MY LAWFUL HUSBAND

"Say my name!"

Tyler’s voice boomed like thunder through the duplex hallway, echoing down the stairs.

His large, powerful palm was wrapped around my neck; it felt as though he might twist it until I died if I tried anything stupid.

The bed squeaked loudly, and the sound of his groans filled the entire room.

"What’s my fucking name?"

"T-Tyler…"

My voice broke like radio static.

I whimpered like a wounded dog.

Beneath his heavy grip, I was pinned, powerless under his control, while he thrust into me vigorously.

"And who the fuck am I to you?!" he yelled, his mouth pressed close to my ear.

"My husband," I whispered into the air.

I had no breath left to produce sound from my vocal cords.

"I can’t hear you!"

"My lawful husband!!!"

I burst into painful sobs.

There he was, "my husband", lying between my shaking legs, thrusting forcefully, taking away what little life I had left.

"Good girl. That’s my good girl," he bellowed.

He was sweating profusely, still moving with a rhythmic, violent force while I lay there, hopeless and worthless.

The bed continued to squeak for another half hour until and as usual, I passed out.

We had been married for three years, and this was the only "intimacy" I knew.

I never sought help.

I had been married off to pay my father’s debt; it was not my place to complain.

Nathan Longman, our family doctor, had given us sexual advice several times to prevent the series of miscarriages I’d suffered over the years.

But Tyler?

He only wanted to take it by force. That was his fantasy. To him, I was just a toy for his toxic impulses.

Memories began to flash back as my eyelids fluttered back open.

It took me half a minute to daze back to reality.

The white paint of the room shone too brightly for my eyes. The entire room felt weird and foreign. I sat up and realized I was naked, my clothes scattered across the floor alongside Tyler’s.

Then, the memories flooded back: another "rough sex edition" with Tyler.

I scoffed, staggering into the bathroom while still dizzy and disoriented. The bathtub became my only haven; an escape from my reality.

Thirty minutes passed before my phone rang loudly in the bedroom. I jumped out of the tub immediately to answer it.

Nobody ever calls me, Tyler made sure of that. So, hearing my phone ring all of a sudden felt strange and made my heart skip three times before I jumped out to pick it up.

"Hello, this is Evans Halls speaking…"

"This is Chris from The Voice Record Label. We’re calling regarding your audition next week. Your video clip is among the qualified choices for the label. Congratulations."

The first thing that popped into my mind was: I’m leaving this house for good.

"Uhm, miss? What did you say?"

I hadn't realized I’d spoken my thoughts aloud.

"Oh, I’m sorry, that wasn’t... never mind. Thank you so much. I look forward to next week."

"Very well then. More details about the audition will be emailed to you soon. Have a good day."

The call ended.

I stood there, dripping water in the middle of a room that still smelled of sex, the bed as untidy as a battlefield.

I was dazed by the call and relieved that Tyler hadn't been around to hear it.

I’ll be with a record label soon. But… where will I run to? I need to find a way out of here.

I could not figure out which emotion was suitable for this situation. Should I be happy, anxious, sad or terrified?

Seconds later, the door slammed loudly. I startled, and my phone slipped from my hand.

It was Tyler.

"Who was that on the phone?"

I swallowed hard.