Chapter 31

I sat in front of my mirror brushing my hair. Time stayed still. The dark growing outside was unnoticeable. I breathed but every breath felt shallow.

I shared at myself in the mirror – lost in my own eyes. My hair had been lined with oils at the repetitive strokes.

What was I supposed to do now? My father's bills and depts had all been paid. But he was furious that we used Jacob to do it. Even the mention of Jacob’s name seemed to ready him for another heart attack.

I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t tell him why I needed to leave my husband. Or that I so desperately wanted to. I couldn’t lean on them for help.

Whatever I did – I had to do it alone.

I couldn’t live in this house any longer. Especially not with his mistress in it. Did he really intend to keep her here? And what if Teresa stayed too? What would I do then?

I would be tortured – humiliated – treated as a slave in my home. And for what?

First I needed to get my family out of Jacob’s reach. But how? Who could help me? How? Jac