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“I don’t.”

Diane’s lips flattened. “Then it needs to be done, now.”

Alyssa’s heart stopped. “Right now?”

Diane nodded. She may be small, but she wasn’t one to argue with.

“We have one last little issue. When is John going to find out about all of this?”

Alyssa shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t have an answer for that question yet. “I don’t know, but I’ll tell him … Just not yet. Okay?”

Alyssa stared quietly out of the car window as they made their way home. Each tree passing by was a blur, much like today.

She’d stripped down for the female officer to take photos since there were old welts on her legs. The officer asked about doing an internal exam, even insisted on one, but Alyssa refused it. That damage was already done and she didn’t think anything would show at this point anyway.

It was unnerving, but she had no choice. Alyssa was an emotional wreck. Her heart was racing the entire time. Rubbing her belly, Alyssa knew she’d made the right choice. No good could come out of an abusive relationship even when the other half swears of change. Once a hitter, always a hitter. The police officer even commended her for walking away so early on.

Alyssa gave a lengthy statement and proceeded with pressing charges. She learned that Ben would be charged with Felony Domestic Violence, a crime that could be served for up to three years along with a fine. She prayed Ben would get the maximum sentence allowed. That would be three years of freedom for her, but then what would she do after three years? Alyssa sighed inwardly. Of course that would only happen once they appeared before a court.

“Alyssa?” Clark said.

She sat up higher. “Yes?”

“Tomorrow we’ll call down to the police station to get an update. Once we know for sure Ben’s been arrested, we’ll go and get all of your belongings. For now you can use whatever we have. Sound good?”

“Yes. Thank you … For everything.”

“You’re welcome. We’re happy you came to us.”

Alyssa smiled. “So am I.”

Jesus. Alyssa felt her emotions climbing again. What was wrong with her? She needed to get a handle on things but she was so thankful and appreciative that she couldn’t help herself.

Today was the first day of her new life. The scars would always be there, but she was going to do her best to heal the wounds on her heart and make a fresh start.

Rolling over to her other side trying to find a comfortable position, Alyssa inhaled and felt John all around her. His scent still lingered on the hunter green sheets after two months of him being gone. It gave her a sense of comfort and brought her peace. She just wished he was actually there. She missed the touch of his hand, the way he held her. Her heart cried for him on a daily basis.

Last night after dinner, Alyssa worked up the courage to ask why John hadn’t come home. She learned that his MOS training, which meant job, had lasted longer than expected. Some recruits went thirty days, others went six months. It just depended on his job, which she remembered was aviation.

Two days had passed since they’d gone to the police station. Clark confirmed Ben’s arrest so she was going back to his house to gather all her stuff, which wasn’t much, and say goodbye to that miserable place. Afterwards, she would head down to Roxie’s and ask for her position back.

Then she would text Johnny.

Her nerves were climbing by the minute just thinking about talking to him. Two months ago, she told him not to call in fear of Ben finding out, and thankfully he hadn’t. But things were different now, even more complicated, and she wasn’t sure how to start the conversation.

Getting out of bed, Diane offered to lend her car so she could head over to Roxie’s. On the way back, she would stop at Ben’s quickly and pick up her stuff.

Alyssa smiled. That was going to be her incentive today—texting Johnny.

Pulling up to Ben’s house left a sick feeling in her stomach. It churned, making her nauseous. It was a good thing she had skipped breakfast otherwise it would be coming up. Taking a deep breath, she opened the car door and stepped out to an empty driveway. She grabbed her keys and made her way to the front door.

As she slid the key into the door, her heart hammered in her throat. She paused. Alyssa placed her ear to the door, swearing she heard a sound. She waited for a moment then turned the key. Her nerves were seriously getting to her. Paranoia was a bitch.

Before she could pull they key out, the door was yanked opened and she nearly fell inside. A meaty hand wrapped around her right arm, pulled her up then shoved her to the wall. Her head bounced against it and she recoiled, wincing in pain.

“Thought you could get away from me? Thought you could steal my son and take off?” He breathed in her face. The disgusting odor of cigarettes and beer was present on his breath and it made her sick. Ben’s fist came at her and punched the wall by her head. She jumped, the crackling sound of drywall frightening her as it dusted on to her shoulder and sprinkled the ground.

Unable to catch her breath, Alyssa was panting. “I … I …” How was he home? He shouldn’t have been home!