A/N: I know that this may have been done before but what can I say, this story has been bouncing around in my head for a while. Even though this story is loosely based on the movie "Sleeping with the Enemy" this story has some aspects that were real to me for a time. I in no way condone violence of any kind, and this story does have violence.

Summary: Bella is married to Edward, their life started out like a fairytale but like any nightmare things turn horrible. Bella escapes and decides to start her life over.

Escape is never enough

Prologue:

"Isabella!" Edward yelled from the front door. I tried not to flinch as he slammed the door on his way inside. "Isabella, where are you?" I could tell by his tone that this was not going to be a 'honey I'm home how was your day' conversation.

Taking a deep breath and putting down the knife that I was using to cut carrots with I turned and made my way into the front hallway. "Sorry Edward, I was in the kitchen finishing dinner. Was there something that you needed?"

Edward loosened his tie before removing his jacket, as he turned to look at me for the first time since I walked into the room he pinched the bridge of his nose taking a deep breath. "How many times have I told you that I want you to greet me at the door when I come home? Dinner should be waiting for me already, so there is no reason for you to not be right here when I walk in."

"I'm sorry, I forgot that you liked carrots…." His fist connected with my face before I was able to explain myself. Lying on the floor I held my jaw, I knew that crying or tears would get me nowhere but in more trouble. So I did the only thing I could do, I held my jaw and kept my eyes on the floor.

"I didn't ask for excuses, I was simply telling you why you are in trouble. So help me if you utter a single word you will get it much worse. Now pick yourself up off the floor and get my dinner on the table." Was all that he said to me as he stepped over me and made his way to the dining table. Slowly I picked myself up off the floor trying to get the spots to leave my vision. "Sometime today Isabella, stop with the theatrics I didn't even hit you that hard."

"I'm sorry; I'll be right back with your dinner." I wasn't able to make it two steps into the kitchen without finding myself thrown head first into the pantry door.

"You just can't shut your mouth can you, I think that you want me to be this way. Don't you? Why can't you just do as you are told and keep your mouth shut, Isabella?" I don't know how long he ranted at me this time, or how many times he hit me while I laid curled on the floor. I lost count after ten hits to the head and a few kicks to the ribs. I must have passed out because of the blows or pain, because when I woke up I was lying in the middle of the kitchen and Edward was nowhere to be found.

Looking at the kitchen clock I noticed that it had been almost an hour since Edward had gotten home. Knowing that he was gone for the moment I let the tears flow freely, how had my life turned out this way. Edward and I had been so in love in the beginning, he was in medical school while I was getting my degree in History. After Edward graduated, he proposed and I happily said yes. There was nothing more in the world at the time that I wanted than to be Isabella Masen. Not once while we dated or were engaged had Edward ever raised his voice let alone raised a hand to me. Oh how that changed once we were married.

I didn't have time to take inventory of the injuries that I sustained this time, I knew that where ever Edward went he would be back soon and if the mess was still here I would get it worse. I managed to put away the untouched food and cleaned the dishes left behind. By the time I was wiping down the counters I heard his keys in the front door. Putting away my dish towel I made my way to the front door.

Just like always Edward came with his usual peace offering, a dozen red roses, and what I used to consider a dazzling smile. "Oh Princess, there you are. I missed you, I bought you these. I'm sorry that I lost my temper earlier; I have been so stressed lately with work. I promise that it won't happen again." Oh how many times had I heard those words before, now more than ever I know that I must do whatever it takes to get away from him if I want to live. Each time the beatings get worse; his remorse is even more pathetic.

After Edward had made sure that the cuts and bruises weren't too severe (at least physically) we got ready for bed. Long after his breathing had evened out and I knew he was deeply sleeping I laid there thinking of a way to escape this place I call hell. I knew that if I left he would follow me, and divorce was out of the question. One thing Edward had was money and he would be able to use it to make my life hell. I know that before I could get the divorce or even leave he would kill me. This wasn't a threat; he would rather see me dead than to let me go. He sees me as his and his alone.

The only way for me to get away from Edward Masen is to make him believe I was dead. I have enough cash to allow me to start over; my parents left me a life insurance policy that I was able to hide from Edward last year. I knew that the money would come in handy one day if I ever wanted to get away. Edward assumed that my parent hadn't left me anything except their home here in Phoenix and my dad's pension from the police force. He doesn't know about the two million dollar policies left to me; as well as my mother's grandmother's home in a little town called Forks, Washington.

For almost a year now I have been able to acquire a new id, and an escape plan. Now all I need is for the right time to fake my death. I am waiting on the phone call from the only person I can trust at the moment, Detective Phil Dwyer; he was my father's partner and best friend. After my parent's deaths, Phil noticed the bruises under the long sleeves I wore. Eventually, sleep overcame me. Once I woke, I noticed that Edward was no longer in bed next to me. Rolling back over, I noticed that it was already ten in the morning. Edward would have left at seven this morning to be at his office.

