She opened her door a crack and gave a muffled scream as it was shoved so hard that it swung wide and a hand grabbed her hair. Tony’s face, scarlet with rage, was inches from hers, his breath stinking of beer. Before she could speak, he drew back his fist and punched her hard on the left side of her face, right on the cheekbone. The force made the back of her head slam off the door frame. Pain knocked her senseless; her cheek was throbbing, and squiggly shapes were exploding inside her eye, but she struggled to push him away.

“Stop!” she begged. “Your daughter’s asleep.”

Still gripping her hair, Tony started slapping her face: first one side with his palm, then the other with the back of his hand. “You utter bitch. I can’t believe I married such a treacherous bloody snake of a woman.”

Each slap jerked her head. She could taste blood and her ears were ringing. She was still trying to push him away, but it was futile.

“How did you find me?” she gasped.

He grabbed her throat and began to squeeze. “Your solicitor gave me the address. Nice bloke. We’re in the same golf club. He reckoned I should know you’re trying to steal my money.”

Val grabbed his wrists and tried to pull his hands from her neck, but he was too strong. She began to feel faint but knew she mustn’t lose consciousness. If she passed out, he might grab Nicole and she would never see her again. She tried to kick his shins, but he dodged out of the way, his face ugly with hatred. Was he going to kill her? He was too much of a coward. With a criminal conviction, he would get kicked out of his fancy golf club.

She stopped struggling and Tony loosened his grip slightly, letting her gasp some air.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said. “You are going to fetch all the papers you stole from my desk and give them to me nicely. Any money from that estate is mine, and you will never get your claws on it. Be quite clear about that.”

Val tried to speak, but only a croaky whisper emerged. “Can we get divorced?”

“Not until I say so,” he spat. “You’re scum and I don’t want you back. Look at the bloody state of you! Having sex with you was like having sex with a sack of potatoes. Frigid cow.” He squeezed her throat again, clearly relishing his power over her. “We’ll get divorced if and when I say so, but be very sure that I will never pay you a cent.” He released her and she rubbed her throat, coughing and straining to inhale. “Now get the papers.”

“What about your daughter?” she croaked. “I know you love her. And you and I used to love each other too. Remember?”