I said nothing.
He leaned toward me one last time.
“You won’t survive without me.”
The door closed behind him.
And somehow, the room became easier to breathe in.
The doctor waited until his footsteps disappeared down the hallway.
Then she pulled a chair beside my bed.
“Caroline, I need to ask you some questions.”
I nodded.
“Has Luke ever hurt you before?”
I looked at the ceiling.
How could I explain five years in one sentence?
“He has.”
“How often?”
I hesitated.
“Almost every day.”
The nurse stopped writing.
The doctor remained completely still.
“What kind of injuries?”
“Bruises. Broken fingers. Burns.”
“Has he ever prevented you from seeking medical attention?”
“Yes.”
“Has he ever forced you to take medication or denied you medication?”
“Yes.”
“Has he ever threatened you?”
I almost laughed.
“Every day.”
The doctor looked down at her notes.
Then she asked the question that made my entire body go cold.
