**Diary Entry 18th June**
«Emily, just let me go… We tried to make this marriage work, but its not happening. Why keep torturing each other? Lets just get a divorce.»
«Dream on,» Max sneered, his lips curling. «Youre not going anywhere. Youre my wife, Im your husbandthats how it stays. What, life not good enough for you? Found someone else? Answer me when Im talking to you!»
***
Emily sat on the edge of the sofa, fingers twisting the fringe of the throw blanket. After yet another row, she wished she could vanish, disappear from his life for good. Divorce was an option, of course. But the courage to file? She didnt have it. Two years of marriage now felt like a nightmare, especially these last six monthsMax had somehow morphed into a petty domestic tyrant, finding new reasons to pick at her every day.
It started that morning over something trivial. Shed ordered a new face cream.
«Wasting money on rubbish again?» Maxs voice cut through the room as she walked in with the parcel.
Emily tried to explain, but he wasnt listening.
«Do you ever think about us? Or just yourself? Face cream, really? Couldve helped my parents instead.»
«Max, come onI work, its my money. And I *do* help your parents, you know that.»
«Pocket change! They need real help. Youre selfish, Em. Always putting yourself first. Blowing your wages on potions and rags!» His voice hardened, eyes flashing. Emily broke into tears. Max, as usual, slammed the door, leaving her alone with the weight of helplessness. He always did thispushed her to the edge, then walked away.
…She remembered how it began. Max had seemed perfectattentive, caring, loving. But slowly, something shifted. Or maybe shed never seen the real Max until now.
That evening, he returned to find her at the kitchen table, sipping tea.
«Crying again?» he said, not looking up.
«No… You justyou hurt me.»
«*I* hurt *you*? You brought it on yourself. Think before you act.»
«What am I doing wrong?» Emily whispered.
«Everything! You dont even try. I work myself to the bone, and you? Half the day tapping at a keyboard, the other half lounging about!»
«I work just as hard as you,» she protested, instantly regretting it.
«Your job? Pennies. *I* provide. You should be grateful, Em. In all these years, not once have I heard a thank youand Ive earned it!»
«I *am* grateful. But that doesnt mean you can speak to me like this.»
«How *should* I speak to you? Youre never satisfied. And this victim actits pathetic. Makes me sick.» The disgust in his voice made her physically ache.
«I dont understand,» she breathed. «Why are you like this?»
«Do things right, stop winding me up, and well be fine.»
She searched his eyesno warmth, no love left. Just irritation.
«Maybe we should talk,» she ventured. «See a couples counsellor?»
«Counsellor? *You* need a shrink. Youre the one making up problems.»
That was it. The moment she decided to leave. Max ate in silence, then marched off to the telly. Emily dug out an old notebook and began plotting her escape.
***
The next day, she left early, slipping into a café to clear her head. Over coffee, she scribbled in the notebook:
*Step one: Find part-time work. Need more savings. Step two: Rent a flat or room. Step three: Pack essentials. Step four…*
«Em?» A familiar voice.
She looked upSophie, an old schoolmate.
«Soph! Long time.»
«Too long,» Sophie smiled. «You okay? You look peaky.»
Emily hesitated, then crumpled. The words spilled outthe criticism, the fear, the way Max had started raising his hand during arguments.
«I want to leave,» she admitted. «But Im terrified. How do I even start?»
«Listenyou *go*. Stay with me awhile. And theres helpfree counselling for women like you.»
«Like me?»
«Whove had enough.»
By the time they parted, Emily felt lighter.
***
That night, Max was waiting. «Whereve you been?» he demanded.
«Out.»
«Out? Got a bloke, have you?»
Her blood ran cold.
«Dont be ridiculous.»
«Wouldnt put it past you.»
«Max, *enough*.»
He scoffed. «What, want compliments now? Tough.»
She took a breath. «We need to talk. About us.»
«Us? Or your little affairs?»
«I want a divorce.»
Max froze. «*What*?»
«I cant live like this. You belittle me, control me. Im unhappy.»
«Youre mad! Divorce? Youre *nothing* without me. You should be on your knees thanking me!»
«I dont owe you gratitude. I owe myself happiness.»
Max lunged, shoving her against the wall. Her head cracked against the plaster. As his fist swung, she squeezed her eyes shut
**Lesson learned:** No one stays a victim unless they choose to. Courage isnt the absence of fearits leaving anyway.
