‘I guess I didn’t want to hear, want to believe the things you were saying about Mark. I guess I wanted him to be the guy that I remembered. But he’s not. I know that now. For a while we were happy, well, at least he said he was happy to be finally back with me. I was flattered that he chased me for so long and fought so hard to get me.’

That was news to Vanessa.

‘But he began to put me down, little snide comments at first. How the women in his life had him by the balls, stuff like that. Then he started talking about you and the baby that was coming and about Wren and he got really angry.’ She hiccupped, on the verge of tears. ‘I wanted the man he used to be, not this ball of anger that he’s become. He said that you had ruined his life and broken him, and I think that he may be right. Not the part about you, but the part about him being broken.’ She paused for breath. Vanessa didn’t say anything, she knew Maggie would get to the point soon, well she hoped she would. ‘He hurt me, Ness. I said that maybe you weren’t to blame for everything and that at some point he had to take responsibility for his own actions.’

Vanessa sucked in a breath. That wasn’t good. ‘What did he say?’

‘He didn’t say anything.’ She pulled up her top. On one side she had a huge black and purple bruise, she probably even had a cracked or broken rib. It was brutal, ugly.

‘Oh, Maggie, I’m sorry.’

‘I really didn’t want to believe you, but you were right.’ She dissolved into tears and Vanessa gave her the hug she so desperately wanted, needed. Only Vanessa would understand. Maggie was rigid in her arms for a moment before molding her body to Vanessa’s.

‘I’m not sure what you want from me, Maggie.’

‘I want… actually… I didn’t think much past coming over here and clearing the air. I’ve seen your bruises, everyone has. Why do you stay?’

She wanted to tell Maggie that she was about to leave but decided to keep that information to herself. ‘Honestly? Some days I don’t know. I think I stay out of guilt. For what I did to you.’

‘Ness, you don’t need to pay with your life. I forgive you.’

The words Vanessa had longed to hear for so many years and here Maggie was, saying them. She forgot her time crunch and hugged Maggie. ‘What are you going to do, Maggie?’

‘I’ve loved him since school and in a way, I still do… or did, but I have to protect myself somehow.’