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“Ma’am, I’ll call the police,” the nurse said, and left the room.
There were so many emotions running through me that I was confused about what I felt. There was terror, betrayal, hurt, but also relief that this was over. Gerard would pay for what he’d done. I’d finally caught him. For months, I’d been making plans, although I doubted I would have had the strength to act on them.
Judy’s treachery stung. Thirty years of friendship thrown away for a filthy affair? With a guy she knew was abusive and had beaten me? Someone she urged me to leave. Judy sat by my side as I cried and rubbed arnica cream into the bruises he’d left. I’d no idea what was going through Judy’s mind. How could she sink so low? Lyle was richer than Gerard, more handsome, better presented, so had Judy gone slumming or something? I didn’t know and didn’t care.
I’d not sit around and take Gerard’s beatings anymore, or allow him to belittle and shame me further. Their actions had brought back to life a part of me I’d long buried. The fighter. I’d three children who needed me.
“Who found me?” I muttered with a sudden spike of alarm.
Gerard would never have called the ambulance, which meant one of the kids had. Oh, no. Gerard had them right now. What was he doing to them? Had Gerard threatened them to stay quiet? I began panicking as the door opened.
“Who’s that?” I demanded.
“It’s me,” the nurse replied.
“My children, where are they?”
“They’re safe. They’re staying with your friend Judy,” the nurse said, and my stomach seized.
“Judy’s involved. Get the police; we need to save them,” I gasped, struggling to breathe.
An oxygen mask was fitted over my face as my nurse tried to calm me down. It didn’t work, and finally I was sedated.
“Cassian, Zion, and Poet are safe,” Lyle stated when I opened my eyes again.
“Lyle?”
“Yes. They’re at my house, and Judy isn’t there,” he replied. “She’s shacking up with Gerard after I threw her cheating ass out.”
“Thank you.”
There was an awkward silence. “I don’t like you, Meadow. You’re weak, clingy, and pathetic. For years, you sat back and took Gerard’s abuse, and my wife came running. I wanted Judy to cut ties so many times and didn’t understand why she wouldn’t. Thanks to you opening my eyes, I now know why Judy kept working for Gerard. Many rich men’s wives are happy to sit around, just like you—”
“Gerard made me quit my job. And I run the home and look after my children,” I exclaimed, stung.
“…but that was never Judy. Damn, I was proud Judy insisted on earning her own money. Now I’m aware she earned it on her back. So, for owing you for exposing them, your kids will be safe until you’re out of here. Then we’re done,” Lyle said coldly.
“I can’t thank you enough,” I mumbled. Lyle’s words hurt. I’d known he’d not liked me, but hearing that was unpleasant.
“Hope you’ve a good lawyer,” Lyle stated, but didn’t offer one.
“I do.”
“Good. When you’re discharged, I’ll bring the children. Cassian will probably need therapy. He found you.”
“Thanks, Lyle.”
“Goodbye, Meadow,” Lyle said, stood up, and headed for the door.
“Don’t take her back. Judy is as bad as him. She knows what Gerard was and still slept with him. That makes her as guilty,” I added.
Lyle paused and turned cold eyes on me. “What does that make you, Meadow?”
“Foolish and weak. A victim of domestic violence. But no more,” I replied.
Lyle studied me and then nodded. “Perhaps this time you’ve learnt a lesson.” He disappeared through the door.
Oh, I’d learned one alright. I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself.
