Chapter 209

Once she got home, she quickly ran a warm shower and, as fast as she could, dabbed some foundation to cover up the bruises, and then instead of her nightgown, she opted for his pajamas and t-shirt so it could hide a lot from him.

Before pouncing into bed, she stared at her broken self in the mirror, her fingers tracing her swollen chin.

She shut her eyes away from the picture of hopelessness and pain. Was it possible, even for once, to live without pain and tears? To feel safe and confident enough about what the following day looked like.

She heard his steps at the door, and she gasped, jumping under the sheets raising it over her head, and then holding her breath.

He walked in then, although she couldn't hear his shoes which were quite surprising because he had made a lot of noise with them just outside of the door.

After waiting a long time and she still didn't hear the showers turn on or the bed pressed, she hitched the covers a little to