I stifle the lump of emotion caught in my throat and shake it off. I won’t succumb to tears over that scum bag; he deserves none of my tears nor my time.

My shower is hot, steamy, and satisfying. I come out flushed and breathless and think I should have gone easy on the temperature gauge. My head is swimming a little, and I’m still feeling fragile.

I haul on my nightdress and robe, pad out into the empty suite, and instantly know that I’m alone. I had been in the bathroom ...