My company recovered every stolen dollar and grew beyond anything Daniel had ever imagined. I created a legal fund for women whose abusers controlled their finances.
I sold the house, not because they had scared me away, but because peace deserved different walls.
On the first anniversary of that night, I cooked dinner in my new home overlooking the sea. I made noodles, added herbs, and poured one glass of wine.
No footsteps came up behind me. No voice demanded obedience.
I lifted the silver lid and watched steam rise.
For the first time, dinner was late because I had been living.
No one dared punish me for it.
