She came home without her daughter, a piece of her heart having died with her. When the taxi dropped her off at the curb, she stood there, wanting desperately to flee. To grab Wren and run and just keep running until she felt safe and happy again. She knew it was just a dream, that she’d never actually get away and start afresh.

Mark’s car was in the driveway, and she steeled herself for seeing him. She wished he were at work so she could just have some alone time for a little while before the inevitable confrontation. She unlocked the front door, pushing it open as quietly as she could. The longer she didn’t interact with him, the better. She was so damn angry with him.

She shuffled down the hallway to the room they shared. She looked at the bed where he had attacked her and made a baby. The thought of sharing it with him now was repulsive. He had battered her love for him right from her body and there was nothing left. She lowered herself carefully onto the bed and lay curled up on her side, the large tears rolling down her face to drip off her nose. She had sworn to protect her baby, but she hadn’t. Was she being punished still? Hadn’t she suffered enough living with Mark every day?

She heard heavy footfalls coming down the carpeted hallway. She stopped crying, swallowing her tears with difficulty. She couldn’t be hurt by anything he did anymore, surely? Her tear-filled gaze met his as he lounged in the doorway.

‘So, it died, huh?’

Her breath stilled. OK, he could still hurt her with his callousness. ‘Is that all you have to say? Your daughter just died!’ She began to cry again. ‘You weren’t even there for me.’

‘I had other shit to do, Vanessa. The world doesn’t revolve around you.’

‘No, just you.’

‘What the fuck did you just say?’ he demanded, walking two steps into the room. Her body tensed up, waiting for the punch. It didn’t come.

‘I didn’t want another baby with you anyway,’ he growled.

‘Then you shouldn’t have raped me.’ Truth only.

He slammed his fist into the wall, his hand going through the plasterboard. Good. She hoped it hurt. At least it wasn’t her face.

‘Don’t talk to me like that again, Vanessa,’ he warned.

‘Or what? You’ll do it again? Been there, done that. No fucking way. You touch me again and I’ll kill you in your sleep.’ She meant it.

He backed off, maybe seeing the truth and conviction in her eyes. She would never let him violate her again. He thumped the wall again and turned, walking back down the hallway. Vanessa let out a shaky breath.

‘Wren’s fine, thanks for asking!’ She couldn’t resist the parting shot, she just didn’t care anymore.