

I sat up quickly, ignoring the nausea, as I looked down at my baby girls.

“Are you okay?”