Chasing the Shrew

F*ck Off

The twins hurled themselves at Dustin, pounding him with their little fists.

“Bad man bad man!! Stop hurting Mommy! Go away!” Jenny screamed at the top of her lungs.

Peter was busy pummeling his father, pouring all the years of longing and hatred into every punch.

Amelia, shocked, quickly pulled her children and shoved them behind her. “Babies! Go back in now!”

DS was watching from behind with guilt all over his face. He had checked and the children were still sleeping so he came back to eavesdrop. He was concentrating so hard that he didn’t hear the children slip behind him.

Amelia rushed them off, “DS! Take them to their room and stay with them!”

He took the children and hurried back into the house.

Dustin was shocked by their outburst, there was a tinge of pain in his eyes as he looked at the retreating trio. If he never divorced her, his children would be hugging him, not hitting him. He closed his eyes to control the anger surging in him.

Amelia pushed herself up, hissing softly in pain. Dustin looked down and saw her bandaged feet.

“What’s wrong with you?” He didn’t mean to say it like that but now he couldn’t set aside his pride to correct himself.

“I don’t know if you really don’t know or if you’re just pretending. I find it suspicious that the moment you threaten to take my children someone comes to kidnap them.”

Dustin breathed deeply controlling his temper, “It wasn’t me.”

Amelia snorted, “If it wasn’t you then it was your family. Who did you tell!?”

Dustin paused realizing some truth in that statement. His mother was acting suspiciously in his office the other day. He pursed his lips but decided to keep silent, it wouldn’t help his case in convincing Amelia to come home with him.

“Amelia, it’s not safe for you and the children here. Come home with me.”

Amelia scoffed, “And go back to that horrid family? No, thank you!”

Dustin finally gave in, “Amelia, I’m sorry. I should have never divorced you. I have missed you these last six years. Come back to me and I will provide the best for you and the children. We can start over…”

Amelia felt the world spin for a moment; she felt nauseous. This man… the sheer audacity…

“Save your breath; we both know you don’t mean a word of it. When you heartlessly tossed me away, I decided to write off my two years with you as a waste of time and emotion. As you can see, we are doing well without you. So you can turn your pompous ass around and F*CK OFF!”

She gestured to the door, “Go before I call the cops!”

Dustin sneered and looked down into her fiery eyes, “How many minutes does it take for the cops to come here? Do you think they’ll get here before I take you and the kids away?”

Amelia quivered in fright, “So you’re going to try kidnapping us again!?”

She backed away but Dustin was faster, he scooped her up by her slender waist and locked her in his embrace. She smelled like flowers and the fear on her face turned him on. He grinned wolfishly and whispered, “I am going to enjoy locking you away…”

He felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned around to see Chris’s cold face.

“Let her go, Dustin,” Chris's voice was so cold it was unnerving.

Dustin turned with Amelia struggling in his arms, “Why are you here, Chris?”

Chris sneered, “I can ask the same question. Why are you at my fiancee’s house?”

Dustin’s face darkened, “Fiancee!?” He looked down at Amelia and then looked at her ring finger. It was bare.

“Ha, she doesn’t even have a ring on,” he sneered at Amelia, “You want to go back to being a hidden woman?”

Amelia pulled an arm free from his embrace and slapped him across the face. Dustin’s face swung to the side from the blow but he kept his grip around Amelia.

“You disgust me. It took me 8 years to finally understand why you never got me a wedding ring. You intended to keep me as a hidden wife. I was not even worthy of a small keepsake? Unlike you, Chris promised to take care of me. He is genuine and kind. I am sure he won’t stuff me somewhere out of sight,” she spoke quickly trying to convince Dustin as well as herself.

Dustin released her and she stumbled on her feet. Chris hurried over to steady her. Dustin’s lip twitched, “Well well well, the Farley heir is going to settle for used goods now?”

Chris scoffed, “What are you going on about? I see a beautiful single woman that any man with half a brain would cherish for the rest of his life. Stop being petty. Just because you lost her doesn’t give you the right to tarnish her reputation.”

Dustin snorted then turned to Amelia, “Last chance. Come with me or you’ll be facing a custody battle.”

Amelia clutched Chris’s shirt tightly. Chris noticed her trembling and spoke for her, “Stop harassing her, Dustin. She won’t be fighting alone anymore; she has me now.”

He cupped the back of Amelia’s head and gently leaned her into his broad chest. He stared straight into Dustin’s eyes and the two men squared off. Dustin took one last look at Amelia’s shaking frame then turned and left.

Amelia didn’t dare to look she just wrapped her arms around Chris’ waist and took steady even breaths. She inhaled Chris’ minty scent and closed her eyes. Chris stood stock still, a silly grin plastered over his face. He held his whole world in his arms at this moment and he wished time would just stop.

After a long while, Amelia lifted her head and sniffed, “Thank you, Chris. It’s been an awful morning, I needed that hug.”

Chris patted her head gently, “You always have my shoulder to lean on, honey.”

Amelia pulled away, “What did you..”

Chris cut her off like an excited puppy, “Honey! Or do you prefer darling? I mean we are getting engaged right?”

He suddenly remembered and plopped on the floor with a thud. Amelia was shocked at his sudden descent and her head whipped down to look where he’d gone. Chris quickly brought one leg up in a proper position and pulled a ring box out of his back pocket.

“Amelia Stein, would you make me the happiest man in the world by being my Mrs. Farley? I swear the moment you say I do, our family of four will live happily ever after.”

Amelia gasped at the sight of the emerald ring. It looked like an heirloom.

Chris added softly, “You know my mother adores you and the kids. She gave me the Farley family ring to pass on to you. You will never be mistreated or hidden away again.”

Amelia sniffed, she wished the first man she met eight years ago was Chris. Then her heart wouldn’t have been broken to pieces. She tilted her head up and blinked back tears.

Before she could open her mouth she heard a shuffling sound behind her and turned to look. Two innocent pairs of eyes gazed up at her; behind them stood a silent guardian. Amelia looked into his eyes and saw a glimmer of sadness.

She blinked and looked again but DS was now smiling. Was it just her imagination?