John watched her leave. The need to pull her back into the company was strong but he knew he couldn't do it. He had to help her somehow else.

He couldn't believe she was going with him.

Devastated he walked back into the company.

The sound of someone screaming had made him look out of the window before and as he had seen Anna, a man and a child down in the parking lot, he had not wasted a second and immediately walked down as fast as possible as his damaged knee allowed him to. He had felt like interfering, to help her, and also he had felt like meeting Anna's husband, just to see how he was.

Of course he was a good looking man. Younger than him, tall and athletic. The complete opposite of him. And now John couldn't explain why Anna had smiled at him almost everyday since since first day he had started working at the company, if she was married to a man like her husband.

At the moment he felt stupid. Had he really thought that Anna could like him? No, Anna was only being friendly. She was married after all. She had just gone back with her husband and they would make up.

That or ... he would hurt her again.

John decided something within the split of a second.

If she wouldn't be there the next day, he'd call the police. And if she would be back at work, wearing her ring again ... then at least they'd be able to spend time together for the label. And he would find out more about her and her husband.

She was at work the day after.

And she looked alright, without any bruises or other wounds. She entered John's office with a smile.

"Good morning," she chirped and sat down next to him.

"Good morning, Anna," John said and, since both Matthew and Tom weren't there yet, went further. "What happened yesterday in the parking lot?"

"You mean the thing between me and my husband?"

John groaned lightly. Her husband. His eyes went to her hand and yes, she was wearing her ring again.

"Sorry you had to interfere but in fact there was no need to. We talked and we've sorted it all out," Anna explained with a smile.

"So you're with him again."

"Of course," Anna said.

"But why?" John couldn't his his disappointment.

"Because I love him, obviously," Anna replied, her eyes resting on him. "Why are you so interested in my love life?"

"Because you were screaming yesterday, Anna," John replied. "It was no hysterical screaming, you were scared. You told him to stay away from you and your daughter."

"Oh, that." Anna shrugged. "Apparently I was having a psychosis."

"I don't believe it," John breathed. "He's manipulating you. What did he give you? What did he promise you? He won't stop doing it, Anna."

"Won't stop doing what?" Anna asked, her blue eyes still resting on John. "He loves me, John. We are married and we have a child together. He was right, I shouldn't have taken Lauren and run away. I should have talked to him and sort things out with him."

"Like you did before you came to work with the half of your face bruised?" John whispered and Anna stared at him for a while.

Then she turned away. "Let's focus on the project, please."

He knew.

He most definitely knew.

Was that the reason why he was always looking at her? Because he had realised that she was a victim of domestic violence? No, survivor, she told herself. She had read many Internet posts about domestic abuse and she had decided that she was not a victim. She was back together with Oliver, right? It was good. It showed that she was strong ... right?

Fact was, she didn't feel strong. Most of the time she felt like her energy had been sucked out and she was scared non stop. Earlier that day when she returned from work with Lauren, she had made sure that he definitely wasn't at home before she called her mother to tell her that she was with Oliver again. And Amelia had started crying. She was begging her daughter to leave the place, come back to her.

"Think of what he did last time ... next time he will kill you," she sobbed and Anna calmed her mother.

"He won't. He would never do that. He's a good man, he only has some anger issues," Anan had defended him.

Oh, what a naïve woman she was.

But Lauren was over the moon, of course. Her birthday party would take place at their home and her daddy had promised her to be there and play pot hitting with her and her friends!

After an hour of trying to calm her mother, Anna ended the call and sat down at her desk, staring at her opened laptop. She needed to work but she couldn't concentrate.

John Bates, her colleague, knew. And he had come down to the parking lot to ask her if she needed help.

She touched her ring, starting to play with it, to turn it on her finger. How exactly had John noticed? Why had he of all people noticed and no one else? Besides Mary, but Mary was her best friend.

Or maybe everyone had noticed and they just pretended not to. After all Anna knew how they were looking at her with their pitying looks. Maybe John was just the only one who had dared to speak up?

