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PIT OF RAGE

D EX

I check her phone records.

This guy has lost the fucking plot. I read with rage.

He’s threatening to kill her. Her cat.

His behavior is escalating.

I feel like I need to book that ticket. Because this shit is getting crazy. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when people like Timmy tell you what they’re going to do, you should take note. Because there are little signs along the way where they’ll expose themselves if you look hard enough. Hidden in jokes and quiet little comments, as if they’re teasing you with the truth.

In the meantime, I shoot her a text:

Me:

Hey, Margaux. Just checking in to see how you’re doing.

She takes a while to reply, and my scalp crawls with anxiety as I wait for her response. I can’t stop squeezing my hands into tight fists as I think about slamming Timmy into the ground and pummeling him until he’s a pulpy mess. Because that’s what he deserves, and no more.

Margaux:

Good thanks. You?

Fuck. Maybe I shouldn’t have done that. Maybe he’ll check her phone and think she’s cheating on him with me. He’s so controlling and suspicious. And he’s texting people behind her back.

Can’t she see that? The hypocrisy of this vile ‘man’ she thinks she loves, that she trusts to love her the way she should be.

I feel stupid for texting her. What did I think? That she was going to open up like a book and tell me everything and beg me to come and rescue her?

It looks like she just had a lucky escape from him.

It’s not normal to threaten to kill people. To routinely accuse people of cheating.

But that’s what he does.

Never mind his own shitty behavior.

I’ve known many guys like him. Because he’s the type my mom used to go for.

The charming bad boy. Until he isn’t.

Until he reveals his control and aggression and blames you for everything bad in his life.

A pit of male rage.

I’m just hoping he’s back in his well-behaved phase. The one where he is on his best behavior to suck her back in. That should give her a brief period of respite.

It is, after all, why people go back time and time again to their abusers.

I just hope she sees the light and gets the fuck out before it’s too late.