Kate was draped over Steve as they lay in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She was pleasantly exhausted and was almost asleep as Steve doodled patterns on her back.
"I don't want to go back to Mark," she suddenly said. Now that they had both said the 'L' word, Kate was more sure than ever that it was Steve who was her Prince Charming who she would spend the rest of her life happily ever after with. She raised herself on her elbows to look Steve in the eyes. "I think I want to tell him that I'm leaving him," she informed Steve, certain that she wasn't sacrificing her marriage for just a fling.
When?" Steve asked. He'd been waiting so patiently for Kate to reach this conclusion.
Tonight," Kate said. In all honesty, she was scared about going back to her husband after the undercover case. Last time he had locked her in the bathroom for the night. God only knew what might happen this time. At least she wouldn't be in the house that long to find out.
"Do you want me to be there?" Steve asked. He wasn't all that keen in sending Kate in to the lion's den by herself.
"No," she said. "This should come from just me," she continued. "I think it might be a relief for him if I'm honest. He barely tolerates me. There's no love there anymore,".
"If you're sure," Steve said.
"Yes," Kate said.
"And what about Josh?".
"I have to trust that the solicitor is right and I'll get full access and joint custody,".
"Any hint of trouble and you call me," Steve made her promise.
"I will, I promise,".
Later that evening, Kate pulled her car on to the driveway of the home she shared with Mark. Taking the key out of the ignition, Kate took a deep breath as she gathered courage to go inside. Remembering her promise to Steve, Kate got his number ready to dial as she had done earlier that day when she met Lindsey. She would call him if needed.
Putting her key in the door she was relieved to find it still fit. She had been half wondering if Mark might lock her out of the house this time, but it didn't seem to be the case.
Opening the front door Kate heard little footsteps running around upstairs which was surprising as it was way past Josh's bedtime. Her son's little face peeked round the upstairs to look down the stairs. "Mummy's home!" He said joyfully.
What are you doing up young man?" Kate asked as she headed up the stairs.
"Waiting for daddy to read me a story," Josh said. "One of his friends came earlier but he's gone now. I think he forgot,". Kate was surprised at the news. Why hadn't Mark done his fatherly duty that night? "Can you read to me instead, Mummy?" Josh asked as he held his arms up, wanting his mum to lift him up for a hug. He was glad she was home again.
"Come on then Spidey," Kate said as she took in Josh's pyjamas. All of them had a superhero theme. Tonight was Spider-Man's turn by the looks of it.
Kate lifted Josh up and gave him a big kiss as she headed to Josh's room. "Missed you, Mummy,".
"Missed you more," Kate replied. Although she was mad at Mark, this bonus time with Josh was special, especially if Mark was going to ask her to leave the house later.
Toys littered the floor as Kate entered her son's bedroom and she had to tread carefully as she made her way to the bed. Depositing Josh on his bed she had a quick tidy up. Josh's TV was on low. A quick glance revealed some sort of gruesome murder scene that rather proved Kate's point about the gift being totally inappropriate. Reaching for the remote she turned it off quickly before Josh could take full notice of what was showing.
"Right, what story are you reading at the moment?" Kate asked. Josh reached for the book as Kate lay down on the bed, removing her phone from her pocket as she did so. Josh instantly cuddled up to his mum as she started to read to him. With the late hour, it didn't take much for Josh to fall asleep and Kate lay there for a little while with her son in her arms hoping that he would forgive her for what she was about to do.
Gently extricating Josh from her arms, Kate left Josh snoozing and went in search of her husband, forgetting to pick her phone up as she did.
Walking down the stairs she found her spouse in the living room. A couple of empty beer cans and a bottle of wine provided clear evidence of why he hadn't read to Josh. He was half asleep but roused when Kate entered.
"Hi," said Kate as she noticed Mark was having difficulty focusing on her. It was a look she'd seen many times in her job. "Are you pissed?" she asked, annoyed.
"Wha'sit to you?" Mark slurred before he hiccuped.
