The manchineel tree- Short story

This story is published in our steemfiction series. The book is still available on kindle.

Sally lay in bed, too scared to move. She lay as still as possible to assess her injuries. Her left arm hurt terribly, and she was scared to look at the bruises.  She was so tired and felt extremely anxious. 

Frank left early this morning and she had no idea where he went, but usually after a night like last night, he's gone to find something to make it up to her. She has lost count of how many times this had happened. She stopped counting a long time ago. 

They’ve been married for nearly twelve years now. They met each other in college, and it was love at first sight. They were inseparable. They moved in together shortly after they both graduated. Frank passed the bar exam on his first try and he was offered an internship at a respected law firm. He didn’t want her to work, and she stayed at home and focused on her art. 

They were married six months later on her twenty second birthday. They had their whole lives in front of them and they were happy and content. They both decided to wait to have children for a few years. Frank had certain goals to achieve, and according to him, kids would just complicate their lives. They were still young, and it didn’t bother her so much at that time, but lately her biological clock was ticking. 

After three years of bliss and marriage Frank was offered a partnership in the city. He was one of the youngest associates and it was a great achievement. She was so proud of him and she knew that he had reached his dream.  The job came with a lot of responsibility and stress took its toll.  He worked late nearly every night, and she was seeing him less and less.

She was at home alone all day and told him that she was bored at home and wanted to find a job. He nearly freaked out. He said that it would damage his image if his wife had to work. He had always been a little jealous, but it has become worse over the years. Lately she was not even allowed to accompany him to his work parties because he didn’t want her talking to other men. 

Everyone respected Frank at the office, and he was a brilliant lawyer. His work always came first, and she had to play second fiddle. Sometimes she felt as if she was invisible.   

When her parents both died five years ago in a car crash, she was absolutely devastated. Her heart was broken but Frank did not support her. She attended the funeral alone, because he was too busy with an important case. 

After that her love for him died day by day, and now there was nothing left.    

She tried to leave after that, but he found her and brought her back.  He told her that he couldn’t live without her and she fell for his lies. After that he closed her bank account and took control over everything.  

All the money her parents left her were invested in various companies, and she didn’t have any say about it. Frank told her that the money was safe and that she would eventually make a fortune. When she asked him about it a few months later, he assured her that everything was still on track, but she got hold of his bank statements and nearly half of the money was gone. 

She confronted him and that was the first time he hit her. She swore that it would be the last time, but she had nowhere to go and she had no money. She had nothing.  She was a bird in a cage, and she was totally dependent on Frank.

To be continued