Chapter 40 blind faith

…Jenna POV…
They ask why, why does a woman stay with a man that hurts her, physically hurts her? When does one blue eye become too much? One broken lip, one too many. When does hiding the bruises become impossible? When is enough really enough?
So here I am staring at myself in the mirror, and looking back is a shadow of a woman, a woman that I used to be. Not only am I a shadow, but I have a shadow under my eye. I would like to think that it was an accident, but the truth is that this is not the first time.
He has done this before, and I know if I push him far enough that he will do it again. I get that he gets really angry, especially when he starts to drink a lot; I am sure he does not mean to be this type of an.
So I have to ask myself, why did I do it?
Why did I exchange a perfect life for this one? The answer is simple; it is to save the real love of my life, Tyler, not this man that I am pretending to love. Tyler would never lift his hand to my face; the only time he comes close is when he holds me as he kisses me. He would sit me down and speak to me rather than go off and this crazy rampage.
But I need to keep on reminding myself why I am here.
And here is where Brendan comes walking into the bathroom, "Morning, baby."
Now, this is where I am about to cringe, and I feel like telling him to fuck off, but I take a deep breath and nearly choke as I speak my own words, "Hey, baby. Did you sleep well?"
He looks at me with a satisfied smile, thinking that I mean every single word, "Yes baby," he wraps his arms around me. "And you?"
"I was a little restless, but I did sleep well."
He leans in to give me a kiss on my cheek, but I cannot help but pull away.
"Baby, are you still mad at me?" He says as he looks at my eye. "I said I am sorry."
And this is where that part in where you should ask yourself why? Why do you allow him to do it? But I only swallow on my pride and give him a peck on his cheek, "Not at all. I just put lotion on my face. You don't want to go and taste all like lotion now, do you?"
"Hahaha, I like how you taste, baby. Listen, I am quickly going out to the shop to get us some supplies. Are you going to be okay?"
"Sure I will. When will you be home?"
"I am not going to be long; I will be back before you even know it."
"Okay." I wriggle my hands out from his arms and start walking back into the room. "I think I am going to get back into bed. I am not feeling so great."
I leave the bathroom to go get back in the bed while Brendan starts to get ready to leave. There is every bone in my body that is getting so excited. This is my chance to get away from him. This is my chance that I can get back home to Tyler.
I am pulled from my thoughts by a ringing phone. As I look on over to Brendan's bedside table, I can see where it is coming from.
He has left without taking his phone.
I lay for a moment and just stare up at the roof. Should I do it? Should I try to take the risk again? He might be out for a while. Without even hesitating for another minute, I take the phone and dial Tyler s number.
The phone does not even ring once, and Tyler answers. "Tyler Moore, Hello?"
I only but start to mumble, not being able to get out any words. He immediately recognizes my voice as I softly whisper his name, "Jenna! Where have you been? Where are you? I have been worried sick."
"It is not important, Tyler." The tears are starting to roll down my face. "I just needed to hear your voice and tell you that I am okay."
"Where are you, Jenna? Are you with Brendan? They told us that he had been released."
"Tyler, please don t worry."
"Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"
"The baby is fine." The tears are starting to roll even faster down my face. "We both are fine."
"Jenna, did the fucking asshole hurt you? Please tell me where you are."
"Tyler, I can t. I am sorry, but I have to do this."
I end the call and fall back down onto my pillow. I hate that I am leaving him like this, but if he knew why then he would understand. I am doing this for all of us.
But just as I am about to close my eyes, I hear a scuffle at the entrance of the room; as I snap my body upright, I see Brendan standing there. By the look on his face, I know that he is furious.
"I leave you alone for one minute, and you phone your fucking husband." He steps closer to where I am sitting. "What did I tell you about that phone?"
"Baby, I am sorry."
"Sorry! You are sorry? How many times do I need to tell you something? You know that he is going to trace that number!"
"Baby, I just wanted to tell him not to look for me."
"Bullshit!" He erupts in anger as he starts to pull me off the bed. "You were going to tell him where you are?
"I promise I did not tell him that I am with you."
"You are a fucking liar, Jenna. You have always been one, and you are still one."
"Oh," I snap back at him. "And what makes you so different? You are a worse liar than me."
"Get off your goddamn high horse, Jenna. You are mine now, and you will just have to get used to it."
Every part in my body wants to tell him that he does not own me, but I know as soon as I talk back that I am going to pay for it. So I only but take one big breath and step away from him. But then, from underneath my breath, I cannot help but mumble.
"I am glad to see that you are still a fucking asshole."
Brendan launches his fist, not even his hand but fist, and smashes his knuckles right on my cheekbone under my eye. The force of the impact makes me stumble backward, and I fall on my back.
He comes closer and towers his body over me where I am lying on the floor. He grabs a full hand of hair and pulls me off the floor. Pulling my head backward, he slaps me with the back of his hand.
"You will respect me." He growls at me from deep in his chest.
Through my sobs, I manage to utter the few words I am probably going to regret, "Fuck off, let me go. Leave me alone."
"Baby, I am not going anywhere."
He drives my body into the wall and pins my head against it. His warm whiskey breath is on my skin as he speaks to me next. "You are mine."
He slams my head against the wall, and I swear I can feel the skin at the corner of my brow split open. He lets go of my hair and pushes me to the floor.
"Brenda, stop!" I beg him. "Please stop. I am pregnant."
I watch as his eyes grow wild as he is staring down at me. "You are fucking what?"
"I am pregnant."
With that, he leaves the room, and a short while later, I hear him smash a whiskey glass against the wall. I know that he is now even more furious. I know that I need to get away from here, but I can t. I am never going to get away from him again.
Yes, they ask, why does a woman stay with a man such as Brendan. Well, I am staying because I am trying to save my husband.
Half an hour later, I finally stand up from the floor, all bruised and cut up with tears rolling down my face. But just as I am about to lie down back on the bed again, I watch as the screen of Brendan s phone lights up.
It is Tyler…