Chapter 7 — What He Said Next

That was when Gavin said the thing I began this account with.

That if my mother or I ever tried to leave him, or to report him, or to seek a divorce, he would make certain that neither of us ever spoke again.

“And if you dare to help her,” he added, almost pleasantly, as though he were giving me useful advice, “you will learn how to keep your own mouth shut for good.”

I want to be honest about what a threat like that is, because I think it is easily misunderstood by people who have never stood inside one.