Chapter 106 - Eros Et Psyche 9: The Weak & The Strong (1/2)

”W-what?” she asked remembering the cold woman back at the restaurant. ”What did she do?” she asked in concern and her other self's eyes filled with tears.

”Every time Michael wasn't looking, she would hurt me. At first, she would only abuse me verbally. But when she noticed I never told her son about it, she escalated, most especially when I stopped working. She began hurting me physically too. She would slap, curse or humiliate me whenever Michael's at the office.”

Ria's heart squeezed painfully at her ċhėst. She could feel the other's emotions but it was only natural. They were one.

She held the other tight, letting her continue as she let the other her know that she was there— that she would never run away from the memories she was going to show her.

”Was she the one? Was she the one responsible for bringing me back?” she asked though she already had an idea that it was the case.

”Yes,” the other Ria answered. ”She… Michael's mother…she killed our child. She killed our baby…” she said in a broken and her eyes widened in horror as the memory finally came through her.

More than seven months ago, Ria went to the doctor for a check-up. That was when she found out she was carrying Michael's child. As soon as she found out she was pregnant, Ria begged her mother-in-law not to hurt her anymore.

Instead of relenting however, Michael's mother became more violent towards her, hitting her in her arms and legs— but Ria had enough. For the first time, she fought back. With all her might, she pushed her mother-in-law off her which sent her stumbling on the floor.

That moment in time, she didn't care about the consequences. That time, she forgot that she promised herself that she'd never be the reason for mother and son to fight since she saw how close Michael was to his mother.

No, she didn't care anymore. What she cared about was the safety of her child. She wouldn't let anyone hurt her baby no matter who it was.

The door opened and her husband stepped into the room obviously angry. Ria paused from drying her hair and met her husband's stare from the mirror as Michael crossed the room towards her.

”Ria, I saw mom downstairs. She's crying. Why did you hurt her?” he began and Ria whose pregnancy made her sėnsɨtɨvė felt anger at the fact that her husband didn't bother asking her what happened first.

She knew he was tired and arguing with him when he's bone weary was inconsiderate of Ria since it's a busy season at work nowadays but she didn't really care about that right now.

All she cared about right now was herself. She'd been very understanding of everything since they got married and it was all too much. She couldn't take it anymore.

”Don't you think you should ask me first what she did to me before asking me why I hurt her?” she countered, and her cross tone of voice surprised her husband. She'd never been one to answer back so it was new to Michael.

”Ria, I told you before when we got married you have to be patient with her. Mom's getting old and I'm the only one she has. She took care of me alone when dad died so the only thing I ever ask for you to do is to get along with her. If you have issues you can tell her about it and I'm sure mom wouldn't mind— ”

”Are you telling me that I'm the one who's got a problem?” Ria was scandalized. From the way Michael was talking, it was as if she was the one who's at fault. She was more than angry now.

”Love, don't be angry,” Michael cajoled but Ria wouldn't be placated. She felt her husband had been very unfair to her. ”I didn't mean it like that. Let's talk about this properly please,” his weary spouse pleaded with her but she refused to forgive him.

”You know what? I don't want to talk anymore. I don't want to listen to you tell me to get along with your mother. I don't think that's possible— ever,” she said with all the hurt she was feeling as she stood up and marched towards the closet.

”Ria, where are you going?” Michael asked, obviously feeling very frustrated with the turn of events.

”Somewhere away from you,” she announced as she pulled a small suitcase from under the closet and started putting clothes in it.

”Love, stop it. Stop it,” Michael snapped as he tried to pull his wife up by the shoulder but she fought and pushed him away. ”I said stop it!” Michael yelled as he pulled her to her feet and unthinkingly slapped her across her face startling the two of them.