eeing some

ct, faithful loyalty, and this was her reward. This filth

t of humiliation, coalesced into

idn't know she posses

th his cheek was a sharp, clean cra

t her feet, a soft heap on the floor. She didn't flinch,

tared at her, his eyes wide with stunned disbelief. This quiet, compliant woman ha

to fists. Just as the violence was about to erupt

e spell. He automatically reached

ved, instantly replaced by urgent concern. He didn't glance at Chl

, raw and powerful, hit him in the back. "My

. But he didn't turn around. He didn't say a word. He just walke

nt room, the final nail in t

imbs trembling. He didn't care that she'd hit him. He didn't care that she

as no

opened a social media app. Ashley Burris's profile wa

ley, pale and fragil

ting up again. So scared. Thank

The same old trick. An

ust so profound it made her gag again washed over her. She hugg

trolled, but loud, ugly sobs for her w

until she

ck into the bathroom, her movements stiff,

uld no

r clothes. She packed only the things that were truly hers: a few pairs of jean

transfer. She calculated the total of every allowance Julian had

ith nothing but what she cam

ok one last look at the opulent prison she had

e front door and