Shadow of Death by Yolonda Tonette Sanders Page A

between hurt and hate was over. Hate won by a landslide. “I’m done with you and our marriage. Neither has been what I thought.”
    â€œWhere are you going?” He followed her down the stairs, ignoring the vibration of his cell phone.
    â€œI bet you think I’m totally dependent on you, that I’m not going to be able to make it without you or your paycheck. We’ll see about that.” She grabbed her keys and purse and attempted to leave.
    He blocked her. “Why is your first instinct to always run away whenever there’s an issue? You did it when we were dating and any time we’ve had an argument. You’re doing it now!”
    â€œThis isn’t an issue! This is a matter of distrust. You’ve made a complete mockery of our wedding vows.”
    â€œBabe, please don’t leave.”
    â€œIt’s in your best interest to get out of my way. The way I feel right now, I will be a widow before ever getting the chance to become an ex-wife.”

Chapter 10: Be Fruitful and Multiply
    T roy was heartbroken as he watched his wife speed away, enraged by Cheryl’s latest antics. To escalate matters, when Troy checked his cell phone, he discovered a text from her.
    â€œHey, honey! I’ve been waiting 4u? I talked 2 your wife this morn abt us. I know u will b upset, but it’s time that she knew. We shudnt keep r love a secret. It’s fate. I love u.”
    Messing with him was one thing, but dragging Natalie into this sickness of hers was a game that Cheryl did not want to play. Troy wasted no time getting into his truck and burning rubber to get to her address. The argument with Natalie replayed in his head. Simply imagining the pain she must have been feeling was more than he could handle. Troy was aware that one of Natalie’s biggest fears was that he would cheat on her. He’d never given her any reason to think that. It was her own insecurity and Cheryl had hit his wife where she hurt most.
    He pulled into Cheryl’s driveway so fast that he almost side-swiped a maroon car parked on the street and nearly rear-ended Cheryl’s sedan. Troy jumped out of his truck and banged on the door of her ranch-style home, shouting at the top of his lungs for her to answer. When she did, he barged in and lost all self-control. Troy, who had never before been physically violent with a woman and loathed men who put their hands on them, found himself with a tight chokehold around Cheryl’s neck as he lifted her tiny frame against the wall. He could have literally strangled her to death that very moment. Had it not been for the images of his family that popped in his head, he probably would have, but the visions were enough to remind him of why he needed to keep his freedom. He let go and she dropped to the ground, gasping for air.
    For the first time, he took in the surroundings. He’d knocked over a lamp and he felt the burning sensation on his face and neck from gouges Cheryl left while trying to fight free from his grip. The pocket of his dress shirt was torn and there were also drops of blood on the floor. He wasn’t sure if it was hers or his. He hadn’t hit her. Or had he? Not knowing troubled his spirit. He’d grown up watching his father physically abuse his mother. Though his parents had gotten past that stage of their marriage, and Troy’s relationship with his dad had been steadily improving within the last year or so, the propensity toward domestic violence was part of his father’s behavior that Troy never wanted any part of. He had his family, his badge, and also his own personal character to consider. Yet, what transpired in these last few moments showed that he was capable of going against himself.
    He knew his actions had scared Cheryl; they’d scared him. He loosened his tie as if that would somehow calm his heavy breathing. “Leave my family and me alone,” he said sternly.
    She said nothing.
    â€œI never