Retribution Read Free

honeymoon?”
    “Wonderful. It was nice to just get away for a while and enjoy time with just Robert.”
    She waggled her eyebrows, making me laugh and blush at the same time. “I bet it was.”
    Robert stepped inside. He saw Ellie standing with me and smiled. “Thanks for watching the house while we were away.”
    She waved him off. “It was no problem. It was strange to be here all by myself again. I’m used to having Claire around.”
    “By yourself? But where is Cooper?” I asked before I could stop myself.
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. He was gone when I came back from the courthouse. One of his bags and some of his clothes are gone. I’m assuming he went off on another one of those trips of his before he starts school in a few weeks.”
    “I’m sure he’ll be back soon.” Robert stepped over next to me and threw his arm around me.
    “Yes, he always returns,” Ellie said as she looked at both of us. “Well, now that you’re back, I think I’ll head home. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.
    “Have a good evening, Ellie,” Robert said.
    Once she was gone, Robert turned to me. “Come on, let’s go to bed. I’m exhausted. We can get our things out of my car tomorrow.”
    I let him lead me up the stairs and down the hall to our room. I stripped out of my clothes and found a pair of pajamas in the dresser. After pulling them on, I walked to the bed and lay down. Robert joined me, pulling me tight against his side.
    “Our first night in our own bed as man and wife,” he said.
    “It still feels strange when I think about the fact that we’re married. I’m your wife. I never thought my life would turn out like this.”
    “How did you expect it to turn out?” Robert asked.
    “I thought I’d spend my entire life barely surviving. I never thought I’d live in a house like this, married to a man like you.”
    “I saved you, Claire. I saved you from hell.”
    “You did,” I agreed.
    “Life will never be easy, Claire. When you’re angry with me, remember what I’ve done for you.”
    “What are you talking about?” I asked, rolling so that I could see him.
    “Life with me will be full of ups and downs. I’ll make decisions for you. I’ll guide you to the right choices. I’ll ask a lot from you. Some days, you might feel like you hate me. But remember that you’d have nothing if it weren’t for me.” His tone was cool, condescending even.
    I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I remained silent.
    Robert cleared his throat. “I won’t be around much for the next week or two. Our week away put me far behind at work.”
    “Okay,” I said, my mind still on what he’d said.
    “What will you do while I’m at work?”
    I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll follow Ellie around the house like a lost puppy. Maybe I’ll spend some time with Shelly. I could take her shopping for school supplies and clothes.”
    “That’s fine. It’ll keep you busy.”
    “For a while. But then what? I don’t want to stay home all the time, Robert. I no longer have a job to go to. I’m going to get bored fast.”
    “We’ll figure something out, Claire. For now, get some sleep.” His tone made it clear that our conversation was finished.
    I frowned. The Robert I’d spent the week with—the kind, loving Robert—was nowhere to be seen since we’d arrived home. He’d been replaced with a stubborn, arrogant man. It seemed our honeymoon stage had just ended—abruptly.
    I bit my tongue. I wanted to tell him that I needed to find another job. Before we’d left for our honeymoon, I’d spent my days being bored out of my mind. I knew I’d feel the exact same way again in a matter of days.
    I would make him hear me out—soon. But tonight wasn’t the right time.

I’d barely seen Robert over the past two weeks after our return home. He was right when he’d said he would be working a lot. He would leave before I woke up and return home after I was