Hi guys! Long time no see! I am so sorry for the extremely long wait. I won't explain it all here, if you want to read about that you can go to my profile and read my announcements there about it. I have really missed writing for my books, but I'm back with a new schedule, so if you read any of my other books, you can also find the schedule for that on my page. I didn't realise that I would have two updates for you today so I hope you enjoy!

The anger doesn't come. He just takes my shove. I step back from him, afraid that his reaction is going to be delayed. His jaw clenches, and I cower, readying myself for a hit, but it never comes. Instead, Roman takes a deep breath and returns to try and reason with me.

"Aphrodite, I suggest you go up to bed."

"Or what?" I ask, fearful of the answer.

"Aphrodite," he orders.

"You can't control me. You can't try and get me to leave so we never talk about this. You lied!" I cry.

"I'm sorry," he says earnestly, and it throws me off for a second. He steps toward me, reaching for my arms. I yank them away from his grip, flailing them so he can't hold onto them.

"You can't apologize, and act like this is all alright."

"I'm trying to show you," he starts, but I cut him off.

"I hate you." The hurt that crosses Roman's face is unexpected, and all I can think about, again, is making it worse. Making him feel as bad as he's made me feel. I start to beat my fists against his chest, screaming at him as I do so, repeating the sentiment over and over again. I scream until my throat feels raw. Roman takes every weak hit from me, and only when I'm finished and satisfied, does he gather my hands, stopping my attempts.

"Are you done?" he asks. I sag against him, trying to hit him again, sobbing into his chest.

"I hate you," I sob. I've never said it out loud, and finally admitting it brings a tumultuous tide of emotions with it. Roman doesn't respond, standing stoically in front of me, allowing me to cry. He keeps a hold of my hands, his thumb playing over the back of one.

"Aphrodite, I think you should go up to bed. We'll talk in the morning." It has to be a manipulation tactic, but I can't see where right now, so go along with him. He bends, lifting my legs, carrying me to the stairs. I want to complain and struggle out of his hold, but his tender touch and care feel good after years of never seeing it. I shouldn't be relaxing around him, but it gives me hope. Maybe if he won't allow me out of the marriage it'll get better.

***

I wake the next morning with a headache and confused about where I am. I don't remember falling asleep, and it takes me a moment to catch up on the events the night before. I groan, shielding my eyes from the morning sun. I twist to look at the clock and see that it's 10:00. I haven't slept in this late for a while. Sitting beside the clock is a glass of water, half-drunk by me the night before, and two tablets. I have a vague memory of Roman putting them there for me. I pick them up, needing the pain relief, and drink them down with the rest of the water.

Roman isn't in the bed like yesterday, and before I can wonder if he's angry at me, and avoiding me, I find a piece of paper on his pillow. I lift it, reading my name in his handwriting, before unfolding it.

Aphrodite,

If you wake before I am back, I wish for you to stay so we can talk about this. I really do apologize for the pain I have caused you, and I hope to make it up to you. I have started by getting us some breakfast... your favorite.

- R.

The thought of leaving hadn't even crossed my mind, and even as I crumple the piece of paper and throw it across the room, the idea of leaving doesn't sound appealing. It would mean I was alone for the first time in a long time, and after all Roman has put me through, I still need closure. He's told me that he regrets all he did, and I just hope that if I stay I'll be able to get the answers I so desperately need, and maybe some light will come from the darkness he's bestowed onto me. It's sick, but I want to make things better between us before I leave him. We're adults, we can talk about this can't we?

I hope you enjoyed it! It's good to be back!

Do you think the old Roman is coming back?

What did you think?

What do you want to happen next?

Thanks for reading, voting, commenting, and sharing!