OC's POV

I looked at the clock. A small shiver of fear trickled down my spine. He would be home soon. I hurried through the house, checking to make sure everything was exactly how it was supposed to be. If something wasn't up to par I would be punished.

I sensed him before I heard his footsteps, like an evil stench, a suffocating nausea, this fear he instilled in me.

'Oh God,' I prayed silently, 'Please let him be in a good mood.'

The door swung open and his large, dark form crossed the threshold. Taking a deep breath and plastering a smile on my face, I greet my husband.

His dark eyes look at me dismissively, and then start to search the room. I feel the panic rising because I know he's looking for something, anything to give him an excuse to hurt me.

I slow my breathing and walk towards my judge and executioner.

"Hi Honey," hoping to distract him, " Can I get you a drink or anything? I know you must be tired.."

"Of course I'm tired!" His hand grabs my arm tight enough that I know I'll have bruises again. "I'm tired because I have to work while you sit around all day doing nothing.."

"I'm sorry, I can get a job, so you don't have to work so hard.. to help out.." I say quietly, eyes downcast.

"So what, now I can't take care of things myself?! Are you saying I'm not man enough for you?!" He screamed in my face while shaking me so hard my teeth rattle.

"Nooo I never meant.." I start to cry out but are shoved hard towards the wall.

"Fine.. you wanna test me, bitch? I'm gonna show you and anybody out there that I'm in control here."

He rips my shirt down the front and smashes my face into the wall. He tears down my jeans and then violently shoves me into the window. I know what's coming, he wants to humiliate me, hurt me, and show that he owns me. I try not to struggle, knowing it will be less painful and over quicker if I just accept the 'punishment'.

The bile rises in my throat. He gets off parading me in front of other people. He knows that no one will lift a finger to help me. In this neighborhood there are those like him, the sadists who enjoy his shows, or there are the ones that are too scared that his anger could find them next. I rage and cry inside, silently screaming in my head for help that never comes. I feel his breath on my neck and unconsciously shrink away from him.

Tears trickle down my cheeks, as he repeatedly slams my head against the thick glass and then kicks my legs open wider. I feel blood mixing with the tears on my face as I struggle to stay conscious.

" You never learn your lesson. You are mine and I can do whatever I want to you. Are you trying to piss me off?" He jerks my head sideways by grabbing a fistful of hair.

"Noooooo.. I'm sorry!" I cry helplessly.

"You're not sorry.. But you will be!" I hear him grab something and then feel the cold press of metal against my throat.

This is it, I think, this is when he will finally kill me.

"I own you. I choose whether you live or die. You've haven't learned your place, you stupid whore." he cackled "But you will.."

The blade leaves my neck but plunges into my side seconds later. In no time he has sliced my stomach, thighs, and arms.

I am covered in blood, the pain unimaginable and I start praying for him to deliver the coup de grâce so I can escape him in death. The blade slices across my throat, and he laughs as I struggle to breath.

The world starts to feel cold but I vaguely hear some noise coming from outside. He lets go of my body and I fall down to the floor like a broken doll.

The front door busts down, and two men rush in. A pair of concerned green eyes meets mine. I try to warn him to leave before they get hurt but am struggling to breath.

My husband roars at them to get out, and charges them with the knife that is still wet with my blood.

I pray that they'll be ok, right before I pass out from the injuries.