Chapter 5 - The Bruise Beneath the Bracelet
The night Evan struck Claire’s wrist was not the first time he had intimidated her.
But it was the first time she realized she was completely finished.
The dinner had begun quietly.
Then Evan received a message.
He smiled.
Claire noticed.
“Vanessa?”
He looked up.
“What?”
“You smiled.”
“So?”
Claire placed her fork down.
“You never smile like that when I text you.”
Evan's expression hardened.
“Enough.”
The argument escalated.
Claire stood.
Evan stepped toward her.
She did not step back.
That surprised him.
“You're forgetting who you married,” he said.
“No.”
Claire looked directly into his eyes.
“I’m remembering.”
His hand struck the table.
The metal spoon jumped.
It hit Claire’s wrist.
Pain flashed through her arm.
Evan barely reacted.
“Cook dinner.”
Claire stared at him.
Then she saw herself reflected faintly in the dark window.
The woman looking back was not frightened.
She was tired.
Completely tired.
She walked upstairs.
She locked the bathroom door.
She examined her wrist.
Then she opened her phone.
Daniel answered immediately.
“Are you okay?”
Claire took a breath.
“No.”
A pause.
“Do you want me to come over?”
“Yes.”
Daniel arrived twenty minutes later.
He did not ask unnecessary questions.
He photographed the bruise.
Then he looked at Claire.
“This changes things.”
“I know.”
“You can leave tonight.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
“Claire.”
“I want him to believe he still has control.”
Daniel understood.
“You’re certain?”
Claire looked toward the dining room.
“Yes.”
May you like
Then she whispered the sentence that would eventually become the beginning of Evan’s downfall.
“Let him show me everything.”
