Chapter 48
DEMI
This is ridiculous. I can’t understand a thing Ashley is saying right now.
"Don’t make me repeat myself, Demi." He bellows, pointing to his door. With a small sigh, I quickly skim through some of the terms of the altered contract.
"Sex at least thrice a week with protection? Date night once a week? I am to inform you of any plan to deviate from my regular daily schedule of work? All new friends I intend to keep close must be introduced to my husband latest two weeks after meeting them?" Disgusted, I rip the papers in half and dunk them on his bed. His eyes are red hot with anger now.
"What the hell did you do that for?"
"Really, Ashley? You went to such great lengths to alter a contract we both signed without my consent? Did you really think that would hold up in court? We are a married couple! Unilaterally altering our agreement is like trying to divorce me without my knowledge. It doesn’t work that way."
"Don’t try to educate me!" He snaps back. "I know exactly what a valid contract is and with your signature on those papers, our new agreement will stand. There’s nothing irrational about my terms. They’re pretty normal for regular couples but most especially, they’re less ridiculous than your ’no sex’ clause in a fucking marriage contract!"
He’s angry. I can’t pinpoint where all this bitterness is stemming from. Is he still sulking about last night? I thought we were past that.
"Ashley, talk to me." He jerks his chin free when I try to touch him. "Making hasty decisions while one is angry doesn’t allow for the use of good judgment. You’re still pissed at me over what happened last night. I get it. Take it out on me. I deserve it but please don’t bottle your feelings inside." I stab a finger towards the contract documents on his bed. "That isn’t you, Ashley. You’re just reacting to the pain you’re feeling. You’re smarter than that."
He wrenches my hands off his shoulders. "Don’t patronize me, Demi." With a small gasp, he shifts back. "Wow, you’re a good actor, standing here and pretending that you give a damn about me."
"But I do..."