He saw the raw, broken skin on my arms and something like guilt flickered in his eyes.
"Jules, thank you."
Although it was a business marriage, his parents had never really warmed to Kitty's personality. From the very beginning, the daughter-in-law they wanted was me.
But Darren had insisted on marrying her, even defying his parents to do it.
Back then, I thought I'd never have a chance.
So when he proposed to me later, I felt like the luckiest woman alive, like I'd won the lottery.
Now I knew how stupid I'd been.
Darren gently took my hand.
"Tomorrow's the anniversary of your parents' passing. Let me go with you to visit them."
I didn't say anything. Just nodded. I had to see them before I left.
The irony was almost too perfect. Darren and Kitty's wedding anniversary fell on the same day as my parents' death anniversary.
Every year, Kitty would cling to him, demanding he celebrate with her, and I'd go alone.
The next day, on the road to the cemetery, Darren's phone rang.
He hung up, slammed the brakes, and turned to me with fury blazing in his eyes.
"Juliana Henson, you called the police about yesterday?!"
"Do you have any idea that the cops took Kitty in for questioning last night?!"
I shook my head, bewildered.
"I didn't—"
"Enough." Darren cut me off, his voice ice-cold. "And here I thought you were sweet and sensible. Turns out you're just calculating."
"Get out. Take a cab the rest of the way."
"Kitty's never been humiliated like that in her life. She's been crying nonstop. I need to go see her."
I froze. It was twenty-something below zero outside. Snow drifted past the windows.
"The cemetery is still over ten miles from here. We're in the middle of nowhere. Where am I supposed to find a cab?"
He scoffed, a mocking smile curling his lips.
"So what?"
"Go ahead and run to my parents. Have them beat me to death. Or better yet, call the cops on me too, so you can stop saying I owe you."
He yanked me out of the car, impatient, and drove off without a backward glance.
The ache in my chest was beyond words.
The wind cut through me, and I couldn't stop shaking.
I'd barely pulled my collar tighter when two luxury cars came screaming down the road.
Kitty stepped out, flanked by a group of thugs.
"No cameras out here. Beat this shameless tramp until she can't stand."
"Oh, and don't touch the stomach. I still have plans for that."
One of them kicked my phone out of my hands before I could dial.