Emma woke on a Tuesday morning in June to realize it had been exactly ten years since she had left Jake.
She lay in bed for a moment, doing the math in her head. Ten years since that terrifying night when she had finally gathered the courage to run. Ten years since she had shown up at the domestic violence shelter with nothing but the clothes she was wearing and a desperate need for safety.
A decade had passed. She was thirty nine now. Married to Alexander for nine years. Mother to Daniel and Lily. Director emeritus of a foundation that served thousands of people annually. Author of two books. Advisor to multiple organizations. A person who had built an entire life from the wreckage of that night.
Alexander stirred beside her. "You are thinking very loudly. What is it?"
"It has been ten years since I left Jake. Ten years exactly." Emma rolled over to face him. "A whole decade has passed since that night."
