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Prologue

God…please let him be late Traffic? Boss needed help? Hell, at this point I would even pray for his shoe being untied

ANYTHING to givea frustrated breath, I reo Ten years to be exact The day he walked out of ray The day that ht ood does it do tothe light to change Why is it that the only tiht catches e!" I just know if I am not home in the next ten ht turns green I sla will be fine

Right?

I roll into the driveway at 5:45, throw the car in park and rush into the house Thankfully I had enough foresight when I left earlier to start the slow cooker "Okay, Okay…" Iaround the kitchen island to the table If I didn’t hurry…nope, I can’t go there There would causeit this close, I can’t lock up

"Deep breath, Iz…just breathe" I re the bowls of chili down As quickly as I can lasses are spot free and the silverware is perfectly aligned I was not going toback to the kitchen, I ns of h tily calls it, doesn’t look like I just rushed e door rolling up Breathe A few mo late God forbid he would make it hoht end, sky

No, not a, Isabelle Hoas your day?" He asks, while unloading his arms of his coat, briefcase, and keys Heperfectly; wrinkles wouldn’t dare mess with him Even they know not to poke the bear After he disposes of his cell, wallet, and other pocket shit, he finally looks up at me with his cold, dead eyes

Perranted

"Good evening, Brandon Things were normal as always today Did soot ho of coh tiet the spare room situated before I started dinner"

Lies, all lies…just enough to hopefully make him think I wasn’t out

"H his sleeves up "So," he looks up with his evil s down Oak Street like the bats of hell were on your bumper, Isabelle?"

Fuck Me

"Brandon, I swear it’s not what you think" I squeak out Shit, this is going to be bad "Dee stopped by, she was in town and just wanted to say hi, catch up a little I haven’t seen her in six months- -"

His s away Oh shit, I know that look

"No…Isabelle What have I told you about Denise? H the lines of you are not to talk, call or take calls from her, and you are definitely not to FUCKING SEE HER!"

He is starting to step closer now Frantically I look around for an escape, but he is blocking ht you learned this lesson sixyou said it’s been? What do I need to do for you to get it through your du bitch" His eyes are so cold as he steps right intomine, and only mine did you not understand the last time I was forced to explain this to you I will not share you with fucking anyone Do you hear me, Isabelle?" He sneers usts him I have hit panic ht "No fucking person in this godda Me!" He continues his eyes bugging out and his spit hittingslut, isn’t that right Isabelle? I should have walked the other way that night at Fire I should have known a bar slut from a mile away But, no! It’s all your fault my dick wouldn’t walk the other way" He rears back and slaps ingout I can feel the blood running downht be stuck, but I’ll be damned if I will let hi say, Isabelle? NO DENISE! No afternoons chatting like little fucking bitches You are to be here, cleaningyour fat fucking thighs forit with all his strength against the wall I watch chunks of meat, beans and sauce run down my happy yelloalls "And what in the fuck is this shit? I told you, you fucking bitch, I wanted lasagna Does that look like lasagna?" I should have seen it co, but my attention was still focused ondown I was just turning back to hi my vision blur At least that seeish brain I dart to the right, quickly trying to escape the second fist I knoill soon be following Too late, always too late, I catch the second one in the ribs, knocking the breath right out of rabs ht back at his mercy

Mercy I know he doesn’t have

Throwing th of ten men, he is quick to folloith a kick to my stomach "You stupid bitch You just can’t listen I own you, all of you No one else No one else touches what is MINE Especially not fucking DENISE! I warned you ould happen No, I proain" Kick…slap…punch…kick "You’re never going to learn are you?" He is panting with exertion and it is taking everything I have not to let the blackness overco quickly

I lost track of how long he stood overbetween his feet and his fist

Freedom, that’s all I crave now