The price of love

Sabrina’s POV “Why?” “Why this kind of life?” A curse or a blessing? I had always imagined nothing but a blissful union all my life, but here I am, fighting for my daily life in this prison, I found myself. There was absolutely nothing here for me there, but I just had to hold on. “I can't just give up like this,” a word I would always use to pacify myself each time I'm down. It's been years now and my strong hope and prayer would have come out great, but my dear husband, Lincoln, is just the opposite of it all. I grunt in pain as I browse my eyes around, searching for my phone. Several punches and kicks hit my bones and I don't think I can go on anymore. I was hiding from Lincoln, sitting quietly under one of the chairs so he wouldn't catch me and resume the heavy beating and loud insults. “Finally!!” I found my phone. And in haste, I dialed Ashley's number. My whole body was trembling as I pressed the keypads on my phone. I held the phone closely to my ears, anxious to just hear her talk over the phone. “Hello Sabrina,” her voice echoed through from the other end of the call. “What's the issue?” She said all of a sudden. I presume she noticed my shaky voice. “Its Lincoln. He's at it again and this time it's worse than the last time,” I muttered on the phone as tears rolled down my eyes. She let out an audible sigh over the phone. I became scared to the bones. “What if Ashley is tired herself of hearing this issue over and over again?” I just might be disturbing the innocent girl who is enjoying her single life while I'm here suffering at the hands of a man I said yes too willingly. “You need to stand up for yourself, girl. You can't keep being quiet. If he shouts at you, you do the same or even worse,” she said in a loud tone. “You know I can't talk back at him. He hates it when I even try to say a word amidst an argument. It would be the end of me if he hit me out of anger more than he usually does,” my voice and hands trembled as I spoke. “Oh! I see. So, this is what you will settle for. That i***t doesn't allow you to do anything. You don't work! He hardly gives you anything and pressures you into getting up early to make breakfast for him.” “He starves you of virtually everything a married woman should enjoy! Why are you still sticking with this dude for God's sake?” She voiced out in frustration. “I love him, Ashley. I can't do anything to him. Don’t forget he is my husband, and I'm legally married to him. I won't stop loving him all because we are having a slight issue!” Ashley scoffed over the phone. “You need to wise up, Sabrina. I also love, but not stupidly to the extent of being beaten this way. You are dying girl, because you don't see it! This thing ain't working. You just need to leave this guy!” “I can't, babes. All of my life belongs to him. If I left him, I'd be as useless as anything. I don't want to cause any more problems in my life or even use mine to affect me, because I mean, where would I go if I left him?” I lamented. “Oh!.... So, will you keep staying with him while he treats you like trash? I pity you. Stop letting him hit you like a punchbag. Will you keep doing this until he ends your life?” Ashley lashed out. I buried my face between my knees and wept quietly. This was becoming too much for me to bear. “Just leave this marriage already, friend. You'll find someone who is better than he is. To me, it feels you are under a wicked spell, and you are enjoying yourself, because no lady will ever want to find comfort in a place where it doesn't exist!!” ”You actually think I can trust another man the way I did with Lincoln? Never and I want to bear kids for him…” I said in a low tone. For the past five years, I haven't borne Lincoln a child. Perhaps that's why he has been this heartless towards me! I just hope his doctors aren't lying to me. Each time we were there, they told me there was nothing wrong with me. “Or could they be lying to me?” I wondered. “You know there is an alternative to all of this,” Ashley interrupted. “What's that?” I answered. “You can opt for adoption, girlfriend. Couples do it. You are still young, babes,” She opined. "I don't want to do that, "I responded. “If your childlessness is what is causing all of this domestic abuse, then believe me, he doesn't love you not one bit. Just tell him you are no longer interested and get out of this marriage already!!!” “Drop this man! He doesn't respect you as his wife.” “In case you don't know an adoption is the only option you have right now or perhaps faking a pregnancy, because I perfectly understand the frustrations of not having a baby, but do you want to lose your life before that happens?” Ashley poured out her mind and I just sat there, in deep thought. That would be a disastrous decision; faking a pregnancy. What would I tell him push me to do it? That would be me just raining a curse on myself or better put on another episode of heavy beatings! Nah, I won't lie to him. “I can't do it, Ashley. I can't do that to Lincoln, I'm sorry,” I said. “It's either you do that or just leave him. If you keep doing this, you will lose your life. Take it from me!” “I'm not ready to lose my best friend,” Ashley said. I was about to respond when I heard a sound all of a sudden from outside. “Is that him?” “Geez!! It's him!” I exclaimed as I heard footsteps approaching and I froze. It has to be Lincoln. “Oh God, I'm in deep trouble!” I had even forgotten Ashley was still on the phone with me when she suddenly spoke up. “Will you just hurry and call the police? What if he does something crazy to you while you're there?!” Ashley voiced, her voice sounding like she was also scared too. "I… I can't call the police on him, Ashley…" I stuttered. If I made the attempt, how did I even get out of this hiding spot without being caught by him? I shook my head. “Are you damn serious, Sabrina? You won't say anything. Call the police or I will!” She shouted. “Please don't,” I pleaded. Next thing I heard was Lincoln's voice as he called out my name, “Sabrina! Sabrina!! Come out here now!” He said in a loud tone. “I'm talking to you, Sabrina!!!! Come out now, or you won't like what I do next.” There was a minute of silence and my heart raced so fast. It was as though I was in a horror movie and the monster was about to catch up with the little girl under the bed. Before I could bring up a thought in my head, I heard the door creak open slowly……