"It affects me because you're supposed to be in charge of our son," she argued. "You forgot to put him to bed, the TV was on with something completely inappropriate,".
"Nag nag nag," said Mark. "'sall you eva do,".
"When it affects our son I'm afraid so," Kate retorted. "I've put him to bed,".
"Hope you 'joyed it," Mark slurred.
"I'm gonna make you a coffee to try and sober you up," Kate said as she headed towards the kitchen. She was frustrated. There was no way she could have the discussion she wanted to have with her husband in his current state. She would have to postpone it until tomorrow and let Steve know.
You wanna know why I'm pisssst?" Mark continued to slur as he followed Kate very unsteadily in to the kitchen.
"Not really," Kate said, totally unimpressed as she set about making the drinks. "I presume it was with whoever came over earlier,".
"Yeah," said Mark as he got closer to Kate. " 'member Gary?". Kate shrugged her shoulders. She had no idea who Gary was. "The window cleaner," Mark prompted. Kate was still none the wiser. "Never mind," Mark said. "He was up at those fancy new flats near Tesco's today," Mark continued.
"Ok," Kate said, not sure why Mark was telling her this.
"Kingsgate Apartments," Mark added. Kate froze momentarily at the mention of Steve's apartment complex. "Told me a funny story," Mark said as he edged closer still to Kate so she could smell the alcohol on his breath. "Wanna hear it?".
"Ok," Kate said reticently. She had a bad feeling about this. Her hand went to her jeans packet only for her to realise she'd left her phone in Josh's bedroom. She had no way of contacting Steve.
"Apparently Gaz and his mate were very entertained by a couple havin' sex this afternoon," Mark revealed.
"I would think that's quite common for a window cleaner innit?" Kate said. "Occupational hazard,".
"Really goin' for it, they were,".
"Lucky them," Kate said, appearing to enjoy Marks story whilst plotting her exit from the kitchen.
Mark had had enough of playing with Kate. He reached out and grabbed a handful of Kate's hair, yanking her head towards him. She couldn't help but yell in pain as he did so. "You fuckin' around, Kate?" Mark asked. "Gaz seems to think so," he continued menacingly.
"What do you care?" Kate retorted. "You despise me. Totally ignored me for the last couple of months,".
"So it's all my fault is it?" Mark asked, enraged as he tugged on Kate's hair even harder.
"You're hurting me," Kate said.
"I don't care," Mark spat. "I wanna know if my wife is a whore!".
"I am not a whore," Kate spat back. "I've fallen in love with someone. Someone who isn't you. Who loves me back. I came here tonight to tell you that I'm leaving you,".
Mark roared in anger as he threw Kate across the room. Her head hit the edge of a kitchen work top, cutting her forehead open before she fell to the floor. "Have you any idea how embarrassing it is to be told your wife is shagging around behind your back?" Mark shouted.
"I didn't mean for you to find out like this," Kate said truthfully as she felt the cut on her forehead gingerly and saw blood on her fingertips when she removed her hand.
"Who is it?" Mark demanded. "Who are you spreading your legs for?". Kate stayed silent. She wasn't going to give Steve's name up. Mark lunged and placed his hands around Kate's throat. "Tell me who it is or you won't see Josh again," Mark threatened.
"My lawyer disagrees with you," Kate managed to inform her husband, revealing the fact she had been to see someone about getting a divorce and breaking free.
"You fuckin' bitch!" Mark yelled as he hauled Kate to her feet by her neck. Kate's hands covered Mark's as she attempted to remove his hold on her.
They struggled, Kate ending up on her back on a work top as Mark was between her thighs and looming over her. He pressed hard on her neck, squeezing all the air out of Kate's lungs. She knew she had to do something or she was going to become a depressing statistic on domestic abuse. She could already feel her vision narrowing due to a lack of oxygen.
Looking around she saw a knife and reached for it. Mark was too engrossed on what he was doing to notice what Kate had done. All she had to do now was plunge it in to Mark but should she just hurt him or should she kill him?