I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS (JACE, CLARY, ISABELLE, ALEC, ETC.) CASSANDRA CLARE OWNS THEM!

A/N: So I am fully aware that there is stories like this already. However, I am putting my own spin on them. I hope you guys enjoy this story. It is rated M for possible lemons in later chapters, and Clary's place of employment. READ AND REVIEW! I LOVE TO HEAR OPINIONS!

PROLOGUE:

CLARY POV

It was around 8:30 at night when Clary was returning to her luxurious apartment. Clary had been at her favorite coffee shop in New Jersey. She had lost track of time furiously drawing away. Clary was climbing the stairs and praying her husband was not home from work. But, as she saw the light illuminating through her flat, she knew her prays were unanswered. She gulped in fear. Sebastian was going to be furious.

"Hello?" Clary called out nervously.

"In here." Sebastian answered from their bedroom. His answer was short, clipped in rage. Clary let out a ragged breath. She knew what was going to happen when she walked into their bedroom. It had been happening for a year or so now. Yet, it never got less painful.

Stepping through the door, Sebastian grabbed her by the throat. Clary's tried to suppress her yelp of surprise, but failed.

"What were you doing out so late, my pet?" Sebastian growled in a low voice. Clary collected herself, trying not to show her fear. She took a deep breath, but was having trouble because of Sebastian's hand lightly squeezing her throat.

"I lost track of time. I'm sorry." Clary replied weakly.

"I wish you could just behave, Clarissa." Sebastian said. Clary knew that he only used her full name when he was truly angry. She gasped as she saw his fist clenched tightly. Quickly, he jabbed his fist into her stomach. Sebastian was relentless with his punishments. The world around was darkening very slowly. Clary was now on the ground, sprawled out. Yet, Sebastian was still kicking her in the ribs with full force. Clary hoped this would all be over soon. She prayed for the darkness to take her quickly. She wanted the suffering to end.

Hours later, Clary awoke with pain enveloping her. She looked around cautiously, until her eyes landed on her husband's sleeping form. Clary knew her body couldn't take much more. She had to escape, somehow. Clary slowly stood herself up, wincing at each movement. There was time to get out, and she had to get out now.

Quietly, she reached the wardrobe and opened it. She looked behind her to ensure her husband was still asleep. Grabbing a bag, Clary stuffed clothes into the bag. She ignored the extravagant dresses her husband forced her to wear. Next, Clary found her sketchbook and stuffed them into her bag. Clary left the bedroom slowly and headed into the kitchen. Clary thought about taking her cellphone and wallet, but decided against it. She didn't want Sebastian to find her. She reached her husband's wallet and took all the cash he had, 300 dollars, and all the cash she had, 200 dollars.

As she reached the door, Clary looked around at the apartment one more time. She would never return here. Not ever. Clary closed the door to the apartment, and fled down the stairs. Once she was safe on the streets, Clary thought to herself of how she got into this situation.

It started when she was 16 years old. She had been dating Sebastian for only a month. But one day, her parents and brother were in a car accident. No one survived, and from then, Clary was an orphan. Sebastian was 18 years old at the time, and he took her in. She lived with him in his apartment, and helped Clary through her dark times. Clary was stupid enough to marry him once out of high school. For the first year, things were going great. Sebastian was smart with the inheritance Clary earned, and started his own big business. They were rich. But then something changed within Sebastian. That's when the abuse began. Clary stuck around because she thought Sebastian still loved her, and she felt as if she owed him for what he had done. But today, Clary had enough.

Reaching the subway, she boarded without a second thought. She knew where she could go to be safe. There was only one person in the entire world whose steps she could show up on at 1 am, and they would answer. Simon Lewis, her best friend who lived in New York City.

Clary rode the subway practically alone. She was thankful for that. Her tears fell silently, but not in regret; in fear. Fear of the unknown. Clary had exactly 495 dollars to her name. She only had a high school degree, no credit, no job experience, and no home. She had absolutely nothing. With only a medium bag filled with tee shirts, jeans, and a pair of tennis shoes; Clary was alone. Clary knew Simon would let her live with him, but Clary couldn't live there without helping pay the rent. She would have to get a job, and soon.

