Prologue

She tried to open her eyes, but it was an impossible task.  And, she knew why.

They were both bruised, blackened, and swollen shut.  If she let herself cry, the tears would have no form of escape.

In truth, she was all cried out.

For now.

He had really lost it this time…

Every other time he’d been careful not to hit her in any visible places, but something she had said or done had tipped him over the edge.

She had pretended to be asleep when he’d rolled in at 2 am.  He must have been with another woman, but she was past caring.

They were welcome to him.

Braden Kelly.

He was the man she thought she would settle down with, and have ‘the happy ever after’ with.

Handsome and successful.

A good guy.

All his family loved him, and his friends thought that the sun shone out of his backside.

But, she knew the other side of him.

A bone fide, first rate bastard.

Why the hell did she still fight for him?

Why did a small part of her still love him?

She had tried her best to hate him, but she couldn’t.

What sort of a weak, pathetic person did that make her?

When he wasn’t this out of control monster, he was sweet and kind.  So, each time, she picked herself up and brushed herself off, and told herself it would be the last time.

He always promised that it would be.

He always lied.

She was preparing herself for the apologies, the flowers, the presents, and the crocodile tears that would undoubtedly be flowing like a river.

This time though, she had no intention of waiting around for them.

She.  Was.  Done.