“Well, what I told you was the truth. When I found out he hid my acceptance letter from me, hid my dream from me, I snapped. It was like someone splashed ice water on me, and I finally woke up.” I tipped my chin up. “He hit me for the last time that night. I pulled a knife on him and told him to get the hell out.”

His eyes bugged. “You pulled a knife?”

A faint smile pulled at my lips. “Yeah, I can’t believe it either. London was the dream I had been holding onto, and if he’d had his way, I would have never gotten to realize it. He made me feel like I wasn't deserving of it. That last time, as the pain ran through me and I could taste the blood in my mouth, I’d just had it. I knew if I stayed, he’d eventually really do some damage, so I turned on him with the knife I’d been using to cut the onions for lunch.” A nervous giggle escaped. “You should have seen the look on his face.”

“I can imagine. But that was so dangerous. He could have really hurt you.”

Yes, he could have. But he’d already done enough to me. At the time I hadn’t been thinking about that. I’d only been thinking about getting him the hell away from me. “I suppose so. At any rate, I had the locks changed that night and packed. Told my sister to get movers for his stuff then rent my place out. The plan was to run here for a fresh start. But, turns out he anticipated me trying to leave him. He’d shredded my passport and torn up my birth certificate, so I moved back home and had to wait a full month to get a new one. He used that time to try and weasel his way back in through my family.”

Slowly, Lex scooted closer to me. He took care not to make any sudden moves but ever so slightly reached for my face, then stroked his thumb over my cheek. “Is it okay if I hold you for a minute? Your flatmates aren’t due back any time soon, are they?”

I turned my face into the caress. “It’s okay. Faith and Sophie are out of town for the weekend.”

He still didn’t move. “If I do anything to scare you, just tell me, okay?”

I nodded, and he gently drew me to him, tucking me against his chest. Together we lay there, and I let the sound of his heartbeat soothe me.

I wasn’t sure how long he held me before I had the courage to say, “I’m sorry I freaked out on you at the beginning of the party. Just seeing you two together, it was like seeing the picture that should be. I knew I didn’t belong.”