Laying in bed, I stared at my boyfriend's head wondering when my life would change. I traced his tattoos with my long acrylic nails savouring the moment - he wouldn't let me do this if he was awake.

It sounds dramatic but he doesn't love me and I know that but for the sake of my daughter Sinai I have to stay here.

The last thing I need is to be homeless with a 4 - year - old child. My boyfriend was a very powerful man and would take everything I have with blink of an eye - everything I worked for.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's cheating on me but what can I do - I grin and bear it.

Darnell started to stir in his sleep so I removed my hand and got up.

I looked at my phone and today was Friday which gave me a little bit of joy knowing that I had the weekend to recoup.

I walked into our ensuite bathroom stepping over the shards of wood that were scattered across the floor, trying not to make too much noise as I didn't want to upset 'Nell.

Looking in the mirror I admired all the bruises that decorated my skin and tears gathered in my eyes. Bruises as new as last night shine prominently on my brown skin reminding me of last nights events.

I walked into the living room with Sinai in my arms, traffic had been so bad and it was now 9pm. I rushed past Darnell's game room hoping he wouldn't spot me.

"Where've you been Naala?" He said almost so silently. Oh, I thought, maybe today is a good day?

"Oh my God babe there was so much traffic on my way back from Azure's house, you know she lives in the trenches." I joked but his scowl didn't move.

I shuffled past and put a sleeping Sinai in her bed as she was already in her pyjamas thanks to my sister; Azure.

I heard the door close and a sigh of relief left my lips. I was safe - for now. Going into the bathroom, I locked the door for safety forgetting that 'Nell hated this and proceeded to shower.

During my shower I heard banging and assumed it was just in my head - I washed off the soap on my face and looked towards the door. In a blink of an eye, the bathroom door bust open and angry Darnell came marching in with my iPhone 11 in his hand.

Shit! In all that traffic I forget to clear my messages - something I've gotten accustomed to in the last 2 years.

"What the fuck is this Naala?" His voice boomed through the marble bathroom.

No word of a lie, I shit myself. Knowing what was coming I stayed quiet, I knew better than to argue back.

"I've told you how many times, I will kill you before you leave me! Do you know who the fuck I am? ---

"Why the fuck are you still in the shower, bitch?"

Before I could speak I felt my hair being dragged and a stinging sensation of a heavy slap on my cheek. I tried to hold in my tears because I didn't want to aggravate him anymore but that slap hurt like a bitch!

He flung me onto our bed and started to look for his trusted weapon, the belt. I lay shivering naked as the day I was born just wanting this to be over.

"Baby I'm sorry, Azure was just messing around.... " I spoke softly waiting for the belt to connect with my skin

"I told you I hate that bitch! She's a bad influence, you keep following her, you gon' end up broke and musty like her dumb ass."

Ouch! Darnell has never liked my family because he believed I was better than them. Me and my family have a weird relationship; I'm a product of my father's affair with my mother and my mom died during childbirth.

Unfortunately I had to live with my father and his wife, Monica, and their two girls, Azure and Topaz . I had an alright childhood despite the hate I got from that bitch Monica - she tormented me till I was 16 and had finally had enough.

I left the house and fell into the wrong crowd but that's a story for another day. Back to this beast and his belt.

"Okay I'm sorry Darnell - I promise it won't happen again. I will go to work and come straight home - please let's just not do this today ---

"Shut the HELL UP" He shouted causing me to jump and expect the worse. The belt came crashing down hitting every spot imaginably.

I yelped and jumped, desperately trying to escape the pain but nothing seemed to work. I closed my eyes and thought about a happy place, I thought about Sinai and how much I love her and would protect her.

After 20 more lashes, Darnell sweat dripped onto my face and mixed with my tears as he stared directly at me.

"Next time you will think twice before talking to that musty ass hoe. Get up and put some clothes on - you look a mess, oh and make me something to eat I didn't get lunch today."

With that he left the room and I silently cried into my pillow. What did I do to deserve this? Is it because I love too hard? Was I foolish for thinking that someone would love me without wanting to hurt me?

The only way to get through this is to get on with it - I need to get out of here but for now I'm stuck. I limped into the bathroom and grabbed my lotion and began to cream my body, being careful not to be to harsh on my fresh bruises.

I decided to make a shrimp Alfredo which is Sinai's favourite. I put on some City Girls to get in the mood and began whipping it up......

Instead of thinking about the horrific events of last night I began my hygiene. Grabbing a fresh towel and hanging it up I stepped into the shower to wash away yesterday's sadness and start a new day.

After 15 minutes of the scorching water and got out and got ready for work. One thing I am very proud of is my job. I am a Entertainment Lawyer at on go the leading firms of New York City; Branson Legal.

I put on my black pant suit set that I picked up from Zara last weekend and went on to put my long bundles into a ponytail.

I grabbed my diamond earrings which were a birthday gift from my best friend; Taina and then grabbed my Rolex and heels ready to go and get Sinai ready for school.

Comment what you think guys think!