When I came out, Darren was still awake, as if he'd been waiting for me on purpose.
He saw the raw, broken skin on my arms and something like guilt flickered in his eyes.
"Jules, thank you."
Although it was a business marriage, his parents had never really warmed to Kitty's personality. From the very beginning, the daughter-in-law they wanted was me.
But Darren had insisted on marrying her, even defying his parents to do it.
Back then, I thought I'd never have a chance.
So when he proposed to me later, I felt like the luckiest woman alive, like I'd won the lottery.
Now I knew how stupid I'd been.
Darren gently took my hand.
"Tomorrow's the anniversary of your parents' passing. Let me go with you to visit them."
I didn't say anything. Just nodded. I had to see them before I left.
The irony was almost too perfect. Darren and Kitty's wedding anniversary fell on the same day as my parents' death anniversary.
Every year, Kitty would cling to him, demanding he celebrate with her, and I'd go alone.
The next day, on the road to the cemetery, Darren's phone rang.
He hung up, slammed the brakes, and turned to me with fury blazing in his eyes.
"Juliana Henson, you called the police about yesterday?!"
"Do you have any idea that the cops took Kitty in for questioning last night?!"
I shook my head, bewildered.
"I didn't—"
"Enough." Darren cut me off, his voice ice-cold. "And here I thought you were sweet and sensible. Turns out you're just calculating."
"Get out. Take a cab the rest of the way."
"Kitty's never been humiliated like that in her life. She's been crying nonstop. I need to go see her."
I froze. It was twenty-something below zero outside. Snow drifted past the windows.
"The cemetery is still over ten miles from here. We're in the middle of nowhere. Where am I supposed to find a cab?"
He scoffed, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"So what?"
"Go ahead and run to my parents. Have them beat me to death. Or better yet, call the cops on me too, so you can stop saying I owe you."
He yanked me out of the car, impatient, and drove off without a backward glance.
The ache in my chest was beyond words.
The wind cut through me, and I couldn't stop shaking.
I'd barely pulled my collar tighter when two luxury cars came screaming down the road.
Kitty stepped out, flanked by a group of thugs.
"No cameras out here. Beat this shameless tramp until she can't stand."
"Oh, and don't touch the stomach. I still have plans for that."
One of them kicked my phone out of my hands before I could dial.
Kitty grabbed a fistful of my hair and slapped me across the face, seven, eight times.
"Juliana Henson, did I give you permission to get comfortable? You've been stuck to Darren like a parasite since we were kids."
"You actually conned him into visiting your dead parents on OUR anniversary? Do those pathetic ghosts of yours even deserve it?"
"Today I'm going to teach you what it means to know your place."
Kicks rained down on my body. Cigarette butts were ground into my arms, each one blistering the skin. My clothes were torn open, and they took photo after photo.
Someone kicked a phone within reach. My hand trembled as I stretched toward it and pressed the speed dial for my emergency contact.
That spot had always belonged to Darren.
The line was busy.
A second later, Kitty's phone rang.
She glanced at me, smiled, and deliberately hit speakerphone.
Darren's cool, detached voice filled the air.
"Where are you?"
Kitty was so spoiled she didn't even bother hiding it. She whined, "Blowing off steam. She got me dragged in by the cops and stole you away from me. I had to get a little payback."
The dull thud of boots connecting with flesh must have carried through the speaker. Darren went silent for a few seconds.
