There was something i skipped in the timeline.. I kept it bottled up inside for so long that it barely even matters anymore. Yet at the same time, it's the reason why im still alive to tell the story.
After Joseph attacked me the first time, the next day I told him i was going to get groceries, but instead i made a quick pit stop at an old friend's house. I told Martyn about the incident.
"Sadie," he started, a look of empathy upon his rounded features. "I'll deal with the situation if it happens again." i gave him a smile. at least there was someone who cared about my situation. i was too afraid to tell my own parents, and Joseph's parents would brush it off, as if it didn't matter at all.
"Thank you, Martyn."
After that day, it was all smooth sailing: there weren't any more fuckups from Joseph, Josie was sleeping better, and Joseph's parents made a safe trip here. The following week, on that Saturday, we got married. That was one of many chapters we would have write together, as a family.