ALICE

I was spiraling.

Four days had passed since the last time, and I still couldn’t look at myself in the mirror without feeling nauseous. My pussy was constantly sore. Bruises in the shape of Dominic’s fingerprints marked my hips and thighs. I had deleted and reinstalled his contact at least ten times, but I always ended up answering when he called.

Tonight was the worst one yet.

Claire was away again — this time for a two-day work conference. Dominic told me to come over after the kids were asleep. I tried to say no. I really did. I sat in my car for twenty minutes crying before I...