Loving Him With Pain

Katie leaned against the cold bathroom wall, the taste of bile still lingering in her mouth. Her body trembled as she tried to steady her breathing. The nausea was relentless, and every movement felt like a battle against her own body. She wiped her mouth with a trembling hand and forced herself to her feet, clutching the sink for support. In the mirror, her reflection stared back at her—pale, with dark circles under her eyes, and a weariness that went far deeper than physical illness. She placed a hand over her stomach. It had been weeks since she first noticed the changes, but the signs were undeniable now. Something wasn’t right. “Is this a punishment?” she whispered to herself. The moon goddess didn’t need to say it outright; Katie already felt it in her bones—a reminder of every mistake she’d ever made. The sharp sound of her name snapped her out of her thoughts. “Katie!” Jerome’s voice thundered through the house, the irritation clear even from a distance. Katie’s stomach churned anew—not from sickness this time, but from the tension that always accompanied his tone. She pushed away from the sink, stumbling slightly as she made her way out of the bathroom. She didn’t even make it to the kitchen before Jerome appeared, his tall frame filling the doorway, his expression a storm of annoyance. “What the hell have you been doing?” he demanded, his gaze sweeping over her disheveled appearance. “Where is my breakfast?” Katie’s voice faltered. “I... I’m sorry, Jerome. I’m not feeling well, but I’ll—” “Not feeling well?” he interrupted, his sneer cutting through her like a blade. “Do you think that’s an excuse to neglect your responsibilities?” Her stomach twisted painfully as she tried to explain, “I’ll make it right away. Just give me—” “Don’t bother,” he snapped, stepping back as if her proximity disgusted him. “The last thing I need is you spreading your germs all over my food.” His words stung, but what hurt more was the flicker of hesitation she thought she saw in his eyes. Was it concern? Guilt? No—it couldn’t be. Whatever it was vanished as quickly as it appeared. Katie bit her lip to keep from crying. She refused to let him see her break. “Get out of my sight,” Jerome said coldly. “I don’t want to see you in this house for the rest of the day.” “But where am I supposed to go?” The words escaped before she could stop them, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and exhaustion. “That’s not my problem,” Jerome replied, though his voice lacked the usual venom. He turned away, leaving her standing there, struggling to keep the tears from falling. Katie grabbed a thin shawl and stepped outside into the brisk morning air. She sat by the wall, pulling her knees to her chest as the chill seeped into her bones. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the sky, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of regret and longing. How had her life come to this? Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. “Miss, are you alright?” Katie looked up to see an older man standing nearby, his eyes filled with concern. “I’m fine,” she said quickly, brushing away her tears. He removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before she could protest. The unexpected kindness caught her off guard, and for a moment, her heart felt lighter. But then she saw him—Jerome—standing on the porch, his eyes locked on her and the stranger. Katie’s breath hitched as his expression darkened, the intensity of his gaze making her feel small. She hastily shrugged off the jacket and handed it back to the man. “Thank you, but I should go,” she murmured, rising to her feet. Jerome said nothing as she approached, his arms crossed and his jaw tight. “Who was that?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. “Just someone passing by,” Katie replied, keeping her gaze lowered. “He was just being kind.” “Kind?” Jerome let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t be naive, Katie. No one offers kindness without expecting something in return.” His words stung, but she said nothing. She had learned long ago that arguing with him was pointless. Jerome turned abruptly and strode into the house, leaving the door open behind him. Katie followed hesitantly, her heart pounding. As soon as she stepped inside, he spun around, his hand raised as if to strike her. For a moment, his expression wavered—conflict flickering across his face. Then he dropped his hand, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. “Next time I see you acting like a fool with some stranger, there won’t be a warning,” he said, his voice cold but quieter now. Katie nodded silently, her head bowed. As he walked away, she caught a glimpse of his profile—his jaw tight, his brows furrowed. It was almost as if he was angry at himself.