Page 8 of River Wild

Annie

I glance at the man sitting across from me at the kitchen table. The man I married seven years ago.

The man I hate.

I stare at him with every ounce of my hidden contempt and hatred.

I’m leaving you.

The words echo in my head.

I wish I could say those three words out loud.

But I can’t.

Fear and a hundred other terrifying reasons keep them safely locked inside my head.

My finger lifts to my face, gently touching the swelling on my cheekbone, moving down to my split lip.

He sees me touching my face.

He frowns.

I drop my hand.

Last night’s beating was bad. He hit my face. That happens less often nowadays.

He doesn’t want people questioning bruises on my face.

So, when he beats me, the hits are to my body. Usually, the only violence that happens during sex is when he chokes me. He likes to do that often.

But, last night, he hit me while having sex with me.

Or, as I should call it, raping me.

Because that’s what it is.

In the beginning, I didn’t realize it was rape. I thought, to be raped, you had to say no. Maybe even tried to fight back.

I’ve never done either of those things.

But it wasn’t like I could say no. I was too afraid to. And, if I had told him no, he would have taken what he wanted anyway.

But I’m glad he beat me the way he did last night because I can’t risk a hit to my stomach.

Not now. I’m pregnant.

Pregnant with a baby that he will never know about.

I only found out a few days ago that I’m pregnant. That’s why I’m finally leaving. Why I finally have the courage to leave him.

Because it’s not just me anymore.

I have a child to protect.

I know people will think I should just call the cops on him. Have him arrested for what he’s done to me.

But Neil is the police.