I was able to gently get out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. Knowing what awaited me in the mirror I ignored that for the moment and decided to take a long soak in the Jacuzzi tub. After soaking, and covering a few of the bruises I could with makeup I made up the grocery list so I could go to the store tomorrow. As I was finishing my list there was a knock at the front door. Not expecting any visitors I was surprised by whom I saw at the door.

"Detective Dwyer, please come in. I wasn't expecting you to come by is everything okay?" I asked as I lead him into the living room. "Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink or eat?"

"No, no thank you Bella I am good. Please call me Phil. I came to let you know that I have come up with a way for you to fake your death." I sat there completely dumbfounded and surprised that this was finally happening. "And by the look of your face I would say that this couldn't come at a better time."

I knew that denying anything would be stupid, Phil knew what kind of monster Edward is. Taking a deep breath I looked at Phil and asked, "What do we need to do? I have had a go bag ready for months."

"We had a Jane Doe found; she is the same build and has similar looks to you. She overdosed on pain pills; the coroner has agreed to help. We are going to switch your toothbrush and hairbrush with ones that contain her DNA on them. When is the next time you are supposed to go shopping?"

"I was just making a grocery list for tomorrow. Wednesdays are my usual shopping days; I try to go around eleven in the morning so I can be home in time to cook dinner for Edward." I am a bit shocked that the time has finally come. I am excited, and scared at the same time. Phil and I discuss everything that is going to happen. Eventually Phil leaves and I try to go about my normal routine before Edward returns home.

That night during dinner Edward asked me what my plans are for the next day. I explain to him that I will be doing my usual shopping and asked him if there was anything he would like for me to pick up for him while I am out. All too soon the kitchen is clean and it is time for bed, I dread this knowing that he may want sex as usual. I know that being hurt still will not be enough to get him to leave me alone for the night. I lay there thinking of anything else except for what is happening above me. Sometime later I notice his breathing even out and all I can do is pray that everything goes as planned tomorrow. I don't know if I can take living this way for much longer.

The next morning after Edward leaves I run to the bathroom to switch out my toothbrush and hairbrush with ones exactly the same only with the Jane Does DNA on them. I hate thinking that some for girl had to die but in the end she is saving my life. With everyone believing her to be me at least this way she will have a proper burial.

After grabbing my purse and shopping list I head out to the car. After pulling into the store I make sure my blonde hair is covering the bruises that the makeup wouldn't cover. Just like Phil and I discussed I did my shopping like I had always done, put the groceries in the trunk of the car and as I was closing the trunk I felt someone stand behind me.

I knew that this was all part of the plan but I couldn't help be afraid when Phil grabbed my arm and shoved me into the back seat. As he sped out of the parking lot he said "You did perfectly Bella, anyone who sees those tapes will see how scared you were. I am going to keep the ski mask on until we get out of town even though your windows are tinted. I would rather not take any chances of someone seeing me."

Not knowing what to say I just stayed in the back seat thanking God that I was getting away from the monster finally. Sometime later Phil pulled off the road overlooking Camelback Mountain. Helping Phil we dressed the woman in the clothes I had been wearing and put her in the back seat of my Mercedes. The last thing left for us to do was make sure the car would burn destroying everything beyond recognition. Once we knew it was safe hikes three miles the where Phil had left a four wheeler, and we made our way to Phil's father in-law's cabin.

Cutting and Dying my hair back to its natural brown had made me feel like my old self again. But I knew that it was still too soon to breathe easy, too many things could go wrong before I was safely on my way to Washington. As I was finishing with my hair I heard Phil's cell phone ringing in the other room, by the time I came out of the bathroom Phil was ending the call.

"Well that was the Captain; he has called me in to look into your murder. They found your car fifteen minutes ago, they knew that you had been abducted and were searching for you. You need to get on the road; the car you bought is outside waiting for you. It's filled up and your go bag is already in the front seat. Call me once you are there please."

"Oh Phil I don't know how to thank you for all that you have done for me." I hug him knowing that it may be the last time I see him for a long time. I start gathering everything so nobody would be able to tell that I had ever been here.

"Bella, there is no need for thanks. Your dad would have wanted me to help look after you. If he would have known what that dick had been doing to his little girl he would have killed him where he stood. I know that he would be proud of you for getting away. Now stay safe and please call if you need anything. I will let you know if something happens here, okay."

"Thank you. I'll call once I get settled." With one last hug I made my way to my car. I drove until I couldn't see straight any longer. After two days I arrived at my new home, Forks Washington. Hopefully this was the fresh start that I needed.