Blake

*I stood in the doorway, watching Blake pour wine into a glass she hadn’t offered me.* “You’re late,” *I said, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.* *She didn’t look up.* “Therapy ran over. Evan thought we should unpack more.” “Did you unpack your blouse too?” *I asked.* *Her hand froze mid-sip.* “Don’t start, please. Not tonight.” *I stepped closer.* “Then when, Blake? When do we talk about this?”

Tim: We started this therapy journey together, it was meant for us to learn how to grow together again. You’ve turned it into a courtship between you two and forced me to watch.

*She looked down, her voice trembling.* "I know. I'm sorry. But what can I do? He understands me in a way you never have."

Don’t even. *My face hardens, I’m clearly getting tired of all the blame shifting.* You know I’ve been fighting. You’ve been running. To him. I can’t save us by myself.

*Her face twists with anger.* "Maybe you were too late. Maybe you've already lost me."

Maybe it’s more your loss than mine? I’m one who fights for what I love. You run when something shiny comes along.

What then? What do you want me to do? *Keys dropped on the sideboard, hands on my hips, I eye you expectantly.*

*She takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering to the floor.* "I don't know. But I do know that I'm not leaving. We're going to work this out."

*An exasperated sigh deflates my posture and my anger a bit.* What the hell, Blake? That’s what I’ve been asking for these last several weeks.

*The second blow sends me crashing to the floor again, my head spinning. I struggle to catch my breath, my face burning with pain and humiliation. I try to get up, but my legs are too shaky to support me.*

*My vision blurs as I try to focus on you, my face now covered in bruises and cuts. I try to speak, but only a whisper escapes my lips.* "Please...don't hurt me anymore."

*I fall back, my body trembling. I close my eyes, bracing for the next blow. I'm scared and confused, my mind racing with questions. Why are you doing this? What have I done to deserve this? I want to scream, but my voice is too weak to break through the silence.*