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she, D
ds shook so badly that the paper rattled like a dry leaf. It was a receipt from the Grand Aurora Hotel, dated last night. It list
rfect, as he always did. His dark blond hair was combed neatly. His designer suit had no wrinkles. When
. His voice was smooth and calm. "It was a business dinner. I had to entertain an inves
y steady, even though my heart was hammering against my ribs. "It has you
opened it. Inside sat a gold bracelet with a diamond charm. I
cold. The warmth left his expression so fast it made me catch my b
s coffee cup down on the marble counter. The cera
red. "The box fell out. Why are you buyi
wd my space. He walked around the island until he stood right in front of me. The sweet s
stripped of all the charm he used on the world outside. "You are
stopped working. I had let him take over our bank accounts. I had listened when he told me I was too messy, too loud, or too careless. But looking at the velvet b
st. His grip was tight, his fingers d
back, but he held on tight. "Let go of me,
kitchen ceiling. He squeezed harder, and a dull ache spread up my forearm. "You w
. "You have been lying to me for years. Every time you stay out late
ingers. The gold bracelet slid across the hardwood floor and stopped near the refrigerator. "Look at your
g to stop the shaking. "I loved you, Damian. I gave up my job for you. I stayed awa
pure disgust. "You think you could have survived out there without me? Look at you, Olivia. You have let yourself go compl
n me!" I shouted. It was the loudest I had spoke
aw tightened until his bones showed white. "D
said, though my voice
e brick of this place," Dami
ame down hard against the side of my face. The slap was loud, like a whip cracking in the quiet kitchen. The force
diate, a hot, burning heat that made my eye water. My s
ms crossed. He did not look worried. He looked
ut my hand to my cheek. It felt huge and hot. I could hear the rain
grabbed the collar of my oversized sweater. He hauled me to my feet using raw strength
ld my hands up between us. My finge
sed, his face inches from mine. He struck me ag
n the drywall, leaving a smudge of grease or tears against the white paint. I landed on my
trying to make myself as small as possible. He hit my back, then my shoulder. Every blow felt heavy and dull, shaking my whole body. It was the worst he ha
the side of my hip again. "Look at you lying there like a broken sack of flour. No man woul
id not answer. I just tried to br
itself out. "I gave you a beautiful home. I bought you food. I let you keep my name. Any other man would have
kitchen floor. He picked up his tablet from the counter. He tappe
rain get louder outside. The sky throu
s suit jacket. He did not look at the blood on my lip or the bruises that were already forming under my clothes. "When I get back tonight
ep thud that shook the house. A moment later, I heard the engine of his sports car roar to life
ent now, except for the steady hum of the refrigerator and the rain o
ed. I dragged myself over to the cabinet and held onto the handle to pull myself up
cheekbone, and my bottom lip was split and swollen. My hazel eyes looked dull and terrified
the blood on my chi
opped. My breath slowed down. The constant noise of worry and apology in my brain suddenly went completely quiet and still. It felt like a door ha
not clean the kitchen. I did not lo
ause my leg was shaking. I entered our large, empty bedroom. I walked over
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