Chapter 5: Home Is Not a Haven

5

Leaving Mike behind, I drove home, my mind buzzing.

Inside, Hannah was brushing her teeth in a faded college t-shirt. When she saw me, her toothbrush clattered to the tile.

"Babe? You... why are you back so early?"

Her shirt slipped, not quite hiding the marks on her skin. She caught my stare and yanked it up, flustered.

"I got hurt working out lately, it hurts. Babe, touch it."

She tried to press my hand to her, but my stomach twisted. I stepped back, face hard.

"Don’t."

She froze, her wide eyes brimming with tears, voice cracking.

"Babe, what did you say?"

There was a time when her tears would’ve wrecked me, but now, all I felt was disgust.

Too tired to argue, I grabbed my clothes and ducked into the bathroom.

"I’ll shower first."

She let out a shaky breath, thinking I’d called myself dirty. She didn’t know her touch made my skin crawl.

She trailed after me, bumping my arm, studying my face with concern.

"Babe, you look so thin. I’m worried. Let me make you something to eat."

I arched a brow.

"Oh? You’re sticking around all day?"

She nodded, then paused, her smile faltering.

"Actually, I have a lunch date with a friend. But if you want, I’ll cancel. You come first."

I nudged her aside and closed the door.

Sure enough, a minute later, my alternate account buzzed.

"Hey babe, I’m not feeling well today. Can we reschedule?"

It’s strange how a lie sounds, coming from someone you once trusted with everything. Her voice was all sugar, but I felt numb. Any hope I had left just faded away.