"Where the fuck are you?! Aren't you supposed to be here to make my dinner before I leave for work?!" Ryan's angry voice echoed through the phone.
Melinda's heart skipped, a familiar knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach.
"I'm so sorry baby. I completely lost track of time. I'm on my way home now, just give me a few minutes."
She quickly gathered her things and left the office, hoping Ryan wasn't too upset.
Melinda rushed through the front door, apologizing as she slammed the door closed.
"Baby please don't get upset, I was so engrossed in work that I completely forgot I had to make you launch before you left for work", she pleaded as she kept her handbag on the parlor table.
The room went silent, the only sound being the voices of people talking on the TV. Ryan was on the couch, staring at the TV screen as he gulped his beer. For a few moments, he remained quiet and still. Then Ryan spoke.
"You must think you've made it now huh? You're the first person to get a promotion right? What did I tell you before you left this house?" His tone was steady and low, with his eyes still fixated on the TV.
Melinda's heart dropped, she could feel weakness sizzling down her body. She knew that voice, the calm before the storm.
"Baby, can we not do this? I'm sorry," Melinda stammered. Moving towards the kitchen she continued, "Let me quickly fix something up for you, it won't take time."
"Your shift starts at 4pm right?" she continued, her voice lighter and more cheerful, hoping it would calm him down.
"I said what the fuck did I tell you before you left this house?!" Ryan shouted as he slammed his beer on the parlor table, the noise making Melinda flinch with fear.
Melinda's instincts kicked in, she needed to escape his wrath. Not now, not today, she muttered to herself. She dashed into the kitchen, her heart pounding aggressively.
Ryan followed her, his breathing heavy and his face flushed with anger. Melinda threw open a kitchen drawer, her hands trembling as she desperately searched through it. It has to be here! She muttered to herself.
"Where is it!" she gasped, her eyes wild with fear and impatience.
Ryan laughed, his laughter filled with mockery.
"What do you think you're doing? You honestly think that's going to save you?"
He needed her more than he loved her. She was the perfect convenience that made life easier for him. Over the past six years of their marriage, he counted on her to handle the bills, give him emotional support, cook his meals, and care for him.
But as the years went by, he began to hate her for it.
He felt emasculated by her success. She had the bigger paycheck, the promotion, the intelligence, and this triggered his insecurities. She was a constant reminder of his inadequacies.
"Melinda, I hate it when you make me do this! Why can't you always adhere to simple instructions huh?!" he continued.
"Ryan please don't come any closer or I'll have to use this" Melinda warned, her voice trembling. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she stepped back from Ryan, her hands clutched on the knife shaking in her grip.
"You fucking bitch! You must think you're something special. You're nothing! Absolutely nothing without me!" Ryan snarled in anger as he moved towards her.
"I said I'm sorry! Please leave me alone! It's not even 4pm yet! Why are you doing this?!" Melinda cried, her eyes soaked with tears.
"Why am I doing this mhmm?! Let's see… you are a disobedient wife! You're terrible in bed! A terrible cook! I could go on and on Melinda, the list is endless!" He sneered as he moved, his hands moving dramatically.
"What are you even saying?! Ryan, you haven't touched me in six months! I burst my ass making sure everything in this home is taken care of and this is what I get every damn time!"
"Why the fuck would I want to have sex with you?! You disgust me, Melinda! Now hand me that knife!"
In a flash Ryan lunged at Melinda, and grabbed the knife forcefully from her, his face twisted in rage.
"You don't have it in you bitch!" he mocked, flinging the knife to the floor.
With a cruel grip, Ryan pulled Melinda by the hair, dragging her through the kitchen to the parlor. With a quick move, he threw her on the cushion chair.
"Let this be the last time you defy me! If this repeats, you'll never step foot in that office again!"
"I'm tired! I'm tired of this marriage…." Melinda's voice trailed off as a loud slap landed on her, cutting her off.
"What did you say?!" Ryan roared, slapping her again and again. The sounds of his slaps echoed in the parlor, making Melinda's ear ring. Her face turned red, stinging from the impact.
"You think any other man would want you?! I'm the only one who can put up with you! Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for me when we go out together?! I'm doing you a huge favor, woman! You've got a man and instead of being grateful, you take me for granted!"
Ryan's voice was a distant roar, his words a blur as Melinda struggled to escape his wrath. With the little strength left in her, she struggled to get down from the cushion. Suddenly she felt Ryan's hand push her back to the cushion, her head hitting the soft padding with a dull thud.
Blood trickled down her nose, tears flowing seamlessly from her eyes. Her small figure fidgeted from shock, her hands too short to defend herself.
With quick precision, Ryan grabbed her by the hair to the kitchen. "Now, I don't care how you do it but make sure you finish cooking my food before I leave for work", he growled with rage.
Melinda stumbled as he placed her on her kitchen stool. She quickly held the kitchen sink for support. With tears streaming down her eyes, she asked Ryan, "What have I done to deserve this? I have cared for you, loved you…"
"Shut your damn mouth! Or I'll do it for you! I think this promotion has gotten into your head.
"I need a divorce!" Melinda snapped. "I can't do this anymore Ryan" she continued.