CHAPTER 7

It was a new day, the sun shone so brightly and beautifully. By this time, Daphne was eight months gone and quite heavy, one would think she was carrying twins. It was a workday, and Daphne was worried because she had already missed a day and was hoping to give a reasonable explanation. Joe, on the other hand, as usual, was still asleep, his alcoholic breath filling the room.

Daphne got ready for work. This time around, she didn’t put much effort into her dressing, but her hair did look nice, and her cologne scented like vanilla, making the room smell even better. She tapped Joe a few times. “What do you want?” he grunted. “I’m leaving for work,” she said but received no response. She waited a moment. “Did you hear what I just said?” she repeated. “Yeah, whatever,” Joe grunted in response, sounding angry but too tired to fully engage.

That was all she needed. Not bothered by how he responded, she was already used to that. She had grown numb to it. All she hoped for at this moment was for all to go well at work. She stopped a taxi and carefully entered. Although Daphne didn’t put much effort into her dressing, she still looked as beautiful as ever.

She finally got to her destination and popped out of the taxi. “We are here, ma’am,” the taxi driver said. “Right, thank you,” Daphne replied as she exited the vehicle. She made her way into the establishment, her heart heavy, unsure of what to expect after missing a day.

When she arrived at the reception, she greeted the receptionist with a smile. “Good morning, ma’am,” the receptionist responded. Daphne let out a sigh of relief, but that only lasted a second when the receptionist called her attention.

“Uh, excuse me, ma’am, can I see you for a moment?” Daphne turned around and walked over. “Yes, please,” she replied, her voice shaking with apprehension, almost as if she knew what was coming.

“It appears you didn’t show up yesterday,” the receptionist said.

Daphne’s mind raced, but she quickly answered, “Oh, yes! I had a quick doctor’s appointment.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell the receptionist the real reason. She didn’t want to explain her miserable home life. 

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’ve been asked to give you this,” the receptionist said, handing her a letter. Daphne’s heart sank, and she couldn’t even bring herself to look at it right away.

“What is it? Please, just tell me,” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but apart from missing a day of work, you’re also heavily pregnant, and we don’t think this type of work is ideal for you,” the receptionist said.

The words hit Daphne like a physical blow. She could barely hear what else the receptionist was saying as her mind blanked. “Were they blind at first when they agreed to offer me this job?” Daphne’s mind was engulfed in pure anger but she couldn’t show it. She wanted to argue, to protest, but she couldn’t find her voice. She had worked so hard to keep up, to do her best, but now, it all felt meaningless.

Daphne stared at the letter in her hand, the words swimming in front of her. How could this happen? She had given her all, and now, it wasn’t enough. The thought of her reaching out to Stella crossed her mind but at this moment she just felt all the emotions in the world. It was all pointless now. Yes, Stella is a friend but Daphne has this thing of not bothering people. She already has done that enough, or so she thought.

Daphne stood at the reception, her hands gripping the letter like a lifeline. She couldn’t focus on the words on the paper. The receptionist’s voice faded in and out, and Daphne felt a dull ache in her chest, a weight she couldn’t shake. She had just lost her job. A job she needed, and now, all she had left was this letter. This confirmation that they didn’t want her here anymore.

“Please take care of yourself, ma’am,” the receptionist said, her voice kind but distant. Daphne gave a half-hearted nod, trying to push away the nausea threatening to rise in her throat. She managed a weak smile and made her way out of the office, her mind spinning.

Outside, the world seemed unchanged, people going about their lives, cars honking, and the noise of the city bustling around her. But to Daphne, everything felt muffled, as if the world had muted itself just for her. She walked aimlessly to the taxi, feeling as though she were floating. It wasn’t until she was inside that she realized how numb she had become.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. She looked down at the screen, seeing Joe’s name. He had sent her a message:

**“Don’t you think of staying forever when I’m hungry.”**

Daphne’s stomach stirred. After everything she had just gone through, all Joe could think about was food. Her fingers clenched into fists as she read the message again. Was he serious? After everything?

She quickly typed back, her anger flaring up. **“You’re unbelievable, Joe.”** She hit send without hesitation, and moments later, his reply came.

**“You think you're so much better than me? Look at you, acting like you're some kind of saint. You’re nothing without me, Daphne.”**

The words hit her like a punch to the gut, but this time, she didn’t let them break her. She was done. Done with the manipulation, done with the abuse. This was the final straw.

The taxi pulled up to the house, and Daphne didn’t feel any sense of relief. If anything, she felt trapped. She paid the driver with shaky hands. Even the driver had to ask if she was okay. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said while smiling, her chest tight as she walked toward the door. Every step felt like a weight on her shoulders, but she pushed through it. She wasn’t going to let Joe see how broken she felt.

When she stepped inside, the smell of stale alcohol hit her. Joe was passed out on the couch. “Are you serious right now?” Daphne yelled, but even that did not wake him up. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” She couldn’t believe this was the same person who texted her less than an hour ago. His body was a mess. His presence suffocated her, but she didn’t show it. She dropped her things and walked into the kitchen.

She turned to him again, this time with a hard tone. “Joe.”

He groaned and stirred. “Oh, here you are, you bitch. Get in the kitchen and make me some food, I’m starving.”

Daphne couldn’t believe her ears. She spoke with a low but terrifying voice, “You are a sick man, Joe, and I’m done.”

Joe shot up suddenly, eyes wide and furious. “You!!! Do not talk to me that way, you stupid slut!”

He stormed toward her, eyes wild with rage. For a second, Daphne’s heart dropped into her stomach. He reached out to grab her wrist, but she yanked it away. “Don’t touch me!”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Joe shouted, grabbing her bag and flinging it across the room. “You think you can just walk out?”

Daphne backed away, fear rising fast. “I’m leaving, Joe. Get out of my way.”

He came closer, and she quickly sidestepped him, rushing toward the bedroom. “You think you’ll survive without me?” he yelled from behind. “You’re nothing without me!”

She ignored his voice. She slammed the door and locked it, panting, her back pressed against it. She needed to leave. She had to leave.

In a panic, she grabbed her phone. Her first instinct was to call Stella. Maybe she could stay with her just for a while, just until she figured things out.

The line rang, and Stella finally picked up. “Hey, Daph… I’m super swamped right now. Can I call you back in a few?” she said quickly before Daphne could even speak.

“Stella, I—” Daphne tried to say something, anything.

But the line went dead.

That was it. Daphne felt like screaming. But she couldn’t. Not now. She had to stay calm. For her baby.

She opened the window and tossed the bag outside first. Then she unlocked the door, took a deep breath, and made a quick dash for it before Joe could stop her again. He shouted behind her, but she didn’t turn back. She was done.

Outside, she picked up her bag and started walking. Her hands trembled as she held her phone, trying to figure out her next move. She didn’t even know where she was going.

Then her phone buzzed again.

An unfamiliar number.

**“You don’t have to go through this alone.”**

Daphne froze, her legs rooted to the sidewalk. She stared at the screen, heart pounding.

She opened the message.

**“I’m the one who brought you to the hospital. I haven’t forgotten. You don’t have to stay in that situation. Reach out if you need help.”**

Her breath hitched. Her fingers trembled as she typed.

**“Why are you helping me?”**

A moment passed. Then a reply.

**“Because you don’t deserve the life you’ve been forced to live. Let me help you.”**

Daphne looked up at the sky. For the first time in a long time, the clouds didn’t feel so heavy.