She opened the chat application of the company, looking for John's name.

Hello, John, she started as she had found it. Thank you for worrying about me. I think you didn't deserve my reaction today as you asked about my husband. I am fine, really. I have been with Oliver for eight years now (married for six) and occasionally we fight. About the bruises, I really am a clumsy woman. You will realise that once you know me better ... and I believe you will. Once we've finished this project, we probably have to pair up again for the next one. I know Robert and I think you do too. Anyhow, thanks again for worrying. And for stepping in the other day. I can be quite a fury but you saw Oliver, he stayed calm. It is all right, John. I am all right.
See you tomorrow!
Greetings, Anna.

Anna read the message again.

What a damn liar she was. I am all right. It sounded so wrong in her mind. Hopefully John believed it. Anxiously she waited for an answer.

She knew she had work to do but somehow waiting for an answer from John Bates was much more interesting now. And as he replied only a minute later, she started to smile.

I am glad about that!, he wrote, and I am looking forward to get to know you better. After all I've been working here for seven months now without a single friend but the boss.
And I am glad you're all right.
Still, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask me. I mean it, Anna.
- John.

Okay, maybe he didn't fully believe it. But Anna would make sure to persuade him.

How do you like the company, even? she wrote and muttered "You can ask him that tomorrow" right after, just before she pressed send. She wasn't in the mood for working.

It didn't take John long to reply, just as before. I like it very much. Matthew and Tom are nice fellas, even though all they do is talking about their cars and video games. I have a car but I am not proud of it and I can't say I have ever tried to play a video game. I rarely see Robert, sometimes we meet after work but that's it. I don't have any friends, not like you do. Everyone seems to like you and I think I get it now. You are really nice, how could one not like you?

"Aw," Anna mumbled and smiled, typing back right away.
You are nice too and I'm sure you'll find friends. I actually think the reason why you can't find friends here that easily might have to do something with your age. Not that you're old, you see, but there are certain age gaps. We have the early 20s, with Daisy, Ivy, Alfred and Jimmy, then the mid 20s to mid 30s for Thomas, Mary, William, Gwen and me. Then the 40s ... for you and Robert. And then the 50s and 60s for Mrs. Patmore and Mr and Mrs Carson. You see what I'm getting at?

Phyllis and Joseph are in their 40s too, John replied.

Hm yes but they're Baxley. They don't count.

Baxley? John asked and Anna had to giggle.

Forgot you're new. You see, once there's a couple, they get a name which basically consists of their names. Baxley means Molesley and Baxter. And Baxley are in their own world, you see? They don't need any friends, they have each other.

That sounds great to be honest, John replied. I am jealous.

Anna smiled. Don't be. You will get your chance again.

Again? John asked, obviously confused.

Well, you were married. Sorry ... I figured... you loved her. Anna bit her lip and deleted the last sentence again. I was talking about your late wife. My condolences, by the way.
Yes, that was better. She pressed send.

And what John replied almost made her heart stop.

My wife killed herself.

"What?" she whispered and wanted to text him how sorry she was, but halfway through the message, John sent something new.

She did it only because she wanted to accuse me of murdering her. It didn't work, thank God. I was released from prison after my innocence was made clear. But we didn't love each other, Anna. We only hurt each other.

Anna's eyes were big as she read the last sentence. Had he ... hit her? Had she hit him?

Robert doesn't know about it. The prison and the suicide. He only knows that she died and that I had ... problems afterwards. So please don't tell anyone. I trust you with this, Anna.

I won't tell anyone. Really. I won't. She bit her lip. I'll tell you something too, if you promise not to tell anyone either.

His answer came quick. I would never.

Anna knew she could trust him. After all it seemed he trusted her too.

Okay ... after I found out I was pregnant, I was really done. I had only married Oliver because I my father had died and I was heartbroken. It sounds so stupid but I was only 22. No one is a responsible adult with 22! We married and he got me pregnant right after that ... and I wanted to abort. It was the first thing I did, call a doctor and set an appointment. I didn't want his child. It seemed horrible to me, having Oliver's child.

