Chapter 001

Aneeka’s life was imploding right before her eyes..

Damon had always been cold and distant in public, but today his contempt was sharper than ever. His eyes barely met hers, and when they did, they were filled with irritation.

While Anne’s wedding to her high school sweetheart was in full swing, the contrast between the joy around her and the emptiness inside her felt suffocating. It should’ve been her day too—the woman married to Damon for four years. Today was their anniversary. But Damon wasn’t celebrating her. He was at the bar with Lily, the maid of honor, lavishing her with praise.

“Perfect!” Scott, Damon’s best friend, shouted, his voice too loud.

Aneeka scanned the room, searching for Damon. She spotted him laughing with Lily, her stomach dropping. She knew better than to interrupt.

She slumped into a chair behind them, the sound of their voices grinding against her nerves. Damon was all smiles, calling Lily “gorgeous” and “perfect.” Each word felt like a knife twisting deeper. Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to the bruise on her back, a silent testament to the cruel reality of their “perfect” marriage.

Scott tapped her on the shoulder, jolting her from the spiraling thoughts. “What’s Damon’s favorite color?” he asked, his voice too cheery.

Aneeka blinked, disoriented. Four years of marriage, and she couldn’t even guess his favorite color.

“I …I don’t know,” she mumbled, her face burning with humiliation.

“His favorite color is white,” Lily’s voice cut through, sharp and smug. “Right, D?”

Aneeka’s stomach twisted. She’d never used a pet name for Damon. Hearing Lily do it felt like a slap in the face.

Before she could respond, Anne appeared, her hand firm on Aneeka’s arm. “Come inside,” she said quietly, guiding her away.

Inside, Joy was already pacing, furious. She stormed into the kitchen as Aneeka collapsed onto the couch, her body trembling. The dam broke, and the tears she’d been holding back all night poured out. She stared at the ceiling, her breath shaky.

Joy returned with a damp cloth and painkillers, her anger barely contained. She dropped beside Aneeka. “You have to leave him. Now.”

Aneeka’s voice broke. “I can’t. I’m just... tired.”

Joy’s eyes flared with frustration. “When will you stop letting him destroy you? This isn’t love, Aneeka. This is abuse.”

Aneeka winced as Joy touched the bruises on her back, the pain like fire. “It’s bad. I can’t move,” she whispered.

Joy’s face darkened. “When you finally leave him, I hope it’s not in a body bag,” she spat, her voice trembling.

The scars on Aneeka’s back, once smooth and unblemished, now told a brutal story—faded marks, fresh welts, and deep bruises.

“What now?” Joy asked, softer now but still full of frustration.

Aneeka wiped her eyes. “I’ll be more careful with what I say around him,” she murmured, defending him like she always did. “He was just upset.”

Joy’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that. Brave fool.”

No matter how much her friends tried to wake her up, Aneeka couldn’t leave him. She had defended Damon’s actions for years, convinced herself she deserved it. She had always struggled with her weight, always felt like she was never enough. Damon, her only source of validation, had only grown colder with time. She’d clung to him, terrified of being alone—just like her mother.

But now, in the harsh truth of Joy’s gaze, Aneeka felt like she was suffocating.

“We can help you,” Anna said, her voice soft but firm. “You don’t have to keep doing this.”

Aneeka shook her head, unable to speak.

Joy sank down beside her, defeated. “This could be your chance, Aneeka. You could take control—report him, take back what’s yours.”

Aneeka’s body jerked as if she’d been slapped. “I can’t. I won’t!” The thought of standing up to Damon, of taking such a drastic step, paralyzed her. “I can’t do it.”

Anna wrapped her arms around her, soothing her. “It’s okay. We’re here. You don’t have to do this alone.”

For the first time in ages, Aneeka felt something akin to hope. The crushing weight of loneliness and fear seemed to lift, just a little.

Then they heard it—running footsteps outside, loud voices, and then—Damon’s laughter, sharp and loud, followed by the unmistakable sound of applause.