Page 84 of Whatever You Want

I could hear voices as I got closer. My mom was shaking her head, sticking to her story about falling down the stairs. I was disappointed that they were just taking notes without questioning her. They had to know she was lying.

I clutched the box tightly in my hands. “Mom, it’s going to be okay. Just tell them the truth.”

Her head lifted at my words. She looked slightly worried that I called her out. “I am telling the truth. My bruises are from falling.”

I took her wrist in my hand and turned it over. “You are not doing yourself any favors by protecting him.”

“Ava, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Was she serious?

“I know you’re scared, but you don’t need to lie for him.” My eyes filled with tears while dabbing the cuts along her hand and arm. “Just tell them what really happened.”

She turned in her seat and pleaded with them to believe her. “He’s just having a little bit of money issues. He was having a bad day. He didn’t mean to hurt me.”

I was careful not to lash out, but this was getting beyond ridiculous. She had to know that this would only continue unless she did something about it. How many times has this happened, and I didn’t know about it?

The officers standing around the table didn’t seem the least bit surprised by this. They regarded me with pity. Unless she gave them an official statement, there wasn’t anything they could do. Their hands were tied.

I gritted my teeth. “You need to stop defending him.” The frustration in my voice could not be concealed. “You and I both know this isn’t the first time he’s hurt you.”

“He only gets like that when he’s drinking.” Her eyes darted to the floor. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

“He left you at the bottom of the stairs. Did he even stay long enough to know if you were conscious or not?” I looked around the house, struggling to come to terms with the fact that he left her in that condition. “Where is that son of a bitch?”

She shifted in her seat. “He’s at the casino.”

Of course he was.

“When do you think he’ll be back?” She couldn’t be here when he got home. God only knows what he would do once he found out the police were called.

She reached for a tissue and wiped her eyes. “It depends on if he’s winning or losing.”

My gaze bounced to Logan’s. “We’ve got to get her out of here before he returns.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s not as bad as you think. He’s just got a little bit of a temper on him. Gets mad sometimes.”

“Getting mad for stupid things like forgetting something at the store and not having supper ready on time is not normal.” I caught sight of her ankle that looked like it needed an ice pack for swelling. I walked over to the freezer and wrapped up a few ice cubes in a towel. I bent down on my knees and pressed it up against the swelling. “You don’t deserve to live your life this way. No one does.”

“Ava.” Her eyes looked up at the officer as he was reviewing his notes before looking back at me. “Everything isn’t always so black and white.”

“I can’t stand to see you like this.” I closed my eyes, praying and hoping I could get through to her. “You are still young enough to move on with your life. You don’t need him.”

She looked like she didn’t believe me. “Where am I going? I’m fifty-six with no job, no money, and no real work experience. The only thing I know how to do is cook and clean.”

She had relied on him for so long. She didn’t know how to do anything on her own. My heart twisted in my chest at how much self-doubt she carried. And I hated feeling like if I said the wrong thing, it would only make things worse.

“It is never too late to start over, and you won’t have to do it on your own.” I reached for her hand. “I know you feel trapped, but imagine how much better you’ll feel once you’re finally free of this life.”

“Leaving him isn’t that simple.”

I could tell she was at war with herself and feeling uneasy. I had to find a way to get her away from him. There had to be a way because I was afraid if I didn’t, there might come a day where it would be too late.

I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples. “So, you would rather endure the abuse, is that what you’re saying? I can’t sit by and continue to let him hurt you.” My chest was tight with anger and frustration on her behalf. “How many more beatings are you willing to endure?”

“I can’t just quit on my marriage. I’m not made that way.” She looked away, unable to meet my gaze.

“He’s not worth it!”

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