~Chapter 2~

" Please take care of yourself" Jojo hugged me on her way out. I breathed a sigh of relief watching her drive away, peeping through the window.

You can imagine how things went after her suggestion. I yelled at her saying I'm not visiting a shrink. The shattered look on my lovely sister's face portrayed just how she felt. Not that I cared, sharing my problems was not an option. Joanne discreetly dropped a business card before leaving. I shrugged, seeing it on the couch not like I had any intention of using it. I picked it up anyway and drop in inside my dresser.

" I don't need a shrink!" I muttered to myself slowly, chanting it all the way to my bedroom. The whole conversational argument with Jojo made me tired. I slumped onto my bed, yawning loudly. I closed my eyes for a while, but stood up soon after. The lights from the window was simply irritating.

" Urgh"

I pulled the curtains down before snuggling with my pillow again. The duvet was perfectly warm and comfy. " Now this is the real definition of perfection" I said, smiling to myself before drifting into sleep peacefully.

****

I was back there again. The white polished walls, beautiful scenery and wedding photos on the wall. The cries of a baby could be heard form the background. It was loud enough for anyone to want their ears blocked.

" Oh, my poor baby" I whispered to baby and picked him up. I cringed from the noise that the wailing was causing.

" Ssshhh, stop crying. Momma's here now" Rocking the bay back and forth in my arms, I cooed gently.

The next thing to happen was the exact opposite of what I had expected. The tiny lungs of my poor baby was put to use and he cried louder than I have ever heard. Tears rolled down from his face and his eyes were red and puffed up.i had no doubt, that at this point he was having a terrible headache.

" Please stop crying, Momma's gonna cry too. I have no idea what to do" I began to cry, not being able to stop myself. I have never been put in this situation before. Perhaps he was sick and was having a fever? I didn't know what to do. Maybe I should go the the hospital or something. Making up my mind, I packed up some things.

" What's all the racket about?" The look on his face showed just how cold and unattached he was. He looked up at me and our crying baby ever so lazily.

" Get your baby to shut up!" He gritted his teeth, feeling irritated.

" Our baby, our son. Alexander this baby is yours too. He is our child" I tired to keep my calm to avoid yelling for the sake of the baby still sniffling in my arms. My heart is always heavy whenever Alex calls our baby, mine alone. How can I conceive on my own? He still refused to take up his fatherly role in the baby's life and that hurt. Naming him Alexander Jr hadn't helped much. I could tell he was feeling resentful towards the two of us, but why?

" Shut up too Annie, you're causing more noise. I want to pull my hair out. Can't a man get his peace around here?"

" It's not my fault the baby is crying, now is it?" I pondered on how I was going to explain to this dummmy that it's natural for babies to cry.

" Try to be a better mother"

" That was unnecessary Alex, what more do you want from me?. I've given up everything for you and tolerated your crappy lifestyle for as long as I can remember paying me back like this is a low blow. I never thought you would become this shallow" My words sank into him as soon as I said it. The expression on his face hardened and mischief danced around in his grey eyes.

" To answer your question, I want peace from you. Is that too much to ask. Everything about you is always Hassle or drama. You are toxic." He spat out angrily. I watched as a smirk crept onto his face. My beloved husband just slapped me harder than ever by saying few words. Before I could respond or defend myself, he grabbed Alex Jr out of my arms without giving me a chance to stop him.

" Bring him back" I cried after him but at end was forced to watch him drive away. Curling myself at the corner of the living room, I wept. Just letting the tears roll down my face, not attempting to wipe it away.

Alexander was going to hurt him and I won't be able to say anything. He was just a child and didn't deserve any of this. It wasn't his fault that he brought into this harsh world, nevertheless to a terrible father and a weak mother to complete the pair. For a second, determination flashed in my eyes. I made up my mind to punish Alexander for anything that would happen to my son. Who I am kidding? He always gets away with everything and I couldn't as much squeak.

I can't remember how long I remained in that position nor long I cried but the slamming of the door pulled me back into reality. He didn't come back with him. I stood up immediately and had a face off with my husband.

" WHERE HIS HE? WHAT HAVE DONE THIS TIME ALEXANDER? WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SON, MY BABY, MY PRECIOUS CHILD? WHAT DID YOU DO? ANSWER ME!" My hands were akimbo, I didn't know what to do with them.

" Urgh" He ran his hand furiously through his hair. His next moved at surprised me. Pinning me to the wall, his hand circled around my neck,barely giving me space to breathe.

" My.... Neck....i...i..... Ca..... Can't..." I struggled to removed his hand to no avail. What this man trying to kill me, I was going to die.

" That child isn't coming back" he released his hand and I fell to the floor.

********

I sat upright, ignoring the pool of sweat, I was sitting in. My hands impulsively moved to my neck, examining for scratches or wounds. In less than a second, I jumped out of my bed and rummaged through my dresser before finding what I was looking for. I picked up my cellphone, dialing the number printed boldy at the front, the person picked up on the first ring.

" HI, I'll like to schedule a therapy session"