"No," she said softly. "You don't understand. He was different. He was so gentle and caring. When we first met he told me that he loved me. He made me feel safe. And he promised me that things would change. That he was going to leave everything behind and start a new life. He said that we could live somewhere far away where nobody would ever hurt us again. He even said that you were the only person he cared about. He was telling the truth. We were happy. For a while. Until he started to lose control. I tried to stop him but he overpowered me. One night...he took too much from me."
"Leah, you have to believe me when I tell you that nothing is worth the pain you've endured," I said. "You deserve more than that. You're smart and beautiful. You are incredible in every way. I love you."
"I'm
