Chapter 37: Shattered Vows

As Gerald's eyes blazed with fury, Ashley cowered in fear, anticipating the worst. She had never seen him so enraged, so consumed by a desire for destruction. With a swift and vicious motion, Gerald raised his foot and kicked her stomach once more, the blow landing with a sickening thud. Ashley's body arched in agony as she felt a searing pain rip through her abdomen, her unborn baby threatened by the brutal assault. Gerald's face twisted in a snarl as he gazed down at her, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. He took a step closer, his foot raised, and Ashley flinched, bracing herself for another blow. But instead, Gerald spat on her, the warm saliva landing on her cheek like a branding iron. Ashley felt a wave of humiliation wash over her, mixed with a deep and abiding fear. As Gerald turned to leave, his eyes fell on the wedding ring that still lay on the floor, a symbol of the vows they had once made to each other. With a contemptuous flick of his wrist, he sent the ring spinning across the room, the gold band glinting in the dim light. Ashley watched in despair as the ring came to rest against the baseboard, a poignant reminder of the love that had once been, and the shattered dreams that now lay in ruins. Gerald's back was to her as he turned the handle and flung open the door. "You'll pay for this, Ashley," he snarled, his voice dripping with malice. "You'll pay dearly for defying me." With that, he strode out into the hallway, slamming the door shut behind him. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the house, growing fainter with each passing moment. Ashley lay there, her body throbbing with pain, her heart heavy with fear. She knew that she had to get up, to find a way to safety, but for now, she was paralyzed by the weight of Gerald's cruelty. As she struggled to catch her breath, Ashley's thoughts turned to Jackson, still cowering in the closet. "Mommy," he whispered, his voice trembling with fear. Ashley's heart went out to her son, and with a surge of determination, she forced herself to move, to crawl across the floor and try to reach the closet door. She had to keep him safe, no matter what.