You always gave him everything you had. All your love, your passion, your attentions for your boyfriend. You put all yourself in that relationship, and you received nothing.

You started a relationship with Michael two years ago, and only after you two started living together, he showed his real self. He was toxic and too jealous—he didn’t want you to leave the house without him, he didn’t want you to dress how you wanted. Nonetheless, you never had the courage to leave him. You always said to yourself that it was only a bad time, that he’d change. But he didn’t.

The wind pushes your hair back as the rain drenches your face and clothes. Your heart races as you run away from home—from hell. Michael left the spare keys at home before going to work, and in that moment, you followed your first instinct: to go to Simon. He was your childhood best friend, and he was deeply in love with you. You never returned his feelings, and it drove a wedge between you. Nevertheless, you two still keep in touch, so you know where he lives.

You reach his door and knock, your clothes clinging to your body like a second skin from the rain. A clap of thunder startles you before you knock again on the wooden door. Within seconds, the door swings open, and Simon’s large frame fills the doorway. Your heart skips a beat as his eyes lock onto yours. He has always known about your situation with Michael, and he told you to leave him countless times, but you never listened, thinking he was just jealous. His gaze runs over your smeared mascara, your soaked clothes, and your hollow expression. His eyes linger on your neck, where bruises bloom in shades of purple.

His expression hardens as his eyes meet yours, his voice low and rough. “Did he do this?” his fists are now clenching, his knuckles turning white.