My heart was beating out of my chest! Paul drove him off with only two moves, and to think he told me couldn't fight!

We got to the car and he gently helped me inside. It was strange seeing him so violent. Usually, when he was angry he would keep it to yelling and fuming. I was kind of shocked, really, and a little scared, but I knew he was only protecting me. I just didn't know he had it in him.

His hand shook as he pushed the key into the ignition. It seemed he didn't know either.

"Are you alright, Love?" he asked, resting his hand on the stick and shifting out of reverse.

"Yes," I frowned as I saw how upset he looked. "Are you?"

"Honestly, I don't know," he sighed. "I haven't lashed out like that since...I don't even remember...I-I wasn't in control of anything I did..." he ran his fingers through his hair and glanced down at his hand. He held quite a few hairs between his fingers. That can't be healthy. I thought. I took his hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you, Paul," I was surprised at how calm I was. Just all of a sudden, a wave of calm washed over me. It was the strangest thing.

~~~

We got home at 10:08. Martha was already asleep on the couch, so we had to sneak past to get to our rooms. Not so easy for me; the motor in the chair made a whirring noise, but thankfully she didn't wake up.

We talked for a while after he helped me into bed.

"I can't believe it," He muttered.

I laid my hand on his arm. "It's alright, Paul, it's not like he doesn't deserve worse," I reasoned.

"I suppose," he sighed. His hand came up and he tilted my head to the side, inspecting my cheek. "Did he scratch you?" he asked, frowning.

I touched the spot. "No..." then I realised what he was looking at. The thin scar from when Jake slapped me with the ring on.

"Mummy, it's red!"

I choked.

"What's wrong, Love?"

"It's...nothing," I gazed down at the sheets, avoiding eye contact.

"If you say so," He sounded a bit sceptical but didn't press.