With shaking hands she sended the message. What if he judged her? But John's answer was neutral.

What made you change your mind? John asked.

A few things. But I think I mainly did it for my dad. It sounds really weird but I had the feeling that he wouldn't have wanted me to abort ... so I didn't. And luckily I never regretted it. Lauren is my everything. So I kind of got the baby for my father, who always worshipped me. Do you see what I mean?

Yes, I think I know what you mean, John wrote. Vera and I married in our early twenties as well. It was the biggest mistake of my whole life. I am so glad we never had a baby but I'm happy that you love your kid.

Vera Bates.

Without another thought Anna opened the browser and googled the name. She found a few reports about her death but nothing about John. So he had been telling the truth, he had nothing to do with her death. Hopefully ... She shook her head jumped back into chat. John definitely had not killed his wife.

Her mouth went slightly open as she read what John had typed in the meantime.

Sometimes divorce is the only solution...

He did not only mean himself and Vera. He meant her and Oliver.

I know, Anna typed back. And believe me, I've thought about it a lot. But I love him. I really do.

"Say it a few more times and you'll start start believing it yourself," Anna whispered to herself.

"What did you say?" a voice behind her asked and she winced, quickly closing her mails. Oliver had returned home.

"Hi," she said, "I haven't heard you coming home."

"Yeah, you were busy texting. Mary?"

"Thomas," Anna replied. "A new project."

"Ah, nice." Oliver leant down and kissed Anna's cheek. "I brought Thai food and chocolate."

Anna forced herself to smile. "Yay."

"Where's my angel girl?" he asked and Anna pointed upstairs.

"Playing with her dolls. I told her if she behaved today, the party on Saturday would be the best party of the year."

"You are the most amazing mum existing," Oliver said gently. "I love you, Anna."

Anna didn't reply. She couldn't return it. She just couldn't.

"Anyhow," Oliver suddenly said and something in his voice now didn't sound nice anymore. "Who is John?"

"What?"

"The guy from the parking lot yesterday."

"Oh ... a new colleague. My project partner."

"I thought Thomas was your project partner."

"I'm working on two projects. At work with John and at home with Thomas."

"Ah," Oliver made. "So why did he get out when he heard you scream?"

"Probably because I was screaming around like a maniac, Oliver? I'm actually surprised he was the only one coming out."

"Anna," Oliver said quietly, suddenly sounding dangerous. "If I find out you're sleeping with him -"

"Stop accusing me of adultery, please," Anna begged. "I've never cheated on you and I won't ever do it. You know I couldn't. You know me."

"Yes, Anna. And I know men. I don't trust them."

"You trust me but not them and you're still scared that I could sleep with someone? So you don't think they'd stop if I said no?" Anna asked and swallowed, knowing what she was about to say was risky. "Not every man is like you, Oliver."

John's heart stopped as Anna appeared in his office the next day. She was smiling but he immediately noticed that her eyes looked empty and sad.

"Good morning, John," she said quietly and sat down next to him.

"Anna, what happened to you?" he asked quietly. Now that she was close to him, he could see that there were purple bruises on her throat ... oh God. She had tried to hide them with make up but John knew how to recognise signs of domestic abuse.

He had seen it often enough.

"I didn't sleep at all. Not a single minute," Anna whispered.

"Why?" John asked. "Is it your husband? Are you scared to go to sleep, scared he could do something to you while you're asleep?"

"What? No!" Anna gasped. She was staring at John. "No, why would you think so?"

"Anna." John let out a sigh. "I know how domestic abuse looks. I know the signs and I know all the excuses for bruises. I've seen them all and heard them all. Every day for years."

Anna's eyes went wide but before either of them could say something, Tom and Matthew came in.

"Morning, guys!"

"Morning, Anna! Would you like some tea?"

"That would be nice, thank you, Tom."

"You too, John?"

John nodded, his eyes never leaving Anna's. "Yes please."