The ride home had been silent, but as soon as they entered the house, Rick collapsed onto the sofa, his voice dripping with accusation.
"Seems like you had a lot of fun today."
Kiara placed her purse aside and headed for the kitchen. "I guess I did," she said lightly, pouring him a glass of water.
"That man you laughed with," Rick continued, "do you know him?"
The edge in his tone made her glance back at him. His eyes narrowed, green with jealousy. Instead of angering her, the suspicion amused her. That amusement wasn't the only mistake she made that night. The party had lifted her spirits, making her forget the demon at home with her. Perhaps if she'd thought a little more, she wouldn't have made such a mistake.
"No. He just met me today." She couldn't help but smile at the memory of the man's earnest concern.
That smile was a huge mistake, but not the only one.
"Does remembering him bring a smile to your face?" Rick asked, his voice dangerously low.
Kiara raised a brow. "Are you jealous?"
"Yes. Shouldn't I be?"
"Actually, you shouldn't." She set the glass before him with deliberate calm. "You're my husband. Besides, thanks to you, I'll probably never see him again."
"Is that a bad thing?" Rick stood, his shadow looming. "Are you upset you may never see him again?"
Kiara laughed, sharp and bitter. "Of course not."
"I'm sorry I chased away your lover," he sneered.
The words struck like a whip. Kiara froze, her chest heaving. Then fury burst inside her. She stepped forward and slapped him across the face. The sound cracked through the room like thunder.
"Don't you ever utter such blasphemy against me!" she spat.
Something inside her had cut loose with the words he uttered. She knew he was a jerk, but she never thought he would doubt her faithfulness.
Rick's face twisted in shock. Her reaction was unexpected and couldn't have been anticipated. He remained glued to the spot for a fraction of a minute. Then came the raging fury. He lunged forward, grabbing her shoulders.
"How dare you slap me?!"
"Because you're such an asshole!" she screamed back.
His hand shot out, shoving her. Kiara stumbled backward, her foot slipping on the stair edge. She tumbled, rolling down until she landed with a sickening thud.
Dizzy and breathless, she tried to rise, but Rick was on her. His fists rained down, each strike fueled by wounded pride. He dragged her by the hair to the porch, his breath reeking of rage. With one final kick, aimed squarely at her swollen belly, he roared, "Get the f**k out of my life!"
The world blurred as Kiara crumpled to the ground. Pain surged through her body, tears soaking her face. Hours passed—two, maybe more—as she lay curled in the night, broken and gasping.
Then came a pain unlike the others. A tearing, searing agony in her belly. Kiara clutched her stomach, terror flooding her veins. Her baby. Something was wrong