He stopped because for the very first time in our marriage, I was not afraid of him anymore.

I turned around, walked directly into my home office, pulled out my large suitcase, and unlocked the bottom desk drawer with my key.

Inside that drawer was a bright red folder containing everything I needed.

Gavin followed me into the room, his voice shaking with rage.

“If you walk out that door right now, you are completely finished.”

I carefully placed the red folder inside my bag.

“No, Gavin.