Clary looked down at her lap. She was 5'8" with a pale, but strong and fit body. Her fiery red hair and green eyes stuck out in a crowd. She had one a pair of designer jeans and boots paired with a sheer blouse and a scarf. Clary was different to say the least, but she needed to find a way to fit into the city. She refused to let that monster find her and drag her back to hell.

Finally, the subway pulled into the station in New York City. Clary stood and quickly made her way onto the street. Thankfully, Clary had been to Simon's apartment once. Sebastian had been away on business, and Clary successfully snuck out to visit her childhood friend. Clary stood in front of the apartment suddenly nervous. What if Simon wasn't home? What if Sebastian had followed her? Becoming paranoid, Clary entered the building. She climbed the stair to the second floor, and walked down the hallway to his apartment. Outside the door, Clary could hear the loud noise of guns and bombs. Of course, Simon was playing a video game.

Clary knocked on the door, and heard a groan in response. The noise of the game paused, and footsteps could be heard coming to the door. Simon opened the door, and Clary stood quietly.

"Hey, Si." Clary croaked. She had stopped crying on the subway. But seeing her best friend, all the emotions came flooding back to her.

"Oh, Clary." Simon said as he enveloped her into a hug. He hurried her inside, and locked the door. Clary sat on the couch as Simon made her some tea. He didn't have to ask what happened, because he already knew. Countless times had Simon tried to convince her to leave Sebastian, but Clary felt guilty.

"I need a place to stay, but only for a little while. I can help pay rent as soon as I find a job. Don't look at me like I am some kicked puppy. I can handle myself." Clary finally spoke. She was no longer crying. She was past that. Clary was ready to start over, and she knew that Simon would understand.

"Okay, Clare. But don't push yourself. You have been through something traumatic. You need time to heal, and find yourself. You have been with him for so long, and you need to get yourself better." Simon said, reluctantly.

"Hello?" A boy called from the door. Clary had known that Simon had a roommate, but had completely forgot about him. She suddenly felt guilty for intruding. His roommate might not agree to this at all.

"In here, Jordan." Simon called from his seat in the kitchen. They were sitting at the bar, facing each other and drinking tea. Clary heard a girl giggle then, and looked at Simon with a raised eyebrow.

Instead of answering, Simon turned around in his seat; Jordan and the girl walking into the kitchen then. Jordan was tall with brown hair, muscular and lean. The girl was about Clary's height with brown hair and dark brown eyes.

"Jordan and Maia, this is my friend Clary. She will be staying here for a while. Don't ask why. She has been through enough tonight." Simon said, but the look on their faces said everything. Clary assumed their knowledge was coming from the bruise appearing on her cheek. She could feel the familiar sting.

"I'm sorry about the intrusion. I will be out of your hair in no time." Clary said with a small smile. They stared at her in confusion for a moment, until Jordan broke the silence.

"Clary, please this is no trouble. You are welcome her for as long as you need. Besides an extra person to clean is nothing to complain about." Jordan said. Maia rolled her eyes and grabbed Jordan's head.

"We are going to sleep. Goodnight Simon and it was nice to meet you, Clary." Maia said sweetly. They headed off into the bedroom, with Jordan and Maia laughing and talking. Clary liked them already.

"Come on, Clare. You will be sleeping in my room. There are two beds, and plenty of closet space." Simon said, standing from the stool.

Simon showed her the bathroom and bedroom. While Simon made the bed, Clary decided to shower. As she took off her clothes, she saw the ugly bruises forming on her stomach. She winced while raising her arms to take off her tank top. They were going to take a couple days to heal, but she was safe now. Clary showered slowly. The warm water invited her in, and she felt at home. She left her old life behind, and she was ready to begin a new one. Without Sebastian.