Chapter 6
"Terrell, I'm not going to leave you behind, but I'm already married. Someday I'll have my own kids. You can't always..." Valerie said, trailing off.
Before she could finish, Terrell cut her off, his voice sharp.
"No way. I won't let you have kids, and I won't let you give birth to his child," Terrell snapped.
As he spoke, Terrell started tearing at his own clothes.
"Valerie, look at me, okay? I'm a man too. I can give you children. Anything he can do, I can do too," Terrell insisted.
Valerie gripped his hands tightly, her eyes trembling.
"Terrell, you're drunk," Valerie said gently.
"I'm not drunk," Terrell protested.
Suddenly, Terrell jerked his head up and kissed Valerie on the face.
"Valerie, please don't abandon me," Terrell pleaded.
Valerie froze, her breathing suddenly all over the place. Her hands, veins standing out from the tension, wrapped around Terrell's waist as she kissed him back, hard.
"Terrell," Valerie said.
"I'm here," Terrell answered softly.
"My Terrell," Valerie breathed out.
"Valerie, I'm yours," Terrell whispered.
Valerie's voice was shaking nonstop, and all at once, the rosary in her hand snapped, beads spilling everywhere.
Daniel bit down so hard on his lower lip it felt like only the pain, maybe even the taste of blood, could force him to stay sane.
For every second those sounds echoed inside, he was out there, standing in the biting cold wind.
Early the next morning, Daniel dragged all the stuff he'd packed up and dumped it into the trash can by the door.
"What are you doing?" Valerie asked.
Daniel turned around and saw Valerie standing in the doorway.
Terrell had his arm around her, looking smug. He tugged at his collar, showing off a fresh hickey on his neck.
"No idea what's up with our place. How come there are so many bugs biting in the middle of winter? Daniel, you better be careful!" Terrell teased.
Valerie's expression shifted, and she quickly changed the subject.
"What did you just throw out?" Valerie asked.
"Just some junk I don't need anymore," Daniel replied.
Daniel's gaze was cold, with a hint of disgust.
Valerie froze, about to say something, but Terrell grabbed her hand and swung it playfully.
"Valerie, aren't you supposed to go in early today to deal with work?" Terrell asked.
When Terrell spoke up, Valerie came back to herself.
"I've got some things to take care of today, so I'll be home late. Behave yourself at home, okay? And don't throw a tantrum," Valerie said.
Terrell nodded, then leaned in and kissed Valerie on the cheek.
"Valerie, come home early today, okay? I'll be here waiting for you," Terrell said.
As soon as Valerie left, Daniel was about to head upstairs for a break, but Terrell suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Did you enjoy the show last night?" Terrell asked with a smug grin.
Daniel froze, and Terrell just kept going, looking even more pleased with himself.
"You've never had Valerie treat you like that, have you? To her, you're just a tool she uses to let off steam, aren't you?" Terrell sneered.
'So that's what he was doing last night. He did it on purpose,' Daniel thought.
Daniel's face went pale, his hands clenched into tight fists.
"Drop the act. I know everything, even the secret Valerie keeps in the meditation room," Terrell sneered.
"You really think marrying Valerie means you own her heart? Dream on. Valerie only has eyes for me. Now that she's got me, she'll just hate you even more. Just wait, you'll be kicked out soon enough!" Terrell taunted.
Daniel let out a cold snort.
"A man like you, who can only survive by clinging to a woman, spends all his energy thinking about how to keep Valerie around," Daniel sneered.
Daniel slowly moved closer to Terrell.
"But what are you gonna do when people find out what you two are up to? What's gonna happen to Valerie?" Daniel pressed.
Terrell's expression shifted. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Daniel just turned and went into his room.
That evening, Valerie still hadn't come home. Daniel came downstairs to get some water and saw Terrell sitting on the couch, looking icy.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Aren't you gonna get the door? Maybe it's Valerie. I'm letting you have this one. Go make yourself look good," Terrell said with a smirk.
Daniel was a little puzzled, but he still went over and opened the door.
As soon as Daniel opened the door, a homeless man reeking of alcohol burst in and knocked him to the ground.
"Help me," Daniel gasped.
With both his hands pinned by the drunk, Daniel shot Terrell a desperate look, silently begging for help.
But Terrell just watched him with icy indifference.
"Weren't you trying to destroy me and Valerie? Well, tonight I'm going to destroy you first," Terrell sneered.
"Terrell, you'll get what's coming to you" Daniel cried out.
Daniel cried out, tears of helplessness streaming down his face.
Terrell just smirked as he watched Daniel.