I had few liberties around the estate, no friends, no family. Most of my time was spent alone or with my precious daughter, Brynne.
“Please,” I weakly cried. Drool dripped out of the corners of my mouth and mixed with the tears streaming down my face. The day had finally arrived when my life ended at the hand of the devil himself. For years I lived with dread and fear. Always wondering when the day of my death would be. Except not today, please God, not today. “Bry-nne,” I choked out my sweet girl’s name.
“She’s not your concern.” His grip tightened, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. “If you did as you were told, I wouldn’t beat you. I’m so fucking tired of your fucking innocent act. You undermine me at every turn. Manipulate our daughter, so she fears me.” He never stopped lying to himself and everyone else. I doubted he even knew reality from fantasy.
I was tired of him too, beyond tired of him. I hated Bruno Gallo with every fiber of my being. But then he despised me equally because our daughter loved me more. Naturally, she never admitted to preferring me over her father, but he and I knew the truth. Hence the reason for tonight’s beating. Brynne had asked me to read her a bedtime story instead of her father. The asshole had told her to choose wisely. She hadn’t understood his warning, but I had.
Tunnel vision set in.
I dropped my hands, closed my eyes, and accepted my fate. I’d rather be with God than this monster. I’d never see my daughter again, but my mind and body couldn’t bear more beatings. I could rest knowing he’d never hurt her. She’d be okay.
I needed to believe she’d thrive and be happy after I was gone.
My legs gave out, and I fell onto the floor. Bruno continued to squeeze the life out of me. And didn’t fight back or struggle. I just let him kill me.
Finally, I’d have peace.
I’d be pain-free.
Free…
I love you, my sweet Brynne. I’m so sorry I can’t see you grow up and smother you with love and kisses. I want to be with you more than anything. I just don’t have the strength to fight anymore. I’m so sorry, baby. I pray that you grow up to be stronger than me and figure out how to get away from your father. I love you…
“Die bitch. Just let go.”
I felt my body go limp and my soul reach for the light.
Take me, my precious Lord. I’m ready to go. I beg you to free me from this monster and protect my daughter. She is yours, sweet Jesus. She’s yours…
My eyes flashed open at the sound of a loud slam. I was in a moving car. My SUV. Alone.
Where was I? I couldn’t see anything in front of me. The headlights were off. Nothing looked familiar other than the dark night and the snow on the ground, illuminated by the moon.
The vehicle moved faster, but it wasn’t running. I peered over my shoulder, my heart beating faster. I couldn’t see anyone, but the car wouldn’t move on its own.
So who was pushing it and why?
And then I saw it.
The end of my life.
“Oh, God!” I covered my mouth as the car teetered on the edge of a cliff. I strapped myself into the seat and braced for the impact. I couldn’t tell how far it was to the bottom, but hopefully not too far. I prayed for a miracle. Begged God to save me. “Why?” I screamed when the SUV lost its footing and went over the edge.
We hit something nose-first, knocking me into the seat. I tried to brace myself but was jostled as the vehicle flipped multiple times.
I yelped.
I shrieked.
I cried for God to shield the car and me.
When we stopped flipping, I was hanging upside down. I wasn’t dead. How was it even possible?
Flames and smoke erupted around me.
No time to figure out why I’d gotten lucky. If I didn’t get out of the SUV quickly, I would become a pile of ashes.
I coughed and winced, trying to reach the seatbelt. I couldn’t move my right arm and suspected I had broken ribs. Not the first time for either. I unlatched the clasp with my left hand.