Page 18 of Hunter's Baby Girl

“Bath is ready,” I heard from upstairs. I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs carefully, taking my time against the soreness that was getting worse by the minute.

Again, he’d lit candles around the bathroom and had soft music playing. This time, I didn’t invite him in with me, of course. I only closed the bathroom door so I could get a look at my backside after I’d undressed. I gasped softly when I saw the bruises that were already coming up on my skin. There was a crisscrossed pattern of red stripes, too, from that damned rod.

I was looking over my shoulder in the mirror, and I caught Hunter’s eye. He was looking at the same thing I was, and I saw concern on his face. “I’m so sorry,” he said again.

I didn’t reply, instead turning toward the tub and climbing in. I slowly lowered myself into the water, wincing when it hit my skin. I hated him in that moment.

I settled in, then spoke quietly. I didn’t even raise my eyes to look at him. “Thank you for the bath,” I said. “And now I think you should leave. I need time to think about this.”

“Can’t we talk about it?” he asked.

“After I’ve had time to think. I promise, we’ll talk it out. But I need to process. Can you give me that, please?” I finally raised my eyes to meet his, and I saw a lot of pain there.

“Sure,” he said after a long, silent moment. He held out his hand. “Here. Ibuprofen,” he offered. I accepted the tablets and the glass of water he’d poured. Then he turned and left the bathroom. I heard the front door open and close.