Unchained From A Toxic Marriage

d just had. Dr. Ramos's face was etched with concern, her words a frantic echo in my mind. "A

ord it. My husband has... cut me off." The lie tasted like ash, but it was the only explanation I co

Her eyes, sharp and scrutinizing, tried to pierce through my carefully constructed

like a cruel joke. The irony was a punch to the gut. I had no money. No access. My entire financial worl

reminder of Donavon's omnipresent control. I slid into the plush leather seat, the silence of the luxurious car a heavy blanket. Donavon' s ins

ghtening with every mile. The office.

hushed whispers of employees buzzed around me. Their eyes, usually a

whispered, too loudly.

another retorted, clearly intending for m

laced by a newer, shinier model. The public humiliation was a familiar cloak, but

iumphant smile plastered on her face, stood at the head of the long mahogany table, surrounded by a dozen

ad you could make it." Her voice was sweet, but the underlying

ened my shoulders, a desperate attempt to cling to the last vestiges of my pride. But it was fleeting.

humiliation washing over me. "Jazmyne," I began, my voice barely a whisper, "I... apologize. For any

et as poison. "I expected a little more... conviction. A little more... sincerity." She walked slowly towards me, her hee

sly destroying? Rage, hot and volcanic, surged through me, threatening to erupt. I wanted to scream, to lash out,

stressing? And perhaps acknowledge the depth of your wrongdoing?" She was twisting the knife, enjoying every

started, but a sudden sharp pain shot through my c

is eyes fixed on Jazmyne, a look of indulgent affection on his face.

completely ignored me, my trembling form, the tears in my eye

ight. He had been my protector, my rock. Now, he was the architect of my torment. The man who once promised me the world n

ek. "I just... I just want Mrs. Anderson to understand the pain she

ghter, my body trembling, but my voice, when it came, was clear and steady. "I hav

convincing, welled up. "Donavon, she's... she's refusing to truly a

ked at me. "Ava, don't make this harder than it has to be.

a steel rod through m

. Instead, he grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh, a chilling reminder of his phy

even know I had. A wave of dizziness, stronger this time, washed over me. I stumbled, my knees buc

bewildered employee blurted out, not

A flicker of something, perhaps concern, before his ga

. I need to tell you something. It's important." The

ramatically. "Oh, Donavon, I feel so faint. This whole situation, it's just too much f

ght?" He pulled her into his arms, glaring at me over her shoulder. "Look what you've done, Ava. You've upset he

inal, crushing blow. I wanted to scream, to cry, but the t

my retreat. As I walked away, I heard Jazmyne's triumphant whisper to Donavon,

e tears that threatened to burst forth. I wouldn't gi

was the hospital. My mother's doctor. "Mrs. Anderson," her voice was urgent, laced with pan

nd more devastating than Donavon's cruelty. My